I have a 2010 Iron with the following performance mods:

• V&H short shots
• Screamin' Eagle air cleaner
• Fuelpak

I'm considering converting my bike to a 1200 (already have the prices through my dealer)


However, the guy at the service department said that I would get more performance out of a Stage 2 conversion, which includes (cylinders, pistons and rings, clutch spring, race tuner and performance cams). But, I'd still have the 883 heads.


I'm not a mechanic, I'm just looking for more power, so which route seems the best??

 

There are plenty of threads on here about upgrading to 1200, including a recent one with pics and a 1250 kit. Do some reading up of recent threads!

Your dealer will probably replace cylinders and heads with stock 1200 parts, at great cost. You can bolt on a 1200 cylinder kit for far less cost, using your 883 heads.

 

what the dealer is telling you, stage two, IS a 1200 kit. He said to use the 883 heads on the 1200 cylinders because it will give you higher compression.

The reason he suggested the clutch spring is because the clutches will slip with that much hp gain on a stock 883 spring. Screaming eagle makes them, they're cheap on ebay. Be prepared for a much harder clutch pull

 

I realize there are threads about converting an 883, my question is more of which route should I go, not how to do it.

So if the stage 2 IS a 1200 kit, minus the 1200 heads, would that be a better route than the stage 1 conversion with 1200 heads?

 

everything but the cams is a basic 1200 kit. You won't really need the cams unless you're getting head work, and ignition done.

 

you normally don't get heads with a 1200 upgrade, just the cylinders and pistons. You don't want the 1200 heads anyways.

 

You guys sure are confused and are mixing and mismatching terminology.

Stage X has nothing to do with the motor size. You can have a Stage 2 883 or 1200.
Stage 1 is basically improved intake, exhaust, A/F ratio and ignition timing.
Stage 2 basically adds cams and headwork in addition to the Stage 1 work.

While is is common to retain and reuse 883 heads when doing a 1200 upgrade, you will not obtain Stage 2 performance without doing headwork on the 883 heads to improve intake and exhaust flow. This is commonly referred to porting the heads.

 

Stage two with 883 heads reworked

 

Get at 1250 kit from NRHS performance. Best bang for the buck out there. Swap out the cylinders and pistons and see if you are OK with the performance. I bet you will be.

The 1250 kit is $700. You have to supply your own labor, but with a manual, and reading Mich's thread, you can do it.

 

with the 1250 kit do you need a new ignition? or can the stock 883 ignition be used?