I saw a video by Mr Laidlaw (CA HD dealer) commenting on the new M8 bikes (as he rode one of them) and during the ride he made a comment that in his opinion one of the best performing engines made by HD was when one upgraded a CVO 110 engine to a 117. Are there many stage kits available in this upgrade or just one? Thanks.

 

There is a Stage III kit, a Stage IV kit and a Stage V kit. Each option goes up in price and provides different levels of torque and horsepower.

 

I doubt the hd 117 kit for the 110 is stronger than the 117 kit for the 114, if both kits are done 100% HD, including the head pipe.

That said, aftermarket 117 for the 110 right now will make more power than anything available for the 114 right now. Give it another year and that will change as the after market ramps up pistons, cams and head pipes for the 114.

My 13 CVO King with a 117 is making 138 HP and 140 torque, pretty sure there ant any 17 CVO making those numbers.

 

Dave, I totally agree. I've been watching what Steve Cole, Fuel Moto and George Bryce have been doing with testing and experimentation on the M8s. I'll hold off until my warranty has expired, then pull the trigger and do one of their Stage kits vice the HD ones.

As for Arstbest, you should look at some of the aftermarket Stage Kits that Dave eluded to above. You will have a lot of options, again, Fuel Moto, TTS and others have wicked Stage Kits that will blow Harley Kits out of the water.

 

If HD is the original maker of HD bikes which of course they are why are they constantly being "outdone" by such entities as S&S engine makers and various other aftermarkets like the ones you just mentioned here? That's all I read anymore regarding improving HD bikes in whatever way. 3rd party (non HD) outfits making better products.

 

Steve Cole could probably answer that question better then I can, but from my understanding HD is severely constrained due to EPA regulations and the lawsuits that would follow. For the most part, from what I understand, the aftermarket kits advertise as not being street legal in some states. You see the same from a lot of the aftermarket exhaust companies out there. They cover their butts by making that statement, and it's up to the rider to decide whether they want to be fully EPA compliant or not, at least that's my understanding of it.

 

That sounds reasonable. I see you own a 2017 CVO Street Glide. How big of a radiator does the M8 114 have? Or does it even have one? I have not this cycle in person so that's why I'm asking. Thank you.

 

It does have a radiator. Not sure of it's actual size but it is housed in the right side lower fairing. Here is a picture from the owners manual.

 

My 13 CVO for example. Harley does not offer a high compression piston for the 117 kit for the 110 motor, its about 9.9 to 1. My 13 had been built when I first got it with HD 10.5 to 1 pistons, and I had head work, a HD 259E cam and an HPI 55mm throttle body. Made 123 torque and 124 HP.

The low compression pistons in the HD kit would not have given much more power at all. I might have made 130 torque and 127 HP. Building with a hight lift came than HD offers and a much higher compression piston I am at 140 torque and 138 hp.

As for the kits for the M8 114 to 117 motor. HD was taken to court last year by the EPA. They had to pay a huge fine, and take their race tuner off the market. The kits they sell have to be EPA emissions legal.

The others are still selling parts that are not emissions legal, and they state they are for race use only.

SS makes a better motor because they use better bearings, closer tolerances on the crank shaft and many other things.

 

IDK If its worth the money going from 114 to 117 I can see the value going from 110 to 117