Engine interchangability - 103
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,237
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From: West Coast
Engine interchangability - 103
Thinking of swapping in a lower mileage 103 in my '14 SGS next winter as mine is kinda mid life at 62K and have no idea how the PO treated it. Maybe a fleabay or auction salvage unit.
Anybody have a cheat sheet or know which engine families are direct swap in? I see that the 103 was pretty widely used by moco but want to see which other years and models are suitable donors? Want to stay with models that have the "HO" cam (I know it is not very HO). I like wrenching on it as much as riding as long as it is at my choice and not its! Thanks in advance.
Anybody have a cheat sheet or know which engine families are direct swap in? I see that the 103 was pretty widely used by moco but want to see which other years and models are suitable donors? Want to stay with models that have the "HO" cam (I know it is not very HO). I like wrenching on it as much as riding as long as it is at my choice and not its! Thanks in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,148
Likes: 11,220
From: San Diego, CA
You don't say how many miles of that 62K you put on your current bike, and whether it's running well or has a problem..... but......
IMHO.... better to deal with the devil you know, rather than the devil you don't.....
Unless a new crate engine is an option, I'd tear down the engine you have and build that one like new.... Rather than buy another used engine that someone is getting rid of, that you know nothing about, just because it has less miles than your current engine...
Good luck with your decision...
IMHO.... better to deal with the devil you know, rather than the devil you don't.....
Unless a new crate engine is an option, I'd tear down the engine you have and build that one like new.... Rather than buy another used engine that someone is getting rid of, that you know nothing about, just because it has less miles than your current engine...
Good luck with your decision...
I'm not an expert but Id say you can swap in any Twin Cam engine that was donated from a touring bike with a 6spd transmission. The 6spd was introduced in 2007 with the TC96 generation. Compatible choices would be the TC96, TC103 or CVO TC110. You wouldn't want to get one of the twin cooled models.
Like previously stated a used engine swapped in would just be another engine you don't fully know the history of. I wouldn't do that unless upgrading to a TC110 in which I still probably wouldn't do it. If you want a new engine then throw down the money for an S&S 124 and sell your current running engine to offset that cost. Or if you don't want to shell out the money all at once buy a TC103 on ebay or something. Take your time building it into what you want from the ground up. Timken conversion, welded crank, big cams big bore and let that thing eat! Then swap it in and sell your current running engine to offset cost.
Or of course the easiest and most recommended route is to just do nothing. Just keep riding that thing.
Like previously stated a used engine swapped in would just be another engine you don't fully know the history of. I wouldn't do that unless upgrading to a TC110 in which I still probably wouldn't do it. If you want a new engine then throw down the money for an S&S 124 and sell your current running engine to offset that cost. Or if you don't want to shell out the money all at once buy a TC103 on ebay or something. Take your time building it into what you want from the ground up. Timken conversion, welded crank, big cams big bore and let that thing eat! Then swap it in and sell your current running engine to offset cost.
Or of course the easiest and most recommended route is to just do nothing. Just keep riding that thing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Well since you stated you want to keep the HO cam in it, that narrows it to any '14 - '16 touring engine.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,744
Likes: 22,861
From: North Carolina
We had a nice 2010 Ultra that we bought new and loved. It had 60k miles on it and ran strong. I talked to Kendall Johnson and his son about an engine build and was close to pulling the trigger for about 6k. We decided our money was better spent on a newer bike with a warranty. Glad I did go newer and with the M8. I would trade up if in your shoes. Your bike still has valve as a dealer can add ESP to it if under 70k mile range.
Good luck with your decision.
Good luck with your decision.
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