96 Engine Work worth it?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Only you can answer whether engine work is worth it. Do you like the feeling you get when you twist the throttle? WOT on a well built motor can be pretty awesome and a lot of fun!
Just be careful as it is addictive and once you start there's a good chance you may want more.
Just be careful as it is addictive and once you start there's a good chance you may want more.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 4
From: la
I recently sold my ZX12R with NOS and wheelie bars so I know what fast is and it isn't my HD, I do like the TQ delivery on the HD and I try to concentrate on low to mid power, I didn't by a cruiser to ride in the high R's but I do hit the rev limiter once in a while. I got lucky on some deals and only paid $2,200 for all items listed in my sig and my Brother gave me the clutch NIB. I did a little at a time so the differences piled up over a period of time, I really notice the difference when I ride my brothers new Heritage Classic it sure feels wimpy.
Last edited by paul s; Nov 26, 2010 at 01:41 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Richlands North Carolina
I don't dislike the engine "as is". I do have an issue when riding 2 up. I have ridden sports in the past and as much fun as they can be, a Harley is a Harley period. I want to feel that thing rumble, I am more on the "mellow this bike is cool crowd" right now but, want to be on the "hell yeah crowd".
Basically I want to do something to the bike without braking the bank or the bike in the process. Am I going to feel a good increase with a 2 into 1, air cleaner and tune combo? I have been told by the stealer that is a waste without engine work. That brought me to the engine work research. SO now I change the question, is a Stage 1 worth it without engine work?
Basically I want to do something to the bike without braking the bank or the bike in the process. Am I going to feel a good increase with a 2 into 1, air cleaner and tune combo? I have been told by the stealer that is a waste without engine work. That brought me to the engine work research. SO now I change the question, is a Stage 1 worth it without engine work?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson, Oregon
Was to me...bike runs cooler, sounds better and it picked up in the areas that felt...weak.
Was it OMG different? No, but you do feel the difference. If you shop around...you can do a full stage 1 on the cheap. I had $450 bucks into my stage one at first...and that was buying a brand new PC-V from Fuel moto. They can be had cheaper used...my father picked up a nice used one off the forums for $150 bucks.
Add in a used SE stage 1 AC or Ness Big sucker...some used slip on's and your in business. All can be done cheaper than a dealership....just watch the classifieds.
Do that...look at different cam setups to put the power where you want and pop for a good dyno tune and you'll smile. Look at fuel moto and what they managed with just some cams, exhaust, AC and PCV....almost a solid 100/100 engine with a VERY flat torque curve.
Was it OMG different? No, but you do feel the difference. If you shop around...you can do a full stage 1 on the cheap. I had $450 bucks into my stage one at first...and that was buying a brand new PC-V from Fuel moto. They can be had cheaper used...my father picked up a nice used one off the forums for $150 bucks.
Add in a used SE stage 1 AC or Ness Big sucker...some used slip on's and your in business. All can be done cheaper than a dealership....just watch the classifieds.
Do that...look at different cam setups to put the power where you want and pop for a good dyno tune and you'll smile. Look at fuel moto and what they managed with just some cams, exhaust, AC and PCV....almost a solid 100/100 engine with a VERY flat torque curve.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: eastern north carolina
the first thing I did was a stage 1 to my bike. Power commander V, V&H big radius, and a PM super gas air intake. I could def. feel a difference and hear a difference in the way she ran. Not sure if that is all I want to do, but it is a good start to let you feel the difference and see if that is enough.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)
This is an excellant thread. Had the same thing on my mind for a while.
I've done the stage one and definately feel its worth it. I had the biggest grin on my face when I first rolled my bike out of the garage after a stage 1 upgrade and rolled on the throttle.
I've been thinking of going for a full stage 3 install at an indy for about $4k including tune. But, I dont think $4k would give me good value for money, plus I too am concerned about long-term reliability.
The screaming eagle Stage 2 103" kit with cams seems a bargain for less than 1k. I'm leaning towards this right now. Im hoping staying at stage 2 with a 103" would hopefully be a good balance between increased power and reliability.
Am inerested what some others think...
I've done the stage one and definately feel its worth it. I had the biggest grin on my face when I first rolled my bike out of the garage after a stage 1 upgrade and rolled on the throttle.
I've been thinking of going for a full stage 3 install at an indy for about $4k including tune. But, I dont think $4k would give me good value for money, plus I too am concerned about long-term reliability.
The screaming eagle Stage 2 103" kit with cams seems a bargain for less than 1k. I'm leaning towards this right now. Im hoping staying at stage 2 with a 103" would hopefully be a good balance between increased power and reliability.
Am inerested what some others think...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 23
From: Dutchess County NY
I just got my bike back. Went to 107", lots into it. Working on a write-up for the forums. Probably have it up next week. I'll just say that anyone who says going big on a Harley isn't worth it hasn't ridden one or has a different definition of fun than me. End result on my bike: 118 HP - 130 TQ. And it rides like a BEAST!
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 4
From:
What year is your bike and what have you done so far? A stage I is not a waste of money, it is absolutely necessary in my opinion. If that doesn't give you what you want, then you can do engine work, such as cams, head work and so on. You can unleash about 10 to 12 hp and make it run better by doing a good stage I upgrade. You can do it yourself and save tons of money too. But once you start messing with it, your done, you will become addicted and will never stop, but that is what makes it so much fun for me, once I get bored I start over on another bike.
Last edited by VTwinJaxFL; Nov 26, 2010 at 04:12 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 1
From: pottsville,pa
A good tuner,intake,2-1 pipe and some decent cams will get you in the mid-upper 80's hp and upper 90's to low 100tq. You don't have to go big bore to get decent power out of a 96" motor.