Adding power to a 97 FLSTC
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
Adding power to a 97 FLSTC
Hi Guys,
I have a 976 FLSTC with an original 17,000 miles on it and in great condition, in all respects. A little while ago, I read somewhere where changing out the Ignition System can improve performance and reliability. Not sure how changing out the Ignition System can add power, but that is what was said.
Most of the riding I do and will do is what most would regard as Touring, 200 - 400 miles a day. As such, I want to "beef up" the motor to give it a little added power and performance without it costing an arm and leg or any other body parts if it comes to that.
So...what do you guys recommend I do to get that extra power and performance? I'm open to virtually any suggestions within reason and the suggestions don't have to include Genuine HD parts either - I'm not that fanatical
Thanks in advance and safe riding!
I have a 976 FLSTC with an original 17,000 miles on it and in great condition, in all respects. A little while ago, I read somewhere where changing out the Ignition System can improve performance and reliability. Not sure how changing out the Ignition System can add power, but that is what was said.
Most of the riding I do and will do is what most would regard as Touring, 200 - 400 miles a day. As such, I want to "beef up" the motor to give it a little added power and performance without it costing an arm and leg or any other body parts if it comes to that.
So...what do you guys recommend I do to get that extra power and performance? I'm open to virtually any suggestions within reason and the suggestions don't have to include Genuine HD parts either - I'm not that fanatical
Thanks in advance and safe riding!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
My 01 Road King really came alive with Andrews 57 cams. I went with that particular lope because of the current build going on which is an S&S 97" build that should make it get from 0 to whatever faster than I ever care to go. At nearly 100K I was losing some top end and the new 97" should take care of that. This is of course a fairly expensive route but a person could spend more yet. Sorry now I did not go with gear driven cam set and enlarged oil pump. Fueling would be my choice but about 2K just for parts.
Good luck with whatever you decide and that is mighty low miles on that bike. Pictures would be nice.
Good luck with whatever you decide and that is mighty low miles on that bike. Pictures would be nice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,722
Likes: 17,559
From: Driftless Area
It's ignition. If properly timed and reliably supplied, one match is no better than any other to light the fuel. There won't be a noticeable performance improvement in street applications.
On your bike, wake-up performance is most noticeable with an EV-27 cam, shave .050" off the heads, adjustable push rods, a good breathable air cleaner matched with less restrictive pipes, and you will think you gained another gear. Check condition of stock lifters after another 10000 miles and replace if needed.
On your bike, wake-up performance is most noticeable with an EV-27 cam, shave .050" off the heads, adjustable push rods, a good breathable air cleaner matched with less restrictive pipes, and you will think you gained another gear. Check condition of stock lifters after another 10000 miles and replace if needed.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
You don't have to do anything to the heads to get more power out of your bike.
The important question is do you have a carb or EFI?
If you have a carb all you need is ignition, carb work, and a good cam.
Stock pipes work fine.
I put in the EV-27 and was amazed by the change.
PO had already done the ignition and carb.
I changed from the CV to the S&S Super E because I was having problems with the CV.
If you have EFI the above changes become more complicated.
The important question is do you have a carb or EFI?
If you have a carb all you need is ignition, carb work, and a good cam.
Stock pipes work fine.
I put in the EV-27 and was amazed by the change.
PO had already done the ignition and carb.
I changed from the CV to the S&S Super E because I was having problems with the CV.
If you have EFI the above changes become more complicated.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
Thanks to everyone who replied - from what I gather, all great suggestions considering how "little info" I provided, something I will now do.
The bike does have low miles, that's for sure which is why it was such a good buy. I have done absolutely nothing to it, mechanically, as I don't have a clue how to or what to do; hence my asking the question here.
Some details, as best I can, about the bike. It is (so far as I am aware) an original stock, out of the factory 97 FLSTC. It does have a carby, which I personally do prefer over EFI. The only thing that was changed, prior to my buying it, were the pipes. They are not original although I do have the original pipes as well. There is the limit of my mechanical knowledge on the bike.
From what you guys have said, it sounds as though all I need is a more updated Ignition, Carby and a better Cam to "wake the bike up a bit". I'm not looking out of this world 0 - 60 times or record breaking 1/4 mile times either, just something that has the feel of power and does not seem to "struggle" (my feelings) at 60 - 65.
So I should look at the EV27 Cam; SS Super E Carby (not cheap are they) but what do you recommend for the Ignition please? Also, anyone have a suggestion where I should look to buy these parts.
Thanks all for the input and advice and sorry for being so mechanically inept. As for pictures, I will post some along with details of what has been done to the bike, cosmetically.
The bike does have low miles, that's for sure which is why it was such a good buy. I have done absolutely nothing to it, mechanically, as I don't have a clue how to or what to do; hence my asking the question here.
Some details, as best I can, about the bike. It is (so far as I am aware) an original stock, out of the factory 97 FLSTC. It does have a carby, which I personally do prefer over EFI. The only thing that was changed, prior to my buying it, were the pipes. They are not original although I do have the original pipes as well. There is the limit of my mechanical knowledge on the bike.
From what you guys have said, it sounds as though all I need is a more updated Ignition, Carby and a better Cam to "wake the bike up a bit". I'm not looking out of this world 0 - 60 times or record breaking 1/4 mile times either, just something that has the feel of power and does not seem to "struggle" (my feelings) at 60 - 65.
So I should look at the EV27 Cam; SS Super E Carby (not cheap are they) but what do you recommend for the Ignition please? Also, anyone have a suggestion where I should look to buy these parts.
Thanks all for the input and advice and sorry for being so mechanically inept. As for pictures, I will post some along with details of what has been done to the bike, cosmetically.
Last edited by wombat457; Apr 1, 2015 at 05:06 PM. Reason: Addition
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
So I should look at the EV27 Cam; SS Super E Carby (not cheap are they) but what do you recommend for the Ignition please? Also, anyone have a suggestion where I should look to buy these parts.
Thanks all for the input and advice and sorry for being so mechanically inept. As for pictures, I will post some along with details of what has been done to the bike, cosmetically.
Thanks all for the input and advice and sorry for being so mechanically inept. As for pictures, I will post some along with details of what has been done to the bike, cosmetically.
E-bay is a good place to look.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
Okay, so one final question on this - I live in Up State New York, about an 1 1/2 south of Rochester. Can anyone from around the area (or any where) recommend a "Good, Reliable, Knowledgeable and Reputable " place to get this work done?
One other (dumb) question - how long should it take to do the work mentioned - the Cam, Carb and Ignition? Is this a day job or might it take longer? Also, once this work is done, should I have the bike Dyna tuned at the same time or is that part and parcel of the work to be done?
And, on that note - what are the benefits of having the bike Dyna Tuned - is it worth the money do you think?
Once again, sorry for the very mechanically naive questions and thanks for the help and advice.
One other (dumb) question - how long should it take to do the work mentioned - the Cam, Carb and Ignition? Is this a day job or might it take longer? Also, once this work is done, should I have the bike Dyna tuned at the same time or is that part and parcel of the work to be done?
And, on that note - what are the benefits of having the bike Dyna Tuned - is it worth the money do you think?
Once again, sorry for the very mechanically naive questions and thanks for the help and advice.