Ultima Starter?

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Jan 30, 2010 | 05:26 PM

98 FLHX

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From: St. Peters, Missouri

Ultima Starter?

Does anyone have any first hand experience with these?

Recently installed 10.5:1 pistons, and the starter is dragging a bit, so I thought I'd be pro-active and just replace with a new one.
Using a pretty reliable compression and displacement calculator, the stats are as follows:

Static Compression: 10.33:1
Corrected Compression: 9.34:1
Cold Cranking Compression: 191.0 @ 600ft above sea level

The Thunderfire starters are reasonable, as far as price, and I've had good luck with other Ultima components I've bought.... But...I've bought nothing electrical, and interested to see if any of you have any input.

Looking at the 1.75kw side post (#70-225), which should be a direct replacement.

Would this be enough kw, or go with the 2.0kw?
Fitment, clearance, install issues?
Anyone running an Ultima starter?...your thoughts...

Thanks

Last edited by 98 FLHX; Jan 30, 2010 at 05:47 PM.

Jan 30, 2010 | 06:10 PM

pajoe

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Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 535

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From: Highspire Pa

I have one of the Ultima 1.4 starters on my 1990 FLHTCU for a few years now. The 80" engine had 10:1 pistons, head work etc, and the Ultima 113" has even more compression but also has compression release valves that I try to use - but some times forget. It doesn't take too much cranking to run down the battery, but I guess that is the way it will be - I did change cables, use a good battery and keep it on the battery tender most of the time it is parked. I am pretty happy with the Ultima starter purchase, it was about $110, maybe 3 years (30,000 miles) ago.

on edit:

Sorry, I made an error, I have the 1.4 Ultima starter

Last edited by pajoe; Jan 31, 2010 at 04:57 PM. Reason: stupid mistake

Jan 30, 2010 | 06:50 PM

NorthGeorgiaHawg

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: North Atlanta Area, GA

I run a Ultima 1.4KW on Bertha. Bought it last year from Eastern PC on eBay for $140 (chrome) because my old solenoid was getting unreliable. My engine just has standard compression, but I really like the Ultima starter. Pulls really strong and sounds much more solid than the original H-D starter did. I would recommend an Ultima... they are much less expensive than any other starter I found... others seem to be twice as expensive. Make sure you have good battery cables and connections!

If you go with the 2.0KW starter, double-check all your clearances - that one is like an inch or so longer, and i think bigger around, and may not fit under your oil tank if you have one above it. I don't know much about FXRs...

Jan 31, 2010 | 09:11 AM

Buddy WMC

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Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,354

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From: S.W. Florida

Seems that you are building an awful lot of CCR with that 3030 cam. My 93 FXR has a 5015 at about 165#, but bleeds off some of the cranking pressure due to the duration and overlap. That being said, I installed an Ultima 1.4 and have had instant starts for over a year now. Make sure that you double check your clearances, as I do not think that the longer 1.75 starter will fit. The other problem that we have with our FXR's is the size of the battery. We can't install larger ones like some folks can.

Jan 31, 2010 | 09:34 AM

98 FLHX

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From: St. Peters, Missouri

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I appreciate your input.

If necessary, we'll go the compression release valve route,
but I'll need a new starter anyway, so I thought I'd see what
you all thought.

Buddy...yeah, the 191 is a bit high, but not excessive...
after it went back together, you should have heard it....it fired right up...
It seems like the starter didn't have to hardly make one full revolution, and it sparked....but when it got up to temp, starter began to drag a bit, and I figure, what the hell, the Ultima is about a hundred bux, or so..

What's you comp ratio? Curious...you mention you're using the 1.4...
I just thought that wouldn't be enough umph to get the party started.....

Thanks again for the reply....

Last edited by 98 FLHX; Jan 31, 2010 at 02:48 PM.

Jan 31, 2010 | 02:07 PM

Buddy WMC

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Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,354

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From: S.W. Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93 FXR

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I appreciate your input.

If necessary, we'll go the compression release valve route,
but I'll need a new starter anyway, so I thought I'd see what
you all thought.

Buddy...yeah, the 191 is a bit high, but not excessive...
after it went back together, you should have heard it....it fired right up...
It seems like the starter didn't have to hardly make one full revolution, and it sparked....but when it got up to temp, starter began to drag a bit, and I figure, what the hell, the Ultima a about a hundred bux, or so..

What's you comp ratio? Curious...you mention you're using the 1.4...
I just thought that wouldn't be enough umph to get the party started.....

Thanks again for the reply....

85" with ported SE heads decked back down to 72cc'c after the chambers were done. 10.5 to 1 corrected with the CP pistons with an .040 Cmetic head gasket. No pinging on 93 octane with the Dyna 2000 ignition. The Ultima 1.4 turns her right over without compression releases.

Feb 7, 2010 | 03:34 PM

98 FLHX

Thread Starter

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Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 375

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From: St. Peters, Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddy WMC

Seems that you are building an awful lot of CCR with that 3030 cam. My 93 FXR has a 5015 at about 165#, but bleeds off some of the cranking pressure due to the duration and overlap. That being said, I installed an Ultima 1.4 and have had instant starts for over a year now. Make sure that you double check your clearances, as I do not think that the longer 1.75 starter will fit. The other problem that we have with our FXR's is the size of the battery. We can't install larger ones like some folks can.

Just a follow up to this thread...

Installed the 1.75 kw starter yesterday. Bolted right in, no fitment issues.
Yes, it is a bit longer than the stock starter (5/8"), but still no issue. Went right in...... FWIW, the 2.0 kw probably would have fit as well, just a bit tighter of a squeeze.

Obviously turns the motor with much more authority. Fired right up in 30* weather.

Thanks to all for the input. I appreciate it.