'Rank' the performance upgrades...
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 43
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From: Washington, D. C.
'Rank' the performance upgrades...
I'm interested in comparingtheperformance improvements that different upgrades provide... We hear a lot about 'bang for the buck', but I really haven't been able to get my hands on anything that quantifies just what you get from certain upgrades. For example, pipes and air can providexhp-xhp gain, where pipe 'x' generally out-performs (or dynos) pipe 'y'... Anybody seen anything like this?
If not, I'd be interested in hearing individual experience (yes, I spend a lot of time in the 'dyno numbers thread'). I have a stock (for the moment)FLHRC and am looking to getbetter cruising performance (and some kickwould be fun...) Have considered everything from pipes and air to turbo kits. Still not sure what I want to do, but when I do it, it's gonna be fun!(winter project). Let's hear it... Thanks!
If not, I'd be interested in hearing individual experience (yes, I spend a lot of time in the 'dyno numbers thread'). I have a stock (for the moment)FLHRC and am looking to getbetter cruising performance (and some kickwould be fun...) Have considered everything from pipes and air to turbo kits. Still not sure what I want to do, but when I do it, it's gonna be fun!(winter project). Let's hear it... Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 31
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From:
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
american thunder did a neat series called project night train- where they installed different carbs, air cleaners, pipes, headers, etc. on the same bike, and dyno'd after every upgrade. the dyno told whether pipe a or b was better... wonderr if they have archives on their website to watch???
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 21
From:
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
I worked on a bike from duel pipes and air, then did 95 and 204 cams, then added a Thunderheader, then did Andrews 26 with reworked heads and ignition SERT, then put in a Andrews 31. The dynos on the 26 and 31 are posted on the "Harley Tech Talk" forum. Cant give you hard #'s on the other mods but this build evolved over a year and half. Finnal #'s were something like 92 torque and 87 horses but not at home to get exact numbers. WITH OUT A DOUBT THE HEADWORK MADE MORE DIFFERANCE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. Almost more than 95 and cam change combined seat of pants. Every time we changed something he was like "yea thats better" but when we did the heads there was the big grin factor. Pipes and air will give you biggest bang for buck. After that save your money and decide what you want out of your build and get BB,cams and heads to compliment each other and do them all at same time. Trust me if you really want it to run you need all 3. Head work gives most git up but must have a cam to comploment it and some compression increase helps hold up the bottom rpm range.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
You won't find anything like you're looking for, because it doesn't exists. All the changes and parts have to work together, or they don't work at all. JLockhart says he made a number of changes, but the final change was to the heads and then the bike really came alive. What would have happened if he did the head work first? Then he maybe would have said the cam change made the most improvement. I also suspect that expensive head work on an otherwise stock engine is essentially worthless.
Since you've been reading the dyno numbers thread, you may notice that each successfull build involves the correct selection of parts to create a whole package. That's what you're looking for - the right package.
I suggest you look at various dyno sheets and find one that has the curve you're looking for. For what you want, total hp numbers are useless. Look for a nice flat torque curve that maybe drops off around 5,000'ish.
But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Since you've been reading the dyno numbers thread, you may notice that each successfull build involves the correct selection of parts to create a whole package. That's what you're looking for - the right package.
I suggest you look at various dyno sheets and find one that has the curve you're looking for. For what you want, total hp numbers are useless. Look for a nice flat torque curve that maybe drops off around 5,000'ish.
But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 851
Likes: 5
From: Mitchellville, Ia.
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
ORIGINAL: dog155
Big cubes always ups the fun factor,and gives you the low end power you are seeking,provided you do it correctly.
Big cubes always ups the fun factor,and gives you the low end power you are seeking,provided you do it correctly.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 340
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From: SRQ (Sarasota)
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
ORIGINAL: DDGLIDER
american thunder did a neat series called project night train- where they installed different carbs, air cleaners, pipes, headers, etc. on the same bike, and dyno'd after every upgrade. the dyno told whether pipe a or b was better... wonderr if they have archives on their website to watch???
american thunder did a neat series called project night train- where they installed different carbs, air cleaners, pipes, headers, etc. on the same bike, and dyno'd after every upgrade. the dyno told whether pipe a or b was better... wonderr if they have archives on their website to watch???
Quite a few different improved products (cams, headwork) and methods since then.
But they've archived the article over at SpeedWeek as follows:
Night Train Part I: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motoconsumer/656/
Night Train Part II: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motoconsumer/657/
Night Train Part III: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motoconsumer/658/
Night Train Part IV: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motoconsumer/659/
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 43
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From: Washington, D. C.
RE: 'Rank' the performance upgrades...
That was a good article- thanks.
...and I agree with the points about considering the entire package and how upgrades work together, that's been my approach all along. I'll continue my quest toplan out/quantify the best alternatives before I buy anything and start turning wrenches this winter. Keep the good gouge coming... much appreciated!
...and I agree with the points about considering the entire package and how upgrades work together, that's been my approach all along. I'll continue my quest toplan out/quantify the best alternatives before I buy anything and start turning wrenches this winter. Keep the good gouge coming... much appreciated!
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