Which high performance engine?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Which high performance engine?
I'm about to pull the trigger on an engine upgrade. I got a quote from my local dealership for $3,500 OTD price for a 103 Screaming Eagle upgrade which includes V&H Pro Pipe 2 into 1 Chrome. High Flow SE High Flow AC. Super Tuner SE 251 or SE 259 cams Pistons, boring, Head work Gaskets/seals/fluids, Install/Dyno.
Now the question: is the above a good deal and is it a noticeable change over my stock '09 FXDC? I'm not a drag racer but like to out accelerate traffic.
Now here's where my ego kicks in. For $7,300 OTD and trading my stock engine in with 6K miles, I can have a Jim's high performance 120 cu engine installed. Or possibly go all out for another $800 more and have the Jim's 130 engine installed.
Common sense says stay with the 103 mods, ego asks are the Jims 120 and 130 engine civilized for in town local riding and distance reliability?
I appreciate your feed back.
Now the question: is the above a good deal and is it a noticeable change over my stock '09 FXDC? I'm not a drag racer but like to out accelerate traffic.
Now here's where my ego kicks in. For $7,300 OTD and trading my stock engine in with 6K miles, I can have a Jim's high performance 120 cu engine installed. Or possibly go all out for another $800 more and have the Jim's 130 engine installed.
Common sense says stay with the 103 mods, ego asks are the Jims 120 and 130 engine civilized for in town local riding and distance reliability?
I appreciate your feed back.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
You should really be asking this question in the "Engine Mods Thread"....I'm not saying that you can't/won't get good answers here in "General Chat", but that's where most of the gear-heads hang out. You're gonna get a ton of different opinions, and here's mine: There are MUCH better options out there than the SE upgrade that the dealer is trying to sell you. And you can do most of them for the same ballpark prices that they gave you. As far as the Jims option goes.....Not no, but Hell no. You could turn your stock 96" into a 117" for cheaper than the Jim's options AND have a better set-up. Contact one of the site sponsors, such as GMR Performance (Steve goes by HDWRENCH here on the forum), Hillside Cycle (Scott goes by Hillside), Hyperformance (Randy goes by King of Cubes), or call Dave @ JD's Cycleworks in Bethlehem Pa. Any of these guys can build you a kit that will spank that SE 103. Oh, and as far as pipes go, get the D&D Fat Cat- it's a better option than that V&H they're trying to sell you.
Get ready for the following questions from any of these builders: 1) How do you ride? 2) Do you do most of your riding 1-up or 2-up? 3) Where do you want the power? 4) Are you looking for HP or TQ? These guys are good at what they do- they'll take into consideration what YOU'RE wanting, and offer suggestions. Listen to them! Don't ask me how I know......
Get ready for the following questions from any of these builders: 1) How do you ride? 2) Do you do most of your riding 1-up or 2-up? 3) Where do you want the power? 4) Are you looking for HP or TQ? These guys are good at what they do- they'll take into consideration what YOU'RE wanting, and offer suggestions. Listen to them! Don't ask me how I know......
Last edited by beaureed445; Dec 9, 2009 at 02:57 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
$3500 for the items you noted is a reasonable price (2K for the 103, 1K for the exhaust and 500 for a SEST). I agree with the previos poster however, you might be able to get a GMR or Hillside for close to the same and get a really good build. They can get some great numbers with the 103. Call them and talk to them about what you want. They can work up a price.
Problem is that you'll have to do some of the work yourself to disassemble the engine and reassemble unless you live close to them. That's a plus for your dealer... all the work is done by him.
One thing that concerns me about your post is your question about going to a 117 vs a 103. If you think you NEED all that power (and you said you didn't), then why go down the 103 path? Personnaly, I think if you get one of the sponsors builds you'd be happy or are you caught up in the numbers game? It's easy to do but your riding style should dictate what you build, not chasing some big numbers because it sound cool. You still have to ride the thing you build!
Problem is that you'll have to do some of the work yourself to disassemble the engine and reassemble unless you live close to them. That's a plus for your dealer... all the work is done by him.
One thing that concerns me about your post is your question about going to a 117 vs a 103. If you think you NEED all that power (and you said you didn't), then why go down the 103 path? Personnaly, I think if you get one of the sponsors builds you'd be happy or are you caught up in the numbers game? It's easy to do but your riding style should dictate what you build, not chasing some big numbers because it sound cool. You still have to ride the thing you build!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
I got my question moved to the engine forum area. Thank you for that suggestion "beaureed445". BTW why the D&D Fat Cat over the V&H Pro Pipe?
Keep in mind I want to make as little noise as possible, I rather ride stealth than loud, but that's not going to happen on a modified HD.
Personally, torque at low rpm's is more important than higher horsepower to me. But I do like to have a nice balance if possible between the two.
I too get into chasing numbers, this is why I'm here. As someone has already stated you want to be satisfied riding what you build. I rather build smaller and be happy over the long haul than to own a tempermental fire breathing beast that needs constant attention.
Going with the 103 build from what the dealer told me will not harm my remaining 16 months of warranty. However I'm still open to suggestions but keep in mind I do live in South East Florida and convience does carry some benefits.
I'll look into Doc's later, thanks "rthomp159".
Keep in mind I want to make as little noise as possible, I rather ride stealth than loud, but that's not going to happen on a modified HD.
Personally, torque at low rpm's is more important than higher horsepower to me. But I do like to have a nice balance if possible between the two.
I too get into chasing numbers, this is why I'm here. As someone has already stated you want to be satisfied riding what you build. I rather build smaller and be happy over the long haul than to own a tempermental fire breathing beast that needs constant attention.
Going with the 103 build from what the dealer told me will not harm my remaining 16 months of warranty. However I'm still open to suggestions but keep in mind I do live in South East Florida and convience does carry some benefits.
I'll look into Doc's later, thanks "rthomp159".
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: A house.
Common sense says stay with the 103 mods
Actually, common sense says keep your 6k mi, 96" motor and spend the $3500 bones on beer. 
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Got several here on this forum trying to talk sense into me.
I may actually side by you guys. Thanks for all your opinions, all of you!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 1
From: British Columbia
You should really be asking this question in the "Engine Mods Thread"....I'm not saying that you can't/won't get good answers here in "General Chat", but that's where most of the gear-heads hang out. You're gonna get a ton of different opinions, and here's mine: There are MUCH better options out there than the SE upgrade that the dealer is trying to sell you. And you can do most of them for the same ballpark prices that they gave you. As far as the Jims option goes.....Not no, but Hell no. You could turn your stock 96" into a 117" for cheaper than the Jim's options AND have a better set-up. Contact one of the site sponsors, such as GMR Performance (Steve goes by HDWRENCH here on the forum), Hillside Cycle (Scott goes by Hillside), Hyperformance (Randy goes by King of Cubes), or call Dave @ JD's Cycleworks in Bethlehem Pa. Any of these guys can build you a kit that will spank that SE 103. Oh, and as far as pipes go, get the D&D Fat Cat- it's a better option than that V&H they're trying to sell you.
Get ready for the following questions from any of these builders: 1) How do you ride? 2) Do you do most of your riding 1-up or 2-up? 3) Where do you want the power? 4) Are you looking for HP or TQ? These guys are good at what they do- they'll take into consideration what YOU'RE wanting, and offer suggestions. Listen to them! Don't ask me how I know......
Get ready for the following questions from any of these builders: 1) How do you ride? 2) Do you do most of your riding 1-up or 2-up? 3) Where do you want the power? 4) Are you looking for HP or TQ? These guys are good at what they do- they'll take into consideration what YOU'RE wanting, and offer suggestions. Listen to them! Don't ask me how I know......
