Hello all.

When I purchased my 2009 CVO Road Glide with the 110" Twin Cam, it came with a Heavy Breather Oval Air Cleaner (AC). It was considered a Stage One AC right from Harley. I now have a '26 CVO Street Glide 3 Limited with the 121" VVT motor on order.

My question is this, is the factory AC that came on the '25 121" and the new '26 121" VVT considered a Stage One from Harley?

I've seen many videos of dyno tunes that replace the "stock" AC with something like the Vortex or Wedge AC and the power increase is anywhere from 8 to 11 hp. When I compare the element size of the CVO 121" AC to a stock 117" AC element, the 121" AC is probably double the filter area.

I do plan on upgrading to a set of Twin Cam slip-ons for the new CVO Trike, but still wondering about the true need to upgrade the AC for just a normal Stage One minor bump. I would probably go with the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner and run the auto tune. There aren't any dynos equipped for a trike close to me.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

congrats, sweet ride! you spent enough on that bad boy, just ride and enjoy it the way it came..you got 138 ft lbs torque and 114 HP...my wife's 2020 CVO Tri Glide with 117 felt powerful enough and it's less than you have..they keep getting larger engines more powerful and higher price tags, then the performance parts, tuning and install labor is way more expensive also..upgrading engine performance isn't as much a relevant 'thing' these days, imo anyway

 

No, the stock AC is not considered a Stage 1. A Stage 1 is widely considered upgrading the AC, slip-ons, and doing a tune.

 

actually OP, that Vortex looks like a good choice, designed for models with the Lowers..that and the SE Tuner would be $1000 total if you installed yourself and ran some auto tunes like you mention..no need for exhaust unless it's the sound you're wanting to change..with the all new redesigned rear suspension not sure about "I do plan on upgrading to a set of Twin Cam slip-ons for the new CVO Trike" fitment wise, maybe some aftermarket companies have begun manufacturing some already but Harley doesn't offer any slip ons to date for the new Trikes

 

The air cleaner is not a stage one. Big element but there are others with much better flow. I run the Heavy Breather Extreme.

As for Slip-ons the twin cam slip ons will not work on an M8. The head pipe exit to the slip-on is bigger on one side. So the twin cam slip on will not go over it.

With the neat new rear suspension your going to have to do some research to see what's out there that will fit.