Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Engine Building

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 12:16 PM
  #1  
lar300mag's Avatar
lar300mag
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default Engine Building

Can someone tell me what is involved in building the 96" twin cam engine? I am wanting to get around 120 to 130 ft lbs torque coming in around 2200-2400 rpm and around 130 hp. I was told the crank bearings had to be upgraded, because they won't hold up after 105 to 110 hp.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 02:11 PM
  #2  
sonar_chris's Avatar
sonar_chris
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 5
From: San Diego
Default RE: Engine Building

Those numbers are a little unrealistic for a 96" build, you might want to consider larger displacement or perhaps a turbo.

Chris
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 02:15 PM
  #3  
wbogley's Avatar
wbogley
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 11
From:
Default RE: Engine Building

I think the S&S 124 is about 150 Hp. I think that would get you to your number. I dont know if these will fit in a stock HD frame.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #4  
lar300mag's Avatar
lar300mag
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default RE: Engine Building

I will be increasing the cubic in. just haven't made my mind if I wanted to go 103",110" 116" or 124" kits yet or what would even work. I didn't want to split the cases either.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 04:01 PM
  #5  
wallyn's Avatar
wallyn
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Engine Building

I would have to guess that for those numbers you would need to builld up a 124" and build it just about perfect. You could achieve the horsepower number with smaller displacement but you would end up in the upper RPM range. You need to be more realistic with your build up goals.

What do you want to build the motor for. Bar hopping, cruising or Touring?
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 04:17 PM
  #6  
GrampsWyatt's Avatar
GrampsWyatt
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Engine Building

With your 96" it is a stroker from the factory. You can change pistons and cyl's and get 107" and close to numbers you want. When going to this HP you want, most will suggest Timlen upgrade (split cases) along w/better cam plate, oil pump, clutch........ I suggest you call a builder and tell them what you want. R&R, Headquaters, Hillside, GMR, King Of Cubes and they will discuss what you can do. There are oversquare, undersquare, fast reving, upper rpm power, pwr through the entire torque band......all types of parameters you need to think about when you spend the money your gonna spend to get the power you state.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 04:35 PM
  #7  
lar300mag's Avatar
lar300mag
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default RE: Engine Building

Its used for crusing and bar hopping, i just spoke to a guy from Houston about it, if on a budget, he said go with 103"he said he could get 100 hp, if not, go big, since the cases have to be spilt anyway to upgrade the crake, crank bearing and such. About being realistic, i am, maybe i need to explain better what I am after, I have a tendecy to overbuild things to make them a little more bullit proof and last a little longer, Since this is my first Harley to builld, i want to make sure that there is nothing i overlook, i want to know where the weak areas are that need to addressed and what this engine is capable of putting out.
With that said, in order for me to achieve my goals, what must be done? From what I gathered so far, I am looking at spending 5,000 to 7,000 to get it. Whether I build a 103" and put a Magnacharger supercharger on it or build a 124", the cost is almost the same to get the hp and torque i want. And I dont mind spending money for what I want.

 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2007 | 01:36 AM
  #8  
rocky28's Avatar
rocky28
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Default RE: Engine Building

well i have a 103 in my bike and i am getting 97 hp and 103 tq. i will not get the numbers u want out of a 103 with out adding a charger or something. and if you do that and get them numbers somehow i can not see thw motor being very reliable at all.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 14, 2007 | 08:58 AM
  #9  
YEFFRO12's Avatar
YEFFRO12
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Engine Building

While the build you put together will need to be "coordinated" for your power application, imo you can go "all out" on bullet proofing your motor at any power range. GrampsWyatt said it with upgraded cam support plate, oil pump, Timken swap, and I'll add roller rockers.

I think you could pull off those numbers even breathing normally, but man it'd be expensive.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2007 | 11:57 AM
  #10  
Clammy's Avatar
Clammy
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
Default RE: Engine Building

Check out Head Quarters. They have kits that'll get you into the 120 hp/ft-lbs range. The real key to good numbers is the head-work. You should be able to get better than 1 hp/ft-lb per cubic inch with the right cams and head-work. Just as an example, I had HQ do my heads, installed a set of their HQ-0039G gear drive cams and an HQ-6104 ignition module pre-programmed by them. My carb is badly in need of agood tune, and I'm running 2 into 2 straight pipes (V&H Straight Shots) with Thunder Monster baffles. With stock displacement of 88ci and stock compression of around 9.0:1, I'm getting about 83 hp and 89 ft-lbs. I will pick up a few of each with a good tune, and I am planning on putting the stock baffles back in.

On HQ's USA site, you can virutally build your engine. Check it out HERE

Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE