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88 ci. vs 96 ci.

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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 12:57 PM
  #1  
hamdizle's Avatar
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Thumbs up 88 ci. vs 96 ci.

just wondering what the differences in power, relibality and over all...what is the better engine....factory fi...vs. factory fi...
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 01:59 PM
  #2  
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As a general rule when it comes to money or engine displacement: more is better!
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 02:18 PM
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One has 200 hp the other only 5!!! Search button....find it.....USE IT!
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:23 PM
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Any Harley that has sensors in the pipes is not better
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by FastHoss
Any Harley that has sensors in the pipes is not better
put a PCV and do away with the o2 sensors
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:40 PM
  #6  
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96 Ups ..
  • More Power
  • Better oil Pump.
  • More reliable Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner.
96 Downs ..
  • Some reported excessive heat
  • Not much power difference felt due to changed gearing.
  • EFI (depending on you ... a lot prefer simple carbs).
88 Ups ..
  • Cheaper 88 engine can be modified with new Oilpump/Cam tensioner and throw in better cams/plate for around 1.5K CAD$ (shop labor included).
  • Without the previous upgrade after 40K you run risk of destroying your engine.
  • Can be obtained in Carbs in certain years, and a lot of peeps prefer that.
  • Runs Cooler stock.

Personally, I prefer smaller engines on lighter bikes, I would be on a sporty rigid if I did not have a passenger, but I digress.
I prefer Carbs, if I wanted Electronics and technology I would be riding Liquid cooled Jap.
Personally, I like my bike to cost me as little as possible and I will have to measure the budget between older 88+mods vs. newer 96.

Not to mention different finishes (I am happy with my standard but some days I wish it was the cool black engine ).
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #7  
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I've ridden both on the same model (Heritage). Hard to really tell any difference at all. My brother has an '06' 88 inch and I have an '09' 96 inch. The main thing I like is the six speed. If you're shopping and find a really nice 88 inch I wouldn't let that stop you from buying.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
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Default Not a huge difference

Originally Posted by Bikenator
As a general rule when it comes to money or engine displacement: more is better!
+1

And there are plenty of bikes out there running o2 sensors that are tuned by Sert, Sespt and TTS that run great and get 40 - 50 MPG and more at cruise.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:53 PM
  #9  
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Default Miss a couple.

Originally Posted by klf33
96 Ups ..
  • More Power
  • Better oil Pump.
  • More reliable Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner.
96 Downs ..
  • Some reported excessive heat
  • Not much power difference felt due to changed gearing.
  • EFI (depending on you ... a lot prefer simple carbs).
88 Ups ..
  • Cheaper 88 engine can be modified with new Oilpump/Cam tensioner and throw in better cams/plate for around 1.5K CAD$ (shop labor included).
  • Without the previous upgrade after 40K you run risk of destroying your engine.
  • Can be obtained in Carbs in certain years, and a lot of peeps prefer that.
  • Runs Cooler stock.

Personally, I prefer smaller engines on lighter bikes, I would be on a sporty rigid if I did not have a passenger, but I digress.
I prefer Carbs, if I wanted Electronics and technology I would be riding Liquid cooled Jap.
Personally, I like my bike to cost me as little as possible and I will have to measure the budget between older 88+mods vs. newer 96.

Not to mention different finishes (I am happy with my standard but some days I wish it was the cool black engine ).
96 downs
Weak cranks

88 downs
Seen tensioners go at less that 20,000 and ruin an engine.

If I were to get an 88, it would be a pre 03 as they had the strongest bottom end of the twincams, still cheap *** inner cam bearings though.
 

Last edited by chester1957; Sep 9, 2010 at 07:04 AM. Reason: error
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 04:03 PM
  #10  
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96 has about 2 hp more than the 88... big difference would be the tranny, otherwise it's all pretty will feel the same
88 has a weak tensioner as mentioned though
 
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