So today I priced engine mods vs. new engine.

The mod parts were 1K LESS than a new engine but the labor was greater.
In a nutshell a new engine is about $500 bucks more than Moding the existing engine to the same specs.

Basically I was pricing a 120 SE engine vs 120 SE kit.
Yes I know a 120 engine is overkill but it IS MY MIDLIFE CRISES.

Anywhoo, any opinions? Is the SE 120 good or crap? Are there better options?

 

I would get a 103 kit, send my heads to Big Boyz for porting and polishing, add auto compression releases and get some new cams. Install it yourself so you have something to do over the winter months.

Figure $400 for port and polish, $100 for compression releases, $700 or so for the big bore, $300 for the cams and $50 for a cam install kit. You will need a few special tools for the cams, but you can usually get those free at autozone. So we are still well under $2000.

I see no point in buying a new engine either, I'd rather build mine as I enjoy the work, but that is just me. If you do want to buy a new engine, I am direct with S&S and can get you a great deal. Did I hear a 124"?

Drew

 

Doc V thanks for the advice. I really appreciate the reply.

Unfortunately I am not at a place where I can work on a bike in the winter (I live in an apartment) and even if I were, I am not a good enough mechanic to do the work myself. In other words having someone else do the work is by far faster and SAFER then doing it myself even if it costs a few more $. I would probably enjoy attempting the mods myself but deep in my heart I know I would end up paying someone to fix my mistakes in the end.

BTW teasing me with a 124 is hitting below the belt.

Again, thx for the advice.

 

buy a old......... FXR put a S&S 124 evo in the bike and hold the **** on!

 

You can make alot of power with the bike now... why not just do cams and heads and see how that goes????

 

@magnu629c
Thank you for the reply. That is the kind of info I am looking for. Sorry but I am a newbie. I have never been in a position to hotrod a vehicle and truth is I truly don't know what to do or even what I want to do. Hence the post asking for advice.

 

look up cams there around 300 dollars.........and you can do a big boar kit there around 700 dollars... this will make a nice jump in power maybe thats all u need to make you happy. The big boar kit makes the moter bigger where u put bigger pistons in going from 96 inchs up to 103, 110 or bigger

 

The first thing you need to do is decide what you want and why. There is a big difference in a motor that produces "numbers" and a bike that provides power where you want it and has good ridability. Next decide what your budget is and see what's realistic for that amount of $$.

I like T-Man Performence because his stuff does what he says it will. There are certainly others that are very good as well... Hillside, Headquarters, etc. A 103" Stage III kit will get you around 120HP/120TQ more or less depnding on the other components. In my opinion a motor making in the neighborhood of 100HP/100TQ in the right places is all anyone will ever NEED and you could achieve that with the DR.'s recommendations. Anything much over that is just for conversation purposes and can hurt you if you don't know how to handle it. My bike is a 95" Stage II that makes 107HP/106TQ and makes power where I want it for ridabilty. I could have done a Stage III and got some higher numbers but the numbers would have been in the upper rpm range where I rarely go. From your previous posts it sounds like you want good power and ridabilty which is very doable with performance mods to your existing motor. I'm not familiar with new engine prices but from the quick reseach I did you can build a hot 103" for half or maybe a third of the cost of a new engine.

Of course if you just want bragging rights sell the Harley and get a Boss Hoss with 502HP!

 

I can see your point on doing this. In some cases it makes sense to replace the engine. I was at the dealer the other day and talked to a guy that had $6000 in his engine, for that money I'd replace it.Now if the old one needs a home call me

 

You need to consider your riding style first. I believe the new 120R motor starts making power a little higher in the rpm range than most of us ride in most of the time. If doing a big custom build you can have power and good street manners, mine is at 100tq at 2000 rpm. If you do a build like this you will want to address your crank, that adds cost to the build. Time will tell if the cranks hold up in the new 120R. I've also heard you can get a discounted price from Zanotti's if thats the direction you decide to go.