Performance mod advice
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Vero Beach FL
Performance mod advice
First I am not that big of a mechanic so any mods will go through my shop.
Have a 2013 Heritage with the 103. So far I have upgraded the air intake, VH Fuel Pak and Kuryakyn Crusher Exhaust. While it sounds great and has decent power I am still not satisfied with performance. So I need advice on what else to do.
I don't want to do anything that will damage or significantly shorten the life of the engine, or make it run hotter then it already does, I only have 4500 miles on it.
Perhaps cams? What is the install cost and performance gains, will I feel any difference. Open to suggestions. Really looking for more low to mid power.
Have a 2013 Heritage with the 103. So far I have upgraded the air intake, VH Fuel Pak and Kuryakyn Crusher Exhaust. While it sounds great and has decent power I am still not satisfied with performance. So I need advice on what else to do.
I don't want to do anything that will damage or significantly shorten the life of the engine, or make it run hotter then it already does, I only have 4500 miles on it.
Perhaps cams? What is the install cost and performance gains, will I feel any difference. Open to suggestions. Really looking for more low to mid power.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
What air cleaner? (I'm assuming you mean air cleaner when you say "intake" - common misnomer). Get something with a lot of filter surface area, and avoid models with decorative crap between the filter and the world.
"Crushers" are just a slip-on if I'm not mistaken - get a full system. If you want power, get a 2:1 (not "duals" or any other 2:2). If you want real power, Thunderheader and SuperTrapp have a cult following with 1/4 mile guys. I've put a TH on every Harley I've ever owned.
I have no experience with the VH Fuel Pak - but whatever you use to tune the bike do it after all the other stuff has been installed and have a pro do it on a proper dynamometer, not simply a canned tune. I use a PowerVision with an Autotune Pro - but I still have the local dyno make sure I've got it spot on when I'm done.
I swear by Pulstar plugs. Some guys say they're snake-oil - but I've seen the dyno and my mpg benefit. Those and quality plug wires aren't much money.
If you want to get into cams and don't want to wrench yourself, you'll be into them for 1-1.5k typically. You can get pretty big on a stock 103 - but beware. Driveability and long range mpg will suffer. I went with a small'ish Screamin' Eagle 255 - not crazy but still considerably better than stock and very streetable. Cams are a good next step after all the external stuff has been done properly - but don't half-way the air cleaner and exhaust and then start looking for cams and internals.
After cams it can get very expensive. Porting heads, rocker arms, springs - really expensive on the bottom end. My opinion - do the external stuff right, get a solid tune... MAYBE cams if you wanna spend the money. You'll be happy.
"Crushers" are just a slip-on if I'm not mistaken - get a full system. If you want power, get a 2:1 (not "duals" or any other 2:2). If you want real power, Thunderheader and SuperTrapp have a cult following with 1/4 mile guys. I've put a TH on every Harley I've ever owned.
I have no experience with the VH Fuel Pak - but whatever you use to tune the bike do it after all the other stuff has been installed and have a pro do it on a proper dynamometer, not simply a canned tune. I use a PowerVision with an Autotune Pro - but I still have the local dyno make sure I've got it spot on when I'm done.
I swear by Pulstar plugs. Some guys say they're snake-oil - but I've seen the dyno and my mpg benefit. Those and quality plug wires aren't much money.
If you want to get into cams and don't want to wrench yourself, you'll be into them for 1-1.5k typically. You can get pretty big on a stock 103 - but beware. Driveability and long range mpg will suffer. I went with a small'ish Screamin' Eagle 255 - not crazy but still considerably better than stock and very streetable. Cams are a good next step after all the external stuff has been done properly - but don't half-way the air cleaner and exhaust and then start looking for cams and internals.
After cams it can get very expensive. Porting heads, rocker arms, springs - really expensive on the bottom end. My opinion - do the external stuff right, get a solid tune... MAYBE cams if you wanna spend the money. You'll be happy.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Vero Beach FL
Thanks for the great info, I figured cams would run about $1500. The Crushers are true duals and my air cleaner is a Vance and Hines Naked VO2.
I really hate making half *** mods that really don't achieve what I am looking for. I am thinking even after the cams I am not going to be where I want.
I think I may just ride one till out of warranty and purchase a S&S 124" engine for it. Seems a better way to go as it has over 125hp stock. I was quoted $8500 for the full install but they keep my old motor.
I really hate making half *** mods that really don't achieve what I am looking for. I am thinking even after the cams I am not going to be where I want.
I think I may just ride one till out of warranty and purchase a S&S 124" engine for it. Seems a better way to go as it has over 125hp stock. I was quoted $8500 for the full install but they keep my old motor.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Your biggest gains will be a 2-1 exhaust system, I assume you install the FP3 tuner and a high volume a/cleaner system. I would ride it through the break in period. After that the money you spend with regard to gains you make is less. Yes cams etc will improve the performance, but $/gain is poor.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Assume your stock 103 is worth between 2-3k, maybe a little under - add that to 8.5 they want for the 124 S&S... you're looking at around 10k on the motor alone for 125'ish hp and probably about the same torque. In my opinion - there are better ways to see those numbers - and they're all way less expensive. Hell - you can get a 120R installed for the 5-6k range, probably be north of 135/135, and have your 103 to sell and make up a fair bit of the cost.
8.5 plus your 103 for a 124" S&S is not a good deal in my opinion.
And while we'll all admit to wanting power - +130/130 on a Heritage would be an interesting ride.
8.5 plus your 103 for a 124" S&S is not a good deal in my opinion.
And while we'll all admit to wanting power - +130/130 on a Heritage would be an interesting ride.
Last edited by DAV; Jun 29, 2014 at 05:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
I would take the 107 kit from Fuel Moto before I laid down all that coin for a brand new motor. Or if that's not enough, their 117 would blow away that S&S 124 out of the crate. I agree with above: lots better ways to go about this than what you're considering.
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