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

Stage upgrade questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2014 | 02:19 PM
  #21  
martin10's Avatar
martin10
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Default

Originally Posted by Fast-eddie
What makes the HD kits crapy?
Longevity or lack of power? Price?
Just curious.
The HD 103 stage II kit performs very well, is reasonably priced and is very popular. It is popular for a reason. It works and is a good bang for the buck.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2014 | 02:48 PM
  #22  
cdonis's Avatar
cdonis
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 297
From: Escalon ca
Default

Originally Posted by Mikeduke108
I talked to S and S cycle about their step 2 - they recommended their MR103 cam, quickie pushrod, tappets and their Dyno jet PowerVision.

Sounded pretty good, half the price of the big stage four, and you can always build on it. Anyone have any experience with this set up?
I was looking at the mr103 as a bolt in for my 103 breakout. My indy mechanic says he has had great results with that cam. For me, and what I want ( a little more of both tq/ and hp) that's the one he recommended when I asked his opinion. I also have the pv 2, and the d and d 2n1, stage 1 ac. Unfortunately the cams are on hold for now due to money.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2014 | 03:01 PM
  #23  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

Originally Posted by Mikeduke108
If i went with the SE255 - and I didn't change the lifters - I would only be replacing the cams, pushrods, cam bearings and cam gasket?
Hey... you didn't specify what your riding habits are... I think there are a lot better cams than the SE 255,, they are mostly for Loaded up, 2 up baggers wanting the TQ between 2-4K--rpms... after 4K they Fall off down FAST...

I'll admit I dont' know as much about the 103's as the 96''ers but they are probably about the same.....

IMO you need to post your riding habbits and needs...

I'll add it took me several months of research and reading to pick my Andrews 26,,,,,

Are they the BADDEST cam available,,, "NO"... but they are really GOOD cams that give 15-25% better TQ across the Sheet on the dyno..

Mostly they give me 20% more TQ between 1800 --3000 rpms over the STOCK cam,, where I spend 85% of my riding time and they are easy to tune and easy on the Engine.....

If you want better and more Info...please explain your riding habits and needs....

..
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2014 | 02:52 AM
  #24  
Kiwirob's Avatar
Kiwirob
Cruiser
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 16
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Default

Originally Posted by Mikeduke108
If i went with the SE255 - and I didn't change the lifters - I would only be replacing the cams, pushrods, cam bearings and cam gasket?
Change the lifters as well, as the stock "C" lifters don't have a good reputation.
You could more than likely get away with retaining the stock push-rods. The rest of your list sounds good for a strong street engine.
Plenty of the SE255 cams for sale on this & other forums, rather than buying new for the dealer.
Will also require a good tuner like Powervision or TTS. - Rob
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2014 | 09:52 AM
  #25  
Mikeduke108's Avatar
Mikeduke108
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
Default

So if I do a cam install (cams, lifters and pushrods). Do I need to then get a dyno tune, or will buying and running a power vision be fine?
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2014 | 10:47 AM
  #26  
Sgt_Jim's Avatar
Sgt_Jim
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Default

don't quote me, but you may, just because the cams will cause the rocker arms to stay open (or closed) longer.. and I don't know how that effects how much fuel needs to get spit in to the head when it happens. If you don't get an answer, that is a question to post in to the Engine forum here.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2015 | 09:53 PM
  #27  
twogun's Avatar
twogun
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: alberta
Default

ok i have a question. read a lot in here but i still curios. I have a 96b engine in a 2008 fatboy flstf. stage one done. told i can go to 103 cubic inch.. Was wondering if i can go 106 or 107 with out splitting case. 03 seems stock to me no offence to any one. if i gonna do it why not goo middle average. no i not want crazy power just differnt to me. id do 113 but i think that involves cases. not interseed. and i want a ride able bike that i can every day and not mess with all the time..
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2015 | 12:01 AM
  #28  
WhiteNoise's Avatar
WhiteNoise
Road Captain
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 669
Likes: 21
From: Riverside, CA
Default

I had the stage I by Harley and then several months ago did the stage II on my 96 cu.in. (SE 255 cams, hi-vol oil pump,SE cam plate, 103 big bore kit) and I couldn't be happier. It's like another bike all together. Best upgrade I've done to the bike yet. And it really made the bike sound even meaner. Love it.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 17, 2015 | 12:48 PM
  #29  
Tampa Fatboy's Avatar
Tampa Fatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Default

My 2 cents: stage one, cam it & a tuner if you have the change laying around and you just have to have it within the warranty period, but...
Best way to go is V&H stage one and tuner, need more power than that wait til the warranty is up and have it professionally done with a cam/tuner/top end work.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MFJones
Milwaukee Eight (M8)
6
Mar 25, 2019 09:16 AM
Reverend DG
Engine Mechanical Topics
2
Feb 7, 2019 08:00 AM
JakeUSAF
2014-2024 Touring Models
7
Mar 27, 2018 05:05 AM
QNman
Touring Models
7
Sep 19, 2017 12:17 PM
speakerfritz
Touring Models
4
Apr 11, 2012 11:06 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:21 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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