Installed My Stage 1 Conversion Today
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
I only run the high octane fuel. I also bought and installed a set of HD Gold spark plugs. There is quite a range of spark plug gap settings listed in my shop manual; I set my new plugs in the middle. I am not sure this is the best gap setting. Since the fuel/air mixture is now running more rich, should the spark plug gap be set to a more open or closed setting to get the best complete fuel burn capability?
FYI: I am very satisfied that my engine oil temperature is now running 25+ degrees cooler once the engine is warmed up. Is this normal?
FYI: I am very satisfied that my engine oil temperature is now running 25+ degrees cooler once the engine is warmed up. Is this normal?
A free flowing AC and exhaust is a MILD stage 1. When you start running high lift cams, high compression pistons, and advancing timing, etc. then you need to worry about higher octane fuel IF your motor is pinging(detonation) under certain loads to avoid damage such as burning a hole thru a piston.
Last edited by 60Gunner; Feb 4, 2019 at 05:52 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 109
From: LA - (Lower Alabama)
The rich/lean operation has nothing to do with the spark plug gap you should run. Burning all the fuel and igniting at the right time is more a timing issue. Also, running a higher octane fuel than necessary/required to avoid detonation does absolutely no good and in fact can and will hurt performance. Especially your mpg. Higher octane fuel burns slower. The people that say their motor runs so much better running 93+ with umpteen bottles of 100+ octane boost in a stock 883 that runs on 87 octane are hallucinating. The objective here is to run as low a octane fuel as possible and avoid detonation. Only when you start building your motor with high performance parts (not talking an air cleaner either) and advancing your timing as much as possible do you need to worry about running a higher octane than called for by the manufacturer. So far, no one in this thread has that need.
A free flowing AC and exhaust is a MILD stage 1. When you start running high lift cams, high compression pistons, and advancing timing, etc. then you need to worry about higher octane fuel IF your motor is pinging(detonation) under certain loads to avoid damage such as burning a hole thru a piston.
A free flowing AC and exhaust is a MILD stage 1. When you start running high lift cams, high compression pistons, and advancing timing, etc. then you need to worry about higher octane fuel IF your motor is pinging(detonation) under certain loads to avoid damage such as burning a hole thru a piston.
This is right on.
I have stage 2 motors in my bikes w Woods Tw-222 cams, my gas mileage increased when I moved to 87 octane fuel. With complete combustion and quicker combustion it helps to generate more power.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Awesome. What motor? I'm not familiar with the cams tho I've heard of them. Stock timing? I just put the Jackhammer 570s in my 1200 and using the SE race tuner to tweak the timing and bump the rev limiter up til the stock ICM pukes out. Then I'll get the TC88A everyone is running. I do like the ability to run separate timing maps for each cylinder with the SERT tho. Downside is it's married to the ICM and no longer available since the EPA stepped in and slapped HD for selling it.
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