883 performance options?
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Tourer
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883 performance options?
Ok, I know about the 1200 and 1250 kit plus I already have a/c, power commander, and pipes. What else can be done and is it worth it? What I mean is, short of a 1200/1250 kit that replaces jugs and pistons, how about just heads and cams plus a new ignition? Would it be worth it?
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From: NE Philly
Cams and heads will cost you more than a 1200/1250 kit anyway. The best bang will be the 1200/1250 conversion and a proper tune. Then, after, if you want to squeeze the most out of the bike, you can do the cams and head work.
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From: Temecula, CA
Ok, I know about the 1200 and 1250 kit plus I already have a/c, power commander, and pipes. What else can be done and is it worth it? What I mean is, short of a 1200/1250 kit that replaces jugs and pistons, how about just heads and cams plus a new ignition? Would it be worth it?
No, it wouldn't. If your overall goal is performance the money you'd spend on a 1250 kit would give you more performance than the money you'd spend on heads and cams. Since heads are about $550 and cams another $200 the price for the heads/cam vs conversion kit are equal.
Of course, you can always try to do what I did.
What you see here is my 1200 conversion "kit". The cams are W-grinds so if you ahve a newer 883 (08 and later I think???) you already have these cams. If not, these would be an upgrade for you. The ignition is a stock 1200 ignition. The cylindars and heads were out of a 1200S but the pistons were brand new Thunderstorm pistons...I had the cylindars refreshed by boring them over .010 so I needed pistons. Since the heads on the 1200S raised compression and the Thunderstorms would raise compression (but in a better way) I had the heads worked a bit to lower compression overall but it is still higher than a normal Thunderstorm build.
Total price...for parts and to have NRHS do the boring, honing, head work, and installation of the pistons in the cylinders...was about $850.
Granted I want to do better cams now and a better ignition system but this got me started at least for real cheap. Parts cam off eBay. Good luck finding something like that...but it is an option to consider.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Syracuse, NY
How about the cost/benefit of upgrading to 1250 versus buying a bigger bike? Does the 1250 feel like a big difference?
In other words, if I got an 883 and know I want more power than I got. Does it make more financial sense to do the upgrade or get a 1200 or even a dyna? How much does the conversion cost, total?
In other words, if I got an 883 and know I want more power than I got. Does it make more financial sense to do the upgrade or get a 1200 or even a dyna? How much does the conversion cost, total?
Last edited by jauslong; Sep 25, 2012 at 03:42 PM.
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I originally was looking at a Dyna but if I sell my Iron I would still have to come up with a couple grand and then start doing mods all over again. What HP would the 1250 give me vs 1250 with cams, heads, and new ignition with a dyno tune? I'd be keeping the heavy breather, pc v, and sideshots.
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From: NE Philly
The 1200/1250 conversion is the most cost effective. Depending on the route you take and if you do it yourself, it can cost anywhere from about $800-$2000 with the tuner. I'd say it can be done for about $1400 on average if done at an indy with the tuner. About $1000 with the tuner if you do it yourself.
Getting a Dyna, while a great bike, won't be cost effective from a dollar or power to weight ratio. Many buy a factory 1200 and are happy with them. But if you already have the 883, the conversion is the way to go.
Getting a Dyna, while a great bike, won't be cost effective from a dollar or power to weight ratio. Many buy a factory 1200 and are happy with them. But if you already have the 883, the conversion is the way to go.
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From: Mansfield Texas
How about the cost/benefit of upgrading to 1250 versus buying a bigger bike? Does the 1250 feel like a big difference?
In other words, if I got an 883 and know I want more power than I got. Does it make more financial sense to do the upgrade or get a 1200 or even a dyna? How much does the conversion cost, total?
In other words, if I got an 883 and know I want more power than I got. Does it make more financial sense to do the upgrade or get a 1200 or even a dyna? How much does the conversion cost, total?
My 1200 kit made a huge difference!
Kit $1200, Tuner $420, clutch kit and clutch tool $140.
But I saved doing the work myself, for me it was money well spent.
I turned around and sold the air filter kit that came with the 1200 kit for $120.