Performance Mods
Performance Mods
I have a 2014 FLHTCU Ultra, not liquid cooled. It has the 103 ci high output engine.
Got a couple of questions about performance mods. First, I will tell you what I have had done, then I will tell you the Dyno numbers, and then I will ask a few questions:
1. First, I got the Screamin Eagle Stage One Air upgrade, which included the increased-flow air intake, Vance and Hine headers, 4-inch Rinehart slipons, the Screamin Eagle tuner, and a dyno tuning.
2. The next year, I got new cams: H-D Screamin Eagle 585 cams, with the springs, and the dyno tuning.
My Dyno numbers are currently 90 hp and 105 foot-pounds of torque. Got the work done at Ray Price Harley-Davidson in Raleigh, NC.
Questions:
1. For anyone who has had similar work done on their 103 ci engine, what dyno numbers are you posting?
2. Are my dyno numbers too low for what I have?
3. What performance mod(s) would you recommend next? I am thinking about getting the 58 mm throttlebody next. Not sure what else would have to go with that, if anything. Maybe I ought to just say "screw it" and get the big bore.
I love my bike, and I love how it runs, but I am always looking to squeeze more performance from the bike, just because I know it is in there.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Got a couple of questions about performance mods. First, I will tell you what I have had done, then I will tell you the Dyno numbers, and then I will ask a few questions:
1. First, I got the Screamin Eagle Stage One Air upgrade, which included the increased-flow air intake, Vance and Hine headers, 4-inch Rinehart slipons, the Screamin Eagle tuner, and a dyno tuning.
2. The next year, I got new cams: H-D Screamin Eagle 585 cams, with the springs, and the dyno tuning.
My Dyno numbers are currently 90 hp and 105 foot-pounds of torque. Got the work done at Ray Price Harley-Davidson in Raleigh, NC.
Questions:
1. For anyone who has had similar work done on their 103 ci engine, what dyno numbers are you posting?
2. Are my dyno numbers too low for what I have?
3. What performance mod(s) would you recommend next? I am thinking about getting the 58 mm throttlebody next. Not sure what else would have to go with that, if anything. Maybe I ought to just say "screw it" and get the big bore.
I love my bike, and I love how it runs, but I am always looking to squeeze more performance from the bike, just because I know it is in there.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Those numbers seem low, but a Harley shop is likely not going to squeeze out the optimum hp/torque for your mods. Sure, they will say that if you have them do it, it will still be under warranty...and a lot of guys care about that...so unless you go to a reputable indy for better tuning, you might as well be satisfied with the "Harley shop" tune. It boils down to this...what do you want? Performance or the assurance of warranty? Good luck.
Those numbers seem low, but a Harley shop is likely not going to squeeze out the optimum hp/torque for your mods. Sure, they will say that if you have them do it, it will still be under warranty...and a lot of guys care about that...so unless you go to a reputable indy for better tuning, you might as well be satisfied with the "Harley shop" tune. It boils down to this...what do you want? Performance or the assurance of warranty? Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 531
Likes: 4
From: Chile Flats, AZ
The key to your question is the tuner. Many dealers have 'qualified' dyno operators on staff; very few have top notch dyno tuners on staff for a variety of reasons.
Visit the 'tuning sections' of several forums and get an idea about what questions to ask tuners to weed the best from the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I'd shop around for a reputable tuner with whom you feel comfortable building a relationship.
Visit with tuners and ask them questions about what you should look for in a tuner.
Incidentally, Scott and Hillside, gave you good advice on the cams.
Visit the 'tuning sections' of several forums and get an idea about what questions to ask tuners to weed the best from the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I'd shop around for a reputable tuner with whom you feel comfortable building a relationship.
Visit with tuners and ask them questions about what you should look for in a tuner.
Incidentally, Scott and Hillside, gave you good advice on the cams.
Last edited by JetD; May 14, 2016 at 11:53 PM. Reason: sp
Trending Topics
Your numbers are low. If you are happy with the bike, dyno chart numbers mean little.
But a good Stage I on a HO 103 will put out the 105/90, with your cams you should be even higher.
Do not go with a 58mm TB, it is too large, you will actually see a drop in torque with your set up.
To squeeze more performance out of the bike there are a few things you can do without jeopardizing your warranty:
Get a High Performance Air Cleaner like the Outlaw 636v. Not only does it increase the velocity of the air going into your throttle body, it lets only dry oxygen rich air in. The SE A/C is putting oxygen depleted air into your combustion chambers.
Make sure that you are not running too hot. The cooler the engine is (180-230 range), the stronger it will run. There are a lot of things you can do to get your temps down. There's an article on it at this LINK.
You don't say which V&H headers your running, if they are the Power Duals or 2-1, those are good. If you are running the True Duals, you are giving up a bit there.
The 4" Rineharts are not ideal for top performance, but you can pick up 4-7% torque in your low & mid range if you put some Thunder Torque Inserts in them...they will sound a bit deeper also.
But a good Stage I on a HO 103 will put out the 105/90, with your cams you should be even higher.
Do not go with a 58mm TB, it is too large, you will actually see a drop in torque with your set up.
To squeeze more performance out of the bike there are a few things you can do without jeopardizing your warranty:
Get a High Performance Air Cleaner like the Outlaw 636v. Not only does it increase the velocity of the air going into your throttle body, it lets only dry oxygen rich air in. The SE A/C is putting oxygen depleted air into your combustion chambers.
Make sure that you are not running too hot. The cooler the engine is (180-230 range), the stronger it will run. There are a lot of things you can do to get your temps down. There's an article on it at this LINK.
You don't say which V&H headers your running, if they are the Power Duals or 2-1, those are good. If you are running the True Duals, you are giving up a bit there.
The 4" Rineharts are not ideal for top performance, but you can pick up 4-7% torque in your low & mid range if you put some Thunder Torque Inserts in them...they will sound a bit deeper also.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
I believe the 585s will be a little soft without some compression. Add some headwork and it would probably really be a different bike. If it feels good don't worry just ride. I went cam only, nice like and a Indy dyno tune and got good results. 585 lift cams but not the screamin eagles. Totally different.
Last edited by cdonis; May 15, 2016 at 01:42 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Don't chase numbers, just make sure the bike runs good. The numbers on the same engine can vary depending on many factors. Temperature, humidity, altitude, barometric pressure, settings on the dyno, etc. If it runs good, that's the most important part. If you're not happy with the butt dyno feel and want more power, then you need to start saving money for more mods and another tune.
As previously mentioned, I've never had a "great" tune from a dealership. I had them tune two bikes new with minor mods. One, like you, I felt wasn't quite right and had it retuned by an indy and had a huge improvement in power and put over 100,000 miles on it. very happy with it. The other bike tuned by a dealer made about 15,000 miles, ran like crap and was falling apart internally. I asked the indy to retune it and before he did, he inspected it and showed me the crank was out of round and the cams were wearing terribly. I tried to get warranty from the dealer and they gave me the old line that they couldn't find anything wrong so I traded it in on a new one and wouldn't let them touch it. Took it straight to my indy instead.
Make sure you talk to the guy tuning your bike. Tell him about your riding style so he can help you with a cam choice. Do you take your bike to the rev limiter all the time and need a high end cam or do you tour two up and need low end torque? Tell him what you want so he can tune accordingly. Do you want fuel mileage, do you want dependability, do you want it to be a beast, or a combination. The dealership is going to be limited to push the HD cams and products and give you the warranty line. An indy will be able to recommend a wide variety of aftermarket cams that might fit you better.
Good luck. The possibilities are unlimited.
As previously mentioned, I've never had a "great" tune from a dealership. I had them tune two bikes new with minor mods. One, like you, I felt wasn't quite right and had it retuned by an indy and had a huge improvement in power and put over 100,000 miles on it. very happy with it. The other bike tuned by a dealer made about 15,000 miles, ran like crap and was falling apart internally. I asked the indy to retune it and before he did, he inspected it and showed me the crank was out of round and the cams were wearing terribly. I tried to get warranty from the dealer and they gave me the old line that they couldn't find anything wrong so I traded it in on a new one and wouldn't let them touch it. Took it straight to my indy instead.
Make sure you talk to the guy tuning your bike. Tell him about your riding style so he can help you with a cam choice. Do you take your bike to the rev limiter all the time and need a high end cam or do you tour two up and need low end torque? Tell him what you want so he can tune accordingly. Do you want fuel mileage, do you want dependability, do you want it to be a beast, or a combination. The dealership is going to be limited to push the HD cams and products and give you the warranty line. An indy will be able to recommend a wide variety of aftermarket cams that might fit you better.
Good luck. The possibilities are unlimited.