103 Engine
The difference in the Rushmore 103 engines and older 103 engines is mostly in the cams.
Old 103 cams had a lift of .484, Rushmore 103 cams have more lift at .511.
Cam duration has also changed old 103 .198 degrees on intake & .222 degrees on exhaust.
Rushmore 103 cams have a duration of .212 degrees on intake & .233 degrees on exhaust.
That is not the only changes, the Bike has been upgraded in the forks, brakes, seats, and the
fairings were a big design change.
Old 103 cams had a lift of .484, Rushmore 103 cams have more lift at .511.
Cam duration has also changed old 103 .198 degrees on intake & .222 degrees on exhaust.
Rushmore 103 cams have a duration of .212 degrees on intake & .233 degrees on exhaust.
That is not the only changes, the Bike has been upgraded in the forks, brakes, seats, and the
fairings were a big design change.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,806
Likes: 8,706
From: Edmonton, Alberta
The difference in the Rushmore 103 engines and older 103 engines is mostly in the cams.
Old 103 cams had a lift of .484, Rushmore 103 cams have more lift at .511.
Cam duration has also changed old 103 .198 degrees on intake & .222 degrees on exhaust.
Rushmore 103 cams have a duration of .212 degrees on intake & .233 degrees on exhaust.
That is not the only changes, the Bike has been upgraded in the forks, brakes, seats, and the
fairings were a big design change.
Old 103 cams had a lift of .484, Rushmore 103 cams have more lift at .511.
Cam duration has also changed old 103 .198 degrees on intake & .222 degrees on exhaust.
Rushmore 103 cams have a duration of .212 degrees on intake & .233 degrees on exhaust.
That is not the only changes, the Bike has been upgraded in the forks, brakes, seats, and the
fairings were a big design change.
Fractional degrees of duration? Must be a typo.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
I went from a 13 130B to a 15 103HO (not a wet head) and noticed more performance, but of course that 13 had the balancer in it. If your bike still has "eyes" (looks good) & you decide to sell your bike, try to find an exporter. They'll give more bux than a dealer, regular wholesaler, or even most private sale people. It will be on a boat & out of the country with a different odometer reading in a matter of days.
Bdtaylor, I just swapped my motor from 96" to 103ho from a 2015 bike...It's stock and it feels like my 96" felt with the 26h cams in the low rpm but the big difference if the power band is there everywhere, it doesn't die off like my 96" did...I had rode the regular 103 but opted to wait until I could find a 103HO...you could get the cams and hearwork done on your 96" and achieve about the same as a 103HO in its stock form.
If you trade bikes, I would say A 2014 or new would be a good choice instead of the 09-13.
I opted to just upgrade my engine , it cost me about $1900.00 after I sold my 96" engine. I am very happy.
My mechanic which was working at a Dealership until a year ago said HD put cams in the 103HO it needed for the regular rider. Mix of 255 and 254 or something like that.
If you trade bikes, I would say A 2014 or new would be a good choice instead of the 09-13.
I opted to just upgrade my engine , it cost me about $1900.00 after I sold my 96" engine. I am very happy.
My mechanic which was working at a Dealership until a year ago said HD put cams in the 103HO it needed for the regular rider. Mix of 255 and 254 or something like that.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Better cams, better infotainment unit, bigger front shocks 49 mm compared to 41 mm. Better saddle bag lids with easier opening. All are HO. Street glides are still dry head or no radiator but the ultra anything is a wet head or with radiators. Linked abs brakes are awesome anybody who says they will never have them jus hasn't rode a bike with them. Bike stops on a half dime with them. Cruise control standard equipment.
Batman
Batman
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
The biggest issue with the early 103's are using the emission cams in them left over from the earlier engines. It's not all about lift and duration, lobe placement has a big impact on performance as well.
I've seen a few dyno comparisons and a 2014-up 103 with nothing more than a 2 into 1 exhaust upgrade/custom tune will make a solid 20 more hp than an early 103 and at least that much more torque.
I had a 2012 Ultra Limited with a 103 and it was a TURD, no matter how much money I threw at it. Used a BUTT LOAD of fuel as well, one of the worst running and thirstiest HD's I've owned to date.
Instead of going into the engine I had a hot buyer for the bike and sold it. Having to do it all over again I would have changed the cams BEFORE all the aftermarket upgrades, air cleaner, exhaust, tuner, etc. I say this because one of my best friends bought a 2014 Street Glide, added 2 into 1 and had it custom tuned and it outran my bike everyplace. Pretty discouraging after I'd put out twice the money for bolt on stuff and his was better right out of the box and light years better with just a couple of upgrades.......Cliff
I've seen a few dyno comparisons and a 2014-up 103 with nothing more than a 2 into 1 exhaust upgrade/custom tune will make a solid 20 more hp than an early 103 and at least that much more torque.
I had a 2012 Ultra Limited with a 103 and it was a TURD, no matter how much money I threw at it. Used a BUTT LOAD of fuel as well, one of the worst running and thirstiest HD's I've owned to date.
Instead of going into the engine I had a hot buyer for the bike and sold it. Having to do it all over again I would have changed the cams BEFORE all the aftermarket upgrades, air cleaner, exhaust, tuner, etc. I say this because one of my best friends bought a 2014 Street Glide, added 2 into 1 and had it custom tuned and it outran my bike everyplace. Pretty discouraging after I'd put out twice the money for bolt on stuff and his was better right out of the box and light years better with just a couple of upgrades.......Cliff
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,209
From: Snow Hill, NC
I say if you are happy with your bike like it is like I was, just upgrade the motor a bit, it wouldn't take much, Some Andrews 48H cams, some headwork and a good tune, maybe 2 into 1 exhaust... 42-3 THOUSAND bucks and you would have a different machine... Just putting the 26 Andrews cams in my 07 was a big improvement...I wasn't looking to break the bank either when I started to look this year so $1900.00 was a good deal for me on a 9 year old bike...
IMHO it's just wasted money to trade a bike that is perfectly capable of going on for a long time... I plan on keeping mine for a while...
Do you have a good Indy shop around?, Can you do some of the work yourself? It's really not that complicated... I took it to the Indy with the Primary, footboard, exhaust, lowers and gas tank off, he did the rest.
IMHO it's just wasted money to trade a bike that is perfectly capable of going on for a long time... I plan on keeping mine for a while...
Do you have a good Indy shop around?, Can you do some of the work yourself? It's really not that complicated... I took it to the Indy with the Primary, footboard, exhaust, lowers and gas tank off, he did the rest.
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Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
103 Engine
I say if you are happy with your bike like it is like I was, just upgrade the motor a bit, it wouldn't take much, Some Andrews 48H cams, some headwork and a good tune, maybe 2 into 1 exhaust... 42-3 THOUSAND bucks and you would have a different machine... Just putting the 26 Andrews cams in my 07 was a big improvement...I wasn't looking to break the bank either when I started to look this year so $1900.00 was a good deal for me on a 9 year old bike...
IMHO it's just wasted money to trade a bike that is perfectly capable of going on for a long time... I plan on keeping mine for a while...
Do you have a good Indy shop around?, Can you do some of the work yourself? It's really not that complicated... I took it to the Indy with the Primary, footboard, exhaust, lowers and gas tank off, he did the rest.
IMHO it's just wasted money to trade a bike that is perfectly capable of going on for a long time... I plan on keeping mine for a while...
Do you have a good Indy shop around?, Can you do some of the work yourself? It's really not that complicated... I took it to the Indy with the Primary, footboard, exhaust, lowers and gas tank off, he did the rest.
Last edited by bdtaylor1979; Jun 27, 2016 at 12:57 PM.
