Engine Build?Crate ?????
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Tomball, Tx.
Engine Build?Crate ?????
Ok, in a nutshell I thought I was decided on a 107" build this summer. A buddy of mine threw out the idea of just getting a crate engine and swapping it out and leaving the 103" as is. Been doing a little research and it seems every engine I've seen says not for liquid cooled bikes. Is this the case on every single one out there? What or are there any options?
Last edited by Blue Tick; Oct 22, 2016 at 09:03 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Need more info. What year bike do you have? Why are you rebuilding? More power or is it wore out? Etc...
I wouldn't buy a new crate engine the same size. The MOCO has a rebuild program where the dealer will pull your engine, send it to the factory and it is rebuilt to factory specs. Keeps the same serial #'s on the engine that way.
If you are having someone else do the work, make a visit and talk to Danny at Danny's Motorcycles in Montgomery. Tell him what you want out of the bike, your riding style, and what you are looking to do and he will make some great suggestions. He takes a long time to turn a bike but he does great work and is extremely knowledgeable. It doesn't cost anything to talk to him and Honea Egypt is a great twisty road to ride.
I wouldn't buy a new crate engine the same size. The MOCO has a rebuild program where the dealer will pull your engine, send it to the factory and it is rebuilt to factory specs. Keeps the same serial #'s on the engine that way.
If you are having someone else do the work, make a visit and talk to Danny at Danny's Motorcycles in Montgomery. Tell him what you want out of the bike, your riding style, and what you are looking to do and he will make some great suggestions. He takes a long time to turn a bike but he does great work and is extremely knowledgeable. It doesn't cost anything to talk to him and Honea Egypt is a great twisty road to ride.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
determine what result you want to see.
your Pal's suggestion makes no sense to me in terms of cost and result- based on the info in your post. so am I missing something.
IF you want to mod your motor- proven packages from known vendors give repeatable results-
the wet head bikes have better cooling and controlled combustion chamber temps allowing higher compression and more aggressive cams than other 103's.
so getting a conventional crate motor will likely give poorer result than a wethead- even if the displacement is bigger.
you could get a "race" motor and leave out the ( advantages) of liquid cooling, but a race motor will be less reliable and less street friendly, and less mpg if you ever leave hometown
mike
your Pal's suggestion makes no sense to me in terms of cost and result- based on the info in your post. so am I missing something.
IF you want to mod your motor- proven packages from known vendors give repeatable results-
the wet head bikes have better cooling and controlled combustion chamber temps allowing higher compression and more aggressive cams than other 103's.
so getting a conventional crate motor will likely give poorer result than a wethead- even if the displacement is bigger.
you could get a "race" motor and leave out the ( advantages) of liquid cooling, but a race motor will be less reliable and less street friendly, and less mpg if you ever leave hometown
mike
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 821
Likes: 54
From: Tomball, Tx.
Need more info. What year bike do you have? Why are you rebuilding? More power or is it wore out? Etc...
I wouldn't buy a new crate engine the same size. The MOCO has a rebuild program where the dealer will pull your engine, send it to the factory and it is rebuilt to factory specs. Keeps the same serial #'s on the engine that way.
If you are having someone else do the work, make a visit and talk to Danny at Danny's Motorcycles in Montgomery. Tell him what you want out of the bike, your riding style, and what you are looking to do and he will make some great suggestions. He takes a long time to turn a bike but he does great work and is extremely knowledgeable. It doesn't cost anything to talk to him and Honea Egypt is a great twisty road to ride.
I wouldn't buy a new crate engine the same size. The MOCO has a rebuild program where the dealer will pull your engine, send it to the factory and it is rebuilt to factory specs. Keeps the same serial #'s on the engine that way.
If you are having someone else do the work, make a visit and talk to Danny at Danny's Motorcycles in Montgomery. Tell him what you want out of the bike, your riding style, and what you are looking to do and he will make some great suggestions. He takes a long time to turn a bike but he does great work and is extremely knowledgeable. It doesn't cost anything to talk to him and Honea Egypt is a great twisty road to ride.
I used to live off Honea Egypt and know Danny well. Will have to give him a call as well and see what he thinks.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 821
Likes: 54
From: Tomball, Tx.
determine what result you want to see.
your Pal's suggestion makes no sense to me in terms of cost and result- based on the info in your post. so am I missing something.
IF you want to mod your motor- proven packages from known vendors give repeatable results-
the wet head bikes have better cooling and controlled combustion chamber temps allowing higher compression and more aggressive cams than other 103's.
so getting a conventional crate motor will likely give poorer result than a wethead- even if the displacement is bigger.
you could get a "race" motor and leave out the ( advantages) of liquid cooling, but a race motor will be less reliable and less street friendly, and less mpg if you ever leave hometown
mike
your Pal's suggestion makes no sense to me in terms of cost and result- based on the info in your post. so am I missing something.
IF you want to mod your motor- proven packages from known vendors give repeatable results-
the wet head bikes have better cooling and controlled combustion chamber temps allowing higher compression and more aggressive cams than other 103's.
so getting a conventional crate motor will likely give poorer result than a wethead- even if the displacement is bigger.
you could get a "race" motor and leave out the ( advantages) of liquid cooling, but a race motor will be less reliable and less street friendly, and less mpg if you ever leave hometown
mike
This is info I was looking for as well. My plan has been to go to FM this coming June for their 107 build and I even contemplated doing their 117. But, talking with them and for what I do their suggestion was still the 107. My main goal for the post was to get info and suggestions from others who have done work on their wet heads before I make a final decision.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
From what I read on the forum, you can't go wrong with Fuel Moto.
If your bike is still stock, you might find that you'd be pleasantly surprised with cam's, gut the cat out of the pipe and a good tune. That will really wake it up. As mkguitar said, the wet heads have higher compression and allow for a more aggressive cam. Even without headwork.
If you talk to Danny, I'd love to know what he suggests. I took him my 2013 103 at 1,000 miles for cams and tune and he really woke it up. Strongest bike I'd ever had. Curious what he recommends for the wet heads.
Good luck with your decision.
If your bike is still stock, you might find that you'd be pleasantly surprised with cam's, gut the cat out of the pipe and a good tune. That will really wake it up. As mkguitar said, the wet heads have higher compression and allow for a more aggressive cam. Even without headwork.
If you talk to Danny, I'd love to know what he suggests. I took him my 2013 103 at 1,000 miles for cams and tune and he really woke it up. Strongest bike I'd ever had. Curious what he recommends for the wet heads.
Good luck with your decision.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
We have other HDF sponsors who are engine specialists. Try Scott at Hillside Cycle, I'm sure he will have some helpful suggestions.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Tomball, Tx.
We do a lot of touring with our bike and I'm looking for a good bullet proof build and not to mention something that won't wreck the fuel mileage.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
- um sounds like that is what you have already.
a stage 1 will be the best bang for buck power improvement you will ever get----and will retain reliability and be close in MPG-
you will also have a machine which is easily serviced if away from home on a trip as there are no "mysteries" for the guy who is trying to fix it.
Mike
a stage 1 will be the best bang for buck power improvement you will ever get----and will retain reliability and be close in MPG-
you will also have a machine which is easily serviced if away from home on a trip as there are no "mysteries" for the guy who is trying to fix it.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 24, 2016 at 01:07 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Admittedly my bike is much older, but I've gone from stock to stage 1 to an over-size rebuild and currently an S&S 107" replacement engine. Gas mileage hasn't changed enough to be bothered - except when making good use of the extra power! Unless you go for a really wild build I suspect you will find the same.