Ric,

In the end, all that really matters is that YOU are satisfied. I just looked at your profile and see that your zip code is just across town. Knowing that... I would say that there are only two local dealerships that I would consider letting do this sort of work. One is the closest one to you and the other is their sister shop just a bit to the north.

"If" you were interested... I bet there's a way we could "arrange" the labor part of yourbuild be handled @ another DFW build party.... just a thought.

Another thing not to get too caught up in is "numbers" on dyno sheets. What REALLY matters is rideability and where (in the RPM range) you have big TORQUE available for the taking ~ again... "peak" numbers are not that much of an indicator as to how well it will "ride" or how much you will enjoy riding it.

 

No doubt the HQ packages, and others, are top notch based on the refutable comments from many of our esteemedHD Forum members, but for me the ease of having a "good dealer" install the 103" package with the SE 255 cams before I picked the bike up, was worth it for me. I'm not into down time. I wanted to pick the bike up and go! I test rode at least three different bikes, 2 SG's and a Road Glide with the Big Bore package at HD of North Texas and was more than a little impressed. Will it deliver the highest possible HP? No. Will it deliver VERY smooth, high torque performance, as in 100+ at 1800-2200 RPM, and maxing out even higher,yes. I haven't ridden a bike with any of the aforementioned packages, but I'm sure I will one day. When I get ready to do Heads,I will not use SE Heads again, rather one of the solidaftermarket folks. I do have to say that the SE 103", Flat Top, Stock Heads, and SE 255 package is inmy book more than ok. But this time around I wanted solid, smooth, quick and dependable. It has that in spades. If you can't feel the difference in the 103" kit from stock, your butt probably has lost all sense of feel. I've had several SE packages. I've enjoyed the boost in power on all of them with just SE cams, (203's on one and 211's on another.) On one bike, a few thousand miles later,adding SE Heads was the next step with some Woods cams and it was the perfect combo. On the last bike, the bike rode great with just the 95" Big Bore and 203's. It was when I got a crap install job with another set of SE Heads and another set of Woods Cams that it was over for me. The folks at a different HD dealer really botched the job, so adios to them. So now the factory 103" package with ultra smooth, quick reving torque and decent horsepower is a kick to ride. In fact, it the most fun Harley I've owned. As a side note, I am more than a little impressed by the SE 255 cams! It's hard to reccomend something to someone like this, but surely you can get the dealer, who's giving you a pretty good deal on the package installed, to find one around there for you to ride. It's the only way you'll know if you'll be satisfied. It's not a subtle change in power IMHO.

 

So where would one buy this HQ kit and who installs? I am looking at an 08 now.

 

I just had a 95 SE done on my 88 at a very reputible dealer with an ex HD Drag racer as the Service Manager. . I chose the SE204 cams and had the heads mildly ported. I also have the ThundermaxAT (thanks Bart!). The difference is like night and day and the front wheel surprised me coming off the ground in second gear on the way home. If I hadn't had a backrest I would have been in the tour pak! I do not know about the HQ biuilds, I am sure they are fine and dandy with better numbers that the SE packages, but I have an extended warranty and a great dealer so I opted to stick with them because they will back their work. If that is important to you and they will back their work, because it is ultimately the dealer and not HD MOCO that will back any SE package, then that is the route to go. I personally am thrilled with ther outcome, maybe my expectations were lower than they shoud be but it far exceeded mine!

 

Check here: http://www.head-quarters-usa.com/customtwintype07t.html

Read the descriptions and see what bests suits your goals. Then... follow the "Build you package" link for the respective options.

As far as install.... where are you located?

 

RKK,

I know exactly what you are going through. I just purchased an 08 Ultra last month. It was a nice step up from my 03 softail. The wife and I wanteda few more luxuries for longer trips andthe power was a modest increase too.I am also located here in Dallas and have been researching the same upgrades the SE stage II 103, and from posts on the board about the HQ's 103 sport touring. I contacted Several dealers to include pretty much all the local onesand ones like Latusand Zanotti. I have also been in contact with Phil and Dalton from this board.(which are probably tired of me bugging them and I can only hope aretaking up a collection for me to buy my upgrade just to shut me up)

Ihad todetermine do a mild upgrade with warranty(Stage II), addSE headsto increase power/performance,or scrap it all for an HQ build.
It was amazing that each dealership had their own way of interpreting warranty coverage.

I did not think I would be satisfied with just the stage II 103. If I went with an SE high output by adding the heads,thewarranty was still an issue and would not be covered.

So with all that said and only 380 miles on a brand new bike, I just ordered my HQ 103 kit yesterday. It should be here the day after Christmas and ready to ride by next weekend. ( fingers crossed)

As some one posted earlier the decision candrive you crazy so just make one and stick with it. Either way if something happens it can cost you. If not happy with the performance you were looking for you will spend money for another upgrade. You void the motor warranty you pay to repair it.


I am having the work done by one of the two dealerships Phil mentioned earlier. American Eagle in Corinth. That is where I bought my first bike and have been very pleased with them.

You can give me a shout later and find out how the build went and maybe hook up with some other from around North Texas for a ride.

 

The SE 103 is ok. Just don't ride or ride with someone with a HC 103 kit from some where else? Remeber you get what you pay for it cheaper to do it right the first time. SE = Slacking excellent on the performance parts.

 

Be careful what you post. As I'm an east coaster I may try and hold you to that.

 

RKK,
I was going to say but seen Phil answered..... your only down the road from Phil........ Intersection of 35... I bieleve that is where I get my beef jerky when I ride thru there.....

 

OK. I get it. HQ is better than SE.
I bought SE Stage II for warranty purposes. I have SE 255 cams. For my particular application, it suits me just fine. I got a nice seat of the pants gain from the upgrade. I recently added a fatcat and a SERT. I still need a dyno tune on this setup, but I can say that it's performing way better than I thought it would. Can I out run a HQ setup on a drag strip? Probably not. But I do have gobs of lowend torque that will haul my fatass down the highway and pass 18 wheelers all day long.
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