SE 103" Kit
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: VA
SE 103" Kit
Thinking of doing the stage II 103" kit in my 08 Road Glide. When I read the SE catalog it states that compression releases are recommended. Are they really necessary for this upgrade? The way I understand it is the big bore and pistons are not that high in compression. Curious what others on here have installed with their 103" kits and whether running compression releases or not. Thanks all. Trying to save a few bucks by not drilling into my heads.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Eastern NC
Thats one of the biggest problems with dealer install SE Kits. Deck height is usually not checked, and heads are not adressed. Most dealer builds dont end up at the advertised compression. Basically you wont know what your compression or CCP is until the build is done and you do a compression test. You will either be nowhere close to needing releases, or wishing like hell you had em. I would go with the CR's, cheaper to do it the first time. Or go with a shop that does more than just ASSemble off the shelf parts.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Pa.
[QUOTE=ryanl;5521301] Basically you wont know what your compression or CCP is until the build is done and you do a compression test. QUOTE]
Doing a compression test does not tell you what your compression ratio is. There is much more to it than that. Do a search on the net and you will find numerous ratio calculators. Once your engine is together you will not be able to find out your ratio unless you did a bunch of measurements beforehand.
I have the 103 kit with the optional high compression pistons. My ratio is right at 10.5 to 1. I also have compression releases and even with them the OE starter did not have enough ***** to crank it over very well.
I ended up going with a high output starter and larger battery cables. Now It starts the way it should.... other than the OE junk compensator that I am in the process of changing.
A friend of mine is having the same problem with his 103 kit and we are in the process of upgrading his starter now. He also has releases.
Doing a compression test does not tell you what your compression ratio is. There is much more to it than that. Do a search on the net and you will find numerous ratio calculators. Once your engine is together you will not be able to find out your ratio unless you did a bunch of measurements beforehand.
I have the 103 kit with the optional high compression pistons. My ratio is right at 10.5 to 1. I also have compression releases and even with them the OE starter did not have enough ***** to crank it over very well.
I ended up going with a high output starter and larger battery cables. Now It starts the way it should.... other than the OE junk compensator that I am in the process of changing.
A friend of mine is having the same problem with his 103 kit and we are in the process of upgrading his starter now. He also has releases.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Winston Salen, NC
I have the high flow heads in my build and manual compression releases. Ended up with 10.5 to 1 compression. Better safe than sorry. I am sure you would not be saving that much money by not doing them. You can read about my build and see the dyno in my sig link if interested.
Good luck...
Good luck...
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: SW Iowa
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Pa.
Both of the builds that I was referring to have the SE255 cams. They are a great low to mid RPM cam but as stated by BM83, they do have very low overlap.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Eastern NC
I have the high flow heads in my build and manual compression releases. Ended up with 10.5 to 1 compression. Better safe than sorry. I am sure you would not be saving that much money by not doing them. You can read about my build and see the dyno in my sig link if interested.
Good luck...
Good luck...