103 VS 96" is it worth it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
If you have an 88, you will need to split the cases and install a stroker crank to get to 103". You could go as high as 98" at home pretty easily. If you are comfortable pulling the cases and swapping the crank at home, go for it.
Last edited by 07RoadHawg; Dec 4, 2009 at 01:32 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 8
From: south
I just had the 255 cams installed in a stage 1 96 cu in. I am very happy with it.
Would I have been happier with the 103? Maybe I don't know. But I do know the bike starts easy, sounds great, runs cool and has all the power I need.
Would I have been happier with the 103? Maybe I don't know. But I do know the bike starts easy, sounds great, runs cool and has all the power I need.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
IMO the CI bump is the least important aspect of the Stage II package (103, flat-tops, and 255's). The Stage II combo provides a very impressive low-end and midrange improvement, and I believe that is largely a factor of the 255's and increased compression ratio.
I went with the 255's and TC96 mostly because of the low cost, and the results were just what I wanted and expected. Increasing compression to the TC96 with 255's (10:1 or less) would be an improvement, probably approaching that of a Stage II, but IMO if you do that you should just go ahead and replace or bore the jugs to 103 while the heads are off. The downside to increasing compression with the 255's is that starting may become labored when hot and many recommend compression releases, which is more money.
Jamie at Fuel Moto told me that going from 96 to 103 alone did not make a big difference in either TQ or HP, and that's one reason I decided against it. Another reason was that I didn't want the added expense or to invade the engine to that degree, as the bike ran very well in stock form with no oil consumption, excessive heat, etc. If it ain't broke.... OTOH, changing cams alone was easy and cheap without being too invasive, and the results were well-documented from other owners who had done it. For the money, I think this is the sweet spot in the bang-for-the-buck dept. With some smart shopping and creative cost-cutting you can do this for <$200. Just my 2˘.
I went with the 255's and TC96 mostly because of the low cost, and the results were just what I wanted and expected. Increasing compression to the TC96 with 255's (10:1 or less) would be an improvement, probably approaching that of a Stage II, but IMO if you do that you should just go ahead and replace or bore the jugs to 103 while the heads are off. The downside to increasing compression with the 255's is that starting may become labored when hot and many recommend compression releases, which is more money.
Jamie at Fuel Moto told me that going from 96 to 103 alone did not make a big difference in either TQ or HP, and that's one reason I decided against it. Another reason was that I didn't want the added expense or to invade the engine to that degree, as the bike ran very well in stock form with no oil consumption, excessive heat, etc. If it ain't broke.... OTOH, changing cams alone was easy and cheap without being too invasive, and the results were well-documented from other owners who had done it. For the money, I think this is the sweet spot in the bang-for-the-buck dept. With some smart shopping and creative cost-cutting you can do this for <$200. Just my 2˘.
Last edited by iclick; Dec 4, 2009 at 01:56 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Since the bike has 1 1/2 years remaining on the warranty starting to lean towards just installing the SE 255 cams, exhaust (either the SE Nightstick slip on or the VH Pro Chrome 2-1) SE Air Filter kit and some form of tuner / dyno tuning until the warranty is up. That way I can install ported heads and the other trinkets to get the most out of the BB kit.
Decisions, decisions....
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
I found there to be a considerable difference between the stock 96 and the stage 2 103. True the largest bump in power is the 255 cams, but I like the extra added of the increased cubic inches. The only TRUE test I have had with it was against a Softtail Deuce 96" with just pipes from what I could tell. We took off and he got on his a little so of course so did I, then he nailed his so.....of course.... so did I. There is definitely a power difference...I think it kind of surprised him when I past him and kept on pulling away. A friend of mine has a Heritage Softtail with just pipes... we never raced but he said he could tell I have the stage 2 by the way he was having to ride to keep up and how easily I pulled away from him. Big bore or stock bore if you run in the "touring bike" rpms 2-4000 you will love the 255's. Very snappy throttle response and huge torque down low.
Last edited by StreetGlidinFreak; Dec 4, 2009 at 04:38 PM.
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I have the Stage II 103" with 255 cams and I love it. This is the engine HD should put in their big twins as stock in my opinion. Plenty of low end torque for two up or hill climbing and excellent acceleration. I never feel underpowered. I had it done about a month after I bought it and can really tell the difference. It's also completely covered under warranty.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: SW Iowa
+1 agree
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
IMO the CI bump is the least important aspect of the Stage II package (103, flat-tops, and 255's). The Stage II combo provides a very impressive low-end and midrange improvement, and I believe that is largely a factor of the 255's and increased compression ratio.
I went with the 255's and TC96 mostly because of the low cost, and the results were just what I wanted and expected. Increasing compression to the TC96 with 255's (10:1 or less) would be an improvement, probably approaching that of a Stage II, but IMO if you do that you should just go ahead and replace or bore the jugs to 103 while the heads are off. The downside to increasing compression with the 255's is that starting may become labored when hot and many recommend compression releases, which is more money.
Jamie at Fuel Moto told me that going from 96 to 103 alone did not make a big difference in either TQ or HP, and that's one reason I decided against it. Another reason was that I didn't want the added expense or to invade the engine to that degree, as the bike ran very well in stock form with no oil consumption, excessive heat, etc. If it ain't broke.... OTOH, changing cams alone was easy and cheap without being too invasive, and the results were well-documented from other owners who had done it. For the money, I think this is the sweet spot in the bang-for-the-buck dept. With some smart shopping and creative cost-cutting you can do this for <$200. Just my 2˘.
I went with the 255's and TC96 mostly because of the low cost, and the results were just what I wanted and expected. Increasing compression to the TC96 with 255's (10:1 or less) would be an improvement, probably approaching that of a Stage II, but IMO if you do that you should just go ahead and replace or bore the jugs to 103 while the heads are off. The downside to increasing compression with the 255's is that starting may become labored when hot and many recommend compression releases, which is more money.
Jamie at Fuel Moto told me that going from 96 to 103 alone did not make a big difference in either TQ or HP, and that's one reason I decided against it. Another reason was that I didn't want the added expense or to invade the engine to that degree, as the bike ran very well in stock form with no oil consumption, excessive heat, etc. If it ain't broke.... OTOH, changing cams alone was easy and cheap without being too invasive, and the results were well-documented from other owners who had done it. For the money, I think this is the sweet spot in the bang-for-the-buck dept. With some smart shopping and creative cost-cutting you can do this for <$200. Just my 2˘.
So you kept the 96 and just added the 255 cams?