Engine upgrade advice please
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 7
From: Indianapolis
Engine upgrade advice please
Hi All,
I'm hoping that some of the more knowledgeable amongst you can shed some light on the engine upgrade path I am taking. I already have the Fuelmoto package consisting of the Jackpot mufflers, big air cleaner, PCV and auto-tune. I was pleased with this upgrade and I have just ordered the Woods cams and associated parts to complete that upgrade. Hopefully, I will realize the same type of improvement that others here have commented upon.
The next obvious step is to go with a big bore upgrade. I don't really want to go to a 110 because of the associated case boring required. Therefore, I am looking at a simple bump to 103.
If I simply bolt on the HD Big Bore kit, will I see a worthwhile performance gain? I know that head work etc. would be beneficial, but funds don't really allow that at this time. Perhaps at a later time I can get the heads ported etc. I know many people do all the mods in one hit in an effort to minimize labor costs, but I'll be doing my own labor so that isn't an issue for me.
So, in summary, is simply bolting on bored jugs, flat top pistons and associated bits a good investment for about $500?
Thanks
I'm hoping that some of the more knowledgeable amongst you can shed some light on the engine upgrade path I am taking. I already have the Fuelmoto package consisting of the Jackpot mufflers, big air cleaner, PCV and auto-tune. I was pleased with this upgrade and I have just ordered the Woods cams and associated parts to complete that upgrade. Hopefully, I will realize the same type of improvement that others here have commented upon.
The next obvious step is to go with a big bore upgrade. I don't really want to go to a 110 because of the associated case boring required. Therefore, I am looking at a simple bump to 103.
If I simply bolt on the HD Big Bore kit, will I see a worthwhile performance gain? I know that head work etc. would be beneficial, but funds don't really allow that at this time. Perhaps at a later time I can get the heads ported etc. I know many people do all the mods in one hit in an effort to minimize labor costs, but I'll be doing my own labor so that isn't an issue for me.
So, in summary, is simply bolting on bored jugs, flat top pistons and associated bits a good investment for about $500?
Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
Absofreakinlutely, especially if you're doing the work yourself.
Last edited by UltraKla$$ic; Jan 28, 2010 at 02:32 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Hi All,
I'm hoping that some of the more knowledgeable amongst you can shed some light on the engine upgrade path I am taking. I already have the Fuelmoto package consisting of the Jackpot mufflers, big air cleaner, PCV and auto-tune. I was pleased with this upgrade and I have just ordered the Woods cams and associated parts to complete that upgrade. Hopefully, I will realize the same type of improvement that others here have commented upon.
I'm hoping that some of the more knowledgeable amongst you can shed some light on the engine upgrade path I am taking. I already have the Fuelmoto package consisting of the Jackpot mufflers, big air cleaner, PCV and auto-tune. I was pleased with this upgrade and I have just ordered the Woods cams and associated parts to complete that upgrade. Hopefully, I will realize the same type of improvement that others here have commented upon.
The next obvious step is to go with a big bore upgrade. I don't really want to go to a 110 because of the associated case boring required. Therefore, I am looking at a simple bump to 103.
If I simply bolt on the HD Big Bore kit, will I see a worthwhile performance gain? I know that head work etc. would be beneficial, but funds don't really allow that at this time. Perhaps at a later time I can get the heads ported etc. I know many people do all the mods in one hit in an effort to minimize labor costs, but I'll be doing my own labor so that isn't an issue for me.
If I simply bolt on the HD Big Bore kit, will I see a worthwhile performance gain? I know that head work etc. would be beneficial, but funds don't really allow that at this time. Perhaps at a later time I can get the heads ported etc. I know many people do all the mods in one hit in an effort to minimize labor costs, but I'll be doing my own labor so that isn't an issue for me.
So, in summary, is simply bolting on bored jugs, flat top pistons and associated bits a good investment for about $500? Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 3
From: N. Alabama
Do you know how to align the rocker boxes on the heads and to shim the rockers if necessary? Just some of the details to help keep down increased valve train noise that will usually increase when you add the cams and stronger valve springs? A shop manual is real nice to have also.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
While increasing the bore is always a good idea the compression ratio needs to match the cams you get. Longer duration cams perform best with higher compression and sap low and mid range power if you stay with stock ratio pistons. Too much compression with short duration cams gives you hard starting, heat, and detonation problems. Your heads, cams, and pistons need to compliment each other or you'll actually have a bike that runs worse. There are a lot of 'kits" available from reputable builders that will give you head work, pistons, and cams matched to perform best together. If you can install your own cams and big bore, you can have a bike with over 100 h.p. and torque, run cool and be dependable as hell for around 2 grand. It all needs to work together. Everything from the air cleaner to the exhaust tip needs to work together. I'd wait, and not get cams and pistons that you'll have to replace when you get your heads done.
Last edited by Northside; Jan 28, 2010 at 03:35 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
You ask for advice. Mine is that you should consult a local engine builder when making significant changes like these, so they are done by someone competent and you get the best out of the parts you fit. If you slop the ingredients for a cake into the oven in the wrong proportions there is no certainty you will get a cake out of it!
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 6
From: Fargo ND
As long as you're already ordering from/working with fuel moto talk to Jamie see what he has experience with and recommends.
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