103 upgrade. Worth it?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
103 upgrade. Worth it?
I'm considering bumping my 96 inch on my 09 SG up to 103. Can those of you who have bumped yours up to 103 give me your honest opinion on if it was worth the money? Also, the H-D 103 kit has a bunch of crap in there that I don't want or need (pipes, breather, etc.), so would it be cheaper to order just the parts I need and not the kit?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
I've ridden both a 96 and a 103 in quick succession. From my seat of the pants impression I have to say yes. When I punched my 88 out to a 95 it was much cheaper to buy parts separately - especially when you get your own cylinders bored by a good shop.
I'm currently in the process of collecting parts to do a 103" build. If you're in no hurry, EBay can be your friend. So far I got a new SEST for $225, new SE 103" flat top iston kit for $115 and 10 mile fresh CVO 255 cams for $125 (and we know all about cam choices). Gasket kits can be found cheap. And as stated above, local boring/honing for about $125 and will match my pistons perfectly. My $$ will be labor but I'll deal with that when the time comes ... Troop
** Wouldn't the 110" expense be much more due to the need to also bore out the cases ??
** Wouldn't the 110" expense be much more due to the need to also bore out the cases ??
Last edited by troop; Mar 5, 2010 at 06:36 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Hmmm - all depends what you want. Why stop at 110 when you could go even higher? Some might suggest there's a logical limit on how far to go (forgot to mention - 103 seems good enough to me).
Last edited by davessworks; Mar 4, 2010 at 11:01 PM. Reason: forgot to mention - 103 seems good enough to me
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 85
From: Charlotte Metro
I'd say yes as long as you do it with parts that compliment one another. When I pull the trigger it'll be a kit from one of the popular builders vs HD. No affiliation with this builder but just a example of what's available out there vs HD.
http://www.tmanperformance.com/kits.htm
http://www.tmanperformance.com/kits.htm
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
103 or 110 = about the same money? I've never priced case boring, but you would have to do that, plus new cylinders instead of having the ones you already own bored. I guess "about the same money" is a subjective comparison....
To the OP, good advice from acchd. Do your homework and select parts that are designed to work together. You will most likely be happier with a kit from one source (be that HD or someone else) than trying to slap all the pieces together from different vendors.
Is it worth it? Another subjective question, but it was worth it to me. I can feel the difference and I would do it again for sure.
To the OP, good advice from acchd. Do your homework and select parts that are designed to work together. You will most likely be happier with a kit from one source (be that HD or someone else) than trying to slap all the pieces together from different vendors.
Is it worth it? Another subjective question, but it was worth it to me. I can feel the difference and I would do it again for sure.
Last edited by 07RoadHawg; Mar 4, 2010 at 10:49 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: Yakima, Wa
I have the stage 1 kit, se 255 cams breather kit and had the dealer do a new downloand on the ecu and it really opens it up imo. Also have rush slip-ons looking to go to a full exhaust but i love it and think it was well worth the money
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
bringing it out to 110 has three drawbacks. actually four. 1=gotta split the cases, expensive. 2=cylinder studs are dangerously close to the bore, as are the drainback holes, and "coking" can occur, meaning that the oil can cook while it's draining back down the drainback holes. 3=you can get a 103" to run strong, reliably, and for much less money than splitting the cases. 4=i'd think that the 110 would be so near the cost of a jims 120" motor which is designed with thicker cases, and wider cylinder stud spacing, built for the "too big" of a bore for the mechanical limits of the cases harley makes. i just had the 27544-10 kit done, screamin eagle 10.5 comp ratio pop ups, along with the 259 cams at 579 lift, and the sepst, which is the screamin eagle pro tuner, and i added to the kit the se compensator and mechanical compression releases, along with the 2 into 1 v&h pro pipe, and zippers air cleaner. am i impressed? a huge, "HELL YES" it'll suck the headlight out of a screamin eagle 110, without a doubt. out the door with fantastic dyno tuning, $4,005 bucks. it flat *** romps. hope this helps.