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Here's the kicker, if you buy the 96 and want more power, a stage II with pipes + dyno tune is the way to go. If you buy a 103 and want more power, you add pipes, cams, and a tune. It's much cheaper. With this setup I pull 100 hp/105 ft/lbs of torque on my 2010 Limited....
103 is the way to go , for very little money you get larger motor (more torque) , abs brakes , security system , oil cooler & automatic compression releases in the power pak package
103,has some tq, but not much hp, i went from 96,, 103 ,but port head lg in valve 255 cam, no more heat problems,more hp ,tq much happier, great gas mileage,,d&dfat cat..total $2,500
I had a 40, followed it by a colt 45...Then realized people with the 103 will tell you that it's the ****. People with a 96 will tell you with mods the 96 is faster. Well, with mods any engine should be faster...Although I have yet to find the need to go above 120 and my 96 can get me there just fine....I think I will have another 40...and think about this issue more
We have 2 UC 2007 is mine with 103",SE 255 and wife's 2008 96",SE255 cams, used to have huge power difference until I put cams in her bike.Both have identical fuel mileage due to she is 50 LB lighter then me and no tour pack on her bike to make it easier for her.Stock 103" doesn't have huge benefit over 96" and all HD run hot on hot days, I have ridden 5 in past 6 years none of em ran cool on hot summer days.I have oil cooler on mine but it's still hot on every stop light or slow traffic on warm days.
My '09 Super Glide stock 96" engine was rated for about 62 HP. Last year I had a 103" kit installed upgraded to a Stage lll for about $3,600. Dynoed at 105 HP and 107 TQ at rear wheel. Huge power difference.
Bought '10 Road King already upgraded to a 103" Stage ll. All I know it keeps up with my FXDC. Last month I test road a stock 103" Road Glide after riding my RK to dealership. The '11 stock Road Glide felt like a slug after riding my RK.
Fuel economy went slightly up on both my HDs after engine up grade. I average about 41 MPG on both bikes and have seen 46 MPG as my high.
Last edited by cptdenny; Jun 27, 2011 at 07:26 PM.
I have both;
07 Streetglide, 96", V&H slips, Big sucker and fuelpak
11 Road king, 103" V&H dresser duals, 4" Rineharts, Big sucker and a PCV
The 103 is predictable a little stronger, especially low end and that works great for me as most of my riding is in the mountains. This is all by feel, don't have a dyno sheet to brag about.
Went from an 08 ultra with 96 to an 11 limited with 103.... in stock trim no difference.. the 08 had V&H slipons and stage 1 (no DL), I put the same slip ons on the 11 and without removing the 11's headpipe cat I'd say the 08 was faster (cat really plugs up the 103)
Was it worth trading in the 08 for the 11? Nope, I should have just kept the 08 ultra
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