Need some advice
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
Need some advice
Got a 03 FLHTI, stock engine, Got $2000.00 to spend in engine for now, would love some help from you pros on the best way to spend that $2000.00 to get the best bang for my buck. Thanks!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 836
From: KMHT KFMY
If you have not done the cam chain tensioner upgrade, you need to address that, and while you are in there you can do the oil pump and cams. If the engine goes BOOM because of that, the rest won't matter.
That will eat up some coin, you will need a tuner, if you can find a set of newer take off head pipes w/ the O2 sensor bungs, a nice thundermax tuner will help.
Other than that I would get the heads done, they are really restricted and a good HD machinist can get them to flow the way they should.
As for going into the bores if it ain't broke, don't fix it. A good tune, cams, and head work, matched to each other will wake the bike up nicely. If the pistons were bad, or the jugs were shot, by all means up the comp ratio or go to 95 inches, but again, if it isn't broke...
That will eat up some coin, you will need a tuner, if you can find a set of newer take off head pipes w/ the O2 sensor bungs, a nice thundermax tuner will help.
Other than that I would get the heads done, they are really restricted and a good HD machinist can get them to flow the way they should.
As for going into the bores if it ain't broke, don't fix it. A good tune, cams, and head work, matched to each other will wake the bike up nicely. If the pistons were bad, or the jugs were shot, by all means up the comp ratio or go to 95 inches, but again, if it isn't broke...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
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From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 16
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From: MD
I have an '03 as well. Eight years old and only 3k miles on it and the cam tensioner pads were worn/disintegrating. However, that was not my first mod. Tmax w/auto tune, D&D 2 into1 exhaust and an air cleaner from Zippers was the first mod. After reading about the issues with stock cam chain tensioner pads, I decided to go with the SE upgrade hydraulic tensioner cam plate with 204 cams and top end kit (rocker box parts.) Glad I did. SE cam plate includes a new oil pump and actually supplies more oil pressure.
Krome-
Krome-
Last edited by KromeDome; Sep 8, 2012 at 06:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,173
From: Oxford, Nc
For around $2,000 you can go Big Bore Kit, Andrews 26 Gear Drive cams, ( takes care of the tensioner issue too,) an air cleaner kit and a tuner. Leave the heads alone.
This is how my 95" Stage II is set up.This should take you from 55 / 60 hp to 85 hp or so. Excellent bang for the buck. Reliable with the same output as a 110" Stage I.
(Always check crank shaft run out prior to installing gear drive cams.)
This is how my 95" Stage II is set up.This should take you from 55 / 60 hp to 85 hp or so. Excellent bang for the buck. Reliable with the same output as a 110" Stage I.
(Always check crank shaft run out prior to installing gear drive cams.)
Last edited by Stiggy; Sep 8, 2012 at 06:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
No, all this is way over my head, but I do have a friend that is a excellent bike mechanic.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 210
Likes: 6
From: N/A
So is labor gonna be free then?
Do ya have a device now to tune the EFI with or will that also be needed?
Do ya have a device now to tune the EFI with or will that also be needed?
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Lapeer , Mich
I have an '03 as well. Eight years old and only 3k miles on it and the cam tensioner pads were worn/disintegrating. However, that was not my first mod. Tmax w/auto tune, D&D 2 into1 exhaust and an air cleaner from Zippers was the first mod. After reading about the issues with stock cam chain tensioner pads, I decided to go with the SE upgrade hydraulic tensioner cam plate with 204 cams and top end kit (rocker box parts.) Glad I did. SE cam plate includes a new oil pump and actually supplies more oil pressure.
Krome-
Krome-