Help to choose an upgrade: 103 stage 2 or stage 3?
Help to choose an upgrade: 103 stage 2 or stage 3?
Hi buddyes!
I live in Sao Paulo/Brazil and the dealers here doesn't know much about performance upgrades (they're most interested in sell new bikes and the service is a 'pain in the ***').
I have a '09 FLHTC, with 96 ci engine running with V&H Power Duals, V&H Monster Ovals mufflers, SE air cleaner and a some Super Tuner work.
Now I am planning an upgrade for more TQ and power.
My doubt is about 103 stage 2 or stage 3.
Is there much difference? May I need to change the throttle body or not? And about de heads? May i use the stock ones? May i use compressor release or not?
Please, anybody could help me decide which would be the better choice?
Thanks in advance!
I live in Sao Paulo/Brazil and the dealers here doesn't know much about performance upgrades (they're most interested in sell new bikes and the service is a 'pain in the ***').
I have a '09 FLHTC, with 96 ci engine running with V&H Power Duals, V&H Monster Ovals mufflers, SE air cleaner and a some Super Tuner work.
Now I am planning an upgrade for more TQ and power.
My doubt is about 103 stage 2 or stage 3.
Is there much difference? May I need to change the throttle body or not? And about de heads? May i use the stock ones? May i use compressor release or not?
Please, anybody could help me decide which would be the better choice?
Thanks in advance!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Just looking at dyno charts in the SE catolog; stage 2 makes around 95 ft. lbs and 80hp, stage 3 makes around 108 ft. lbs and 96hp. So yes there is a about a 15% difference. The stage 4 bumps that up to around 115 ft. lbs and 115hp with the same cams/pistons, showing pretty clearly the improvement heads and intake can make. Really depends on your budget and how fast ya want to go?
btw; I would add compression releases to all of them.
btw; I would add compression releases to all of them.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: maumee oh
commpression release are very important , tear ur stater up if you dont have release's installed on your bike.if your gonna tune for performance go all the way or $ add up later, we bike guys want it all an sooner or later you'll want to go bigger and better. dyno tuner 5 would be the wat to go with an auto tuner , being that service is such an issue where you live.
Last edited by roadman1230; Sep 11, 2012 at 10:20 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: ALABAMA
What's the octane rating of the fuel down there?
How do you ride? If you just want more grunt for normal lower rpm (less than 4000) riding stage 2 would be great... if you want it to run more when you are getting on it... stage 3
which ever one you go with, get the SE compensator, and do the compression releases.
When I went stage 2 103 on my old 07, I should have done it when I had the kit installed but I didn't it would kick back constantly and spit out the throttle body... after I put the SE compensator on I didn't get anymore kick backs but it was still a little hard to start when hot.
How do you ride? If you just want more grunt for normal lower rpm (less than 4000) riding stage 2 would be great... if you want it to run more when you are getting on it... stage 3
which ever one you go with, get the SE compensator, and do the compression releases.
When I went stage 2 103 on my old 07, I should have done it when I had the kit installed but I didn't it would kick back constantly and spit out the throttle body... after I put the SE compensator on I didn't get anymore kick backs but it was still a little hard to start when hot.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,917
Likes: 184
From:
If your going to do the install your self I'd go with a 107 kit from fuel moto. They have all the vidoes and complete kit to do what you want to plus a download already loaded in a tuner.
If your not doing the install yourself I'd go stage 3.
If your not doing the install yourself I'd go stage 3.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
How much power do you need? After going stage 1 on 1 bike and stage 2 on 3 bikes I am staying stock from now on. It's plenty fast and powerful enough to kill myself as it is, the rest is just a waste of time and money to me.
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Thank you guys!
Well, today a bought the stage 4 with heads and all stuff, including inner cam bearings.
Comparing the dyno charts i think this stage is 'flater' than the stage 3 and seems very 'kicker' that stage 2.
Here in Sao Paulo we have some Indy specialized to do services, repair and tune H-D bikes, with dyno and certified mechanics.
The complete kit is about U$ 3k including oil cooler kit. The problem is about customs taxes... it takes me to pay another 3K.
Well, in a country that a '12 FLHTK costs U$ 39k + 5% of documents and vehicle property taxes... everything is very expensive.
Again, thank all of you guys... and sorry for my bad english
Well, today a bought the stage 4 with heads and all stuff, including inner cam bearings.
Comparing the dyno charts i think this stage is 'flater' than the stage 3 and seems very 'kicker' that stage 2.
Here in Sao Paulo we have some Indy specialized to do services, repair and tune H-D bikes, with dyno and certified mechanics.
The complete kit is about U$ 3k including oil cooler kit. The problem is about customs taxes... it takes me to pay another 3K.
Well, in a country that a '12 FLHTK costs U$ 39k + 5% of documents and vehicle property taxes... everything is very expensive.
Again, thank all of you guys... and sorry for my bad english
Last edited by Andre Crespo; Sep 18, 2012 at 12:42 AM.
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