I have 42000 happy miles on my ultra as fitted in my signature below. now I am looking to go from the 96 to the 103 with the SE value performance heads. I will use the SE tappets and change to tapered adjustable rods.

I have seen that the 48H cam is used in 103 engines, but I will have a bit better compression with the heads installed. I ride mostly two up and ride in the mountains. torque is important. The 48h in my 96 is filling that need famously. I love it. I have heard speak of the 57H but not sure its needed.

I am looking to have dealer install this and warranty the build. They have an aversion to using any cam other than there own, so I put in my 48H and they can leave in alone and do the build.

Any thoughts? I built up my 96 fronm this forum, I do value your educated opinions.

Thank you in advance .

 

If I was to upgrade my 96, I would go to at least a 107. Your not going to gain much with the 103. I would also try some cams (TW-222) first. They may give you the get up and go and the torque your looking for and will be a lot easier on your wallet. Just my two cents...

 

First I would not run 48s in a 103 with some compression. Your compression and heads will dictate cam choice. I'm not much of a fan of SE heads but if your dealer warranty is really important to ya and ya need to stick with SE parts, some 10-1 cast pistons, .030 gaskets, have your heads cnc ported, 204 cams with high ratio rockers would be a decent touring economy build. Of course there are lots of great shops that can put a nice warrantied 107 combo together for ya that would smoke that in both HP and $s. That said, I'm pretty happy with my cheap build, SE cast pistons and Andrews 54s with stock heads. Planning is the key!

 

^^^This^^^

 

Thanks I appreciate the input you give. I priced it out and was going to send it to an indy but need to patch things up with my local dealer. That's life time PR. I get around 40MPG on what I have now. trying to keep some fuel economy in there too, hence staying with 103 bore. I didn't want to change the cam that has served me so well. many of my friends have upgraded 96's to 103's and use an Andrews 26h grind, still get low to mid range torque and keep good fuel economy.HP is up there too but that is with a port and polished heads and 10000ths off the head face. I will get that and better springs with the SE heads, compression release too. I will use 30000ths chromatic gaskets and the better head bolts. I have power commander V with auto tune and so I don't have to fiddle with ECM issues on the build.

I am trying to plan too so that is why I put up this post, to get input. Thank you for yours.

 

I changed the 96" to SE103 flat top pistons, S&S 551 easy-start cam, SE adjustable push rods, had the stock head ported and larger valves & springs, cut stock rock-box to fit the exhaust spring, replaced ECM with Zipper Auto Tune wide band o2 sensors. It's set up for low compression 9.5 to 10.x1, the power is strong & smooth to 5500 rpm It fit the ticket for me.

 

I always forget about the easy-start cams? Good way to go avoiding ACR install. Ya can really bump the compression and run some 570s.