S&S 88"or 100" engine pro's and con's ? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

427sbc · 12-25-2010, 08:35 PM

Hello everyone, we are going to be purchasing a 88 or 100" S&S complete motor for my Pop's 88 soft tail springer. I would think the 100" would be the better choice for extra torque. Unfortunately, the current motor in the bike is toast, as well as cracked cases(89 inch sidewinder stroker which ripped). So, a complete S&S motor is now going in. Suggestions from anybody with experience with these motor choices would be awesome.. thanks ahead of time.

60195 · 12-25-2010, 08:57 PM

I have run them both. The 100" is 4" x 4" and needed higher rpm to get my old heritage moving. The 88" is 3 5/8" bore x 4 1/4" stroke and seemed to make torque earlier.

I never had either motor on the dyno, but the longer stroke of the 88" was definately noticable by the butt-o-meter.

Both motors were fun.

rcsoftail · 12-25-2010, 10:17 PM

Why not go bigger? They have a 111 that bolts right into your frame. Claims to have lots of torque and less vibration, which would be nice for that solid mount. Maybe a 124, but is pricey. Do you care about being epa certified? I didn't see an 88 inch option on their web site. I wish I had a 124 in my old softail, but cases kept me at 106. http://www.sscycle.com/product/cart....detail&p=21080

kennyflhr · 12-26-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427sbc

Hello everyone, we are going to be purchasing a 88 or 100" S&S complete motor for my Pop's 88 soft tail springer. I would think the 100" would be the better choice for extra torque. Unfortunately, the current motor in the bike is toast, as well as cracked cases(89 inch sidewinder stroker which ripped). So, a complete S&S motor is now going in. Suggestions from anybody with experience with these motor choices would be awesome.. thanks ahead of time.

How much of the internals are still good on the 89 incher? Crank?

427sbc · 12-26-2010, 08:50 PM

the s&s sidewinder flywheels, pinion shaft, rod, rod bearings, sprocket shaft, are all good, thats about it....

60195 · 12-26-2010, 08:57 PM

If you still have the old crank or a similar evo crank, you could swap out the stroker crank for an oem unit and send the whole mess back to harley to be remanufactured. From the sounds of it you will get back an entirely new engine. Then with the new engine, it is a simple set of new pistons for your stroker crank and bam, you have a brand new 89" stroker for less than $2,500 and some work.

dog155 · 12-27-2010, 07:04 AM

Can only speak for 93" Shovel I beat on for 10 yrs and a 124" Sidewinder have owned since 02,you will never find a better powerplant.Good Luck

davesnider · 01-17-2011, 04:07 AM

I have the 88 in my bike and it runs great. I have never riden a bike with the 100 in it though.With some porting and the right cam this thing rips.

feguy1 · 01-17-2011, 08:34 AM

I have run the 88 in my fxr. Great motor. I am going to put that motor in my project fxr soon. Very reliable, lots of fun.

heretic · 02-04-2011, 01:44 PM

something to consider with the big S&S mills......they are still using shovelhead style shafts and bearings.....Sure it keeps pricing down, and less surface area means less friction, so quicker RPMs, but that also shortens longevity.....The smaller engines are great, but I would never go above 113 for my own use....and even then my little sister hung the rods for hers through the bottom of her cases. basically what I am saying is that they are bar hopper engines

new Ultima has decent bottom ends, only because they contract parts from Jims (old ones were junk). TP is good, but cammed to light for their potential. Jims has great products, but their heads really need porting and polishing right from the factory, and their cam profiles are a little weak in the knees. Merch is the way to go for big power right out of a crate.....

I ride a 129 custom build daily....not so good on gas, but when set up right they can be a lot of fun.....I use the jims bottom end, and it balances better then the 95 inch HD engine that came out of the bike

Knighty-Knight · 02-08-2011, 07:30 AM

Heretic,
Could you expand on the above post? I didn't know Merch was still in business?, That is the first time I've heard that S&S had a lesser bottom end compared to a JIMs, Ultima, and TP Engineering, I've heard that they are equally as good but never better.

I know the bearings on the big end of the rod from S&S used to use 21rollers, but have consequently decreased the number of rollers to 19. Is that what you were talking about?

I know the SA cases can handle double timkens on both sides of the crank, not sure about the ULtima, TP, or Jims units though, despite them being stout pieces.

heretic · 02-08-2011, 05:58 PM

not only are there fewer rollers, but narrower surface area as well..... if I was going to use an S&S bottom end for a big incher, I would be getting ahold of the guys at RB racing....They have better bearings available or the S&S mills.......I will admit that narrower surface area, and fewer rollers will nt hurt most of the buyers of those big inch engines. These will mostly be in bar hoppers or hot rods, that are torn down regularly.....they will not see the miles that a lot of stock bikes will see......but for me, I want to know that I can take my hot rod cross country, if I want. I want to know that mine will not scar the bottom end if I am caught in traffic

I am not really sure what merch is doing. I had heard that they were through, but I have seen quite a few of their engines available lately....I have to think something is going on there, if engines are available

dog155 · 02-09-2011, 05:12 PM

The 124" S&S motors have proven themselves time and time again regularly achieveing the 100k mark.No worries whatsoever in the lower ends of these motors,provided they are regularly maintained and not beat to an early death.

Larbaldi · 02-10-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60195

If you still have the old crank or a similar evo crank, you could swap out the stroker crank for an oem unit and send the whole mess back to harley to be remanufactured. From the sounds of it you will get back an entirely new engine. Then with the new engine, it is a simple set of new pistons for your stroker crank and bam, you have a brand new 89" stroker for less than $2,500 and some work.

Can't used cracked cases for a core with the exchange program.

427sbc · 02-23-2011, 02:26 AM

Good info , thanks for all the input...
Looks like its a set of Ultima cases, and the best HD crank builder in SLC is rebuilding/balancing the sidewinder crank and bottom end for my old man... SO it will be a ripper and better than before since this was never correctly balanced and trued by the previous builder..