XL1200 motor build questions : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

DenimNightster · 10-01-2008, 10:06 PM

I have an 08 XL1200N and I'm considering building the motor. I'm wondering if the project is really worth it? Whats the stock horsepower out of the xl1200? And about how much would it be if I did some minor upgrades such as; high comp. pistons, air cleaner, exhaust, port/polished heads and a powercommander for tuning? If anybody has done a project like this and could give me an idea of what I'm getting into and whether or not the end result justified spending the money. -Thanks!

aka_matt · 10-01-2008, 10:30 PM

the guys at NRHS have built a few 100hp 1200 sportsters... they have their own pistons and heads and use the SE536 cams and have great results... also see HERE
stock hp is about 65, stage 1 will get u about 75...

Dusty · 10-01-2008, 11:14 PM

i installed the forged hi-comp pistons, s.e.575 cams,s.e. a/c kit, s&s slip-on mufflers with stock headers, sert, and port clean-up on the heads and got 94hp. the thing runs awesome. with the tuner, mufflers and aircleaner it dynoed at 74hp.

pwmorris · 10-02-2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenimNightster

I have an 08 XL1200N and I'm considering building the motor. I'm wondering if the project is really worth it? Whats the stock horsepower out of the xl1200? And about how much would it be if I did some minor upgrades such as; high comp. pistons, air cleaner, exhaust, port/polished heads and a powercommander for tuning? If anybody has done a project like this and could give me an idea of what I'm getting into and whether or not the end result justified spending the money. -Thanks!

It's only worth it if you like the bike and want to keep it! If this is only a temporary bike till you get a big twin, don't waste your money-save it for your next bike.
A sportster can be made extremely fast (current world recorld holder and fastest street V Twin is sportster based). What is your budget and how fast to you want to go?
If you are going to have a builder do it for you, call a builder with an outstanding reputation such as Scott at Hillside Cycles-he will give you an idea based on how far you want to go. If you want to order a power kit and do it yourself, several companies such as Zippers, Revolution Performance, S&S, and others have powerful sportster upgrade kits based on budget.

skyhook · 10-02-2008, 04:43 AM

had an '88 sportster that was converted to 1200...street ported heads...12 to 1 compression ( NOT RECOMMENDED)...screamin' eagle cams, screamin' eagle carb, kerker 2 into 1 into 2 exhaust... quickest bike I've ever owned...sold it to a buddy...he extended the swingarm and ran sixes in the eighth mile

Hillside · 10-02-2008, 06:45 AM

What are the budget constrants?
As said, big power increases are not that hard whatsoever.

DenimNightster · 10-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Budget isn't an issue, my biggest concern is having a streetable motor that is reliable. I don't plan on going out of control with it but I don't want it to be "stock." I plan to do all the motor work myself. I consider myself pretty motor savvy considering I've been successfully rebuilding dirt bike engines for years. I don't plan on ever getting rid of the bike. If I had to put a number on how much I'm willing to spend I would say a grand is about the limit.

DenimNightster · 10-02-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

i installed the forged hi-comp pistons, s.e.575 cams,s.e. a/c kit, s&s slip-on mufflers with stock headers, sert, and port clean-up on the heads and got 94hp. the thing runs awesome. with the tuner, mufflers and aircleaner it dynoed at 74hp.

so you gained 20 horsepower? how much do you think all the parts cost?

This is about the extent of what I would like to do..

01fxdx · 10-02-2008, 05:56 PM

should be able to do it for a grand. good luck with the reeds in the sporty!!!lol!!

Dusty · 10-02-2008, 11:34 PM

the parts total roughly on that build was about $1500.00. he bought pistons, cams, gaskets, headwork, and tuner. he already had mufflers and exhaust. very inexpensive for the gains he got. he runs the SH*T out of it too and has not had a problem.

DenimNightster · 10-03-2008, 08:06 AM

I probably won't go with cams, Probably just mild 10.5:1 Comp. Pistons, head work, and a tuner.

ceraaa42 · 10-03-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenimNightster

I probably won't go with cams, Probably just mild 10.5:1 Comp. Pistons, head work, and a tuner.

You might want to get some advise from someone in the know. You'll be moving your compression up about .7 which might cause problems with the stock cams. You need to do the math to make sure it's not too much.

You might even come out better doing cams and not pistons.

Chris

FlyingGasCan · 10-05-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenimNightster

Budget isn't an issue, my biggest concern is having a streetable motor that is reliable. If I had to put a number on how much I'm willing to spend I would say a grand is about the limit.

PWMORRIS said it very well, but your budget allowance above is only going to get you a stage one which will add roughly a dozen or so horsepower.

I worked on my wifes 1200 Sporty and got 79/79 out of it. To get 20+ more, you need some good head work, some cams, and 1250 cylinders w/ forged pistons at the very least. That will add a few grand into the equation real quick, and to do it right I'd also consider another grand for a Race Tuner with some dyno tune time cause it's gonna take some expertise to tune.

If I was looking to go faster on a Sporty and budget wasn't a concern, $8500.00 will buy you a 100" drop in motor and will hop it down the track real fast. You can't do much with a grand these days except for some slip ons, air cleaner and a reflash.

Horsepower = $$$

DenimNightster · 10-06-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10secondharley

PWMORRIS said it very well, but your budget allowance above is only going to get you a stage one which will add roughly a dozen or so horsepower.

I worked on my wifes 1200 Sporty and got 79/79 out of it. To get 20+ more, you need some good head work, some cams, and 1250 cylinders w/ forged pistons at the very least. That will add a few grand into the equation real quick, and to do it right I'd also consider another grand for a Race Tuner with some dyno tune time cause it's gonna take some expertise to tune.

If I was looking to go faster on a Sporty and budget wasn't a concern, $8500.00 will buy you a 100" drop in motor and will hop it down the track real fast. You can't do much with a grand these days except for some slip ons, air cleaner and a reflash.

Horsepower = $$$

I know horsepower cost money, but if you read my previous posts I'm not looking to build the fastest sportster on the block. I just want a mildly built motor so I can say it isn't stock. So I guess my question is, what could I spend a grand on that would be my best investment? I already have SC slip-ons. So what could I do with another 1000 bucks to get the best bang for my buck?

ceraaa42 · 10-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenimNightster

I know horsepower cost money, but if you read my previous posts I'm not looking to build the fastest sportster on the block. I just want a mildly built motor so I can say it isn't stock. So I guess my question is, what could I spend a grand on that would be my best investment? I already have SC slip-ons. So what could I do with another 1000 bucks to get the best bang for my buck?

SE air filter, Race tuner & tune. There ya go.

To do anything else you need these things first. It needs to be able to get air and a way to tune it.

Chris