Need help/advice building 95" : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

davidallen1973 · 10-07-2003, 01:26 PM

I currently have an '02 FXDX with SE II slip ons, SE breather kit, and re-jetted carb. I want to go to 95". I know there are several ways to go about doing this. I put on roughly 15k miles per year, so I am willing to sacrafice some performance to ensure the most reliability/durability. Cost is not a huge factor because I have saved the money and I want to do this right the first time without cutting any corners....I plan on having this bike forever. I am using an independent wrench to do the work and he likes the HD SE set ups for reliability. However, I know there are lots of non-HD "after market" products and machine shop options available as well. I know there are lots of well experienced wrench's on this site and I would greatly appreciate your feedback on how I should go about doing this based on what I'm looking for.

Thanks.....Dave

gpp · 10-07-2003, 01:53 PM

i have run a lot of bikes with the se 204 cam .lots of low and mid range power.the regular se heads not the htcc are also as good as any .

wyodude · 10-07-2003, 05:01 PM

Check out SBC's website

You can get Short Block Charlie to flow your heads, punch out your cylinders and fit your pistons. Pick your cam and you'll be almost all the way home.

You can also call SBC and ask his advice!

wyo

mitch89445 · 10-07-2003, 09:26 PM

Dave
Check out Johnson Engine Technologies I did and went with the 95 inch kit and am VVVVVVVVVVVery Happy with the results. Just got it done about 800 miles ago so am still breakin her in but she runs nice and strong . Example I accidentally started off in second a couple of times only to realise it later down the road. I run mostly to work and back 75 to 80 mph if i want more its right at my right wrist. no shift neccessary .
Any way Good luck lots of choices out there
Mitch

Gearhead99 · 10-07-2003, 09:46 PM

Do it the easy way....call SBC.

He is easy to talk to and has GOOD products, that rock !!!!

nidan · 10-08-2003, 07:02 AM

Dave,

you may also want to consider Jerry Branches heads etc , he does very good work details and dyno charts are on his site http://www.branchflowmetrics.com/ My Brother went that route and was quite pleased . I have an FXDX as well and have talked with my Indie wrench about upgrades , while he's PHD and leans towards the MoCo's products he had high praise for Branch.

Zeus · 10-08-2003, 07:33 AM

If he's an indy wrench he cannot possibly be PHD-he lost that when he left the dealership

nidan · 10-09-2003, 07:38 AM

Zeus he was with the dealer 5 years and got the certification there. He and the former service manager just started thier own shop.
Agreed it won't remain up to date , but it doesn't nullify the knowledge .

davidallen1973 · 10-09-2003, 01:31 PM

Thanks for the info and feedback. I will call SBC, I have heard plenty of praise re: his shop. I'm still interested in feedback for long term reliability....HD Screamin' Eagle stuff or others. I know plenty of shops do different builds. I'm looking for machines or knowledge of machines getting at least 75k miles after their rebuild. What kind of build can get me that reliability but still give me performance upgrades? Looking for feedback that you have personally experienced or you know someone who has for a fact.

wyodude · 10-09-2003, 04:21 PM

Check out the Nov issue of Hot Bike. They have an article describing the installation of a 95 inch Muscle kit ($2695) from Zipper's Performance Products .

Zipper's is located in Elkridge, MD.

HIPPO · 10-09-2003, 06:49 PM

No one can assure you of 75K miles in good faith.
Parts are parts, lifters, bearings, tensioners, etc, are more likely to fail before then even in a stock engine.
All you can do is use components that have the best record over time and not go overboard with the build. You should have reliability comparable to stock or slightly better, but that's as far as it goes.

davidallen1973 · 10-09-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HIPPO
No one can assure you of 75K miles in good faith.
Parts are parts, lifters, bearings, tensioners, etc, are more likely to fail before then even in a stock engine.
All you can do is use components that have the best record over time and not go overboard with the build. You should have reliability comparable to stock or slightly better, but that's as far as it goes.

That's exactly what I'm looking for HIPPO.....reliability of at least stock. And exactly, I want to use parts that have been proven over time, but I don't know which parts have proven themselves over time.....that's why I started this thread to get advice on what people have used and had proven to them over time. I personally know plenty of people that have basically run stock or stage 1 and have had 75k plus before needing any significant engine work. I understand nothing is guaranteed.....sh!t happens. I just don't know of anyone that has done significant miles with a 95" build. I was looking to get feedback from someone stating "I did this, this, and this....I got added performance, and I have gone 50k or better without any significant issues." I figured there would be some HD wrenches on this site that would have come across some of these bikes in their shops and they could help guide me with that PROVEN experience. Again, I appreciate all of the feedback.

Thanks...Dave

HIPPO · 10-09-2003, 11:39 PM

You got two problems with that type of data.
The people that have the more heavily modified engines generally don't pile up the mileage as much as the guys with milder engines.
Rather then looking for one opinion you need to look at it statistically over a large number of builds.
A low compression 95", say 9.6 CR or so, with low lift cams that don't require high seat pressure and modified heads will statistically outlive a stock engine providing riding conditions and maintenance are similar. Things like geared cam drives and upgraded oil pumps don't get you much if anything on the dyno but they sure change the odds. Good tuning and really efficient pipes go a long way too.
Something along these lines will make around 100TQ. Beyond that point you have to seriously look into upgrading other systems on the bike.

davidallen1973 · 10-12-2003, 03:02 PM

I have e-mailed SBC but I would still like more feedback if there is anyone else out there?

Gearhead99 · 10-12-2003, 04:10 PM

Dave,

I have 95", 9.6 cr, 37b cams, SBC heads and Rineharts on my RK. Sorry only around 2000 miles. No problems, lots of arm straightning power.

Bike idles perfect, gets 40 MPG, no strange sounds or noises from the engine [other then normal TC noises], runs down the road cruising at what ever speed you want to and will pull you arms out of their sockets when you twist the wick.

I don't forsee any more problems with this set-up then you would have with a stock motor.