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2005 or 2006 heads

5748 Views 28 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  LoosRP
Ok i need to no what head is the better of the two. the 2006 or the 2005. or should i say of the two which one would make a better head for the 98" build and using the tw6hg cams. I have a 2006 street Glide and can use my heads or the new no miles 2005 heads. This is a carb bike and going all out on this build with Fat katz two into one Gear drives. 3:37 gearing, and so on. I do plan to have the heads built to all out standards for this build. ok hopefully one of the Docs on here will chime in and give me some help. I have both sets so it is a choice of is either one better. Thanks to all for much help
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With that build you will be replacing spring pack and probably valve size anyway so the oil seal issue wont be a problem as you will be replacing them when the head is done. I don't think it matters one way or another in your case.
AFAIK 2006 heads have a different port design compared to the earlier version and supposedly flow better. I venture a guess here, that there are not that many porters out there that have a good number of 2006 heads done and have a reliable data set to build on. Not sure about the ports diameter of the 06 heads and the location of the bolt holes etc, worth checking it.

I would go with the 05 and have them done by one of the pros.
Good point ViennaHog, I forgot someone mentioned the flow of 06 heads being "better".

I do agree I would go with the 05's also.
They are working on them......

ViennaHog said:
AFAIK 2006 heads have a different port design compared to the earlier version and supposedly flow better. I venture a guess here, that there are not that many porters out there that have a good number of 2006 heads done and have a reliable data set to build on. Not sure about the ports diameter of the 06 heads and the location of the bolt holes etc, worth checking it.

I would go with the 05 and have them done by one of the pros.
Check EBAY ---------> 4595590364 (sold now)

Q: What are the improvements that the 2006 head provides? and will the 2006 head work on 1999 through 2005?

Dec-05-05
A: The 2006 head will fit 1999 thru 2005 by simply using the 2006 manifold flanges which only cost a few dollars each. Additionally, you can optionally use the 2006 manifold which greatly improves the angle entering the head, thus increasing flow and performance. The Harley redesigned 2006 heads provide improved port design both intake and exhaust. More important than having somewhat improved flow numbers is that the new heads have material in places where the old heads do not. This allows us at QHP to shape the port in ways we could not when porting the 2005 and earlier heads. The result is improved flow at every lift increment except for 0.650 & 0.700 inches. Unless you are running cams with lifts in excess of 0.650 inches, the QHP ported 2006 heads are superior to all 2005 and earlier ported heads. In addition to greater flow numbers, the 2006 heads have significantly high velocity percentages. This provides for much crisper responding horsepower as well as notable smoother cruising rpm's. If you have any questions or if you'd just like to know more about the 2006 heads, feel free to give us a call @ (425) 271-4077 anytime!
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The_Snowman said:
Check EBAY ---------> 4595590364 (sold now)

Q: What are the improvements that the 2006 head provides? and will the 2006 head work on 1999 through 2005?

Dec-05-05
A: The 2006 head will fit 1999 thru 2005 by simply using the 2006 manifold flanges which only cost a few dollars each. Additionally, you can optionally use the 2006 manifold which greatly improves the angle entering the head, thus increasing flow and performance. The Harley redesigned 2006 heads provide improved port design both intake and exhaust. More important than having somewhat improved flow numbers is that the new heads have material in places where the old heads do not. This allows us at QHP to shape the port in ways we could not when porting the 2005 and earlier heads. The result is improved flow at every lift increment except for 0.650 & 0.700 inches. Unless you are running cams with lifts in excess of 0.650 inches, the QHP ported 2006 heads are superior to all 2005 and earlier ported heads. In addition to greater flow numbers, the 2006 heads have significantly high velocity percentages. This provides for much crisper responding horsepower as well as notable smoother cruising rpm's. If you have any questions or if you'd just like to know more about the 2006 heads, feel free to give us a call @ (425) 271-4077 anytime!

Good catch on the compatibility. Only question remains where to find good porters that have the experience with the 06 heads.
Ok th is is going be a long post

1. 06 heads. Hope that covers it. ( they flow better bottom line) :)
HDWRENCH said:
Ok th is is going be a long post

1. 06 heads. Hope that covers it. ( they flow better bottom line) :)

You are long winded lately aren't you?:beer4u:
Having had the opportunity to look at the 06 heads, there are more differences than just the port design. I posted some info on the comparison in the 05 oil consumption thread. I have quoted it below.

After close examination and comparison to the 05 heads, here are the additional changes I found.

The 06 Valve guides have changed. The exhaust guides used to be different than the intakes. At a glance and without removing them for total comparison, it now looks like they use the same guide for both the intake and exhaust. The guide ends are also more rounded in the port, 05 was kind of square. The intake port mounting screw holes also seem to be in a different location. More symetrical to the port, this means that the intake clamps are now the same and no longer have a front and a rear. The port itself doesn't seemed to have been moved but I didn't have time set it up and measure it. The differences in the ports themselves is significant. The exhaust port has been opened up considerably (maybe a little too much). The intake port more closely matches the valve seat now and has been lowered. The casting of the head has been changed in a couple areas, one noticable area is between the valve spring seats. Seems they added more meat to that area, no apparent reason at this point in time. Overall the 06 heads seem to be an improvement over the 05 heads with exception to the valve seals in this particular set of heads.
So would putting a set of stock 06 heads on an older bike, say an 01 with a mild cam and BB be worth it as opposed to stock 01 heads?
95FLHR said:
So would putting a set of stock 06 heads on an older bike, say an 01 with a mild cam and BB be worth it as opposed to stock 01 heads?
Because of the changes in the intake mounting, 05 heads are an easier retrofit. The 06 heads have some advantages as pointed out previously in this thread but ported 05 heads will get you there also. For ease, compatability of existing parts and cost, ported 05 heads are what I would choose. JMO

The next question would be, can my 01 heads be made to perform also? After rereading your question I felt you should also consider just porting your stock 01 heads. There is really nothing wrong with them and you already have them. All the parts already fit and no retrofitting needed. This is the most cost effective solution IMO.
Is porting necessary?

So the big question for owners of 06 bikes is, do we need to port these heads for a decent 95" build with say 37G cams and SE flat top pistons?

Joe
The 06 heads do flow better, but by no means are they as nice as they could be even after minor work. Porting the 01 heads is just more work, than the 06. Problem becomes is that I just did a set of 06's and there was a chunk of casting flash in the port the size of the end of my little finger!! It was left over from the cast process.
Thanks Wrench

Okay I guess I'll continue with my plan to port the heads then.

Thanks,
Joe
jasilva said:
So the big question for owners of 06 bikes is, do we need to port these heads for a decent 95" build with say 37G cams and SE flat top pistons?

Joe
Good question. To me, the idea behind porting is to get more performance out of the heads. The 06 heads can also be improved. You have to ask yourself what it is you want out of the build. If all out performance is the goal, then an expensive port job would probably be in order. If you want improved performance with some added benifits AND cost is a consideration, a street port job will help. If just want more and cost is a BIG consideration, then stock heads might be in order.

I am biased, IMO everyone needs ported heads that wants to get more out of their build. But the heads are just one piece of the puzzle and you can put the puzzle together without them if you choose.
The better 2006 heads. Are they on all Twin Cam models or just on the Dynas? Also, is the intake manifold better and needed for the best flow with the 2006 heads?

Thanks
Bill
The head changes are common on all 2006 twin cam models.
bedemonster said:
The head changes are common on all 2006 twin cam models.
Thanks. Now anyone know the answer to the second question?

Also, is the intake manifold better and needed for the best flow with the 2006 heads?
The port locations are slightly different on the 06 and the flanges are different also. I have not personally tried to line up a pre-06 manifold with 06 heads but my understanding is they don't line up perfectly. I believe in the SE catalog, the SE manifold is listed for up to and including 06 which is somewhat contradictory to what I would expect.
2006 HEADS - intake port is 1.650 exhaust is 1.570 1999 - 2005 heads intake port is 1.615 exhaust port is 1.340 .
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