Do You Really Need a Monster Engine for a Faster Harley Davidson?
‘No replacement for displacement?’ Actually, there is and it’s cheaper.
There is an old saying in Harley Davidson world that is usually taken as the gospel, especially among those who yearn to make their hogs go faster: “There is no replacement for displacement.”
But is it really true? Is that really the best way to soup up your ride? A YouTuber who goes by the name Gixxer Foo doesn’t necessarily think so.
“Do we really have to have these insanely large Harley engines?” he asks in the video. “Are big displacement engines really that necessary?”
Bragging Rights
Big displacement engines have their place, of course. They offer bragging rights, since bigger engines theoretically mean higher speeds.
And they do produce more horsepower than stock engines and offer a ton of torque; many riders get more of a kick out of torque than horsepower.
You can reach higher speeds with the big, crate engines of course. For those who want speed over everything else, and maybe even at the expense of a little reliability, the big displacement motors might be a good fit.
Cheaper Speed Jolts
However, there are simpler and cheaper ways to get that speed jolt, and not risk some of the dangers that might come with the big engines.
“Not everybody wants some huge, monster engine,” says Gixxer Foo. “We want something that’s reliable that also produces excellent horsepower and torque. Is it possible to do more with less?”
He answers his own question with several comparisons demonstrating how power can be built cheaper than shelling out big money for big, aftermarket engines.
On a Budget?
One example involves an S&S T-111 crate engine (advertised on the S&S site for almost $8,000), which put out 104 HP and 111 foot/pounds of torque.
“Not exactly the kind of numbers I would have expected,” he says. “That just kind of goes to show that even with more compression, a bore increase and a bigger cam, your money is really not going all that much further when it comes to these larger bore increases.”
The point is obvious: Those looking for speed on a tighter budget might do well to look elsewhere for their fix.
Cool-Running Engines
For example, most Milwaukee 8 owners probably don’t really need or want big bore increases. The cool-running engines are already big. The 2022 Heritage 114 puts out 100 horsepower and 119 foot/pounds of torque.
The slightly smaller 107 is only slightly less powerful: the Electra Glide Standard with the 107 packs 92.5 horsepower and 110 foot/pounds of torque.
For those with pre-M8 motors, there are a variety of ways to boost your beast without breaking the bank.
Better Options
Stock intakes are usually measly, little affairs. So add a bigger intake. More air means more power. After all, what is a Harley engine other than one big air pump? It sucks it in and pushes it out.
Adding a lighter and more powerful exhaust, either slip-ons or a full exhaust, and a tuner will also help. That’s called a Stage 1.
Many Harley riders will tell you that getting a Stage 2, which is basically installing an aftermarket cam, is the best bang for your buck when it comes to increasing power. Look at a high-torque Woods Performance TW-777 cam for example.
‘Smoldering Pile of Waste’
So if money is a concern, there are cheaper options.
Something else to consider is the added cost of other parts that often must accompany sticking in a huge displacement crate motor.
“…If you’re going to sink that kind of money into it with a big bore increase, you better be doing the right thing with the supporting parts for good insurance so that you don’t blow (the engine) up and you’re left with a big smoldering pile of wasted money,” said Gixxer Foo.
Photos: HD-Forums
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