Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
#11
04-17-2008 | 10:52 PM
Road Warrior
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From: Diamond Bar, California
#12
04-17-2008 | 11:00 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Florida
RE: Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
ORIGINAL: mentor70
and were not even getting in to the valve guide and valve seat issues some have had, or the incompatability of the small combution chambers with most aftermarket pistons to get proper compresion ratios.
and were not even getting in to the valve guide and valve seat issues some have had, or the incompatability of the small combution chambers with most aftermarket pistons to get proper compresion ratios.
#13
04-18-2008 | 12:00 AM
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: North Hills California
RE: Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
I agree that there is no off the shelf perfect head for any combo, but I did get a set of SE performance heads 1.900 / 1.625 valves cheap, and had my porter go through them intake, exhaust, chamber and all. The old SE performance head has a more gentle short side radius on the intake side when done properly, and a high velocity exhaust port. I was very impressed with the results, but I do agree that off the shelf, they left a whole bunch to be desired.
#15
04-18-2008 | 01:28 PM
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From: Florida
#17
04-18-2008 | 04:08 PM
Road Warrior
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From: SoCal
RE: Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
ORIGINAL: Doc 1
In your case the answer is no......I would hope that common since would prevail here people....don't spend a $1000.00 on a set of SE heads and then another $1000.00 or so on a porter.
In your case the answer is no......I would hope that common since would prevail here people....don't spend a $1000.00 on a set of SE heads and then another $1000.00 or so on a porter.
The heads were worked as DarkDyna6 is explaining, and made specifically for my engine build. Luckily I only needed one set of heads done, as Ken's shop has a long wait time, and Lee's Cycle follows specific tuning for these builds as well. I could have spent less money and still had great results without SE heads. I just wanted something more, and the results prove it!
#19
04-18-2008 | 06:15 PM
Tourer
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From: Pacific Northwest
RE: Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
ORIGINAL: PhilM
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You mentioned velocity... the S/E performance heads have valves that areTOO BIG and ports that areapproaching the size of a tennis ball can. You willNOT get the velocity from those heads that you will from professionally done heads, you just won't.
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ORIGINAL: Firetender
And then again, some guys buy SE heads new at 1/2 off, figure out how to get someone else to pay for them, and have them ported for about the same labor cost as porting their stock heads, with superior results. And my porter assured me that to duplicate the velocity performance of ported S&S or SE or Edelbrockheads, the amount of welding and machining necessary would make it far less expensive to justbuy aftermarket heads than stock. But there's nothing wrong with going cheap, as I believe Doc1 would agree with.
And then again, some guys buy SE heads new at 1/2 off, figure out how to get someone else to pay for them, and have them ported for about the same labor cost as porting their stock heads, with superior results. And my porter assured me that to duplicate the velocity performance of ported S&S or SE or Edelbrockheads, the amount of welding and machining necessary would make it far less expensive to justbuy aftermarket heads than stock. But there's nothing wrong with going cheap, as I believe Doc1 would agree with.
You mentioned velocity... the S/E performance heads have valves that areTOO BIG and ports that areapproaching the size of a tennis ball can. You willNOT get the velocity from those heads that you will from professionally done heads, you just won't.
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Thanks in advance
kirk
#20
04-18-2008 | 08:44 PM
Road Warrior
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RE: Why so much much negative talk about SE heads?
The thing is,Harley does not make a set of SE heads that will comfortable fit stock pistons. All sorts of chamber voluums. Some heads you have to get matching pistons or better be prepared to figgure Compressio Ratio,your on your own. Can be hard to nail down.
Almost all the time to get it right you will need some kind of help. If you don't do this much it comes down to what you can make fit at what cost. Help cost. Comes out to a wash, or better in the long run. I couldn't figure out all the stuff needed, ALL OF IT, but I found somebody who could. Thats the thing here.
Unless you already have SE heads and pistons, it is much easier to fix up your stock heads. Also with things like HiPro cams (Woods) should also use special springs and best valves. And you know it will fit back where it came from.
Almost all the time to get it right you will need some kind of help. If you don't do this much it comes down to what you can make fit at what cost. Help cost. Comes out to a wash, or better in the long run. I couldn't figure out all the stuff needed, ALL OF IT, but I found somebody who could. Thats the thing here.
Unless you already have SE heads and pistons, it is much easier to fix up your stock heads. Also with things like HiPro cams (Woods) should also use special springs and best valves. And you know it will fit back where it came from.