I already have the SERT when I bought the SG in july 2010. Had it tuned, V&H pro pipe and aircleaner. Now Im thinking of the SE 103 pro Stage III. Since I already have the SERT that comes with the kit they are offering to remove it and credit me back $429 and exchange the SE 259 cams for the SE 211 cams as well as 10% off which bring its down to about $971 plus tax, 6 hours labor @ $100 an hour and $300 for a dyno tune. Im debating whether to add the CNC ported heads for an additional $720. How does that build sound?

 

First things first. The cam change is a good move but, IMHO, either of those cams with the SE103 kit pistons will not play well together. The kit pistons are 10.5 domed pistons and static CR will be 11:1, corrected 9.8 and cranking compression nearly 210psi; not a user friendly combination. You would be better off to back off to the Stage II kit with your heads, .030" head gasket, BB cylinders and flat top pistons; sticking with the SE211 cams.

Better yet, have your cylinders bored to fit new cast flat top pistons, your heads, .030" head gasket and SE211 cams.

 

Lets say for argument sake I wanted to use their kit but could play around. What pistons should I subsitute for the ones that come with the kit so I can use a 211 cam and their CNC ported heads?

 

Stay with the Stage 3 kit and 259 cams. They are a little better for a bagger, meaning they produce a little more torque than the 211's. No real reason to change the heads with either of those cams as the stock head flow quite well. the stage 3 kit is a nice kit designed to all work together. I trust that HD has the technology and R&D to put together a reliable, well performing kit. The only thing you may want to add is compression releases

 

Well, if your dealer does 10% off how about the SE flat tops for $160, your cylinders bored to match the pistons for $125(?), the 211's for $270 and street port heads $375 (Deweys). I'm in the middle of 103" build and you can find new H-D pistons/cams/etc for at least 20% off. Somewhere on this site is a 103" flat top/.030/211 cams/stock heads with good results. Head work would be a bonus. Have fum with your build

 

WHAT?.....I have exactly the SE Stage III "kit" with the SE-211 cam in place of the 259E(211 happened to work better with MY setup). Works like a charm. Dealer said no need to worry about comp release either...would gladly replace starter/battery as a warranty item if need be...chuckling as he said that...

And there is certainly no shortage of torque with the 211 cam if set up right:

 

I had the stg 3 kit in my Fatbob. It's the best bang for the buck build hd has.

The 10.5 pistons with the stock large chambers and stock headgaskets will probably net 10.2 not 11.

 

I just left the dealer. He gave me a price out the dorr on both the stage 3 and stage 4 kits out the door. Stage 3 kit part # 27513-08B with SE 211 cams, dyno tune and minus the Sert is $1,842.25 and the Stage 4 kit part # 27517-08B with dyno tune and minus the Sert is $2,832.25. So now I have to decide. For an extra $1K I get a new heads and throttle body. From what I see on paper that extra $1K get me a more linear line of tourqe but a little less and about 12 more hp. What do you guys think? Is it worth the extra $1K?

 

The numbers don't lie guys. The stock head chamber volume will run 85cc-86cc but I have seen them measure 89cc. Stock heads with 10.5:1 domed pistons will produce a static CR just north of 11:1, corrected CR of 9.8 and cranking compression of 210psi. For a typical street build and an expectation of longevity, I like 9.3-9.6 for corrected CR and try to keep cranking compression 180psi-190psi; but that's just me. Not saying it won't run, won't make numbers, just saying not my cup of tea.

Of course if he dealer says no worries about compression releases, there must not be a problem and the MoCo/dealer builds are always reliable and perform well. I don't understand why the aftermarket for H-D performance parts is so huge with all the technology and expertise the MoCo and dealer techs have.

I can't get the file size small enough to attach but, do the math. Not passing judgment on the OPs choice, or anyone elses to run compression that high on a street build but I think it's too high for long life, hot summers and bad fuel. JMHO.

 

You might be happier with the Stage I kit and the SE211 cams with a .030" Cometic head gasket. A lot less money and you won't gain that much TQ/HP by spending a lot more money. If you look at it based on $$$/HP or TQ, just doesn't make sense.

If warranty is not an issue, substitute Andrews 48 or 54 cams and it gets better.