www.CVOHARLEY.com

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

Author Topic: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?  (Read 1460 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Para Bellum

  • Si vis pacem, para bellum.
  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1943

    • CVO1: '07 Canyon Copper FXSTSSE, '08 Crystal Copper SEUC
    • CVO2: '11 Slate/Blk SERGU, '18 Twisted Cherry RGU
Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« on: July 30, 2011, 04:31:14 PM »
A lot of comments on here about how much better the SE 103 is/was than the newer, non-SE version.  So...wondering what exactly are the mechanical (and thus working) differences between the two?
Logged
If you want peace, prepare for war.

HD Street Performance

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3119
Re: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2011, 07:28:38 PM »
Better well most of that is by the virtue of a more robust less parasitic drivetrain. The bottom end of the motor is virtually the same. The heads on the new 103 are OEM castings with electric compression releases, the early motor has an open chambered bigger valve head similar in port design to the SE performance head. The early 103 has an odd ball cam that even when a replacement cam is chosen that is not optimum for the motor generally works better than the original cam (SE253). The early 103 has the poor spring loaded tensioners that have a history of failure. The newer motor has the hydra roller chain cam drive. The new motor has more reported cases of cranks with extreme runout and more frequently slip but the earlier version is no gem either.
The new bike has a generally weaker primary drive system with reported issues for the following components:
auto tensioner
compensator
primary bearing
The older primary setup was virtually problem free for many miles and all that is needed is a fluid change and chain adjustment

So trying to look for the top of the heap is not so simple and in my opinion neither is great. The water is muddied by drivetrain issues.
Either of them modified will perform well and reliably but the earlier version will produce more power and torque VS the newer version. That said the power output is more of a function of the drivetrain that takes away power from any of the motors on 07up big twins, the 6 speeds.

In summary they share a few issues and each has their share of their own.
Logged

i dum

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
Re: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2011, 02:53:38 PM »
stroker crank?
Logged

HD Street Performance

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3119
Re: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2011, 03:35:50 PM »
Same stroke, one is a lighter forging the earlier is a little heavier but not the SE / Jims crank in the SE book.
Logged

i dum

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
Re: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2011, 09:22:29 PM »
Thot that is what we were talking about SE103 vs late model 103 or 103 kit. I thought that the 103 kit was pistons and jugs not a stroker crank?
Logged

HD Street Performance

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3119
Re: Differences between SE 103 and non-SE 103 engines?
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2011, 11:30:12 PM »
What is a stroker crank? Stock stroke is now 4.375 used to be 4". A bolt on big bore used to transform a 88 to a 95, today a 96 becomes a 103.
Logged
 

Page created in 0.123 seconds with 21 queries.