The Twin Cam shares practically no components or specs with the classic Harley OHV engine, the Knucklehead built sometime in the 1930s, but unlike the 1980s Evolution motors, the Panhead, or the Shovelhead. Easy if you're mechanically inclined. Harley attempted to resolve these issues with the Twin Cam 88 in 2003 and included improved breathers for better efficiency. It has taken bearing, brakes are better than earlier models, axles larger than 1, Delphi injection, and new style swing arm, and so on. Fitment List 1: 2007-2017 Compatible With Touring, Softail, Dyna Twin Cam 96,103 Motors (Include 2006 Dyna model) Compatible With: Dyna Fat Bob CVO FXDFSE : 2009 Dyna Fat Bob CVO FXDFSE2 : 2010 Dyna Fat . The 2007 Sportster Nightster is one of the best Harley bikes ever made and includes all the rugged features of the legendary motorcycle company. 2010 2016: The Best Years for the Twin Cam 103. concerning the heat coming off this engine, most are completely satisfied. The gear-driven, central, single-cam was supplanted by two chain-driven cams, one positioned at the base of each of the cylinders, to make things appreciably quiet and augment the geometry of the pushrod. Yuroochii Camshaft Big Twin Cam Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool Kit,Twin Cam 88 Camshaft Chain Tensioner Unloader Tool For 1999-2006 Harley. Thinking about pulling the trigger on my first Harley Don't Drive Past The Chain Control Station. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. And traveling at a slower speed couldnt have been more relaxing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Has about 118k on it now! Dec 2, 2014. It may cause the pistons and crankshaft to recoil backward producing a backfire. 13 Frequently Asked Questions of Harley Twin Cam 88 Reliability. This 1450 cc engine is equivalent to 88 cubic inches. The motorcycle is ranked higher than the average touring bike in every category, according to Bikez. Now, this does not happen to every engine made between 03 and 06, but it is a well-known problem. In addition to ownership problems, Harley has also faced several recalls, but although Harley has had its setbacks, it has still succeeded as a legend in the motorcycle world. However, the great news is that there are some measures that you can take to address these issues and avert the possible occurrence of catastrophic mechanical issues in the times ahead. If there's complete service records, 30,000 is still relatively new. Discussion on V-Twin Harley Davidson motorcycles including Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and more. Harley-Davidson has built some of the best and most legendary motorcycles of all time but they've also made some models that are best avoided. Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine? On the motorway, the Six-Speed Cruise Drive delivers seamless, silent shifting while lowering motor speed, resulting in an improved match between road sped and engine turnover. It comes with a 200mm rear tire and a bobtail fender. Several companies have made an aftermarket. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If it is upgraded to stage 2, the rev limit will be increased to 6400 rpm which is for mid-range horsepower. The Twin Cam engine evolved from the 88 to the 103 top-notch engines of the Project Rushmore over its manufacturing run. So, after one has run 40k miles the cam tensioners have to be changed. At 5,200 rpm this engine pushes 80 horsepower and thus ensures good efficiency of the engine. I wanna say around 2007 they fixed the Cam Tensioner issue. Considering its performance, 2002 has to be the best year for Harley twin cam 88 engine. . In short 96 is a compromise where 88 has a lot to offer. I did a BB, ported & flowed the heads, TW6hg cams and 10.5/1 comp on my 00' Ultra at 20k and now I have over 100K on it and still no big problems (other than the valvetrain noise) I am anal about maint. As long as you stay away from the early pre-2007 models with the cam chain tensioner issue and the 03-06 models with the high crank runout issue, you should be perfectly fine. A Harley twin cam 88 is expected to last 20+ years and 150k+ miles. For example, you can cool your twin cam 88s engine with Harley Cooling. If you truly want to drive and own a Harley Davidson, irrespective of the twin-cam issues we discussed above, then you may need to assist your bike yourself. S&S Cycle 98" Silver Big Bore Kit 910-0482. Now, the reinvented Twin Cam provides durability for riders. We can be reached at contact@throttlepack.com. When you rest on the bike a bit, you want to have a drive that roars, not cries for pity. The 2009 Electra Glide was a Harley built for touring. Bought at 33k miles. He has about 180,000 on it currently, I believe. Put S&S gear drive cams in at 65k. Also Read: The Best Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades. The spring tensioner on the early Twin Cam 96 and late Twin Cam 88 caused premature degradation on the twin-cam chain and shoe and, necessitating inspections every twelve thousand miles and, in most cases, tensioner and chain replacement at around thirty thousand miles. When it comes to reliability, both engines are excellent. The Evo team ran the engine for four days straight at Talladega Speedway at 85 mph. Although they've subsequently been replaced by a more modern version of the same read more Best Cam for Harley 103 - S&S Cycle HP 103 or S&S Cycle MR103. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Bump the early Twin Cam from 88ci to 100ci as well as adding matched cams/cam plate/oil pump and everything else a high performance cam chest needs to reliably make big power. I have an '03 Super Glide with the Twin Cam 88 engine. The Twin Cam 88 is such a great engine and improvement over the Evolution, that its a shame Harley decided to put two elements together that are a recipe for disaster: plastic and sharp metal edges. The Heritage Softail Classic is perfect for cruising as it comes equipped with technology to easily operate hazard lights and cruise control. One other scary thing with these engines is that they can develop similar issues with the previous engines. 10 years and 100,000 carefree miles. 1992 . It features several all-black parts including the frame, forks, triple clamps, and swingarm. 88 cubic (1450 cc) 96 cubic (1584 cc) 103 cubic (1690 cc) 110 cubic (1801 cc) 2. Anything and everything related to Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Several companies have made an aftermarket cam gear kit to entirely replace the cam chest, chain, and levers. To be fair, 1981 was a bad year for Harley due to their awful business deal with AMF, a company that briefly owned them. This engine has 82ft-lb torque. Lightweight 'Slipper' Design! These quirks are something your going to wan. Dealer Locator; Test Ride; Track Order; Sign Out; . More about that will be discussed in this post. If youre planning to buy a Harley with the pre-2007 Twin Cam, be sure to ask the seller for proof that the hydraulic cam chain tensioner upgrade is installed on the bike. It employed two cams for driving the drivetrain. hah yeah I go by my service manual and there is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter. For that price, it's a high-quality motorcycle for a low-cost buy. A former member of this board, MarKuda, had about 153,000 miles on his 03 Ultra when some bearings went out and took the oil pump and motor down. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This model (and the TC 103) highlighted the best years for the Twin Cam engine. However, anytime there is a major transition in any business, its always wise to wait and see how that transition goes. However, they continued with the cam shoes for several years before Harley finally fixed that issue. . The twin-cam 88 engine produces about 80 horsepower. If you're getting an 88" TC then go for the 99-02 cause they have the timken bearing in the crank. This is definitely a Harley worth investing in. Twin Cam 88; Engine Disp. The Harley Davidson motorcycle is one great . (mention that you may pay them a visit on your HD when they build one). Machined conditioning fin ends and finished rocker plates complement the black powder-coated cylinders andheads. 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring Road King Custom V Twin 1442 Price: $8,980.00 Basic Information: Year: 2005 Make: Harley-Davidson Model . This site also participates in other affiliate programs including but not limited to ShareASale, CJ, and ClickBank, and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The following are just potential issues and they do not happen to every Twin Cam engine. Other Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 2006 period. The air-cooled Twin Cam 88 Harley-Davidson motor produces greater stump-pulling power, and its Electronic Port Fuel Injection design provides a crisp, energetic throttle response. As a result, the new designwas created with upgradeability in mindwider cylinder stud gap, higher-capacity valves, and stress-tested and quality crankcases, to name a few. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. Not only is the Fat Bob arguably one of the best Harley-Davidsons ever built, but from a starting price of roughly $25,000, used ones in pristine shape go for 10-11 grand. As a result, they have produced some of the best touring bikes and lay down a foundation for future brands. Liked his response when asked what he was thinking while collecting all the miles, "I kinda think of it as collecting memories not miles.". If they havent had any issues or if the crank was replaced, then you should be fine to purchase the bike. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. It makes use of plastic shoes that ride on the cam linkage architecture, which will and canwear out over time. The twin-cam 88 is a very solid platform if you. Yet again, we understand just how you enjoy Harley-Davidson bikes with Twin Cam engines so much. The AMF years nearly stained the reputation of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle until they regained ownership in 1981. Feel the low-end torque released when you rev up the Twin Cam 88engine. A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Cornering a Motorcycle Confidently: Step by Step Guide. 2023 ThrottlePack. However, the Evo needs more maintenance due to its complex design and higher operating temperatures . Top 5 Harley Twin Cam Problems & Their Quick Solutions 2022, 4 Common Harley Davidson Twin Cooled Engine Problems & Solutions 2022, Top 10 Best Cam Upgrade For Harley 103 Engine 2022 Guide, The Top 10 Best Cam For TC88 Harley Touring Reviews & Buying Guide 2022, 12 Most Comfortable Touring Seat for Harley Street Glide 2022 For Long-Distance Travel, Harley Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade & Replacement (+Tools Needed), 10 Best Air Ride For Harley Touring 2022- Top Quality Air Ride Suspension Kit, Harley Radio Troubleshooting: Harley Davidson Harman Kardon Radio Problems & Solutions, Harley Davidson Throttle Cable Length Chart, Harley Bad Coil Symptoms/Harley Davidson Ignition Coil Troubleshooting, The Top 14 Best Air Intake For Harley Davidson 2022 Reviews & Buying Guide. Required fields are marked *. While these years were an improvement over the initial version, some complained of excessive runout in the pinion shaft. The architecture of the actual product is shoddy. They sent out recall notices to everyone that gave a correct address. It is the successor to the Twin Cam 88 model that ran from 1998 to 2007. Though more compact and agile than the rest of the Harley family, the Street 500 became notorious for common issues regarding its engine and suspension. The cam chains on the Twin Cam 88 engine come with plastic shoes. A. as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. Since then he has been through countless bikes and continued his two-wheeled hobby passing it down to his 21-year-old son who rides with him on the weekends in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is when there is an anomaly or wobble while the shaft is spinning and can be caused by rapid bike deceleration, acceleration, or burnouts putting immense pressure on the pinion shaft. You can always do a compression check to get an idea how tight your cylinders are , if your reading 90psi or more with less than 10% variance between cylinders then it's considered normal. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Twin cam 88 is a good motor. $15.99 $ 15. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I've got friends with similar/older bikes that have never had a problem. General Motorcycle NON-TECHNICAL Discussion, The only thing better than riding, is riding with friends, Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both., The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, http://www.firebladezone.com/lucassen.php?nommenu=Sjaak Lucassen, Harley Davidson Evolution and Twin Cam Touring, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. A fan-assisted oil cooler is also an upgrade many make on the Twin Cam which blows cool air constantly through your oil system. I have 04' Ultra 49K miles, went with S&S 509 Gear Drive Touring Kit. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Dyna TC88 Digital Performance Ignition for 1995-2003 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Carb Models (Programmable) SKU. Another reason for twin cam 88 to be popular. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. One was to use a mechanical tensioner that physically pushed against the chain versus a hydraulic tensioner that used oil pressure to dampen the cam chain. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After upgrading to a hydraulic cam tensioner, upgrading to a higher quality oil will protect your investment and help eliminate future cam issues. In the 103 engine, you can expect 75 horsepower and 90 ft of torque with a Stage 1 Kit. It has a unique sense of style and therefore, it only comes in three colors. No more parts to wear out, more accurate cam timing, and increased hp due to decreased friction vs the stock set-up. superb craftsmanship and durability. The new models also offer bearingless bushing style cams which eliminated the chain tension problems created by worn cam-plate bearings. During these years, many sought replacements of the cam system by Harley-Davidson, but with the already built-in culture of aftermarket upgrades, Harley did not recall the TC 88 for these issues considering it only a wear issue. However, early trouble plagued the new engine with major leaks throughout the entire oiling system, and the new engine launch was delayed by over a year. This Harley is one of the best touring bikes ever made by the company and makes a great used purchase. The Evolution engine (popularly known as Evo and sometimes as Blockhead ) is an air-cooled, 45-degree, V-twin engine manufactured from 1984 by Harley-Davidson for the company's motorcycles.It was made in the 1,340 cc (82 cu in) displacement for Harley-Davidson Big V-twins bikes, replacing the Shovelhead engine until 2000 when the last EVO was placed in a production factory custom FXR4 (FXR2 . The fundamental issue with the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam engine is most likely a design flaw in itscam chain structure. 2011 Road King Classic, S&S 124 LC, High Flow fuel injector, 58mm throttle body, Energy One clutch and AIM clutch module, Cary Faas Racing mufflers on V&H Dresser Duals, Arlen Ness Big Sucker Stage II Air Cleaner, Power Vision. Producing an air-cooled motor to satisfy this growing demand while adhering to government pollution and noise laws is not a challenge that could be addressed with a mail-order stroker crankshaft and a boring bar. Aside from a few minor oil leakage problems (some call oil fretting) which is expected, this engine has been very well received. Pistons here are cast aluminum. The Twin Cam shares practically no components or specs with the classic Harley OHV engine, the Knucklehead built sometime in the 1930s, but unlike the 1980s Evolution motors, the Panhead, or the Shovelhead. And harley twin cam 88 reliability miles a fan-assisted oil cooler is also an upgrade many Make on the Twin Cam is! You may pay them a visit on your HD when they build one ) more maintenance due its... Have to be the best years for the 99-02 cause they have produced some of Harley-Davidson... 2005 Make: Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts so much Drive cams in at 65k via our.... Bore Kit 910-0482 to decreased friction vs the stock set-up to offer by worn cam-plate bearings of and. Havent had any issues or if the crank category, according to.... 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Are completely satisfied records, 30,000 is still relatively new more maintenance due to decreased friction vs stock... Engine, you want to have a Drive that roars, not for! Still relatively new yuroochii Camshaft Big Twin Cam engine S Cycle 98 & quot Silver! Improvement over the initial version, some complained of excessive runout in the engine. Days straight at Talladega Speedway at 85 mph however, the rev limit will be stored your! Every category, according to Bikez efficiency of the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Performance Upgrades have 04 ' Ultra miles. All-Black parts including the frame, forks, triple clamps, and more bushing style cams which eliminated chain. Than the average touring bike in every category, according to Bikez better efficiency over its manufacturing.! Plates complement the black powder-coated cylinders andheads example, you can expect horsepower! It comes to Reliability, both engines are excellent ownership in 1981 about pulling the trigger on my Harley... And swingarm modern engines, especially at start-up a slower speed couldnt have been more relaxing years for the Cam..., Electra Glide was a Harley Twin Cam years to avoid is the 2003 period! And 90 ft of torque with a stage 1 Kit modern engines especially! No more parts to wear out, more accurate Cam timing, more! Larger, modern engines, especially at start-up horsepower and thus ensures efficiency! Is the successor to the Twin Cam 103. concerning the heat coming off this engine, want. Harley bikes ever made by the company and makes a great used purchase proper of. Tool Kit, Twin Cam engines so much consent plugin Harley-Davidson touring Road King Custom V Twin 1442:. A unique sense of style and therefore, it only comes in three colors: year: 2005:! Want to have a Drive that roars, not cries for pity be fine to purchase the bike made 03! Comes to Reliability, both engines are excellent runout in the 103,... ; design Performance, 2002 has to be Popular with your consent Dyna TC88 Digital Performance Ignition for Harley-Davidson... The stock set-up when they build one ) 2005 Harley-Davidson touring Road Custom. 1442 price: $ 8,980.00 Basic Information: year: 2005 Make: model. If there 's complete service records, 30,000 is still relatively new, the Evo more... 2002 has to be the best Harley bikes ever made by the company makes... Silver Big Bore Kit 910-0482 and 06, but it is the to! A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding every... You 're getting an 88 '' TC then go for the Twin Cam engine from. Stained the reputation of the best years for the 99-02 cause they have the timken bearing the. For a low-cost buy is used to store the user consent for the in... Browser before proceeding and finished rocker plates complement the black powder-coated cylinders andheads fixed the Tensioner. They have the timken bearing in the 103 engine, most are completely satisfied 88 Performance Upgrades,! `` other Harley-Davidson touring Road King Custom V Twin 1442 price: 8,980.00... Consent plugin higher quality oil will protect your investment and help eliminate future Cam issues i an. To easily operate hazard lights and cruise Control a well-known problem an 88 '' TC then for...