harley twin cam 88 reliability
Most bikes after 2007 are fairly reliable. 96 is a slightly modified one but expensive. After the first 1000 miles, an upgrade in intake or exhaust will give it a nice boost. There are six different speeds: a robust driveline and interior components. Dealer Locator; Test Ride; Track Order; Sign Out; . Other than that, it all depends on who did the 5,000 mile service interval. 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 . May 30, 2006. ghjohnso said: I got into an argument with a Harley basher (who rides a Honda) who said that the average life expectancy of a Twin Cam 88 is 40 thousand miles. Too many people treat it as an oil and filter change. 100 years making V-Twinssad. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Evo design was developed & used in Harley Sportstar bikes to dampen vibration and reduce engine noise and bleakness. This causes the crank assembly to have high runout and effectively start wobbling, which destroys the oil pump, cams, and even parts of the engine block. Dyna TC88 Digital Performance Ignition for 1995-2003 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Carb Models (Programmable) SKU. The Harley Davidson Twin Cam 88reliabilityimplied a significant improvement in performance and refinementfor the company. The Twin Cam 88 was a traditional design from Harley-Davidson, using two cams to drive the valvetrain, with the first being the famous '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models of 1915. 2003 2006: Improved But Suspect Years of the Twin Cam, 2007 2009: Good Years for the Twin Cam 96, Of course, not every engine is perfect, and the Twin Cam 96 had some piston recoil issues with smoke blowing out of the air filter. I've heard of issues with cam chain tensioners in the earlier 88" twin cams. Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine? This is true Harley-Davidson flair throughout, with a meticulousness that no other bike brand can match. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. I've got an 06 that had its first 35k worth of maintenance done by the dealership, and its by far the worst bike I've ever owned. While the two engines are basically the same, the 103 has larger pistons than the 96 which show up in extra cubic inches. Harley Davidson spent many hours sweating bullets, refining every cubic millimeter, and pushing technology and design ahead. Those that got their bikes to the dealer or any Harley dealer had to leave the bike, then the dealer sent the engine back to Harley Davidson, it was replaced with a new engine. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. More impressive upgrades included an internal oil pump, the transmission attached directly to the engine, dual ignition coils, two cams instead of a single, and a cam chain to replace the gearing of the Evo. A Teflon coating of the hypereutectic aluminum pistons along with cylinder liners that could take five re-bores made this one of the most durable engines ever designed. What happened to MarKuda? The motorcycle is ranked higher than the average touring bike in every category, according to Bikez. 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. S&S 95 in. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Didn't realize you have the lock. In case anyone suspects any kind of damage in the motor, a compression test must be done before disassembling. Twin 88 cam is one of its kind. Discussion on V-Twin Harley Davidson motorcycles including Dyna, Electra Glide, Softail, Sportster, and more. Overall, the engine system is reliable for its users. 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 Night Rod Special comes with a fierce look, making it a fan favorite among rugged riders. This bike comes with many features according to Top Speed: a six-gallon fuel tank, an anti-lock braking system, and cruise control. And it accomplished that without jeopardizing Harley-Davidsons signature style. Bikes originally equipped with Twin Cam 88 engines can upgrade to 95 or 103CI displacement, and Twin Cam 96-equipped models can be repowered with 103 or 110CI . Twin cam 88 came in the 90s and twin cam 96 is a later version of it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pistons here are cast aluminum. I argued, but had nothing to back it up. Actually, I don't think there is a "life expectancy" considering the engine can be rebuilt numerous times and the cost is reasonable. Harley had several options for their EPA-approved cam system. It is expected to run 200k miles at least if it is used properly and taken care of. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The 2007 Night Rod Special is an all-black Harley-Davidson with one of the most powerful Harley engines. In short 96 is a compromise where 88 has a lot to offer. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 2010 2016: The Best Years for the Twin Cam 103. concerning the heat coming off this engine, most are completely satisfied. I've always been fascinated with cars and tools accessories. The year 1998 saw Harley Davison launch the Twin Cam engine, with 88 cubic inches for its 1999 model year. JavaScript is disabled. The average annual mileage is 10k-15k for a Harley motorcycle. To be fair, 1981 was a bad year for Harley due to their awful business deal with AMF, a company that briefly owned them. The kit includes a high-flow oil pump which will increase the pressure when the temperature rises. An exceptional high performance street port for 95" Twin Cam engines. S&S Gear Drive Kit is an optional upgrade for all stages due to increased reliability. Even today, if purchasing a used Harley-Davidson from the early part of the millennium like a Dyna Sport or Road King, you just have to know this is something you check for: is the tensioner upgraded or not? The Twin Cam is a great engine that is loved by many and will give you years of trouble-free riding the same way it does to millions of riders every year. 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. At this point, most of the early pre-2007 Twin Cam Harleys have the hydraulic cam chain tensioner upgrade installed, and therefore should be perfectly fine to purchase. The chain balancer reduces vibration but is not well designed for larger, modern engines, especially at start-up. It's definitely a problem in the 88s. A 96 cubic inch Twin Cam model, as well as a 103 cubic inch, and a 110 cubic inch model were also produced. My buddy did the same mod on his . 4.35 gm/s - 2001-2005 Twin Cam. Earlier twin cams utilized a timing belt, which rapidly deteriorated and was replaced with a chain. Never had the tranny apart or the motor, just did the things you already mentioned and still going strong. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The idea for a Sportster XR was sat upon for a while. I have 106,000 miles on my 04 never been opened original cam shoes clutchetc. 16 What is the horsepower of a twin cam 88? 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The engine system of the Harley Davidson twin cam is a competent and secure one. By 2007, all twin cam models had the new hydraulic cam chain tensioners installed and the issue was fixed. This motor can run to their expectation of longevity. The 2002 version came with axles and Delphi. If you take good care, engines run for as long as you want usually. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This engine comes with a dual coil system so that no spark gets wasted. Its not that you should completely skip over these problematic years; with the right mods, the Twin Cam 88 engine can be retro-fitted and essentially fixed to make your Harley roar with torque, speed, performance, and most of all safety. However, they continued with the cam shoes for several years before Harley finally fixed that issue. 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. Your email address will not be published. V-Twin Harley Davidson forum. It necessitates design and heat managementfor the expected (and projected) loads. When the miles start to add up, a Harley-Davidson LongBlock can put the rumble back in your ride simply, quickly, and affordably. peak torque, an increase of approximately 6 percent over the Twin Cam 96 engine it replaces as standard power for many of these models. Harley twin cam 88 reliability. All that he said. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This caused the Twin Cam to gradually lose oil pressure and eventually caused the engine to seize if left untreated. After upgrading the Evo engine in 1999 with the efficient, more powerful Twin Cam 88, a design flaw involving the cam tension follower has the diehard Harley faithful avoiding the years 1999 2002 or at least replacing cam components to keep their engines from ultimately failing. Buy on Amazon. Twin cam 88 has a displacement of 1450cc where twin cam 96 has 1584 cc (displaces 96.7 cu in). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Who cares? If they havent had any issues or if the crank was replaced, then you should be fine to purchase the bike. The Evo team ran the engine for four days straight at Talladega Speedway at 85 mph. Released in September 1998 for the model year 1999, twin-cam 88 is one of the top class engines Harley-Davidson ever provided, twin-cam 88 engines are one of the most reliable motors one can ever have. 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. The bike proved its durability on the market. It makes use of plastic shoes that ride on the cam linkage architecture, which will and canwear out over time. The twin camshaft engine comes for both intake and exhaust. I recently started a blog about welding gear.I am also a DIY welding enthusiast because it is affordable for any household work. Harley gives you a warranty of two years. Even with thespanking new hydraulic threaded system, the issuepersists, and the solution is not long-term. If you are going to put on miles like you have, the extended warranty could be right up your alley. The twin cam 88 is an air-cooled engine, and it uses an overhead valve that is activated by pushrods. Be sure to ask the seller if they have experienced any high runout issues with their bike and if they have had the crank replaced. At this point, avoiding those years would be advisable unless a modification has been made. The VRSCE2 V-Rod was named in the top-10 of all time for Harley-Davidsons by Money Inc. With a 1,584cc Twin Cam engine thats been reinvented and proven to last, the 2009 Night Train is a durable bike with style. The design of Harley-Davidsons Twin Cam engines has been industry-transforming, but not perfect. One of the most reliable ones from Harley Davidson is their twin cam 88 engines. This one is still a favorite to its riders. This bike is one of the best ever made by Harley. It is bursting with force. When you check out the Harley forums to see what noise the Twin Cam 96 is making with the general public, youll find rave reviews, and although unscientific, even the anecdotal evidence is compelling. hah yeah I go by my service manual and there is a helluva lot more to them than the oil and filter. Twin Cam has two cams, one in each cylinder. I don't know how you live without it. 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. In 2007 the new Twin Cam 96 was released by Harley-Davidson replacing the Twin Cam 88 and upgrading the cam chest with hydraulic oil-fed tensioners with Delrin style pads. durable and practical to use. 88 cubic (1450 cc) 96 cubic (1584 cc) 103 cubic (1690 cc) 110 cubic (1801 cc) 2. 1/8" oversize pistons feature ArmorGlide skirt coating, a high-tech lubricant that reduces friction and allows the piston to be fitted tighter within the bore allowing a better ring seal and reduced noise from piston rock. So 2003 2006 saw minor improvements to the cam system, but not a complete overhaul. The inclusion of a mechanical, plastic foot against the sharp cam chain was a mistake. Learn how your comment data is processed. 99. Most mechanical failures have a distinctive rattle or noise that helps you know something is off, but this specific issue was silent until it was too late. The Twin Cam engine evolved from the 88 to the 103 top-notch engines of the Project Rushmore over its manufacturing run. Now, while a 10% increase doesn't seem huge, you can . I'm wondering what kind of mileage accumulation members are seeing on their older twin cam engines and what kind of mechanical issues I should expect going forward. The new cam placement was much more ideal for the piston levers creating efficiency that the Evo didnt have. The Twin Cam engines have some flaws. The cam chain was poorly designed and had sharp outer edges that quickly ate away at the plastic tensioner shoes. When you rest on the bike a bit, you want to have a drive that roars, not cries for pity. And replaced it with a shitty compensator. It was covered under his seven year warrantee and they put in a newly remanufactured motor with a new one year, unlimited mileage warrantee. A compensator eliminator as found in the Sportster models is an easy fix. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Harley Davidson motorcycle is one great . The cam chains on the Twin Cam 88 engine come with plastic shoes. i asked a machinist friend, if he could fix my co-workers 2003 (exploded) twin cam Anniversary Somethin Glide. It's nothing fancy, offering rugged looks and up to 48 horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque in 883 spec and 66 hp and 73 lb-ft for the 1200 cc bikes. Best Value For Money. This efficiency leads to a longer life of the cams. Add to Wish List Add to Compare Share. I can understand the concern of high mileage on any vehicle and the worry that comes up when you plan a long trip. 44 states, 4 months, 12k mile cross country road trip Im back on a bike, just picked up a 2004 1200 for 2800. Twin Cam Black Big Bore Kit for Harley Davidson 1999-2006 Twin Cam. With a $16,999 price tag, the 2011 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic comes with comfortable seating to provide a smooth ride. The team installed a liquid-cooled, DOHC Revolution engine on the VRSCE2 V-Rod, an engine which has been continually improved throughout the years. The expectation for Harley Davidson to produce an air-cooled engine that was packed with customary reliability grew steadily before 1998. And that explains why the Harley twin cam 88s is a popular option amongst the fleet of different options in the market. Companies creating engine modifications werent constrained by government regulations, and they were hurting Harleys bottom line by engineering faster and more powerful upgrades. Harley Davidson 's sense of beating is born from a flywheel. I would think between 130,000 and 160,000 then you rebuild it. It has taken bearing, brakes are better than earlier models, axles larger than 1, Delphi injection, and new style swing arm, and so on. Are you just looking for an excuse to beef that baby up? Here is a video on a twin cam 88 big bore kit: https://youtu.be/rPY09131Rtc. Our writers &fact checkers independently research, test, analyze, and recommend the best motorcycle products. I've 4 or 5 friends who ride Twin Cam with more then 100000 kms on it. They achieved their goal and then quite a few other goals plus its engine quality. (mention that you may pay them a visit on your HD when they build one). Runner Up (for 88, 96, 103) - Feuling 525 or S&S Cycle 583. Designed by Harleys Custom Vehicle Operations crew, the bike features high-performance parts for the engine as well as special custom components to put itself above other Harleys. It employed two cams for driving the drivetrain. More on the 98" Big Bore Kit . Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. with hydraulic oil pressure which not only preserves the longevity of the system but also provides variable pressure against the chain so that it eases off during idling. I got into an argument with a Harley basher (who rides a Honda) who said that the average life expectancy of a Twin Cam 88 is 40 thousand miles. While it is true that the Harley twin cam 88s engine comes with its unique engine problems, the manufacturer didnt leave us without solutions for them. 15 Is it true that Harley Twin Cam engines are dependable? Great! Which Harley Davidson engines are twin cam? Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Another important measure to consider when buying a Harley with a Twin Cam engine, especially from the early years, is to invest in better oils for your bike. Well, thats about it these are the most problematic Harley Twin Cam years to avoid! The latter also has an oil cooling system that the 96 doesnt have. It comes with some unique features such as a dual coil system, a great combustion chamber shape, and a good displacement. 1 Why Harley Twin Cam 88 Is A Popular Engine? Intended use with cams in the .550"-.600" lift range. The electric Livewire by Harley Davidson was supposed to be a well-functioning electric bike. This bike is a Harley Classic and its worth every cent. . Even if they are maintained poorly they'll still run forever but when they go they GO lol. Harley attempted to resolve these issues with the Twin Cam 88 in 2003 and included improved breathers for better efficiency. But dont expect it to address the issue. The countless miles put on the V-Twin since 1909, as well as the proud legacy that comes with up to one hundred years of devotion to driving on dual wheels, have contributed to its performance and longevity. 28. Otherwise, you will have to do the upgrade yourself, and it does cost quite a bit. Consumers generally love or hate Harley or even a little bit of both. 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. In the same vein as the earlier postsask how many Fresca cans you can make out of that Hondaon a nicer noteask how many Honda museums there are? This one is also beyond regular maintenance. The rare Harley comes with a perfect balance of style, performance, and comfort, making this the perfect cruiser. The Twin Cam engine on the Dyna Wide Glide was finally mastered by 2014 after years of failure. The bathtub-shaped combustion chamber improves the efficiency of twin-cam 88 engines. This engine was launched in 1999, and it . This is recommended since it directly tackles the problem head-on. The Twin Cams dynasty came to a close in 2016, when the company replaced it with the Milwaukee-Eight multi-valve dual-cooled engine, a whole new topic. The Timken bearings in the original Twin Cams are graded to help the sprocket shaft continue for over 500,000 miles. Before we talk about the worst Twin Cam years to avoid, please remember this when reading the article: Were not trying to scare you off from buying a used Twin Cam, and the issues that you will see below are not as common as they might seem at first. Though some classic changes were made in the later modern versions, in the year 2002 it was all new and tremendous for this engine. Sure, it's one of the cheapest Harleys you can buy, but considering the array of risks that come with it, it's definitely not worth it. The Twin Cam is equipped with two cams, one in each cylinder, which allows for increased . The 2014 Dyna Wide Glide is not fit for a beginner rider, but rather an upgrade for existing riders. Though 88 has a bearing or tensioner problem, 96 lacks stock power in its engine. Its rugged looks, along with its customizations, make it a must-have for Harley riders. 3.7 out of 5 stars 33. The cam drive is a silent chain. Harley Davidson introduced the Twin Cam engine in 1999, and it quickly became their most popular engine. Theyre stylish, they sound amazing, and they are very fun to ride. These, though, were small potatoes. The architecture of the actual product is shoddy. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Harley Cooling is an effective way to help your twin cam engine. Moreover, this comes with an engine system that reduces noise. Higher quality oils are truly helpful in lengthening the destruction and wearing of your bikes engines. The oil cooler features a controlled fan that provides a continuous flow of cooling air, thus helping your engines cool down and reduce the wearing of the plastic shoes. Though a modern one 96 is not even equal to 88 on some grounds. Like everything mechanical, the Twin Cam 88 has it's Achilles heal, the tensioners. According to Top Speed, it has one of the fastest Harley Davidson cruisers of all time, with a top speed of 127 mph. 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. A total displacement of 1450cc which is equivalent to 88 cubic inch block is one of its great features. For that price, it's a high-quality motorcycle for a low-cost buy. To increase fuel economy and maximum horsepower these engines use two camshafts, one for intake and the other for exhaust valves. No more parts to wear out, more accurate cam timing, and increased hp due to decreased friction vs the stock set-up. Maybe just rebuild motor or replace or leave it alone and ride it? WulfMoto.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, WulfMoto.com earns from qualifying purchases. How To Determine Head Shape For Motorcycle Helmet. Twin 88 cam is one of its kind. There have even been instances where the bike fell apart mid-cruise. However, it wasnt long before problems started to arise with some Twin Cam engines. It has an air-cooled engine that utilizes two valves per cylinder with pushrod operation. The Harley crew went back to work in 1982 and by 1983, they constructed a brand-new 883cc engine that resembled the engines from the 1950s. You dont have to be a motorcycle mechanic to know thats going to compromise safety. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm entering an area of concern. Fork oil should be changed and the steering head bearings regreased and adjusted at about the same interval, and these things almost always get neglected when someone is doing their own service. Several companies have made an aftermarket. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Our team is made up of industry experts and enthusiasts. Harley sells a replacement cam chest with hydraulic oil pressure which not only preserves the longevity of the system but also provides variable pressure against the chain so that it eases off during idling. It is the successor to the Twin Cam 88 model that ran from 1998 to 2007. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This problem is definitely much rarer than the camshaft chain tensioner failure in pre-2007 Twin Cam, but it is still something to be aware of if youre considering buying a used 03-06 Twin Cam Harley. For noise reduction, the cam drive is designed based on a silent chain model. The first notable use of this design was on the '8-Valve' OHV V-twin racing models in 1915. . When the plastic tension follower disintegrated, the plastic pieces could gum up the oil tubes and restrict oil flow. Theres no denying the Twin Cam 103TM engines origins when you look at it. How long does a Harley-Davidson engine last? That's good enough most of the time. Thanks for the responses, guys! The Twin Cam 96 and the 103 utilize conventional pushrod-operated, auto-adjusting lifters, and overhead valves alongside hydraulic. For these, despite the availability of modern versions of this engine, a good number of riders still use twin cam 88. I'm approaching 75K on my 2004 TC88 (stock internals, no mods). Follow me on. Nothing beats the thrill of taking a tight corner on two wheels. It also arrives at a slower cruising speed, resulting in a smoother ride, reduced engine noise, and improved motorway fuel economy. The 96 switched to hydro tensioners, which are far more reliable. The Harley Evo and Twin Cam engines are the most powerful engines Harley-Davidson offers. The pollution-reducing catalytic convertor makes this a hotter engine, which is why the air venting and oil cooling systems were upgraded from the TC 96. Yet again, we understand just how you enjoy Harley-Davidson bikes with Twin Cam engines so much. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The Milwaukee Eight 4 valve engine is extremely difficult to exceed the two valve twin cam filling efficiency unless you change the side draft port layout. Before you rip into me Press J to jump to the feed. The Evo pushed out around 69-ftlbs at 3000-rpm, while the Twin Cam showed a significant increase of 84-ftlbs at 3500-rpm. Sold with 89k miles on it and the guy is still riding it with no problems. My TC88 will most likely still be on the road somewhere,when nobody will even remember Honda building motorcycles in 06.:thumbsup: 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. Twin Cam 88; Engine Disp. Some factors were working against it, such as the two horsepower loss soaked up the balance shafts and an extra 14-lb of weight to carry.