| Author | Message | ||
     Jander |
My beloved ride needs more get up, soo.... I'm looking for a set of Thunderstorm heads with which I could retrofit my S1 with. Ideally I'd like a good set I could bolt right in. A second choice would be a decent set that I could send off for rebuilding and porting. I don't expect there are a ton out there (damn choppers sucking up our good spares) but I figured I'd throw a note out in case I got lucky. Thanks, C. | ||
| Bartimus |
You should check out the folks here: http://www.nrhsperformance.com/ekitbuell1200.shtml They do great work, and are great people! | ||
| Jander |
Well, actually I'm not really looking for more displacement. I'd really just like to take the next leap HP-wise (and cost-wise) without doing a whole lot of parts replacement. I'd really like a nice, effective, lower cost setup that was reliable AND funner than what I have. I was thinking of Thunderstorms (maybe ported), boring my cylinders to better than OEM tolerance, switching to a Mikuni and thats about it. I love to have some dough left over for a Penske. But on this topic, I've been wondering if NRHS (who I've been lusting after their work for years now) would be able to do a job on my stock lighting heads that approached that of the Thunderstorms and I'd be able to get away with not having to change pistons and all that extra work (ie save some dough.) Ideas? | ||
| Phelan |
It would take a lot of work on lightning heads to approach thunderstorm capabilities. They could easily do it, but you may find it cost effective to look for some T-storm heads out there. Cost effectively, you should check eBay and badweb daily and even ask around for some spare t-storm heads and maybe even cylinders, send the cyls to NRHS and put some forged T-storm pistons in them (-$450 IIRC), slap them and the T storm heads on there and sell the old top end on eBay listed as a Buell top end that will hop up a sportster. The XL chopper guys will go crazy over it and pay nearly what you have in the new top end. I sold the dual plugged lightning heads off my 1200S on eBay about 6 months ago and I got $325 for them. | ||
| Jasonk |
Jander, as soon as my builder is ready, I will be replacing my '01 S3 jugs with 1250's. I will be keeping the tops for stage two millwork, but I would be willing to sell the jugs and pistons. | ||
| Ratbuell |
T-storm heads are still available brand new from Buell. I put a set on my S2 (with pistons and Lightning cams) last year. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
i would us xb's because they are better then thunderstorms. u could keep ur flat tops too. but for best results cutting them for thunderstorm will alow u to run high compression, and more power. but typically from stock to stock the xb will gain 5-8hp. just what ive heard. they flow the same but the xbs do it with smaller ports, and they are a lot cleaner ports. just a better head. with the t-storms cast squish being so uneven, you need to machine them anyway to get a good squish band, u might as well get xb's and machine them. just my .02's. this info is manly from dan and aaron of nrhs.(they rock!) | ||
| Jander |
Phelan, that's a great idea. I even saw a news set of jugs on ebay a little while ago. Might have to go back and look. Jason, thanks man, but I think I'll take a pass on that one. I have this dream of true, fresh bored, perfect as a daisy, better-than-stock tolerances for my rebuild. So the jugs would be a maybe, but that would negate the pistons. As for the XB's...thats an interesting idea. I've considered it, but the whole "new engine mount" thing has me running scared. How tough is this conversion? What would I be getting into? If I had more info, I might give it more consideration. Thanks. J. | ||
| Twodogs |
put x-1 crank assy and xb top end on my "chopper project" engine and gained 35 hp at the rear wheel. Required an expensive S+S mount....think a cheap billet one could be easily made. XB heads flow better , have bigger valve stems and conical springs. Your heavy crank assembly is really what's holding you back. If it's running well and you don't have thousands to invest, just ride it and enjoy it for what it is. seriously. Dog | ||
| Twodogs |
UMMMMMM...YEAH...you would have better luck selling your stuff to an 883 owner since most of us dumb chopper guys are more interested in chrome and girls than performance.....(my chop will outrun phelan's bike) shhhhh...  | ||
| Jmr1283 |
xb valve stems have smaller 7mm stems, compared to t-storms, and evo's. or lightning heads. | ||
| Hdbuellrider |
brand new f&r thunderstorm heads, pistons, rings, pins, gasket kit, make fair offer, all in factory buell packages, heads are complete with valves, springs, header studs, crush rings | ||
| Phelan |
TwoDogs, I was talking about "several" sportster/chopper guys, not the well-knowledgeable ones like yourself  . Though I wouldn't mention the words "Buell" and "chopper" around here too loud; some people around here have certain, um, "reputations" for castrating people who speak such blasphemy  . |
