thanson_mopar
Well-Known Member
If you are not looking to get into a large scale performance application that requires lots of parts I would suggest beginning with the 1200 conversion and retaining the 883 heads and cams. I have used both the HD screaming eagle kits and the Wiesco kits. The HD parts are cast pistons and will be slightly quieter but will up your compression ratio and require you to compensate for that in some way. When I worked at the dealership we would machine the stock 883 heads and set cc's to what we felt best suited the customers expectations for performance. This would also allow us to set proper quench and squish areas. If you do not have the capability or do not want to pay for the machine work get the Wiesco dished piston kit. I haven't checked in some time but there are probably others who make quality kits as well. I've used Ross pistons with great luck on past projects.
This might also provide some helpful reading.
http://www.steele.com/dan/faq2.htm#_Toc9307751
I've also built motors using this Bob Johnson's heads.
http://www.johnsonenginetechnology.com/JETPAGES/aboutjet.html
You're gonna pay for the heads but the rest of the motor stays pretty much stock and you don't need to worry about "what works".
Buell heads are the way to go though IMO. Easy, no guess work, and they just plain work. I would not use them on a stock 883/1200 conversion though. I personally feel they are just to large and flow too much for the stock 883 cams and conversion kits compression ratio. Great addition for the future though should you be thinking about continuing to modify the motor.
The last motor I did for myself was an 87 1100 that I bored and installed 1200 pistons in. 1100s were only made in 86 & 87. 1987 used factory sand cast heads which also came with the largest factory installed valves. I welded and ported these heads to a bathtub chamber design similar to what Branch offered. Also raised the intake runners slightly, pocketed the ports and knife edged epoxy runners to the guides. No need to do that kind of work anymore with the current performance parts and head availability. Save yourself the headaches and buy a bolt on kit, that way you can do it yourself without the need for machining. Mine made 113 HP 94 ft lbs of torque and I would destroy any Buell and most pre twin cam big twins that I raced. Great fun beating S&S sidewinder big twins with my "skirt-ster"
There is going to be many different suggestions given to you. Unfortunately most guys tend to over cam and over carb, same guys will tell you drag pipes make more power too. Stop and think about what you are trying to accomplish and what you are willing to modify and purchase in order to make that happen. Start simple and add to it as time and money permit. Lots of good recommendations here for a Mopar site though...LOL.
My lil girly sportster BTW
lol, nice girly sportster. i like the exhaust, reminds me of a flat tracker pipes. bike looks bad a$$. If it had some lower handle bars it would almost look like a cafe racer. Yep, ill be starting off basic, with just 1200 kit and wait for cams, ignition, ect....
BTW not that im going to worry too much about it yet but i was wondering, what would be more effective? Buel heads or ported 883 heads with big valves?
