120 question

[Mark Hennig]

Mike,
I have a 2000 road king with the magnetti marrelli system. I am interested in putting in a jims 120, and I am wondering what I need to do. I know it will involve a new wiring harness to update to the latest system with a map sensor and all that, but is this all possible? I have a small fortune into this bike already, and want to keep it.
Mark

[Mike]

The two options would be to convert to Carburetor or to the Delphi EFI. The carb conversion is the easiest with an interconnect harness, coil, fuel tank adapter and fuel valve (last two available from Pingle, the Jims 120 for your year carb model comes with the carb and igntion). Use the Baro sensor on the ECM mounting plate currently on your bike for the map sensor (same part). The EFI conv. is a little more difficult. To convert to the HD system requires a fuel tank change with the fuel pump assembly and hose fittings correct for the new system. Zippers offers a conversion kit but you must use their ECM and tuning software (not all bad, just more difficult to find a tuner). This system uses the stock fuel pump, tank, wiring harness, coil and includes an HD Delphi throttle body or optional Zippers OS unit (the 120 will require the larger t-body). Do not forget the starter and clutch upgrades to go with the torque this motor is capable of. We like the HD 1.4k starter, Rivera 66 tooth starter ring gear and the TPP lockup from AIM. Another recommendation is the True-Trak stabilizer to help with high speed stability. A good large displacement exhaust (DD Boarzilla, RhineHart True Dual, Calibre TD, etc.) and your good to go!!!
Thanks, Mike

[Mark Hennig]

Mike,
I appreciate your quick response on this holiday weekend. I have a few questions. First: I am told that bc gerolomy has a conversion to the delphi system that does not require a tank change, but the part list is exspensive when done. Somewhere around 3 grand, but you end up with an 06 delphi system complete with map sensor and an 02 sensor. A guy here in town that runs a performance shop converted his 99 road glide over to the delphi system this way. I just thought I would pass it along so people can know that it is out there, or if you have custom paint.
Second: In your opinion what is the better way to go, Jim`s , Zippers or S&S 124. I tend to be leaning towards Jim`s since it is a Harley semi backed product. Also carb or efi? And last but not least could you give me a ballpark price on a Jim`s motor if I were to go the carb route, with the harness, coil and pingel parts? I live in Minnesota.
Thanks again, Mark

[Mike]

I like the Jims motor since it already has the timkens, spread stud pattern and other features designed to be big cubes. It cost's less by the time you do same to a stock motor (excluding studs, really can't be done on stock cases) and is a more stable plateform. The EFI will have better overall performance if tuned properly. The carb version will cost less in the end and will be easier to find a capable tuner but will not make the midrange torque of the EFI. The key to EFI is finding a capable tuner, they are few and far between. The Jim's carb version was $7999.95 last I looked (may have changed but should be close). The EFI version (order without induction and ignition) was $7260.99. Add your Delphi conversion or EFI system of choice to this price. The Zippers conversion is consideralbly less than the Gerolomy and may have a little better customer support. The O2 sensor setups are really not needed if you can get a proper tune (back to the tuner's ability again). Custom mapping effectively nulls the need for the O2's. I.E., if correctly mapped there should not be anything for the O2's to adjust for (possibly some fine tuning, or the custom map could be just little more rough, relying on the O2's to finish the job). Of course, all this is what makes the Carb version easier (and less expensive in both parts and dyno time). We have had extremely good luck with the EFI version Screaming Eagle Race Tuned, Baisley Hybrid Heads, Latus Motors throttlebody (Delphi/SERT only) and TM650 cams. The reason I mention this is that these fairly radical combo's can be tuned to run very well without glitche's or drivability issues using the Delphi speed density system. You may find some recommending Alpha-N systems (though the Zippers is Alpha-N), closed loop or others. So a Delphi conversion (including the ECM) can work very well. When the week end is over I'll get back to you on pricing for the conversion parts for both Delphi EFI and carb. Regards, Mike

[Mark Hennig]

Thanks for all the info. Mike, Wow! I plan on doing this after the riding season, but wouldn`t mind getting all the components now. Maybe a phone conversation with you would better help me understand this better.

[Mike]

As promised, the parts required for the conversion are;
Pingle vavle $90.00
fuel tank valve adapters $45.00 (guesing)
Interconnect harness $166.00
Ignition coil $98.00
Top motor mount (for choke cable bracket) $9.25
Map seonsor retaining clip $0.49
Clip screw $1.95
Approx. total of $410.00
As mentioned earlier, the correct Jims complete kit will have the ignition module and carburetor included (pn 1208-2500, black/ 1208-2505, silver).
Thanks, Mike

[Mark Hennig]

Mike,
Took me a few days, but thanks for all your help on this matter. Quick question: Why would a person weld the crank on one of these? Saw one on e-bay.

[Mike]

When used in racing applications, the crank can shift with sudden stopages (i.e., burnouts and hi rpm launches). Of course as torque goes up the affect of a stopage would be greater. This is also true of hi-speed downshifts, locking up the rear wheel with the clutch out or (Heaven forbid) a crash. Other than added cost (relatively inexpensive) and the time required to do so, there really is no downside to welding the crank (when done properly, done improperly can warp the assembly out of true or affect the heat treat on the pin and wheels).
Thanks, Mike