| Author | Message | ||
     Stricnine |
What be better to have. A new set of XB heads ($800) or a new set of stage 2 nallin thunderstorm heads ($1200). | ||
| Jimincalif |
Are you changing pistons at the same time? I was, and went with domed forged race pistons (10.5:1) under 2004 heads cut for dome-pattern pistons. Goooood combo. Talk to NRHS. The 2004 heads have some very interesting intake channel shapes clearly meant to "guide" incoming air in specific ways. Very different from the '97 S3 heads they replaced in my case. | ||
| Aaomy |
dont forget a couple other issues,, xb heads on tubers take a different front motor mount, different pistons than the domed thunderstorm and have different breather set up... but if you want,, i have a set of xb heads on my s2 and love them to death..xb have more fin area,, helps with cooling .. xb heads are .025 shorter and depending on how you set them up you may want to go with adjustable push rods also.. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
How much of an improvement is there with the XB heads? | ||
| Jamhamm |
xb heads for $800? aren't they about $300 a piece directly from buell...? -jam | ||
| Spiderman |
Yeha the heads are, but you have to buy valves, seals, springs, etc. Well here is my .02$ I have the XB heads and XB12 pistons. I run Stock bumpsticks with 536 cams, a 42mm flatslide, hi flow intake an full exahust and as she sits right now I am running 95RWHP and 91FT Lbs of tourqe. | ||
| Stricnine |
I was also told by Nallin that you have to sink the valves (in order to use thunderstorm pistons) to make room in the chambers. And just to get back on topic, what would be better, XB heads ($800) or stage 2 Thunderstorms ($1200) (Message edited by stricnine on March 15, 2006) | ||
| Aaomy |
you have to sink the valves to make clearance but the main thing is the chambers have to be recut with the angled squish bands. lightening heads , stock sportys, early buells used flat top pistons and a 62cc cumbustion chamber. they used a too small edge squish band witch reall didnt work, thunderstorm heads used a angled squish band , i believe 15 degrees and matching domed pistons to create a squish band, firestorm heads or xb heads use a flat top piston and dual squish bands,, a 62cc bath tub shaped combustion chamber.. they slap nicely on old lightening headed bikes,, my s2,, on a thunderstorm headed bike they either have to change piston to flat top or have the cumbustion chamber recut to allow for the domed pistons.. if you are going to go with new pistons i recomed using the xb 1200 pistons like spidey did..the xb 1200 pistons are "flat top" but they have a raise in the center to raise the compression slightly over the earlier true flat top ones i use. what ones are better is totaly up to you. and up to what you,, if you were comparing both stock i would go with the firestorms,, how many miles on you cylinders and pistons? another thing to concider,, make a plan of what you want from you bike and how you intend to accomplish it. what parts you want. and plan on installing them in an efficient order..dont forget with the xb heads you also have larger fins,, if you want it to look stock go with the thunderstorm heads. either way you may want to go with the xb rocker boxes or get creative like i did,, search for aaomy and look for my breather set up. | ||
| Stricnine |
Aaomy, nice setup. Does it require any mods to fit the xb rocker boxes to thunderstorm heads. Also, do they take different gaskets or will the evo gaskets work. (Message edited by stricnine on March 18, 2006) | ||
| Aaomy |
it shouldnt take any mods to put the xb tops on your current rocker boxes. the bases are pretty much the same but instead of the middle and top you just have a top now.. yes you can use you evo gaskets, you will just have a couple extras, you will need the two rubber gaskets that go around the two pcv valves that you have to use.. i did have a link to the change, or you may want to use the search function and check into it.. if i find the link i will post it.. here is a link to when i modded my breather set up.. much more complex way of doing it.. not going to say its better,, its just a me thing. but if you read threw it you may see something to help.. just a thought .. click the archive in it to go to the start.. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/114374.html hope some of this help with you project .. if you need anything just pm or post,, |
