By Jan Knobbe

At Chariots of Fire Customs, we live and breathe horsepower—so as the calendar flips to another year, we can’t help but marvel at how far engine technology has come since we first opened our doors in 2005. In the last 20 years, the transformation has been nothing short of jaw-dropping, and we’ve been here for every twist of the wrench and every leap in performance.

The Early Days: Turning Wrenches and Pushing Limits

Back in the day, we cut our teeth working on twin cam and Evo engines. A big day in the shop might involve valve jobs and hand porting to take an 88 cubic inch motor to 96—or maybe a 96 to 103. If we really went for it, we’d push to 110 or 117 cubic inches. Those were some solid builds, but compared to what we’re doing now? It’s like looking at a flip phone next to a smartphone.

Today: Horsepower Meets High-Tech

Fast forward to today, and we’ve traded some of those hand tools for cutting-edge technology. We’re still working with twin cams, but the M8s have taken center stage. With CNC porting of heads, air research benches for airflow testing, and four-valve heads, these upgrades are as precise as they are powerful. Camshaft technology has made a massive leap, allowing more air to flow in and out while keeping the exhaust chambers cooler. Translation? More horsepower with fewer knocks and detonation issues.

M8 Upgrades: Taking It to the Next Level

The M8 platform has really changed the game in the last five years. Between CNC-ported heads and two-over or four-over valves, these machines now almost double the airflow of factory heads. And let’s talk about the single-cam design—it reduces drag on the cam chest, freeing up even more horsepower compared to the twin cams of old.

For those looking for dependable daily power, M8 upgrades range from 107 cubic inches to 124, and 114/117 cubic inches to a solid 128. If you’re feeling ambitious, we can push the envelope even further—175 cubic inches, anyone?

The Numbers: Yesterday vs. Today

To really appreciate how far we’ve come, let’s crunch some numbers. Back in the day, we’d take an 88 cubic inch motor, bump it up to 96, and squeeze out around 95 horsepower. Not too shabby, right? But now? A factory 107 or 114 cubic inch motor already gives you 100 horsepower. Build it up to 175 cubic inches, and you’re looking at over 200 horsepower at the ground. Oh, and for the true gearheads, there are always pro chargers and turbochargers to take things into orbit.

Always Evolving

At Chariots of Fire, we’re not just keeping up with the times—we’re pushing the limits. From our early drag racing days to competing in the bagger class at local tracks today, we’re constantly testing, tweaking, and finding new ways to unlock more power. We take pride in staying ahead of the curve so we can deliver top-tier performance to our customers.

Let’s Build Your Dream Ride

If you’re ready to take your machine to the next level, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for a little extra kick or want to turn your bike into a street-shredding monster, we’ll work with you to find the perfect setup. Give Jan a call at (636) 462-1648 or better yet, swing by the shop. Let’s make this year all about horsepower, adrenaline, and the open road.

Ride hard, ride fast, and let’s build something legendary.