Ultima engines are aftermarket V-twin motorcycle engines manufactured by Missouri-based Midwest Motorcycle Supply. The displacements of these affordable power sources range from 96 cubic inches to 140 cu in while their power averages anywhere from 90-160 HP. Besides completely assembled engines, the company offers a wide variety of aftermarket parts as well as a professional engine rebuilding service.
If you want to find out more about these popular power mills, you’ve come to the right place.
From the specifications to the key facts about the company, we at PowerSportsGuide have compiled everything into this Ultima engine review!
What is an Ultima Engine?
Ultima is a reputable brand of aftermarket motorcycle engines and parts manufactured by Midwest Motorcycle Supply. The American manufacturer offers V-twin engines along with numerous aftermarket parts at affordable prices, including:
- Drivetrains
- Transmissions
- Frames and front ends
- Wheels
- Electrical and ignition components
- Exhaust systems
- Hand and foot controls
- Gas/air/oil components
As you can see, Ultima can provide everything you need even if you’re building a motorcycle from scratch!
The majority of Ultima’s products are designed as aftermarket parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. However, there’s no affiliation between these two companies.
Note that Ultima doesn’t directly sell to the public, but its products are available through many dealers and shops.
Where are Ultima Engines Built?
Ultima engines are assembled in the US, but the company has plants and interests in other countries as well. The main factory and the company’s headquarters are located in Pevely, Missouri.
Ultima Engine Reviews
Ultima currently offers five different complete engine configurations, which are as follows:
- Ultima Twin Cam
- Ultima Shovelhead
- Ultima El Bruto
- Ultima Diamond Cut
- Ultima Blackout
Each of these power mills provides plenty of power, so they can be a worthy replacement for a worn-out stock engine or the heart of a custom build.
It’s also good to know that certain Ultima engines are available with electronic fuel injection (EFI) capability. These variations have the same specifications as their carbureted counterparts, but the case and crank are engineered to accept Delphi-style EFI position sensors.
These engines can act as the solid base of any custom-built EFI V-twin motorcycle.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about these high-performance power sources in detail!
1. Ultima Twin Cam Engines
Ultima Twin Cam engines come in three different displacements and power outputs:
- Ultima Twin Cam 100 cu in: 100 HP / 110 LB-FT torque
- Ultima Twin Cam 113 cu in: 120 HP / 120 LB-FT torque
- Ultima Twin Cam 124 cu in: 140 HP / 140 LB-FT torque
Each configuration is available with Polished, Black, Blackout, and Natural (Silver) finishes.
The key features of Ultima Twin Cam engines are as follows:
- High-quality components
- Hydraulic chain tensioner
- Cast aluminum engine case (C356-T6 aluminum)
- Forged H-beam rods
- Timken sprocket shaft bearings
- Forged aluminum Mahle Motorsports pistons
- 4140 steel adjustable pushrods
- 4140 forged steel roller rockers
- Stainless steel valves
- Conical valve springs
- Billet oil pump
2. Ultima Shovelhead Engines
Ultima offers a 96 cu in Shovelhead engine that cranks out 90 HP along with 95 lb-ft of torque. This power source comes with modern technology wrapped in a nostalgic package.
The key specifications of an Ultima 96 cu in Shovelhead include:
- Displacement CI: 96 cu in
- Displacement CC: 1564 cc
- Bore: 3.625″
- Stroke: 4.625″
- Compression: 9.5:1
- Valve- Int: 1.940″
- Valve – Ex: 1.750″
- Cam Duration: 256/256
- Pushrod Length: Adjustable
- Piston: 2618 Forged
- Cylinder Length: 5.330″
- Case Deck Height: 5.375″
- Engine weight: 170 Lb
- Rod Length: 7.440″
- Flywheel: Forged 5PC
- Case Spigot bore: 3.880″
- Pump Type: 92/L
- Breather Type: Case/Timed Gear
- Cam Cover Type: 91 & Earlier
- Rocker Box Type: Stock
- Rocker Arm/Ratio: 1.5
- Engine Height: Stock height
- Est. Rated power RW: 90 hp / 95 tq
Since 2018, Ultima’s Shovelhead engine has been available with either Polished or Blackout finishes.
Note that, unlike the ignition, the carburetor and the intake manifold are not included in the package.
3. Ultima El Bruto Engines
What kind of engine is Ultima El Bruto?
Simply put, the El Bruto series represents the high-performance line in Ultima’s fleet. Thanks to their higher compression and advanced features, they provide more power and torque than their regular counterparts.
The displacements of El Bruto engines range from 100 cu in up to 140 cu in:
- Ultima El Bruto 100 cu in: 110 HP / 110 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima El Bruto 107 cu in: 115 HP / 120 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima El Bruto 113 cu in: 120 HP / 120 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima El Bruto 120 cu in: 130 HP / 135 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima El Bruto 127 cu in: 140 HP / 145 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima El Bruto 140 cu in: 160 HP / 175 LB-FT Torque
The key features of El Bruto engines are as follows:
- The case made prime C355-T6 aluminum
- Forged camshaft (4140 steel)
- Forged pistons
- Crane pushrods
- Cylinders: C355 casting
- Billet oil pump
- Ultima valve spring
- Chrome nose cone / rocker boxes / tappet blocks
- Ignition included (on assembled engines)
You can order these engines assembled or unassembled while the available finishes are natural, black, or polished.
4. Ultima Diamond Cut Engines
To the greatest delight of many fans, factory-built Ultima Diamond Cut engines are already available off the shelf! It’s safe to say that the Diamond series is equivalent to the El Brute family except for their unique finish:
- Ultima Diamond Cut 100 cu in: 80 HP / 90 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima Diamond Cut 107 cu in: 115 HP / 115 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima Diamond Cut 113 cu in: 120 HP / 120 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima Diamond Cut 120 cu in: 130 HP / 135 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima Diamond Cut 127 cu in: 140 HP / 145 LB-FT Torque
- Ultima Diamond Cut 140 cu in: 160 HP / 175 LB-FT Torque
Choice of finishes include black, polished, or natural.
5. Ultima Blackout Engines
Another color variation of the El Brute series is the Blackout engines. As the name suggests, these units are powder-coated completely black including the engine case, cylinders, heads, and covers. The Blackout series only comes with two different displacements:
- Ultima Blackout 113 cu in: 120 HP / 120 LB-FT Torque.
- Ultima Blackout 127 cu in: 140 HP / 145 LB-FT Torque.
Ultima Engine Rebuild Program
Besides off-the-shelf engines and aftermarket parts, Ultima offers a professional engine rebuilding service.
All you need to do is to pull your engine and ship it to the company for a complete rebuild.
After a thorough inspection, Ultima’s professional staff will disassemble, clean, and rebuild your engine from the ground up.
This service is not only for Ultima power sources but certain S&S and Harley-Davidson Evo V-Twin engines as well.
Ultima Engine Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the key specifications of Ultima engines into one chart:
| Type | Displ. (cu in) | Displ. (cc) | HP | Torque (lb-ft) | Compression | Weight (lbs) | Bore (in) | Stroke (in) |
| Twin Cam 100″ | 100 | 1643 | 100 | 110 | na | na | na | na |
| Twin Cam 113″ | 113 | 1853 | 120 | 120 | 10.0:1 | na | 4.000 | 4.500 |
| Twin Cam 124″ | 124 | na | 124 | 140 | na | na | na | na |
| Shovelhead 96″ | 96 | 1564 | 90 | 95 | 9.5:1 | 170 | 3.625 | 4.625 |
| Diamond Cut 100″ | 100 | 1643 | 110 | 110 | 9:1 | 165 | 3.875 | 4.250 |
| Diamond Cut 107″ | 107 | 1751 | 115 | 115 | 10:1 | 165 | 4.000 | 4.500 |
| Diamond Cut 113″ | 113 | 1853 | 120 | 120 | 10.2:1 | 165 | 4.000 | 4.500 |
| Diamond Cut 120″ | 120 | 1976 | 130 | 135 | 9.8:1 | 168 | 4.250 | 4.250 |
| Diamond Cut 127″ | 127 | 2092 | 140 | 145 | 10.2:1 | 168 | 4.250 | 4.500 |
| Diamond Cut 140″ | 140 | 2305 | 160 | 175 | 10.8:1 | 170 | 4.400 | 4.625 |
| Blackout 113″ | 113 | 1853 | 120 | 120 | 10.2:1 | 165 | 4.000 | 4.500 |
| Blackout 127″ | 127 | 2092 | 140 | 145 | 10.2:1 | 168 | 4.250 | 4.500 |
| El Bruto 100″ | 100 | 1643 | 110 | 110 | 9.6:1 | 165 | 3.875 | 4.250 |
| El Bruto 107″ | 107 | 1751 | 115 | 120 | 10:1 | 165 | 4.000 | 4.250 |
| El Bruto 113″ | 113 | 1853 | 120 | 120 | 10.2:1 | 165 | 4.000 | 4.500 |
| El Bruto 120″ | 120 | 1976 | 130 | 135 | 9.8:1 | 168 | 4.250 | 4.250 |
| El Bruto 127″ | 127 | 2092 | 140 | 145 | 10.2:1 | 168 | 4.250 | 4.500 |
| El Bruto 140″ | 140 | 2305 | 160 | 175 | 10.8:1 | 170 | 4.400 | 4.625 |
Disclaimer: These charts are for informational purposes only! For more information, please check the official factory manuals!
Takeaways- FAQs About Ultima Engines
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most frequent questions about Ultima engines!
How Much Do Ultima Engines Cost?
As a rule of thumb, the prices of Ultima motorcycle engines range from $4,000 up to $7,000.
The cheapest Ultima engines are the 100 cu in models while the most expensive ones are the 140 cu in power mills and the 93 cu in Shovelhead due to its unique design. For the latter be prepared to pay about $6,000-$7,000 depending on the dealer!
What Size Motors does Ultima Make?
Ultima currently offers engines with six different displacements, varying from 96 cu in to 140 cu in
To be more precise, the available Ultima engine configurations are as follows:
- 96 cu in
- 100 cu in
- 107 cu in
- 113 cu in
- 120 cu in
- 124 cu in
- 127 cu in
- 140 cu in
Which Ultima Engine is the Biggest?
The biggest Ultima engine is the El Bruto 140 cu in (2305cc) rated at 160 HP with 175 LB-FT torque. This power source is available with regular and diamond-cut finishes as well.
How Much Horsepower Does an Ultima Engine Have?
The HP ratings of Ultima engines range from 90 up to a whopping 160 HP.
What Kind of Oil does Ultima Engines Use?
Midwest Motorcycle Supply recommends its Ultima SAE 20W-50 full synthetic engine oil for its Ultima engines. This olefin-ester-based engine oil is specifically formulated for 4-stroke V-twin motorcycle engines to provide maximum protection and engine life.
You can find out more about Ultima motor oils here.
Does Ultima do Engine Rebuilds?
Yes, besides its complete “bolt-in” V-twin engine packages, Ultima offers complete engine rebuilds for Ultima, S&S, and Harley engines.
Are Ultima Engines Made in the USA?
Yes, Ultima engines are assembled in the US, but the company has warehouses and plants in some other countries as well. Therefore, note that certain parts of Ultima engines come from overseas. The main factory and headquarters of Ultima are located in Pevely, Missouri.
Is Ultima a Harley Engine?
Contrary to popular belief, Ultima engines are not manufactured by Harley-Davidson. Instead, it’s an aftermarket motorcycle engine brand that offers replacement engines for Harley-Davidsons and other custom V-twin cruisers.
How do You Know Which Ultima Engine You Have?
You can identify an Ultima engine based on its serial number. This alphanumeric code consists of the following elements:
- 1-2 Characters: Spigot Bore Code
- 3-4 Digits: Model Year
- 5-8 Digits: Build Sequence
- 9. Character: Descriptor
For example:
Serial number: CE161234A
- CE: Spigot Bore Code
- 16: Model Year
- 1234: Build Sequence
- A: Descriptor
For your convenience, we’ve included the official Ultima engine identification chart:
| CODE | FAMILY | DISPLACEMENT |
| CE12xxxxA | EVO | 100 |
| CE12xxxxB | EVO | 107 |
| CE12xxxxC | EVO | 113 |
| CE12xxxxD | EVO | 117 |
| EG12xxxxA | EVO | 114 |
| EG12xxxxB | EVO | 120 |
| EG12xxxxC | EVO | 124 |
| EG12xxxxD | EVO | 127 |
| EG12xxxxE | EVO | 131 |
| HK12xxxxA | EVO | 140 |
| SA12xxxxA | SHOVEL | 96 |
Is Ultima Still in Business?
Yes, to the delight of many fans, Ultima (Midwest Motorcycle Supply) is still in business. You can read more about and contact the manufacturer here.
Who Makes El Bruto engines?
El Bruto engines are part of the Ultima motorcycle engine family. These unique V-twins are manufactured by the Missouri-based Midwest Motorcycle Supply.
Does Ultima Make Twin Cam Engines?
Yes, Ultima currently offers three different Twin Cam engines with displacements of 100, 113, and 124 cu in. The performance of these power sources is 100, 120, and 140 HP, respectively.
How Much Does an Ultima Engine Weigh?
Ultima motorcycle engines weigh about 165-170 pounds.
How Much of a Warranty do You Get on an Ultima Engine?
Ultima engines come with a warranty of 6 months to 2 years depending on the model.
References
http://www.ultimaproducts.com/
https://pcmotors.com/ultima.html
