The 87 has 6 head bolts the 88-90 has 7. Unless you are going to make your head bolts larger you want to get an 88-90. The A-arms are the only other difference on the Zilla between years. There is nothing that will hand with the Zilla Stock for Stock. Best pipe that I have seen is the Paul Turner Fat Boy 2 Pipe. If you can get one the LRD is even better but they don't make them anymore. As for reliablility it you build it right and replace all bearings and seals and not spare a penny on it you can have a reliable machine. If you are going to get a Zilla you really need have someone like SoreRacing who does a lot of Zilla rebuilds to do your first rebuild so that everything that looks worn will get replaced. After that first proper rebuild it should just be doing topends every year or so. The Swingarm on the Zilla is probably the worst design ever. Think about an aftermarket swingarm. That is all I can think of for now.
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