Hi all, I have my 103 with the 255 cams and I do love where the power is at but like most I always want more. My riding is 2 up 95% of the time and I ride between 2000-3000 rpms 95% of the time so I want the TQ down low like the 255 cams have. I researched cams for ever and based on my riding style I went with the 255's. I had narrowed down to the 255 or the SE 204, and I still look at the 204 wondering if they might have been the better choice. The 204 from what little I know about cams looks like it would come close to the 255 down low but would offer more from 27-2800 on up through around 5500 for the occasional wild hair I get, am I right?? I forgot to mention that I did have a mild port and polish done on the stock heads, and I'm now running a Rinhart 2 into 1 pipe.

 

BTT... I have the same question as OP so bumping the thread. Anyone???

 

i just built a 103 in a 2011 road glide and decided to go with the 204 for the same reason as TODDNVAL the "occasional wild hair". turns out it was the right choice for me. it pulled like a beast on the bottom end then once HD got their hands on it and tuned it , it didn't pull as hard due to them have to meet their epa requirement on air/fuel ratio. it dyno'd 90/106 and it will be going to a private shop in the near future for another tune and I believe the numbers will go up more.

 

Do a search & read the test "Fuel Moto TW555 vs SE255". A P&P on the heads is pretty much wasted with the 255s since they run out of steam by the time the heads are starting to work, P&P shows the most gain at higher RPMs. The 555s are similar to the SE204s but have higher lift that will bolt in to the 07s & later, the 555s seem to be an outstanding cam for the late models.

 

There is no EPA requirement for air/fuel ratio.

 

son had two bikes with the 204, both softails and there really made for lighter bikes....

The 255's will have more TQ in the 2-3k rpm range where the 204's will just be coming on at the 3+ range unless U do the 4* advance gear... then it'll be around 2700, but still the 204's start falling off around 4500 and drop quick to the 5200..

So if Ur want the 2-3k TQ the 255 are still pretty good,,
If Ur wanting more in the 2500-4500 then the 204's will rock...

 

Most of my "cruising" is at 2700 rpms, right when the 204's start to kick in. Even when I'm cruising slower than that in 6th, by the time my grip is rotated back, I'm at 2700 or above. I agree with DTTJGlide though, with the higher lift, the 555 cam would rock in this application.

 

With your riding style and two up, I don't think you'll like the 204's as well. Maybe look at some other cams besides HD's. The Andrews 48 should be a good one or look at tman's. I only have 96 cubes but I run the 255's also and on my dyno sheet I hit peak TQ at 3225 rpms at 104 ft/lbs. For whatever reason my 255's peak a little later than most others I see on this forum.

 

I have been wanting the 255's for the longest, but after long research I may be going with the 204's. I have a road king with a stock 96 inched standard compression motor, I am sitting about 75lbs lighter than the Ultra Classics and I dont think I need all that much low end torque. I want more mid range power. I also see a lot of valve train noise complaints and I just think the .550" valve lift may be too close to the limit for stock valve springs, so i want to stay around 1/2". Also I am wondering how much torque will i move from the lower rpms to the middle even tho 30 degrees of overlap is not much, the stock 9.2:1 compression ratio may have to be increased to get all the performance out of this cam.

 

If you're not stuck on an HD cam consider the woods 5-6. I'm very happy with the increase they gave me accross the board with stock compression. The '07 and later heads will handle the .575 lift had a talk with Bob Wood to confirm.