This review is based on the following:

2012 FLHTCU 103"
Stock header with CAT
S&S SPO Mufflers
Power Vision by Fuel Moto
Maps by Fuel Moto and S&S ( then auto tuned )
SE Air Cleaner
SE adjustable pushrods
Fueling HP+ lifters

Last year about this time I installed a Andrews 57h cam. I ran it for 8300 miles. Frankly it is a great cam. Makes a great deal of power throughout what I would consider the usable RPM range, 2500-4500rpm. I was generally happy with it. I have nothing really bad to say about it. It is a great all around camshaft for the 103. If I had one wish, it would be for the torque to come in a little bit lower, which would be useful lugging around the hills...

This winter I came across a set of chain drive 551 Easy Starts on the cheap. 100+ dollars shipped to my door. Used. I bid, I won. So I was like well let me pop them in and check em out. If I don't like them I can put the 57h's back in. Seems like win win to me. So I do. Glad I did because I found the stock lifters I had retained when I installed the 57h's were starting to wear. (No symptoms, no noise, nothing. I would not have known, had I not swapped out the cams.) So out the 57h's and in with the 551's.

So... with the 100 miles I have on the 551's I can say the following: It is a great cam. Is it better than the 57h? No. Is the 57h better? No. Seat of the pants dyno says the torque comes in earlier (at about 2000 rpm), and for my style of riding, seems to suit me better. ( heavy touring bike ) But past that, there is NO REAL DIFFERENCE. Yes you read that right. No real difference. Now I haven't whacked it past 4500 rpm, but it seems to be about the same. Flies down the interstate, whack the throttle and she goes... Heat generation appears to be the same. Maybe a little more usable torque in first, 5th and 6th.

Could the results be different with a different set up? Sure. I have a cat'd head pipe and SPO's which are kinda quiet and baffled. That's me. I have chosen auto tune vs dyno tune. Again, me. But really these are two great camshafts, and either choice would make you happy in a touring application.

I have shut off my ACR's via the PV1 and the easy starts do their job. No difference there.

I feel the 551's suit me better, bringing in the torque a little earlier, but it is really a toss up. Originally I chose the 57h over the 551 due to the following factors, COST and REVIEW. The cost of the 551's were almost twice that of the 57h's, and there was a glowing review here by Low Country Joe. Now had I purchased the 551's first, I would probably be happier cause the install would have been a little cheaper cause now I am into it for more gaskets, two sets of lifters and an oil change.

I can say you will enjoy either cam, but I would lean toward the 551's in a touring application, and if you intend to make little to no performance modifications outside of an air cleaner, mufflers, tuner and cam. If your going to do the heads, head gasket, head pipe and a dyno tune, consider the 57h's.

Over and out.

 

You are right that 551s come on lower, if that is what you are interested in, Easy start is a waste on 103s with ARC. Tune will also make a big difference. Glad you are happy

 

jammerx, you still liking the 551's. I've been looking, and I want that low end, which is the only hesitation I have with the 57's. The 551's sound right for me, 103, stage 1, decatted, and will be adding slip-ons. I'm also running a powervision.

 

Yes, I have about 10k miles on them and I still like them. Its a blast to ride! No issues. I am using the map S&S provided on their website, and I did not auto tune. I average about 42 miles to the gallon. This summer I rode down the mountains along the blue ridge all the way to Maggie Valley and was grinning ear to ear!

 

I'm glad jrat69 bumped this thread - I also ride in the 1800-3000 rpm range most of the time and found all the recommended 'torque' cams seem to peak at 3500 rpm. I never heard of this cam, but now it's on my short list with SE255s.

I wonder why nobody mentions this S&S cam when they recommend cams for touring bikes?

 

I had the put the 57 in my TC88 2 years ago and have been quite pleased. It is in the operating room now getting a 95" facelift. When I put it (the 57) in it was with the anticipation of the 95. Think I am going to be quite pleased.

 

I don't know why S&S are hardly mentioned, they have excellent customer service. During my cam search I give them a call,the S&S tech took the time to answer a lot of my questions on cams.

 

I called S&S and they recommended the MR-103, over the 551, for more higher rpm, and said it was designed for the 103's. They also admitted it didn't have the lower end torque of the 551's. I am thinking the 551's sound right for my riding style. I usually live in the 1800 to 3500 rpm range, rarely to go above 4500, and then it is only to blow the dust out. I see some remarks about heat with the 551's, and that mpg's might drop, I think both can be managed with a good tune. I have the power vision and can get close, then auto tune. Might even dyno if I can't get it close enough.

 

Get a Baker 30 tooth front pulley on ANY big twin get a 6-7% torque increase.....

 

Add the + 4 gear to the 57's and work on the timing table, makes a difference you can feel in the seat with stock 103.