Cam advise.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 236
Likes: 184
From: Northern IL.
Cam advise.
Just got a stage 1 , pipe and tuner . And was talking with the dude at the dealer about dropping a cam , he suggested HD 55 or what ever brand id like . That's probably as far as I'd like to go with the motor . So what's my best bang for the buck ?
Last edited by Proline1969; Jan 15, 2017 at 02:18 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
You'll probably want to spend some time researching cams before you decide. Deciding which one you want can be the major part of the process.
Some cams give you more low rpm grunt (torque), others take some grunt away from the low end and spread it out over a wider rpm range enhancing high rpm torque. Some of em will give you a nice old fashioned lopey sound at idle too.
To optimize some cams, you'll want to consider doing a bit of extra head work. Others are more of a simple drop in. There is a lot to choosing a cam.
Some cams give you more low rpm grunt (torque), others take some grunt away from the low end and spread it out over a wider rpm range enhancing high rpm torque. Some of em will give you a nice old fashioned lopey sound at idle too.
To optimize some cams, you'll want to consider doing a bit of extra head work. Others are more of a simple drop in. There is a lot to choosing a cam.
Last edited by HKMark23; Jan 15, 2017 at 02:49 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 962
Likes: 329
From: Louisiana
Study study study is all I can tell you. Talk to a local indy shop too, usually more helpful than the dealer primarily only knows/deals with Harley cams. You're riding style and needs are the two most important thing to consider. Do you want a cam with stump pulling torque down low in the rpm range? Are you more interested in higher rpm riding thus more drawn to hp? Are you simply wanting to join the 100 hp/torque club to brag to your friends? I kid on the last one but everything plays a part in cam selection. Also will this be the end of your performance goals or do you see other items in your future? Several questions to ask yourself. I simply thought I wanted cams in all my bikes. Finally getting around to doing them and talking to a new friend that runs a performance shop (first mistake) I ended up realizing I wanted to do higher comp pistons, mild headwork, and port the throttle body as well as the cams. Will it haul ***, I'm sure. Will it be fun to ride, I'll let you know. Would I have been happy with a simple cam swap, possibly for right cam. Figure all of it out and you'll be happy in the long run and come out financially better then buying a cam just to swap out again later. And on a parting note I will have a set of se259 and set of se255 cams available next week with under 1k miles if you're interested lol.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 433
Likes: 68
From: Cape Coral, FL
I'm in the same boat now. I'm considering a cam upgrade for the lopey idle
Most of all but wouldn't mind more power. For me,, I don't short shift but I don't rev the crap out of it either. I keep it between 2600-3000 most of the time. Just putting around I usually shift around 3300 but am not afraid to run it up. So for me I have to find a cam that's strong and efficient in that rpm range with a lopey idle.
Most of all but wouldn't mind more power. For me,, I don't short shift but I don't rev the crap out of it either. I keep it between 2600-3000 most of the time. Just putting around I usually shift around 3300 but am not afraid to run it up. So for me I have to find a cam that's strong and efficient in that rpm range with a lopey idle.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,758
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From: Out West
No time for slack-jawed bewilderment, we're counting on you, good luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
I'm in the same boat now. I'm considering a cam upgrade for the lopey idle
Most of all but wouldn't mind more power. For me,, I don't short shift but I don't rev the crap out of it either. I keep it between 2600-3000 most of the time. Just putting around I usually shift around 3300 but am not afraid to run it up. So for me I have to find a cam that's strong and efficient in that rpm range with a lopey idle.
Most of all but wouldn't mind more power. For me,, I don't short shift but I don't rev the crap out of it either. I keep it between 2600-3000 most of the time. Just putting around I usually shift around 3300 but am not afraid to run it up. So for me I have to find a cam that's strong and efficient in that rpm range with a lopey idle.
Last edited by HKMark23; Jan 15, 2017 at 12:15 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 2,554
From: UK
My Twin Cam FXDF has Andrews 57 cams, headwork and 2:1 pipes. It sounds great - but it doesn't give the same "dopey" "potato potato" sound that my shovelhead does.
Horses for courses.....
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
Just be aware that no cams for Twin Cam bikes will give you "that" lopey idle or that "Potato Potato" sound.
My Twin Cam FXDF has Andrews 57 cams, headwork and 2:1 pipes. It sounds great - but it doesn't give the same "dopey" "potato potato" sound that my shovelhead does.
Horses for courses.....
My Twin Cam FXDF has Andrews 57 cams, headwork and 2:1 pipes. It sounds great - but it doesn't give the same "dopey" "potato potato" sound that my shovelhead does.
Horses for courses.....
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 739
Likes: 5
From: West Memphis, AR
If you have a 96 cid engine then the Andrews 48H will work great. I have a used set that came out of my bike. I went to a 103 with head work and went to a bigger cam. The 48H in a 96 has a lot of TQ.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 412
Likes: 113
From: Nebraska
Take a real good look at the SE 204. Its a drop in with no head work needed and the lift doesn't tax the stock springs. It gives a great lope, similar to the Andrews 57H, (check it out on YouTube), and comes on at about 2800 rpm. Your 6th gear will pull strong at 2800 +, with a 204 installed.