Cams worth it w/out head work?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,238
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From: Desmoines, Iowa
cam's will work great without head work.dont get me wrong head work will add alot but cams will make a differnce by themselfs.one step at a time. if you're going to do a top end then do your head work.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,209
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From: Iowa
Last winter I had my Indy install Andrews gear driven 26G's. We ride 2 up a lot. The increase in torque is huge. There is almost no noise at all the the Indy said they were one of the best easiest fits he had even installed. Oh yeah... want to guess who makes the SE cams and kits? uh huh... Andrews. 
bob
bob
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
American Iron (Donny Peterson) did a good tech article on cams that was pretty good, had a table showing how the popular cams stack up as far as what RPM ranges they work best, etc. I can't find it right now, but was within the past year or less I think.
The different grind on the cam affects when the intake and exhaust valves open and close, how long they stay open and how much overlap there is. Different companies (S&S, Andrews, Woods, etc.) can and do have very similar cams.
It is not necessary to do head work, but it can help increase the volume of air being taken in during the intake cycle.
R/
Priest
The different grind on the cam affects when the intake and exhaust valves open and close, how long they stay open and how much overlap there is. Different companies (S&S, Andrews, Woods, etc.) can and do have very similar cams.
It is not necessary to do head work, but it can help increase the volume of air being taken in during the intake cycle.
R/
Priest
I hear that if I go with TW6-6's and leave the motor stock, I can do head work later with no issues......but would I wish I'd gone with another cam after the head work is done?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Lilburn, Ga.
American Iron did an article on installation of Andrews TW37h cams in an 06 Dyna. I read the article ( sometime in 06) and had them installed along with a 95 inch bore and pistons. I was very pleased with the torque increae.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 36
From: Montana
In my last carbed bike I got about 35 mpg steady with a 510 gear cam. I havent changed out the cam in my newer HD yet so I cant speak of mileage differences.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,250
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From: Montana
+1 on cams with out head work . they work well. I have had both. I had pretty much unlimited top end power with branch heads. However off the line I had great power with the stock heads. Get cam and if you want more then do the heads. My last bike I had a cam and stock heads . I was very happy with that set up.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: Irving-Texas
I put a set of 204's in my Fat Bob and am extremely pleased-went on a 150 mile run in the sun the other day and got 50 mpg- if I'm hot-rodding around town I don't get that obviously-204 sound great with a deeper tone and a nice lope running a Thunderheader, 204 is king of a looked over cam, I think its a little better than the 37- it has a good power band down low and up at 90 to 100+ it still pulls great. Didn't touch the heads and don't plan on it-maybe Ill go to 103 and try another cam like the woods next yr and do heads then, might just leave it the way it is, -64,000 miles