I have a 2009 FLHX with a 96" with a set of SE204 cams. I love it. it pulls great sounds awesome but its time for more. I am upgrading to a 103" with a cleaned up TB and Heads. I have not purchased the head gasket but was probably going with .030 with the SE 204 cams. My CCP would be 195. I was also going to get the SE 1.725 rockers for the extra lift. I can get the rockers for $158. I came across the andrews 57h for $210. So my question is do i get the rockers or should i get the 57h cams for the extra $50. the SE 204 cams only have 1000 miles on them at the most along with new bearings lifters tensioners and adjustable pushrods. For those of you that have experience with the se 204 and the 57h would it be worth it to go to the 57h.

I am hesitant on keeping the Se 204. from what i have read these cams would be at there peak for performance where as the 57h have more potential with full ported heads and maybe a 107 kit in the future. maybe I'm wrong thats why I'm asking. Thanks for your help

John

 

I'd keep the 204s. Just not THAT much to gain, and if your going 107 with headwork later, then get your different cams at that time.

 

Keep the se 204's I have them in my limited with the 103 stock compression with 1.74 rockerarms im putting out 114 ft lbs of torque and 96 hp.not bad for an se cam in a stock motor.you already have cams and doing head work,plus the rocket arms you should post higher numbers than I have.

 

Did you do the rocker arms at the same time as the cam? Currently have 204's and I'm looking into the SE 1.725:1 rocker arms from time to time and trying to justify the purchase. I figure I would install .030 gasket at the same time, but I keep thinking that all of that extra work probably won't result in much of a butt-dyno difference.


I also keep looking at the andrews 57 as that was my first pick for cams, but got the 204's cheap so I changed course.

 

yes I did,I was told the rocker arms are worth about 5 ft lbs of torque and 5 horsepower and I stayed with stock gasket.if I would have pulled the heads I would have used .030 head gasket

 

The SE204s are very underrated cams but they do have a wicked advance curve with 8* ground into the profile. I don't know where you live/ride but if in a climate that sees 100* plus summer temps, the 204s, if the tune is not spot on, are prone to detonation when CCP gets up in the 195-200psi range, at least that has been my experience in south Texas. I ran the 204s in a 95" motor with CCP at about 190psi and they ran great until July and August when temps hit the 100* range. Eventually, I had to change cams and installed a set of Andrews TW44Gs with a later intake close and dealt with the detonation but did not give up anything on the dyno; number stayed exactly the same but the curve did move a tad to the right. I vote for the 204s with the 1.7 ratio rockers and a good tune.

 

My .02 would also be to keep the 204s. If you do other work later then swap them out at that time, just not worth it now.

Depending on your elevation its goint to be a challenge to get the 57s CCP up where you want it, even going with at .030 or .027 hg. (all else as stock 103) As DJL mentions the 204s are going to be on the other side of that.

Im happy with my 57s but in hindsite would go with the 204s given my elevation. If I recall Im at 185 or 186 w/ a .027 hg and all else stock 103.

 

Do the 57's and set the comp to 10.2:1 static (MAX), you said your want to freshen up the heads so it would be nothing to shave the heads a little at that time with a .030" hg that will get you there easily.... It will put your ccp at 197. or set to 10.0:1 and a ccp of 192 which is great for street manageability. Also the midrange of the 57 will out do the 204's all day long... You won't be happy till you do....

 

Not to get off subject. But question about the 1.725 rockers. I have thought about them in the past but some people claim they will put a lot more stress on an already taxed valve train. Or to be specific, the lifters, which are a known weak link. Would love to hear others opinions on this.

 

they have been on my bike for the past 30,000 mile,I have flogged it pretty hard and they have still heald up with stock lifters.
granted plan on changing them out with 50,000 mile on the as preventive maintenance.
a good set of s&s lifters should make that an none issue