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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
Hello everyone, first time posting but have been an avid reader. I've search and found some good threads talking about the question I but then they start to get away from what I'm trying to figure out.
I have a 2005 Ultra Classic. I'm a single rider and drive mostly around town and for a couple hour rides. Nothing across country.
I bought a 97" S&S BB kit. I will eventually get head work done but will I have the jugs out, I want to replace the cams and all of the gaskets and o rings I can.
I currently have TW37 CAMs. Some guys in the threads said this will suffice, however, many feel the cam is not enough.
My question is, what cam should I get for my needs? One that will be good with and without the head work.
S&S 509 or 510? Another Andrews? What about some Screaming eagles?
While I am mechanically inclined, I am still an infantryman so please keep it "Barney style" when stating numbers.
Really do appreciate any help. Looking forward to the season.
as long as compression is matched to your cams,pretty much any combo will work OK,my not be a dyno shoot out winner,but the 37`s will work fine (especially with no headwork).wait till you do headwork before getting new cams,then ide get a lot more aggressive than all 3 cams mentioned
I will probably get a few arguments from those that have their favorite cam but for me..
The 509 is a school bus cam.. Look at the intake close.. 18 deg.. That means the motor will have better low speed cylinder pressures but will run out of breath early. Probably won't do much above 4000-4500 rpm.. As Scott will say. "It's a school bus cam".. Notice that the exhaust duration is about the same as 37.
The 510 cam almost the same intake duration/events as the 37 but much longer exhaust duration. Depending on the exhaust pipe chosen and exhaust port flow they can give very good peak torque and hp numbers but do so at the expense of low speed RPM performance. 05 heads have a crappy exhaust port so it might work OK. Any port work on the exhaust without significant increase to the intake can make the motor feel flat down low.. The usual fix is to increases compression. If picking this cam I would only do so based on copying exactly someone else's build all the way down to the transmission oil he uses..
The 37 has the intake timing close to the 510 and exhaust duration close to the 509. While it may not make the peak numbers of the 510, it won't be far off and will have better low end performance and a flatter power band then either of the 2 other cams.
The 37 is one of the first cams to come out fo TCs and is one of the best all round mild to mid cams made.. That and the fact that you already have it kinda says keep it..
Well, three posts from several all smarter than me but I thought I would add that I once heard from someone also smarter than me that "the TW37 cam may not always be the best cam but it is never the wrong cam". A very general but pretty accurate statement.
As Max points out, the 37 cam has been around for a long time and with compression set right and some head work, will make 100+TQ/-100HP. If budget will allow, those '05 heads would benefit from a "street" port job.
Also see the 57h is exactly the same specs. as the 37h, except the 57h has .50 more lift.
Second question: Consequently requiring more lift in this case, as everything is equal in these two cams, results in what performance benefits over the lower lift cam?
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Also see the 57h is exactly the same specs. as the 37h, except the 57h has .50 more lift. Second question: Consequently requiring more lift in this case, as everything is equal in these two cams, results in what performance benefits over the lower lift cam?
Very generally speaking, the benefit of the higher lift cam would be more performance. However and perhaps more importantly is the application. The lower lift cam would be a better fit say for an 88" motor with head work and added compression whereas the higher lift cam would be a better fit in a 103" motor with head work and added compression.
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Newbie Cam question
