conversion cams
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 11
From: Greenville, SC
conversion cams
I am looking for input on conversion cams for a 2003 Road King. I am considering options to change my spring loaded cam chain tensioners. If I go hydraulic, I want to change the rear cam chain to a roller chain to get 100% benefit for the change. However, I do not want to change to to higher performance cam, I want to stay with the stock cam profile. Does anyone know if there is a stock profile conversion cam set to allow use of a roller chain for the rear cam chain tensioner?
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,780
Likes: 2,609
From: san antonio
I don't recall if there are any conversion cams available in the stock grind.
However, in your situation, there really is no benefit in converting to the later hydraulic/roller setup. Of course, JMHO but the OEM cam plate, pump and link chain system is quite adequate for a stock application; there's only about a bazillion of them running around with thousands of miles and no issues. The issue with the early cam drive setup is/was the tensioners. The Delron material was prone to pitting and rapid wear when exposed to heat, oil and the steady tension of the spring. This was not a pandemic but quite a few owners experience early and catastrophic failure that resulted in serious damage to the motor.
You might consider retaining the early OEM chain drive setup but replace the OEM tensioners with a set of CYCO tensioners; good for 20K-25K miles before checking again which is more that 90% of Harley owners ride in a year. Of course, the other things that need attention anytime in the cam chest are the inner cam bearings which should be replaced with a set of full compliment bearings which, in your case would be a set of Torrington/Koyo B148s.
I would also suggest that while you have indicated no interest in changing cams, not an expensive modification but something like a set of Andrews 21s or SE 203 or 204 cams would perk things up a bit. I see sets of 204s on Ebay for $100-$150 all the time.
If converting to hydraulic/roller setup, Andrews 21N/26N conversion cams are available.
However, in your situation, there really is no benefit in converting to the later hydraulic/roller setup. Of course, JMHO but the OEM cam plate, pump and link chain system is quite adequate for a stock application; there's only about a bazillion of them running around with thousands of miles and no issues. The issue with the early cam drive setup is/was the tensioners. The Delron material was prone to pitting and rapid wear when exposed to heat, oil and the steady tension of the spring. This was not a pandemic but quite a few owners experience early and catastrophic failure that resulted in serious damage to the motor.
You might consider retaining the early OEM chain drive setup but replace the OEM tensioners with a set of CYCO tensioners; good for 20K-25K miles before checking again which is more that 90% of Harley owners ride in a year. Of course, the other things that need attention anytime in the cam chest are the inner cam bearings which should be replaced with a set of full compliment bearings which, in your case would be a set of Torrington/Koyo B148s.
I would also suggest that while you have indicated no interest in changing cams, not an expensive modification but something like a set of Andrews 21s or SE 203 or 204 cams would perk things up a bit. I see sets of 204s on Ebay for $100-$150 all the time.
If converting to hydraulic/roller setup, Andrews 21N/26N conversion cams are available.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 11
From: Greenville, SC
Thanks for the feedback. I am considering Cyco shoes as one of the options and will change the inner cam bearings. Trying to avoid having to install a tuner, hence, staying with the stock grind.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,780
Likes: 2,609
From: san antonio
http://www.tficontrollers.com/Cruise...ct.asp?pid=140
When the dealers install a Stage II kit, big bore with SE 203/204 cams, no tuning is done. They "flash" the ECM with the factory "flash" that basically adds some fuel across the rpm range and increase the rev limit by 200 rpms, IIRC. It really would be a shame to dig into the cam chest and do all the other work and not take advantage of a cam upgrade. There would be a benetit even without a super tune. JMHO.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 66
Likes: 20
From: michigan
There are generally 2 routs to go for the hydraulic conversions...
1. get the HD 99-06 (except dyna) cam upgrade kit (25284-11) works well and you can keep your cams.
2. get the HD 07-17 (+ 06 dyna) cam upgrade it (25282-11) this requires N-cam conversion cams + other items, one big advantage with this kit is you loose the outer cam bearings, the bearings have been replaced by bushings. Hence the requirement to change to the N-cams Andrews makes.
The 26N's work really well in the heavy bikes, nothing radical, they bolt right in and provide nice low/mid-range torque.
When Harley changed the Cam plate in 07 (06 Dyna), the cams changed too, the outer bearing was replaced by a bushing and the OD at that end of the cam became bigger at the same time they increased the inner cam bearing, so now both ends of the cams are different (bigger) size. The N-Cams Andrews makes allows fitment to the larger bushing in the cam plate and the inner side is fitted to the (smaller) 99-07 inner bearings.
Either works good and eliminates the problems of earlier cam shoes (99-06, except Dyna)
You have to remember, any bits that have came off of your existing shoes has probably gone through your oil pump.
Both of the above HD part numbers come with a new oil pump that is quite a bit better than the one in you '03.
Yes, others make cam door upgrades, my preference is to use the Screaming Eagle upgrade kit(s) (part numbers above).
My .02˘
1. get the HD 99-06 (except dyna) cam upgrade kit (25284-11) works well and you can keep your cams.
2. get the HD 07-17 (+ 06 dyna) cam upgrade it (25282-11) this requires N-cam conversion cams + other items, one big advantage with this kit is you loose the outer cam bearings, the bearings have been replaced by bushings. Hence the requirement to change to the N-cams Andrews makes.
The 26N's work really well in the heavy bikes, nothing radical, they bolt right in and provide nice low/mid-range torque.
When Harley changed the Cam plate in 07 (06 Dyna), the cams changed too, the outer bearing was replaced by a bushing and the OD at that end of the cam became bigger at the same time they increased the inner cam bearing, so now both ends of the cams are different (bigger) size. The N-Cams Andrews makes allows fitment to the larger bushing in the cam plate and the inner side is fitted to the (smaller) 99-07 inner bearings.
Either works good and eliminates the problems of earlier cam shoes (99-06, except Dyna)
You have to remember, any bits that have came off of your existing shoes has probably gone through your oil pump.
Both of the above HD part numbers come with a new oil pump that is quite a bit better than the one in you '03.
Yes, others make cam door upgrades, my preference is to use the Screaming Eagle upgrade kit(s) (part numbers above).
My .02˘
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