2015 FLHXS Camchest
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Blacksburg SC
2015 FLHXS Camchest
I'll start off with the point that I'm just looking for advice & input from folks with more knowledge and experience than I have with the TC103.
I'm prepping to crack into the camchest on my 2015, it's close to 50k on the clock so my winter project is neck bearings, fork rebuild with drop-in's, but the big question here is related to the fact I'll be doing the timing chain tensioners. I have a buddy who doesn't mind maxing out his CC for upgrades, so not taking his input to heart. But several folks have mentioned upgrading everything while I'm in there--cams and tune are tempting, just unsure about the money.
But my big question for the wizards here is this: Should a person spend the money upgrading cam plate, oil pump, aftermarket tensioners while you're in there? I've heard folks say the factory cam plate is junk, but when I ask for explanation I typically get blank stares. I get the "it's apart, why go back stock" mentality, but also don't have surplus funds to just spend for the sake of doing it since I'm in there.
What I have toyed with doing is the Wood Performance TW-222 cams, upgrading the AC and running a Dynojet tuner. Just wasn't sure whether a guy should splurge for a set of Feuling tensioners, cam plate, oil pump, etc.
Thank you for any information!
James
I'm prepping to crack into the camchest on my 2015, it's close to 50k on the clock so my winter project is neck bearings, fork rebuild with drop-in's, but the big question here is related to the fact I'll be doing the timing chain tensioners. I have a buddy who doesn't mind maxing out his CC for upgrades, so not taking his input to heart. But several folks have mentioned upgrading everything while I'm in there--cams and tune are tempting, just unsure about the money.
But my big question for the wizards here is this: Should a person spend the money upgrading cam plate, oil pump, aftermarket tensioners while you're in there? I've heard folks say the factory cam plate is junk, but when I ask for explanation I typically get blank stares. I get the "it's apart, why go back stock" mentality, but also don't have surplus funds to just spend for the sake of doing it since I'm in there.
What I have toyed with doing is the Wood Performance TW-222 cams, upgrading the AC and running a Dynojet tuner. Just wasn't sure whether a guy should splurge for a set of Feuling tensioners, cam plate, oil pump, etc.
Thank you for any information!
James
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From: Blacksburg SC
Unless I'm remembering incorrectly (very possible), the recommended maintenance interval is 50,000 miles. And I'm skeptical of some of HD's intervals after I saw my fuel filter at 36,000 miles (with recommended interval of 100,000). And if I'm tearing down to inspect, I'll just as soon go ahead and do the preventative maintenance before I have issues.
But again, that's why I came here--my knowledge is in cars and medium/heavy trucks.
But again, that's why I came here--my knowledge is in cars and medium/heavy trucks.
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Joined: Oct 2020
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From: Central Iowa
If it gives you peace of mind pull the cover and inspect but unless there are extraneous circumstances I’d bet a large sum of money you’ll see two perfectly serviceable tensioners with tens of thousands of miles left before they actually need replaced. The problem with replacing them anyway since you’re “already in there” is the fact that you aren’t actually in there, you still need to remove the fuel tank, rocker covers, rocker boxes, rockers, push rods, push rod tubes, lifter covers, and lifters…… then you’re actually in there.
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From: Texas
If you have good oil pressure the stock cam plate is fine. Cams would give you a good excuse to open it up, but are you happy with how it runs?
A new set of lifters and inner cam bearings would be a good CYA at 50k.
A new set of lifters and inner cam bearings would be a good CYA at 50k.
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From: Blacksburg SC
I was planning for inner cam bearings due to all the negatives I've heard on the stocks, didn't realize lifters were a good idea as well (although obviously would do new lifters if swapping cams).
On a side note, how pleased are you with the 222's in your Wide Glide? I know that's not a bagger or 103, but curious what you think of them in your TC.
Thanks.
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From: Poolville
The 222 is a great cam for a 96"er.. Can't really go wrong, with a good tune. I personally believe the TW5-6 would be a little better cam for the 103 because of the higher compression of the 103. Smart move on the lifters and cam bearing. Before you buy anything though I would check the pinion shaft runout with a dial indicator. They're pretty cheap from Harbor Freight. Service limit on the pinion shaft is .012" if you're at .007" and less you should be ok. Tensioners are always a good idea. Here's a link to affordable Fueling tensioners.
FEULING PADS TENSIONER TC 07-17 0925-1067 | eBay
Your oil pump and cam plate should be ok. However, if you do decide you need to replace them the S&S plate and TC3 pump is the way to go.
When I opened up my 2013 103, the cam plate had a lip from .0055" of run out from the pinion shaft. I didn't like what I saw so I upgraded to the S&S setup.
Also, can't go wrong with S&S precision lifters.
Good luck.
Edited: forgot to add full compliment cam bearings.
FEULING PADS TENSIONER TC 07-17 0925-1067 | eBay
Your oil pump and cam plate should be ok. However, if you do decide you need to replace them the S&S plate and TC3 pump is the way to go.
When I opened up my 2013 103, the cam plate had a lip from .0055" of run out from the pinion shaft. I didn't like what I saw so I upgraded to the S&S setup.
Also, can't go wrong with S&S precision lifters.
Good luck.
Edited: forgot to add full compliment cam bearings.
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Dec 4, 2024 at 06:11 PM.
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From: Texas
Oil pressure runs 30psi hot on the highway, 12ish at idle in Carolina heat--probably all good there. It runs fine (50k on it, so used to it) but wouldn't mind letting it breathe a bit better, see if it'll run cooler and more efficiently.
I was planning for inner cam bearings due to all the negatives I've heard on the stocks, didn't realize lifters were a good idea as well (although obviously would do new lifters if swapping cams).
On a side note, how pleased are you with the 222's in your Wide Glide? I know that's not a bagger or 103, but curious what you think of them in your TC.
Thanks.
I was planning for inner cam bearings due to all the negatives I've heard on the stocks, didn't realize lifters were a good idea as well (although obviously would do new lifters if swapping cams).
On a side note, how pleased are you with the 222's in your Wide Glide? I know that's not a bagger or 103, but curious what you think of them in your TC.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 79
Likes: 13
From: Blacksburg SC
The 222 is a great cam for a 96"er.. Can't really go wrong, with a good tune. I personally believe the TW5-6 would be a little better cam for the 103 because of the higher compression of the 103. Smart move on the lifters and cam bearing. Before you buy anything though I would check the pinion shaft runout with a dial indicator. They're pretty cheap from Harbor Freight. Service limit on the pinion shaft is .012" if you're at .007" and less you should be ok. Tensioners are always a good idea. Here's a link to affordable Fueling tensioners.
FEULING PADS TENSIONER TC 07-17 0925-1067 | eBay
Your oil pump and cam plate should be ok. However, if you do decide you need to replace them the S&S plate and TC3 pump is the way to go.
When I opened up my 2013 103, the cam plate had a lip from .0055" of run out from the pinion shaft. I didn't like what I saw so I upgraded to the S&S setup.
Also, can't go wrong with S&S precision lifters.
Good luck.
Edited: forgot to add full compliment cam bearings.
FEULING PADS TENSIONER TC 07-17 0925-1067 | eBay
Your oil pump and cam plate should be ok. However, if you do decide you need to replace them the S&S plate and TC3 pump is the way to go.
When I opened up my 2013 103, the cam plate had a lip from .0055" of run out from the pinion shaft. I didn't like what I saw so I upgraded to the S&S setup.
Also, can't go wrong with S&S precision lifters.
Good luck.
Edited: forgot to add full compliment cam bearings.
That oil pressure is within 1 psi of what I see from the 103 in my Ultra. The 222's are good bolt in cams. They pull hard down low and have a nice idle. If I could do it over, I'd have bolted on a 107" kit with a more agressive cam. Then I'd be wishing I did head work, bigger throttle body and different exhaust. It's hard to stop once you get a taste.