Cam swap-what am I forgetting?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
Seems like engine work always turns to "Tim the Toolman guidlelines" lol.
The Ultima 2000I ignition is popular from Jireh and has been solid in the White Bike like the Ultima lifters, I can afford to pay more for the big name products but struggle with $200-$250 for 4 lifters, that is packing the consumers bunghole because the product says Harley application. The saying you get what you pay for is accurate in some area's but not all.
Something else to research is .030 headgaskets with the stock pistons that will slightly bump the compression or if you want to finish it off and put some 9.5-1 pistons in it while it is apart and fit the final piece of the recipe for making the Evo run like it should which puts you in a crossroads right now so lay awake for a few nights.
PS: drop the Hayden thing and put the money towards pistons, if the bases are clean with Cometics, you won't have a leak. Those old stock gaskets get harder than a wedding c%%k and start seeping, aftermarket companies target this issue with a marvel repair when quality gaskets will seal up the base leaks.
The Ultima 2000I ignition is popular from Jireh and has been solid in the White Bike like the Ultima lifters, I can afford to pay more for the big name products but struggle with $200-$250 for 4 lifters, that is packing the consumers bunghole because the product says Harley application. The saying you get what you pay for is accurate in some area's but not all.
Something else to research is .030 headgaskets with the stock pistons that will slightly bump the compression or if you want to finish it off and put some 9.5-1 pistons in it while it is apart and fit the final piece of the recipe for making the Evo run like it should which puts you in a crossroads right now so lay awake for a few nights.
PS: drop the Hayden thing and put the money towards pistons, if the bases are clean with Cometics, you won't have a leak. Those old stock gaskets get harder than a wedding c%%k and start seeping, aftermarket companies target this issue with a marvel repair when quality gaskets will seal up the base leaks.
Last edited by 1997bagger; Apr 13, 2013 at 07:41 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
I feel the same about paying a premium for a name. I know everyone says the Harley tappets are quality, but my I can't justify the $230 price tag on them. maybe if cash wasn't tight right now I'd feel differently. I went back to college recently so I am a poor 41 year old full time college "kid" right now on a fixed (low) income so I have to be very cost conscious for now. It sucks but it is what it is.
I had read a bit on the .030 gaskets. I believe the Cometic kit comes with .043 base gaskets. If I went with .030 gaskets and then bigger pistons that would mean bringing the jugs to a machine shop. Not sure what that would cost. It's a slippery slope because if I do that then I should freshen up the heads, maybe have work done on them and that's more $$ at the machine shop. Not sure I could swing the added expense. I'll look into that though. I would like to do the extras if I can. But that stuff might have to wait till I'm out of school and working again. Like I mentioned before, this was supposed to be a cam swap, so I wasn't prepared for these extra expenses.
You don't think the Ultima 2000I is more than I need for a stock motor and a bolt on cam? I'm just looking to free the motor from the EPA imposed timing from the factory Ignition set up. I am just learning about the ignition stuff now so I don't have a good handle on what's best for my application yet.
I had read a bit on the .030 gaskets. I believe the Cometic kit comes with .043 base gaskets. If I went with .030 gaskets and then bigger pistons that would mean bringing the jugs to a machine shop. Not sure what that would cost. It's a slippery slope because if I do that then I should freshen up the heads, maybe have work done on them and that's more $$ at the machine shop. Not sure I could swing the added expense. I'll look into that though. I would like to do the extras if I can. But that stuff might have to wait till I'm out of school and working again. Like I mentioned before, this was supposed to be a cam swap, so I wasn't prepared for these extra expenses.
You don't think the Ultima 2000I is more than I need for a stock motor and a bolt on cam? I'm just looking to free the motor from the EPA imposed timing from the factory Ignition set up. I am just learning about the ignition stuff now so I don't have a good handle on what's best for my application yet.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
RidemyEVO, what else have you done to your bike that made you choose the Ultima ignition?
PS-I watched your you tube vid. That bike's a beauty. I just sat here mesmerized listening to the motor. It almost put me to sleep.
PS-I watched your you tube vid. That bike's a beauty. I just sat here mesmerized listening to the motor. It almost put me to sleep.
Didnt read all the posts but for push rods it's pretty easy to just get them from harley. when i did my TC cam swap I used the SE adjustable push rods and they cost the same as any other plus come with all the o rings and **** you need. just easy to make sure you have everything for the job
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
Well this thread started as me asking for a list of things I need to do a cam swap. Since my rear rocker is leaking as well as the base gaskets I figured I'd put in new gaskets. I'm going to have the rocker boxes off anyway so I'm going to reuse my stock rods and save $150. The bike has under 30K on it so I figure by rods are fine.
Other posters have me thinking about upgrading my stock ignition, and also maybe bigger pistons/raise the compression. I'm researching that stuff now to see if I can swing it. Figuring out how I can raise the compression ratio *economically* is going to require some more reading and learning on my part. There seems to be many different ways to do it.
Other posters have me thinking about upgrading my stock ignition, and also maybe bigger pistons/raise the compression. I'm researching that stuff now to see if I can swing it. Figuring out how I can raise the compression ratio *economically* is going to require some more reading and learning on my part. There seems to be many different ways to do it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
All and most of what I have done and decided to do was with the help of the guys that are helping here and in other EVO threads.
Last edited by RidemyEVO; Apr 13, 2013 at 11:15 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
Sorry to have forced you to type all that RidemyEVO. 
Thanks for the info. I was reading up on that Ultima ignition and it looks like a good unit.
And yes the people in this section are a valuable resource. If I am about to take on a fix I haven't done before, there always seem to be at least a dozen guys on here that have done and offer helpful advice. You can't beat that kind of support.
Thanks for the info. I was reading up on that Ultima ignition and it looks like a good unit.
And yes the people in this section are a valuable resource. If I am about to take on a fix I haven't done before, there always seem to be at least a dozen guys on here that have done and offer helpful advice. You can't beat that kind of support.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
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From: Ohio
If you are talking sqeezzing the buck for performance, I'll throw this at you: the 3010 cam does slightly raise compression with it's numbers, Ultima lifters are no problem, If you are doing base gaskets - .030 headgaskets will raise compression slightly, keep the stock push tubes - you can whack them later for replacement, keep the stock ignition - you should have a voes switch and focus on the carb with a good exhaust.
Next scenerio: add 9.5-1 pistons, keep the .043 headgasket, adjustable ignition to get the most out of the compression bump and the Evo is awake, also can handle any gas you come across on the road
Next scenerio: bump the compression to 9.8-1 or 10.0-1, have heads cleaned up with street port, 3020 camshaft and viagra won't be in your future when you roll the throttle
Next scenerio: add 9.5-1 pistons, keep the .043 headgasket, adjustable ignition to get the most out of the compression bump and the Evo is awake, also can handle any gas you come across on the road
Next scenerio: bump the compression to 9.8-1 or 10.0-1, have heads cleaned up with street port, 3020 camshaft and viagra won't be in your future when you roll the throttle
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
thanks 1997bagger. That's the kind of info I needed. Thanks for your help.
This is what I've decided but I am open to opinions.
I'm using the .043 base gaskets that come in the motor only cometic kit. I'm also going to use the Hayden fix for piece of mind. I'm not going to touch the cylinders or pistons unless they need it. I'll know for sure when I pull them, but the bike runs well and has just under 30K so hopefully they're fine. I'm using the 3010 cam with my stock rods. I am going to get the Ultima 53-644 ignition module and use my stock coil. It seems like the status quo is to swap the stock ignition out. If I don't really need to yet with what I have for mods then I'd rather not spend the money.
Down the road when $$ is less of an issue I like your anti-viagra option 3. I will get some head work done then I will look at pistons, maybe a more aggressive cam.
This is what I've decided but I am open to opinions.
I'm using the .043 base gaskets that come in the motor only cometic kit. I'm also going to use the Hayden fix for piece of mind. I'm not going to touch the cylinders or pistons unless they need it. I'll know for sure when I pull them, but the bike runs well and has just under 30K so hopefully they're fine. I'm using the 3010 cam with my stock rods. I am going to get the Ultima 53-644 ignition module and use my stock coil. It seems like the status quo is to swap the stock ignition out. If I don't really need to yet with what I have for mods then I'd rather not spend the money.
Down the road when $$ is less of an issue I like your anti-viagra option 3. I will get some head work done then I will look at pistons, maybe a more aggressive cam.