Need cam advice
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
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Need cam advice
Thinking about going with a cam other than my stock one thats in my stock 88 motor. Which ones do you recommend for a stock 88 motor for my 03 softail standard? Also im planning on going with the ss carb to go along with it. Any advice would be appreciated.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth TX
RE: Need cam advice
The question you are asking is a extremely common question. I think that before a answer can be given a few more questions need to be asked.
1. Do you plan on leaving it as a 88 for good??
2. What are the reasons that you would like to install a new cam??
The reason being is that if you install a cam like the 21 in a 88 inch engine with no mods it runs great. BUT if you increase the bore to say a 95 than the cam tends to be too small . The 26 in a 95 with some head work is a great runner. ( examples of size not so much brands of cams)
You state that the engine is stock ...OK a good set of pipes along with a free flowing air cleaner kit than a dyno tune may give you what you are looking for. Many times you can look to see a gain of 10/10 with pipes and ac system with a tune.
1. Do you plan on leaving it as a 88 for good??
2. What are the reasons that you would like to install a new cam??
The reason being is that if you install a cam like the 21 in a 88 inch engine with no mods it runs great. BUT if you increase the bore to say a 95 than the cam tends to be too small . The 26 in a 95 with some head work is a great runner. ( examples of size not so much brands of cams)
You state that the engine is stock ...OK a good set of pipes along with a free flowing air cleaner kit than a dyno tune may give you what you are looking for. Many times you can look to see a gain of 10/10 with pipes and ac system with a tune.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pine, Colorado
RE: Need cam advice
Glad to hear that mtclassic, cause I'm putting some Andrews 21s in my trike to try and get some more low end....
Harley69..if you haven't done anything by the time I finish , I'll let you know how they turn out...
Harley69..if you haven't done anything by the time I finish , I'll let you know how they turn out...
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Intermediate
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RE: Need cam advice
My bad!HDwrench. I have a stage 1 installed on my bike and running samson short slashers for exhaust. I meant my motor is stock other than the stage 1 upgrade. So you would go with the andrews 21 cam for my bike? Would there be difference in sound as in making my bike louder than what it is with the samson exhaust? I'll probably leave the bike at 88 for awhile. Maybe bore it out to a 95 years down the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
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From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: Need cam advice
I would not do the 21 or 26 in your bike. and I would bag the S&S carb all together, the OE carb will be fine with just a jet change.
If you want a "Harley sounding" cam the S&S 510 would be a good condender or the HQ 0034.
If you had a heavier bike Id say stick with the smaller Andrews, but I think you would like ^^ these cams better.
If you want a "Harley sounding" cam the S&S 510 would be a good condender or the HQ 0034.
If you had a heavier bike Id say stick with the smaller Andrews, but I think you would like ^^ these cams better.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth TX
RE: Need cam advice
If you look at what compression you currently have( and this is only a close guess) lets say you have 8.9.1 -9.1 compression As you engine sits now. There are many cams that are listed as a bolt in. What that means is that is will work with the stock springs and compression AS LOW stock. That does not mean that all cams that bolt in will perform the same. Myself not a huge fan of the 510 S&S at all not the 34 is a nice cam. If you are still planning on leaving it as a 88 inch for a year or so choose a cam that will offer good power with your current compression ratio. If you choose a larger cam , what you will end up with is power coming on later in the ropm range. The low end will be soft , as the rpm's build the cam will start to come "on" .
The biggest mistake that many make is over camming a engine. The small bore , stock heads combined with a large cam are not going to be as fun to ride as installing a smaller cam.
There are many that will say use this cam I have it ,love it. Everyones riding style is different as well The first question to ask is did they try a smaller cam first?? What are they comparing it to?? This is not a put down to those that listed other cam only what we see with many customers. I have removed several 510 S&S cams in the 95 inch SE kits. Install a andrews 26 in the bagger and the customer is back in love with his bike.
Now there is a way you can buy the larger cam and use a advance key . I have some customers that have plans to move up in size later and do not want to buy another cam. SO choose a cam that is for the mild 95 inch kit and than advance it 4*. This will produce more cylinder pressure and allow the cam to work harder in the low rpm range for you.
Cam choices can be tough . Good luck with it .
The biggest mistake that many make is over camming a engine. The small bore , stock heads combined with a large cam are not going to be as fun to ride as installing a smaller cam.
There are many that will say use this cam I have it ,love it. Everyones riding style is different as well The first question to ask is did they try a smaller cam first?? What are they comparing it to?? This is not a put down to those that listed other cam only what we see with many customers. I have removed several 510 S&S cams in the 95 inch SE kits. Install a andrews 26 in the bagger and the customer is back in love with his bike.
Now there is a way you can buy the larger cam and use a advance key . I have some customers that have plans to move up in size later and do not want to buy another cam. SO choose a cam that is for the mild 95 inch kit and than advance it 4*. This will produce more cylinder pressure and allow the cam to work harder in the low rpm range for you.
Cam choices can be tough . Good luck with it .
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Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: Need cam advice
ORIGINAL: mentor70
I would not do the 21 or 26 in your bike. and I would bag the S&S carb all together, the OE carb will be fine with just a jet change.
If you want a "Harley sounding" cam the S&S 510 would be a good condender or the HQ 0034.
If you had a heavier bike Id say stick with the smaller Andrews, but I think you would like ^^ these cams better.
I would not do the 21 or 26 in your bike. and I would bag the S&S carb all together, the OE carb will be fine with just a jet change.
If you want a "Harley sounding" cam the S&S 510 would be a good condender or the HQ 0034.
If you had a heavier bike Id say stick with the smaller Andrews, but I think you would like ^^ these cams better.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
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From:
RE: Need cam advice
Sounds like i should go with the andrews 21 cam. Id rather have more power at the lower rpms. Does the andrews cam sound good at idle? How much difference in sound will it make compared to my stock cam? More loping sound? Any more volume coming out of the exhaust?