Choosing a cam
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 160
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From: Washington State
Choosing a cam
How do you go about choosing cams to improve your engine?
What things need to be considered?
Is it hard to change them?
Mine is an 09 Heritage with SE slip-ons and SE intake, plus remapped by dealer.
What things need to be considered?
Is it hard to change them?
Mine is an 09 Heritage with SE slip-ons and SE intake, plus remapped by dealer.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: san antonio
That is a loaded question and the responses will vary. Basically, you need to decide what segment of the power band you want to beef up; the low range, mid range, or high range or you want to try to split two ranges like the upper end of the low range and the lower end of the mid range. A cam manufacturer may advertise that a cam boosts power from 2400rpms to 5200rpms which is misleading. That cam is most effective over about a 2000rpm range. So, you need to pay attention to how you ride your bike; if you spend a lot of time on the highway, you will want power distributed differently from the guy that never leaves the city limits.
That's the first step and once you get that pinned down you will have to decide how much power you want; will cams be enough or do you want to supplement the upgrade with headwork and/or more displacement. Then you have opened up a whole new can of worms and you will discover it is never that simple.
A cam change is not difficult. With basic mechanical skills, the ability to read and patiently follow instructions and a service manual will get you there.
That's the first step and once you get that pinned down you will have to decide how much power you want; will cams be enough or do you want to supplement the upgrade with headwork and/or more displacement. Then you have opened up a whole new can of worms and you will discover it is never that simple.
A cam change is not difficult. With basic mechanical skills, the ability to read and patiently follow instructions and a service manual will get you there.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Washington State
Thanks,
So is there a cam that is considered a good overall cam for just squeezing a little more out across the whole range? I'm not really sure where i need more power since I don't have a tach. A little extra zip on the freeway or speeds from 60-70 would be nice though.
So is there a cam that is considered a good overall cam for just squeezing a little more out across the whole range? I'm not really sure where i need more power since I don't have a tach. A little extra zip on the freeway or speeds from 60-70 would be nice though.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
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From: san antonio
There are a couple for just a cam change. If you want to stay with stock cams, the SE255 might work for you. If an after market cam, the Andrews 26 or the new 48 but I don't think the 48 has been released yet.
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You would be AMAZED with the delivery, and over all power curve of a Bob Wood TW-6-6, with a 4* advance gear.
Then, if going to a 103-107" and cylinder head mods later, pluck the advance gear out, and set the mechanical compression(10.2) with the piston dome/combustion chamber volume.
At that point another powerplant literally unfolds.
Scott
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
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well before i get a cam i would get it professionally tuned i bet you would be surprised on what a quality tune could do for the bike. better gas milage,cooler running and a few more ponies and tq. just my opinion also get a TTS far superior then any other tuning device out there Dave from JD,s cycleworks has them in stock give him a call at 1-610-297-0321
stand up guy
stand up guy
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Cruiser
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From: Washington State
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Tourer
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From: Fort Washington, MD
Woods 6-6 in an TC88
You would be AMAZED with the delivery, and over all power curve of a Bob Wood TW-6-6, with a 4* advance gear.
Then, if going to a 103-107" and cylinder head mods later, pluck the advance gear out, and set the mechanical compression(10.2) with the piston dome/combustion chamber volume.
At that point another powerplant literally unfolds.
Scott
Then, if going to a 103-107" and cylinder head mods later, pluck the advance gear out, and set the mechanical compression(10.2) with the piston dome/combustion chamber volume.
At that point another powerplant literally unfolds.
Scott
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How would that Woods TW-6-6 work in an TC 88? I have an 06 Fatboy and was thinking about doing the roller chain conversion kit. I plan to do the 95" upgrade with heads later, but looking for some umph now. I ride mostly around town and the highway, so some low to midrange power would be good I guess.
A 4* advance key kit from Bob Wood will advance that to provide more ccp to support the cam.
If considering a 95" later, you may want to consider going to 98" via boring your existing cylinders.
Scott