Cams with headwork vs. without?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
Cams with headwork vs. without?
I'm definitely pulling open my cam chest this winter to change to tensioners and going to do the cams as well. I don't have the budget to do much more, especially not a big bore. I am going to pull my rocker boxes and use the stock pushrods again. I was thinking that since I'm there, and saving $ of not buying the adjustables, I might be able to swing a head port and decking. My dilemma or question is now based on the cams. I was going to stick with either the 26's or se 204's with no headwork. If I get the heads ported, decked and a .030 head gasket, would it be worth going to a bigger cam? Or would the 204's really shine the best? Someday I would like to go to 98", but that may be a year or two away. What would be a step up for an 88" with ported heads and a a little higher compression? A tw37? HQ0034? Or would the tw26 or se204 still be best? Thanks.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
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From: san antonio
Bore cylinders to fit SE cast flat top 3.875" pistons for 95", street port by BigBoyz (if on a budget, there are others), set compression at 9.8 static and install Andrews 37 cams; no brainer. 100+ TQ and mid 90s HP with nice flat curve.
Last edited by djl; Sep 12, 2012 at 03:13 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
Just don't think I can swing the big bore. Head work is iffy on the budget. I would think out of the 2, head work would be better. No? What would deliver the best? An 88" with street port, cc'd and decked for compression and a matched cam or a big bore with stock heads and matched cam? I definitely have the cam covered, just can't do both of the other two.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
Thanks Kirby. Maybe that will be the route. This was going to be last winter's project, but an injury at work put me out. I'm still recovering from the surgery and since lost my job. Sounds screwed up, but the company downsized due to financial reasons and I was still unable to work when it happened. I'm still on worker's comp, but IRS about $300+ less a week than what I was making. Hopefully soon I will get a settlement. If it is more than what I'm expecting, maybe I can swing it all. Right now I still have to budget. I definitely have to do the tensioners, so the cam is a no brainer. Just want to get the right one. Now the question is still there. If I do a big bore with stock heads, what's the best cam. Obviously a tw37, tw6 or S&S 510 all make sense when heads are done, but are they a good choice with stock heads?
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Joined: Dec 2007
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A 98", with an Andrews 37 cam set is a formidable combo, that'll run great now, and run better with a good set heads.
Scott
Scott
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The best combination is cams plus heads, modified so the cams and heads talk the same language! If you are laid up, but can get those heads off, seems you have an offer or two already......
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If you can it would be good to save up until you can do it all at once. When you do just the heads later after your cam and big bore is done you'll be doing the work twice because taking the heads off you gotta pull the cylinders also in order to replace the ring that seals the cylinders to the case. Also if you upgrade the heads you will be able to use a higher lift cam. I did just cams first on my bike and i used S&S 510 because thats the biggest i could go and keep stock heads. Now my bike has stage 2 heads on it and i wish i woulda done it all at once because i woulda went with a higher lift cam. Depends on what you prefer of course. As far as the big bore kit rev perf offers a great 98 inch kit. helps the engine run cooler and comes with forged pistons. I went with 10.5/1 compression on my build. I needed compression releases in the heads for starting but i can run pump gas without any problems with that set up. rev perf also offers some great head choices when it comes time for you handle that part of the project. If you have the time taking your heads somewhere and getting a port job just for you is probably better but that takes a longer turn around for you to get the heads finished. my experiance with revolution performance was great so i recommend them to anyone.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!