HD Tech said do not do a cam upgrade on 24+?!
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Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 69
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From: WV
HD Tech said do not do a cam upgrade on 24+?!
So I am in the planning (wanting) stage of doing a cam upgrade on my 24 RG. I am currently running the SE air cleaner, SP Concepts Lanesplitter, and SE tuner, mainly to maintain the warranty. Well that is over, well I still have the extended warranty I paid for. But really wanting to up performance. I do a lot of two up riding and touring with my wife. Leaning towards the S&S 496 cam, S&S cam plate and oil pump, lifters, etc. also plan on upgrading with the S&S compensator for the added performance stress. And swap out the SE tuner with the DynoJet PV4 tuner and fuel moto base tune. I was ask the local HD tech/ dyno guy and he said not to do the cam or anymore performance upgrades because NO tuner company has a handle on the 24+ model tunes yet. That too many people are coming back with major issues. Is anyone having all these issues the tech mentioned? I see all the posts out there about people doing their cams, but haven't seen post about it going bad. Please let me know if I should wait to do the cam swap or just go and do it. Also, if I should be looking at other manufactures. I have also thought about Impact Wiring Solutions for my tuner.
Tourer
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 328
Likes: 156
From: Marysville WA
i have yet to hear of PV4 issues. but my dealer has had quite a few issues with T-max and impact ECU's. to the point the recommend they carry the stock ECU in the saddle bag. i have a ZIpper 528 sitting on my work bench waiting to have it installed and a dyno tune done. plenty up here have done upgrades...
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: State of Confusion
So I am in the planning (wanting) stage of doing a cam upgrade on my 24 RG. I am currently running the SE air cleaner, SP Concepts Lanesplitter, and SE tuner, mainly to maintain the warranty. Well that is over, well I still have the extended warranty I paid for. But really wanting to up performance. I do a lot of two up riding and touring with my wife. Leaning towards the S&S 496 cam, S&S cam plate and oil pump, lifters, etc. also plan on upgrading with the S&S compensator for the added performance stress. And swap out the SE tuner with the DynoJet PV4 tuner and fuel moto base tune. I was ask the local HD tech/ dyno guy and he said not to do the cam or anymore performance upgrades because NO tuner company has a handle on the 24+ model tunes yet. That too many people are coming back with major issues. Is anyone having all these issues the tech mentioned? I see all the posts out there about people doing their cams, but haven't seen post about it going bad. Please let me know if I should wait to do the cam swap or just go and do it. Also, if I should be looking at other manufactures. I have also thought about Impact Wiring Solutions for my tuner.
I did the SE511 cam kit and and very satisfied with the performance and great MPG as a bonus..which as well all know adds up to savings for people who ride a lot .. anyway, my
but with inflation it's a nickel, besides they stopped making pennies anyway 
HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
So I am in the planning (wanting) stage of doing a cam upgrade on my 24 RG. I am currently running the SE air cleaner, SP Concepts Lanesplitter, and SE tuner, mainly to maintain the warranty. Well that is over, well I still have the extended warranty I paid for. But really wanting to up performance. I do a lot of two up riding and touring with my wife. Leaning towards the S&S 496 cam, S&S cam plate and oil pump, lifters, etc. also plan on upgrading with the S&S compensator for the added performance stress. And swap out the SE tuner with the DynoJet PV4 tuner and fuel moto base tune. I was ask the local HD tech/ dyno guy and he said not to do the cam or anymore performance upgrades because NO tuner company has a handle on the 24+ model tunes yet. That too many people are coming back with major issues. Is anyone having all these issues the tech mentioned? I see all the posts out there about people doing their cams, but haven't seen post about it going bad. Please let me know if I should wait to do the cam swap or just go and do it. Also, if I should be looking at other manufactures. I have also thought about Impact Wiring Solutions for my tuner.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
Likes: 247
From: NW MO
My '25 is tuned with TTS, it runs and behaves flawlessly, and all the electronic features still work perfectly like they did when it was stock. The 496 would be cool if you were putting 12:1 pistons and a big bore kit in it, wouldn't be on my shortlist for a 10.5:1 117
Last edited by harpwrench; Yesterday at 04:17 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 69
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From: WV
My '25 is tuned with TTS, it runs and behaves flawlessly, and all the electronic features still work perfectly like they did when it was stock. The 496 would be cool if you were putting 12:1 pistons and a big bore kit in it, wouldn't be on my shortlist for a 10.5:1 117
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
Likes: 247
From: NW MO
I think for what you're wanting it for, the SE511 would be the smartest choice, just like mjwebb was saying.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 13
From: SC
My '26 Street Glide Limited has variable valve timing. Service Manager said a cam upgrade would disable that feature. This bike, even before headers and slip-ons would out perform my 2021 Ultra Limited with a Stage II cam.
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HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
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Your bike has a newer ECM and systems for tuning. Installing a Thundermax or an Impact ECM and you are going to loose functions your bike came with stock, just the way it is. Now if your wanting it tuned it requires someone who has learned the new changes that these systems require and there in lies the problem, many tuners refuse to take the time to learn to do the job correctly. It's no more toss a tune in and adjust WOT and call it a day, as most have been doing for years. A proper tune on the new Gen2 engine and systems is going to take 4 - 8 hours as you MUST retune not only the fuel and spark, but the Torque systems as well. Now if you build the exact setup that has been done previously and there is a tune for it then the hours necessary are greatly reduced (ie: a HD kit with an HD tuner). Add things like 30+ possible exhaust combinations 30 + air cleaners and about the same amount of various camshafts, then add engine builds on top of it and you can begin to see what's going on and why there is trouble. Mastertune offers the only complete system for tuning the torque systems along with the rest of the things that need adjusting, but without an operator to properly do the work the tool is not going to do it by itself. What funny about all this is it's nothing new, it's been on the car side of things for near 30 + years now and been learned but the HD guys are just sleeping and hoping it all goes away. Rip it off the bike and go back in time to 40 + year old tech (Impact or Thundermax) and don't worry if everything works.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 513
Likes: 343
From: Florida
I was very happy with my 511 cam and SE tuner on my 24 RG. Noticeable improvement. My 25 SGU has a CycleRama 484 cam and PV3 tuner and is way more aggressive in performance and sound with no drawbacks. I briefly had the Thundermax and it was just totally incompatible, to put it nicely.