Hi I have a 2002 FLSTC with 60,000 miles and a33 tooth drive pulley. I am thinking of replacing the stock cams with something that will give me some low end power. I previously replaced tensioners and cam bearings but did not upgrade to screaming eagle hydraulic cam chain tensioner update plate kit. (is it necessary?) I don't want to open Pandora's box because the bike runs great. I have to replace the rocker boxes because of pitting so that's is what is getting me to think of this upgrade.

Any suggestions... Get a newer heritage? My 2002 has better lean angles than the new m8 and is lighter. I would consider a 96ci or a 103 with ABS please give me your opinion.

 

 

If you're gonna keep your bike, and want some low end grunt... Can't beat the Andrews 21 cams in a stock 88ci...

Whether you decide to stay with the spring tensioners (TW-21 cam), go to the upgraded '07+ cam plate (21N cam), or have acceptable crank runout and want to go with gear drive cams (21G cam)... there is an Andrews 21 cam for your application.

Sure there are other cam choices, different cam profiles, and different cam power band attributes... but there is no denying there are many happy 21 cam owners....

 

Hope the OP takes this advice. The Andrews 21 is the only cam I would run in a 88ci.

 

 

Thank you all for your reply's. I was wondering if there is a big advantage to the upgraded '07 cam plate. Is it worth the $500?

Also I double checked the specs on the lean angles 2002 Left/Right 28.7 / 28.9 Ground clearance 5.1 Dry weight 695
2019 Left/Right 29.5 / 27.3 Ground clearance 4.7 Dry weight 697

 

Type-o on 20 19 specs
2019 Left/Right 28.5 / 27.3 Ground clearance 4.7 Dry weight 697

 

Yes.... there is an advantage to the upgraded '07+ cam plate. The '07+ cam plate upgrade, while requiring the purchase of conversion cams, will give you roller chains on both the front & rear cam gears.. you will then have roller chains rubbing against the cam tensioners instead of a link chain.

If you just replace the tensioners you will still be running two link chain cam chains. If you go with the Screamin' Eagle cam plate upgrade, you will still be running the OEM link chain on the rear cam gears.

The link chain is part of the problem with wearing the cam tensioners. When the MoCo switched to the better hydraulic tensioners, they also switched to roller cam chains... big improvement.


Since you have an '02, you could very well have an acceptable crank runout measurement, that would allow for he use of gear cams... Obviously, gear cams are the best cam chest upgrade... absolutely no worry, ever again, about cam chains or tensioners.... BUT, you need to have a crank runout of .003" or less, otherwise the cam gears will eventually self destruct... Not all engines will be able to go this route...

 

Over the winter I did the camchest upgrade on my '05 Night Train. Used the Screamin Eagle kit and installed Woods Knight Prowler TW6 cams with a 4 degree advance gear that they sell for use in otherwise stock 88TCs. No complaints so far and I like the exhaust note change. Had to install an adjustable ignition box as well for the cams. My original tensioners were at their end, especially the rear one which is what facilitated the upgrades. Also, if you change cams, make sure to replace the inner cam bearings with the better Timken style when you do this! I couldn't have reused my original cams even if I wanted to as they were damaged from the original bearings!

 

I did the same. Went with S&S adjustable pushrods and S&S lifters too. Kept the stock cam plate. No more tensioners. Bike runs awesome. Noticeable bump in hill climbing grunt.