What cam should I use? 04 softail
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
You're probl not doing yourself any favors with that exhaust
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,124
From: USA
I beg to differ.
You're probl not doing yourself any favors with that exhaust
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 425
Likes: 345
From: Brick NJ
If your going to keep it a stock 88 you probably cannot go wrong with the Andrews 21. I have the 204 cams in my 103 with .030 head gaskets, not sure how they’d run in a 8.8:1 stock compression 88 and with your pipes would probably give bottom end up. I’d choose the 21s. I’m also running Big City Thunder Monster Baffles in my big shots, they sound great.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
You're probl not doing yourself any favors with that exhaust
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
I think except for the headers, VH pipes are more about looks
& making noise than perf. Even with mine stock, I could tell
the diff btwn the VH Straightshots and these Cycle Shack
mufflers. Noticeable improvement.
Expensive lesson as I took a $200 loss on the straightshots. They problem is they don't use the crossover. Basically nothing but a stepped drag pipe.
With the right exhaust, the 40° overlap of cams like the 510s helps a lot with cylinder fill because of scavenging and can improve low end torque of cams with a later intake close. Exhaust is key when it comes to making power.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 2,083
From: Newport,TN area
Agree with 60Gunner about the crossover (or lack of) on the Straightshots.
I have the full system (ceramic coated black) and am talking with a fabricator buddy
to see about adding a crossover tube....
T.
I have the full system (ceramic coated black) and am talking with a fabricator buddy
to see about adding a crossover tube....
T.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
I only bring this up so you have all the facts. Only you know how you ride. The decision has to be yours. If high rpm hp isn't all that important and you power off the line, go with something like the 21s. If high rpm hp is important, you CAN get acceptable low end out of cams like the 510s and the right exhaust. Maybe not the greatest, but acceptable.
Also, like screamin beagle said, look at the big picture and if any other upgrades are in the plans. Either wait, or at the very least, if you do cams now and the rest later, make sure the cams fit with the rest.
Then it just a case of choosing the right pistons to raise compression and improve low end. Even just doing a .030 head gasket if a big bore isn't in the plans will raise compression a little but more importantly the tighter squish will also also improve the weaker low end.
But you need a good exhaust.
Also, like screamin beagle said, look at the big picture and if any other upgrades are in the plans. Either wait, or at the very least, if you do cams now and the rest later, make sure the cams fit with the rest.
Then it just a case of choosing the right pistons to raise compression and improve low end. Even just doing a .030 head gasket if a big bore isn't in the plans will raise compression a little but more importantly the tighter squish will also also improve the weaker low end.
But you need a good exhaust.
Last edited by 60Gunner; Jan 12, 2021 at 07:06 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
Cheers!
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