Need help picking a Cam
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
Best advice is to a.) read as much as you can to educate yourself; and b.) if you're going to have someone do the work, get their input on what you want.
There's a whole lot to this simple decision, and if you make a good one you will be happy; if you don't, you won't, and will be spending a bunch of money down the line to compensate.
As previously stated, your head will spin with all of the opinions you will get here. And most of those will be based on the personal decision that they made, based on the singular experience they've had, and not a relevant comparison of the effects of different choices. You will, however, find that the SE 204 is a very popular choice and it seems that many are very happy with them.
Roger
There's a whole lot to this simple decision, and if you make a good one you will be happy; if you don't, you won't, and will be spending a bunch of money down the line to compensate.
As previously stated, your head will spin with all of the opinions you will get here. And most of those will be based on the personal decision that they made, based on the singular experience they've had, and not a relevant comparison of the effects of different choices. You will, however, find that the SE 204 is a very popular choice and it seems that many are very happy with them.
Roger
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
If you start looking at dyno charts DO NOT pay attention to the max HP and TQ numbers.
Pay attention to when the TQ comes on strong (RPM) and when it drops off.
If you get some huge cam that creates huge TQ but doesn't come on until 3000 and drops off at 5k yet you want it at 2k to about 3.5k you are going to be disappointed.
That sudden burst at 3k will feel cool but another cam may have had you way down the road sooner.
With that said I picked a HQ 500 for my otherwise stock 96 and have been happy with it.
I'm looking for more but I think it was the right cam for a stock 96.
Now I want a big bore kit and a different cam. may even try a big bore with this HQ 500 as Head Quarters thinks it will do well in a 103.
Pay attention to when the TQ comes on strong (RPM) and when it drops off.
If you get some huge cam that creates huge TQ but doesn't come on until 3000 and drops off at 5k yet you want it at 2k to about 3.5k you are going to be disappointed.
That sudden burst at 3k will feel cool but another cam may have had you way down the road sooner.
With that said I picked a HQ 500 for my otherwise stock 96 and have been happy with it.
I'm looking for more but I think it was the right cam for a stock 96.
Now I want a big bore kit and a different cam. may even try a big bore with this HQ 500 as Head Quarters thinks it will do well in a 103.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Keep in mind my 26H is in a Electra Glide Classic... pulls good... on a lighter bike like DJL suggested maybe a Andrews 48. Hey anything you pick will be better than stock... you *** dyno will be happy...
Last edited by Notgrownup; Jan 13, 2012 at 06:16 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
And I agree your *** dyno will be happy.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 362
Likes: 3
From: South Orange County, SoCal
As stated, picking a cam can be very confusing. Different overall tire sizes affect the final gearing. Different air intakes affect flow into the engine. Air temperature, density, and and humidity skew the readings. Different dynos...and so on. You get the point.
Just to be different, I tried the new Lunati .510 cams in my 88-inch Fat Boy. Made good solid midrange values. Wanted to test different air intakes and tried a tubular forward facing air intake against my Screaming Eagle backing plate with an open filter. The bottom end picked up an additional 3-1/2 lb-ft of torque from 2000 until 4400 rpm.
Little things make noticeable changes.
Just to be different, I tried the new Lunati .510 cams in my 88-inch Fat Boy. Made good solid midrange values. Wanted to test different air intakes and tried a tubular forward facing air intake against my Screaming Eagle backing plate with an open filter. The bottom end picked up an additional 3-1/2 lb-ft of torque from 2000 until 4400 rpm.
Little things make noticeable changes.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
heres one of the best links so U can compare most all cams to each other.
http://www.bigboyzcycles.com/tccams.htm
This is where I learned to keep U Intake close under 38* if Ur wanting a good low, mid Tq cam without BB kit and Head work..for a lighter bike and solo rider will work good.
The heavier the bike load the lower number to look for.
.
http://www.bigboyzcycles.com/tccams.htm
This is where I learned to keep U Intake close under 38* if Ur wanting a good low, mid Tq cam without BB kit and Head work..for a lighter bike and solo rider will work good.
The heavier the bike load the lower number to look for.
.
SO I go to the Dealer Sat. and ask some general questions on cams. I tell him I'm thinking of the 204, 255. He gives me a look and says he has not put any 204's in a 96 and 255 is more for the 103 the only one he's recommending for the 96 is the 254E. I haven't looked at the 254E yet. I want the idle lope of the 204 and good low end, I usually don't shift past 4000. Thoughts and opionions needed !!!