I can only afford to do one or the other, so which is the best bang for buck. Cam swap or head work. I have a 2006 883-1200 conversion, SE reverse dome piston, mikuni carb. daytoba ignition, arlen ness big sucker, V&H short shot exhaust.

 

The popular consensus is to get your heads done prior to upgrading cams.

My thoughts would to save up and get em both done at the same time.

 

They need to be done at the same time to make it worth the effort for either way you go......

 

Yes, I am aware it is ideal to do both at same time, soooo unless some one on forum is sending cash with opinion to do both at same time, I would like actual responses of individuals who have maybe done just the headwork with out replacing cams. When cams are done I will go with SE .497 or Andrews N4, same cam I believe, Thanks

 

Its not that its ideal to both at the same time.

One is completely useless with out the other.

Its just stupid to do one with out the other in a Sportster, but hey its your money. And you know what they say about a fool and their money........

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Thanks for the great advice, so anyone actually done just headwork and what gains did you actually get???

 

Are you planning to do the other one later?

If so, that's gonna cost you two runs to get it dialed in correctly. Unless you are planning on doing that yourself.

You have to look at what your applications are going to be:

1. If you do cams, you are limited in some of your choices as the more extreme ones require head work.

2. If you have heavier breathing heads, you still won't have full benefit as your cams are still opening and closing your valves at the same rate.


Some people go with cams only and are happy with the small boost they receive.

 

I've done only head work. Port and polish. I picked up 6% airflow over the stock heads with no port and polish. yes you'll more than likely have to retune. But it's not like you have a EFI bike. A swap of the jets and your set. I'm very pleased with just my head work More airflow in and out = more power. do what you can afford it's your scooter

That 6% was on a flowjet also. we flowed the heads before and after

 

When I did the conversion , I opt. for the cams for now an not the head work,,,,I did use the n4 cams,,,,no regrets either,,,I have thought about doing the heads this winter but it pulls to good to go back into at this time,,,this is my oppion if it help'd you any,,,,

 

Thanks for the replies, i want to do one or the other this winter and the other next year. I know I will be duplicating some work, but it is easier to part with smaller amounts here and there than 1 large amount of cash. I was really just wanting to know which will yield the most gains of the two, cams(n4) or stage 2 headwork.