I'm thinking about an air cleaner and re-tune... What are the most desirable versions?

 

No need for to change the air cleaner on stage 1 '14up tourers. Proper exhaust and tune are the ticket.

 

I would definitely start with the FP3 or PV as they're 'plug & play' and immediately get you away from that lean factory setup even with everything else being stock.

I helped a buddy install the V&H TPD and the FP3 and his '16 RGS pulled harder and ran noticeably cooler. Once the Monster Rounds were installed it sounded so much better...granted we're now having to re-pull the exhaust to do the cams and lifters anyway (along with Rockouts), so if you know you want cams it saves you a bit of work.

If anybody wants a set of cams from a 2015 FLHTK: just pulled with under 500 miles

 

Believe it or not, for as much as Harley does screw the pooch at times. They actually did pretty good with the air cleaner upgrades on the 14 and later Rushmore's. The stock air cleaner delivers everything a stock with just an exhaust change engine needs. There are a few tuners who have checked the stock air cleaner vs a traditional Stage 1 air cleaner, they found very little measurable difference, with any differences being in the rpm ranges most don't ride.


IMO if I was buying a 14 and later, just doing an exhaust upgrade and tune. I'd stick with the stock air cleaner, unless I wanted to swap to something purely for esthetics or I was going to do cams and some ported heads.

 

Absolutely agree that the stock AC setup is more than enough until you talk stage 2+...swapping out the stock element for a K&N was worth the ~$60 though IMHO.

 

I have to ask.....is it worth it to do a cam swap on a newer bike? If the bike has a 255 or similar, and you upgrade to a 575. What are you really gaining?

Both bikes tuned and ready to go. Just a cam swap. 3ft lbs? Better curve?

 

Most cams need at least a half point of compression to really get the most out of them. You'll get more seat of pants from lowering your gearing,and a more fun ride.

 

I talked to the most experienced H-D tech I know, and here's what he told me:

Current 103 cu. in. motors:

All air cooled 103 motors; the base 103, the 103 in Specials, and the 103 HO all have the same cam. The lift is .484". There is zero difference in the motors of a RG/SG compared to a RGS/SGS.

The Twin-Cooled 103 HO motors have a slightly higher performing cam: lift is .511"

None of these cams is even close to a SE255 cam. At all. Lift on an SE255 is .556".

Dunno, guys, he's been doing this since Christ was in diapers, and he's never steered me wrong.

 

I'm sure you can find a HO cam offered on the later models dirt cheap on ebay or this forum.

 

I think I looked this up before and all the 103 HO motors including Twin-cooled use the same cam and part number. Something like 2540002 and 2540003. Something.

This new OEM stock cam is close to a SE255 in open/close timing and duration. Least HD thinks so. See below.