In this shootout we tested an assortment of bolt in camshafts from various manufacturers in the Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 engine. Our test bike was a 2012 Dyna Switchback equipped with a FM AC/DC Stage 1 air cleaner, E-Series 2/1 exhaust, and each set of cams was fully tuned with a Dynojet Power Vision in the Fuel Moto Dynojet 250i dynamometer test cell.
Here is the list of the cams tested in this shootout:
What Andrews says: “broad tip cams for baggers with stock motors; max torque at low and mid rpm ranges”
Fuel Moto’s take: a very strong cam for low RPM-mid range performance, great low end punch. Works great in the stock 96/103 engines.
Andrews 57H
What Andrews says: “Bolt-in broad tip cams; 96 in., 103 in. limited and 110 in. CVO engines, Cams work best at rpm range of 2200-5600”
Fuel Moto’s take: not as strong as the 48H and some of the others in the lower RPM’s, however it comes on quite good in the mid RPM’s and carries out well to the upper RPM’s
Cycle-Rama CR 570-2
What Cycle-Rama says: “bolt in cam, maximum torque”
Fuel Moto’s take: great cam for low-mid power yet very broad, builds torque very early and has great response. Easy to tune as well.
Cycle-Rama 575
What Cycle-Rama says: “bolt on cam, wide power, works in stock & modified engines”
Fuel Moto’s take: not quite as strong as the 570-2 however it still makes significantly more HP/TQ than stock on both sides of the curve. Would like to see this cam with a bit more compression and let it shine.
Fueling 525
What Fueling says: “designed to increase torque band width and increase fuel economy, Produces strong low and mid range power with a linear horsepower and torque curve”
Fuel Moto’s take: It’s a makes wide power with measurable overall gains, very linear power curve.
Feuling 543
What Feuling says: “more top end power than our 525 cam without sacrificing low end torque, smoothest cruise power band available. This cam is easy starting, increases throttle response and fuel mileage”
Fuel Moto’s take: not quite as strong down low as the 525 however it comes on strong in the mid RPM’s and carries the horsepower out really well. Very responsive in the 3000-4500 RPM range
Feuling 574
What Feuling says: “Wicked power band for modified engines and an excellent bolt in for stock 96, 103, & 110 engines. This is a great all around camshaft with solid low end performance and mind blowing mid and top end power.”
Fuel Moto’s take: hot rod cam that makes great horsepower on the right side of the curve, yet strong mid-RPM hit. Still maintains reasonable low RPM performance.
Red Shift 525
What Red Shift says: “High Torque for 96” and 103” Twin Cam® engines with stock, unmodified heads, developed to deliver immediate passing power in 6th gear at any typical cruising speed. Power starts before 2000 RPM”
Fuel Moto’s take: these cams build big power early, designed for max power in the low RPM’s. Very snappy off idle, not overly rev happy but it doesnt need to be. Great cam for those what want strong early power.
Red Shift 527
What Red Shift says: “High-Torque design developed as a bolt-in cam for 96” to 110” O.E. engines. Delivers smooth and impressive Torque and Horsepower. Designed to get your motorcycle moving quicker in the areas you ride the most. Power starts at 2250 RPM”
Fuel Moto’s take: runs well from the lower RPM’s, great mid range power, and runs thru the upper RPM’s really well. Great cam with broad power.
Red Shift 575
What Red Shift says: “maximum valve train acceleration, which gives the rider a very free-revving experience that begs for more throttle. This is a great cam if you need a bolt-in now, but plan on upgrading the heads and compression in the future. However this cam is most impressive when used with high flowing heads”
Fuel Moto’s take: Another hot rod cam that rev’s very well, comes on strong thru the middle and hangs on the power to the limiter. We really like the way the power ramps up. Don’t be afraid to rev this one.
Screamin Eagle SE-255
What H-D says: “the ultimate in torque cams, low end torque increases are great for heavy bikes or for the person that routinely shifts below 4500 RPM”
Fuel Moto’s take: improved horsepower & torque over the stock cams, good low RPM punch, nice overall curve.
S&S 551
What S&S says: “bolt-in cam set designed for stock or mildly modified touring bikes. 551 cams are not recommended for compression ratios of 10:1 or greater. Greatly improves low-end and midrange torque, strongest from idle-4000rpm”
Fuel Moto’s take: very strong low RPM power that carries well thru the mid range, strong throttle response. Great choice for heavy touring bikes looking for early power.
S&S 570
What S&S says: “this cam will provide a nice power increase across the entire power band. 3200-5700 rpm. Excellent bolt-in for overall power on a 103”
Fuel Moto’s take: revs excellent, hits hard in the mid range and carries all the way to the limiter. Great horsepower, very flexible in a lot of applications.
S&S 583
What S&S says: “this cam makes horsepower and torque that you can feel all the way through the rpm range, making the most power right where you need it:1500–5000 rpm”
Fuel Moto’s take: fantastic early torque with broad power, very quick in the low-mid RPM’s. Not a horsepower king but it really shines from 1500-4000 RPM. Excellent curve
S&S 585
What S&S says: Provides massive horsepower and torque increases starting at 3000 rpm and holds steady all the way to redline. 3500-6000 rpm for 88″ – 103″ engines
Fuel Moto’s take: hot rod cam that’s a bit soft on the bottom with stock compression, comes on strong at 3000 RPM and runs to the upper RPM’s well. You’re gonna need to rev this cam, it really wants higher compression.
S&S MR103
What S&S says: “for the rider who wants more of everything without giving up low end torque for high rpm horsepower, or vice versa. More power all across the wide power band, from idle to red line.”
Fuel Moto’s take: very strong horsepower & torque, great overall balance for riders looking for linear power gains. Excellent curve.
Wood Performance TW-222
What Wood Performance says: “Hold on tight, super low-mid range & runs like hell on top”
Fuel Moto’s take: very smooth delivery, accelerates fast, builds power early and stays in there really well. Easy to tune.
Wood Performance TW-555
What Wood Performance says: “Ultra High Performance for your 96″,103″ & 110″ Street or Touring bike”
Fuel Moto’s take: makes very broad power, especially strong mid range, rev’s out really well with strong horsepower. Wide overall power curve.
Wood Performance TW-777
What Wood Performance says: “Hot 555 on Steroids” Street or Touring bike”
Fuel Moto’s take: super flexible cam, builds power hard and carries out to the upper RPM’s. Great overall combination of horsepower & torque. Big numbers on both sides.
Wood TW-999-6a
What Wood Performance says: “Special Grind, For those that want to be #1, Awesome Sound, 3000 RPM & up, Also loves compression”
Fuel Moto’s take: everything we like in a hot rod cam; big horsepower, it ramps up & hits hard, and has a strong idle. Don’t lug this one, rev it and smile.
Thanks again for doing this compare of all cams. I took all the dyno charts and put data into a spreadsheet to compare. If anyone is interested, here is the sheet:
Very nice to see a direct comparison. Without tailoring compression, head porting, etc to cams is it fair to say the value is more in seeing the shape of curves and their relative position in RPM range than as an absolute measure of performance? I'm assuming some of the hotter cam's peak numbers suffer in an otherwise (relatively) stock motor.
Nice to see a good side by side comparison like this. Thanks fuelmoto for all the work.
I was practically given a set of cvo 255 cams for my 08 ultra with 96Ci. I was torn between the 255 and the Andrews 48h. To me it looks like I won’t be giving up much by doing the se255s over the Andrew 48h.
need your opinion
on street glide 2014 103 HO
with power duals and oversized titans with screaming eagle ventilator elite
what would you recommend for almost 90 percent city use riding solo.
0-60 all the time quick , then cruising 40.
my top 3 is cyclorama 570-2 , woods 222 or 999 and ss 583
i ride between 200-3500 rpm 95 % of time
Really appreciate what you have done. For discussions sake, even though there are charts, could you define low range mid range and high? That way we are all talking the same numbers- my midrange ideas may not be everyone’s for example. Thanks
Thanks again for doing this compare of all cams. I took all the dyno charts and put data into a spreadsheet to compare. If anyone is interested, here is the sheet:
What a fabulous service you have done. In my opinion, it takes all the uncertainty out of making a cam choice. Instead of having to rely on subjective opinions, we can rely on solid facts. Thank you very much, Fuel Moto.
01-10-2020, 03:33 PM
Twin Cam 103 Cam shootout 20 different camshafts
