stage II upgrade
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
stage II upgrade
Seeking information on the benefit on upgrading to Stage II on a 103. Is it better for the motor as it gets miles. I am rolling on a 2011 RG. Yes It has the stage I since it was new, Currently 50.000 miles on it!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,261
From: San Diego, CA
IMHO.... if you have a well tuned Stage I now, a Stage II wouldn't be "better" for the engine than what you have. It could (cam choice & tune dependent) be a very noticeable seat of the pants increase in power...
If you don't go radical with the cam (pretty much get a good bolt-in cam) and have a good tune, it won't hurt the engine either..
If you don't go radical with the cam (pretty much get a good bolt-in cam) and have a good tune, it won't hurt the engine either..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
Picking the right cam and corresponding tune for your style of riding would provide great performance benefits. At the same time, replace the cam bearings, tensioners, lifters and oil pump. The cam support plate should be checked accordingly. For a RG, you likely would want a cam that still provides an improvement in low RPM torque, rather than a high RPM HP cam. But that is part of the decision you need to make based on your riding style.
There are lots of great cams available for the Twin Cam engine. But unless you are going to have head work and increased compression work done at the same time, you need a cam that closes the intake valve no later than about 240 degrees to maintain and improve low end torque. A Wood TC-555 cam fits that bill nicely. Again, there are lots of other options to choose from and lots of vendors that can assist, like FuelMoto et al. And you need an exhaust (no straight pipes) that works well with those components too, hopefully you have that already.
Paul
There are lots of great cams available for the Twin Cam engine. But unless you are going to have head work and increased compression work done at the same time, you need a cam that closes the intake valve no later than about 240 degrees to maintain and improve low end torque. A Wood TC-555 cam fits that bill nicely. Again, there are lots of other options to choose from and lots of vendors that can assist, like FuelMoto et al. And you need an exhaust (no straight pipes) that works well with those components too, hopefully you have that already.
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,222
From: Michigan
New (torquer) cams would be the "best bang for your buck) on a T/C 96 being that you already have the Stage I kit provided that your bike has a programmable tuner.
Depending on the mileage on your bike, and how much money that you are willing to spend. upgrading to a larger (Big Bore kit) including the torquer cams would definitely give your trike more "get up and go" and also more passing power at mid-range RPM's.
My friend bought a new '10 UC with the T/C 96 engine and from day one had overheating issues, which eventually led to engine failure and was fortunately still under factory warranty.
The dealership offered to "upgrade" his engine to a T/C 103 (with S/E 255 cams) if he would pay the difference in the cost of the parts.
He had Rinehart XT True Dual Exhausts installed and he was thrilled with the performance and the overheating issue totally disappeared.
He sold that bike to a friend and it's still running great!
Depending on the mileage on your bike, and how much money that you are willing to spend. upgrading to a larger (Big Bore kit) including the torquer cams would definitely give your trike more "get up and go" and also more passing power at mid-range RPM's.
My friend bought a new '10 UC with the T/C 96 engine and from day one had overheating issues, which eventually led to engine failure and was fortunately still under factory warranty.
The dealership offered to "upgrade" his engine to a T/C 103 (with S/E 255 cams) if he would pay the difference in the cost of the parts.
He had Rinehart XT True Dual Exhausts installed and he was thrilled with the performance and the overheating issue totally disappeared.
He sold that bike to a friend and it's still running great!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
I recently traded in a 2013 Dyna Switchback with a 103 that I had changed cams 2x on.
The first was the Andrews 57H, which started the power band around 3k rpm and pulled to redline, with the low end being a bit soft. Also was a rough cam on the engine. Similar cams would be Woods 555 and S&S MR102.
Realized I wanted some more power down low and changed out the cam to a Woods 222, which comes on at 2.5 and lets off somewhere between 4.5 -5k rpm. Had a conversation with Jamie at Fuel Moto and he convinced me on the Woods 222. Also made the bike really smooth. Wound up much happier with this cam.
For reference also ran a V&H ProPipe w/ Quiet Baffle (which robbed a little power) and V&H FP3 tuner and SE AC.
I'd think with the weight of your bike, something like the Woods 222 would work well. Other cams that are similar are the Andrews 48, and there are a few others.
The first was the Andrews 57H, which started the power band around 3k rpm and pulled to redline, with the low end being a bit soft. Also was a rough cam on the engine. Similar cams would be Woods 555 and S&S MR102.
Realized I wanted some more power down low and changed out the cam to a Woods 222, which comes on at 2.5 and lets off somewhere between 4.5 -5k rpm. Had a conversation with Jamie at Fuel Moto and he convinced me on the Woods 222. Also made the bike really smooth. Wound up much happier with this cam.
For reference also ran a V&H ProPipe w/ Quiet Baffle (which robbed a little power) and V&H FP3 tuner and SE AC.
I'd think with the weight of your bike, something like the Woods 222 would work well. Other cams that are similar are the Andrews 48, and there are a few others.
Last edited by rauchman; May 30, 2022 at 05:34 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 19
From: NC
Stage 2 cam upgrade
I'm also considering a stage 2 cam upgrade or a big bore 110 kit in the future for my 14 Road King with a 103HO. From what I can tell the Woods Tw-222 or Tw-555 would be a good bolt in cam for our twin cam engines. Either cam is a good building block for more performance down the road if you decide to do more performance modifications. I reccomend looking at fuel motos dyno sheets and seeing how much power can be had from cams, and where the power starts in the RPM band, considering you already have the stage 1 completed
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 104
Likes: 54
From: Salem Oregon
I am assuming you are asking more specifically if your engine will be okay now and as it continues to age with a stage II. That really comes down to how well the bike has been kept up. If you're the original owner and know the bike is healthy now, I would say go for it. I have built a few non Harley powerplants based off of good bottom ends that are still going strong. I would NOT however attempt it with an engine that is not up the additional load forces of a bigger bang in the combustion chamber.
As to cams, I would agree that a nice torque cam is going to help motivation on the streets. I was fortunate enough to purchase my Ultra Limited with a SE torque cam already in place. AND I LOVE IT!
Jes
As to cams, I would agree that a nice torque cam is going to help motivation on the streets. I was fortunate enough to purchase my Ultra Limited with a SE torque cam already in place. AND I LOVE IT!
Jes
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lansing mi
I would like to know more about what the Forum sponsor said. If I need to go over 4000 rpm just to shift my 107 Softail!!!! I would get rid of it and go back to the TC. Frome what you said, sounds like a prominent sponsor ???? Scary.
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Road Warrior
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From: MN
What I wrote is a summary of what he said. I won't name the sponsor publicly. That's all I know - or I wouldn't be here asking you members.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,541
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From: MN
Picking the right cam and corresponding tune for your style of riding would provide great performance benefits. At the same time, replace the cam bearings, tensioners, lifters and oil pump. The cam support plate should be checked accordingly. For a RG, you likely would want a cam that still provides an improvement in low RPM torque, rather than a high RPM HP cam. But that is part of the decision you need to make based on your riding style.
There are lots of great cams available for the Twin Cam engine. But unless you are going to have head work and increased compression work done at the same time, you need a cam that closes the intake valve no later than about 240 degrees to maintain and improve low end torque. A Wood TC-555 cam fits that bill nicely. Again, there are lots of other options to choose from and lots of vendors that can assist, like FuelMoto et al. And you need an exhaust (no straight pipes) that works well with those components too, hopefully you have that already.
Paul
There are lots of great cams available for the Twin Cam engine. But unless you are going to have head work and increased compression work done at the same time, you need a cam that closes the intake valve no later than about 240 degrees to maintain and improve low end torque. A Wood TC-555 cam fits that bill nicely. Again, there are lots of other options to choose from and lots of vendors that can assist, like FuelMoto et al. And you need an exhaust (no straight pipes) that works well with those components too, hopefully you have that already.
Paul
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