Changing up heads and cams
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From: Nor Cal
Changing up heads and cams
Would just changing out your stock head and cams with some good cnc ported heads and aftermarket cams be reliable enuff or no? My SG is an 07 with a Thunderheader, k&n cleaner and power commander. Im thinking ways of tryin to save a buck and still get a lil of a lot of umph to my bike. And if Im goin about it wrong, please tell me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 2
From: Oahu, Hawaii
RE: Changing up heads and cams
Yes it would be reliable. Just ensure to go with a company with a good reputation. Don't go cheap on the headwork but have them match the rest of your combo. The power is in the heads/cams together.
I'm on the fence about removing my GMR Stage II setup (98" BBK) to go with a 120" combo. If so, I'll be selling my parts later this summer.
I'm on the fence about removing my GMR Stage II setup (98" BBK) to go with a 120" combo. If so, I'll be selling my parts later this summer.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
RE: Changing up heads and cams
I dont think changing the heads and cams would reduce the reliability of the engine. And....yes with your other mods the heads & cams would give you a bit more hp/Tq, but I think a new map and dyno tune would be in order.
What i dont understand.....is why people want a bagger thats like a hot-rod. I'm just saying.....you going to be riding 2 up, with a **** load of gear in all the bags....you got a huge fairing that was designed to block wind that the engine also has to push through the air.....all this stuff only works to slow you down.......the bike aint never going to be a hot-rod. Dont get me wrong.....I have a 08' SG, and I am adding a set of Rinehart TD's (see I could go with a 2 into 1, for the increase in power, but I like the sound and look of the Rineharts), and a Screamin' Eagle heavy breather intake....with a SERT and a good dyno tune, and that will be enough for me. I know like that the bike will have more than enough pep to get me and my GF, and all our gear down the road at throughly illegal speeds in all of North America. I am fortunate enough to also have a 2003 SE Deuce thats pulling a c hair under 100Hp/100Tq in its current form.....and I can still continue the build, but I am happy for now. That could be why i am conservative with my bagger....?
I dont know.....its very early in the morning and I am long winded......but I am happy.
What i dont understand.....is why people want a bagger thats like a hot-rod. I'm just saying.....you going to be riding 2 up, with a **** load of gear in all the bags....you got a huge fairing that was designed to block wind that the engine also has to push through the air.....all this stuff only works to slow you down.......the bike aint never going to be a hot-rod. Dont get me wrong.....I have a 08' SG, and I am adding a set of Rinehart TD's (see I could go with a 2 into 1, for the increase in power, but I like the sound and look of the Rineharts), and a Screamin' Eagle heavy breather intake....with a SERT and a good dyno tune, and that will be enough for me. I know like that the bike will have more than enough pep to get me and my GF, and all our gear down the road at throughly illegal speeds in all of North America. I am fortunate enough to also have a 2003 SE Deuce thats pulling a c hair under 100Hp/100Tq in its current form.....and I can still continue the build, but I am happy for now. That could be why i am conservative with my bagger....?
I dont know.....its very early in the morning and I am long winded......but I am happy.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
RE: Changing up heads and cams
ORIGINAL: Bobberino
Would just changing out your stock head and cams with some good cnc ported heads and aftermarket cams be reliable enuff or no? My SG is an 07 with a Thunderheader, k&n cleaner and power commander. Im thinking ways of tryin to save a buck and still get a lil of a lot of umph to my bike. And if Im goin about it wrong, please tell me.
Would just changing out your stock head and cams with some good cnc ported heads and aftermarket cams be reliable enuff or no? My SG is an 07 with a Thunderheader, k&n cleaner and power commander. Im thinking ways of tryin to save a buck and still get a lil of a lot of umph to my bike. And if Im goin about it wrong, please tell me.
Steve
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Changing up heads and cams
I think you can make a nice combo with what you have in mind. Just do some mild port and polish work. What we used to call a street port and polish. Should cost around $300-500. You don't need acrazy CNC $1500 port job that flows 1000 cfm. Save that for the 150 inch monster. Also, a hot evo used to push what, 80 ci? Hell, the hot set up for twin cams used to be 95". You have 96", this is plenty for a strong, torque producing, touring motor. A nice bolt in cam like a SE 204, Andrews 26, Head Quarters 34(I think that's the one), ect will make a nice build for you.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
RE: Changing up heads and cams
Bobberino, a set of heads from a reputable vendor (Head-Quarters, for example) will be at least as relable as your stock heads since theywill beprecision machined and assembled (not mass-produced at the HD factory), and use superior components (valves, valve springs, guides, locks and seals). I wouldn't let reliability be a consideration provided you deal with a reputable vendor and use complementary components.
That being said, how much power do you want? Frankly, a bolt in cam such as the HQ 500 (the '07 version of the HQ-0034) with a good, rideable tune, will wake-up your 96" motor and deliver close to or more than 100 ft-lbs torque. I have the HQ-0034 cams in my '04 EG and they work great--so well in fact that Istopped considering a 95" build.
Good luck with your research.
P.S. I almost lost it with MUC's good advice about doing a build right the first time--MUC isHDF's unofficial tester of cams (3 aftermarket), pipes (7?)and head work(twice to BigBoyz so far).
That being said, how much power do you want? Frankly, a bolt in cam such as the HQ 500 (the '07 version of the HQ-0034) with a good, rideable tune, will wake-up your 96" motor and deliver close to or more than 100 ft-lbs torque. I have the HQ-0034 cams in my '04 EG and they work great--so well in fact that Istopped considering a 95" build.
Good luck with your research.
P.S. I almost lost it with MUC's good advice about doing a build right the first time--MUC isHDF's unofficial tester of cams (3 aftermarket), pipes (7?)and head work(twice to BigBoyz so far).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 3
From: TX
RE: Changing up heads and cams
Many good points have been made already.
Pesronally, I would not do heads w/o increasing displacement to your ultimate desired size. Reason being that there are design and setup decisions made while setting up the heads "for a particular build", and displacement is one of the variables used in determining chamber size and resultant compression ratio. For example, if you select a cam that performs best @ "x" compression ratio, the cumbustion chambers would be sized to attains that CR on a 96" motor. Now say you decide you should have gone with the 103" & wanna just do that $300 mod Steve mentioned earlier.... No biggie, right? Just have your jugs bored and swap pistons, right? .... Well, not exactly.... Increasing dislpacement and nothing else will result in a compression increase. So.... That cr that "was" perfect for your build, is now some % higher and could cause ping where it never occurred before.... Sure, you can pull timing or fatten the afr, but you will not have the ideal combo or potential results.
Botom line.... Think it thru long & hard. Decide what you'd like to accomplish and get the "package" that is right for you - from the start.
After all.... You want that ***** to run a good as I looks!!!!
Pesronally, I would not do heads w/o increasing displacement to your ultimate desired size. Reason being that there are design and setup decisions made while setting up the heads "for a particular build", and displacement is one of the variables used in determining chamber size and resultant compression ratio. For example, if you select a cam that performs best @ "x" compression ratio, the cumbustion chambers would be sized to attains that CR on a 96" motor. Now say you decide you should have gone with the 103" & wanna just do that $300 mod Steve mentioned earlier.... No biggie, right? Just have your jugs bored and swap pistons, right? .... Well, not exactly.... Increasing dislpacement and nothing else will result in a compression increase. So.... That cr that "was" perfect for your build, is now some % higher and could cause ping where it never occurred before.... Sure, you can pull timing or fatten the afr, but you will not have the ideal combo or potential results.
Botom line.... Think it thru long & hard. Decide what you'd like to accomplish and get the "package" that is right for you - from the start.
After all.... You want that ***** to run a good as I looks!!!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
RE: Changing up heads and cams
There's an old saying... there's no replacement for displacement. I am sure alot would disagree but, you need to decide just what you want out of your motor. The HD dealer where I live will take your stock heads and have then reworked, while keeping your warrantyand that means alot. I have the 95" and SE 204 cams with power commander in my RK because I wanted torque in the mountains for two up riding. This gave me more than what I wanted but, you may want more. The one thing I have learned over the years is, the more power I have, the more I want to use it. That being said, I have learned to slow down and enjoy the ride more.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
RE: Changing up heads and cams
becuase it's fast,fun, best of both worldsand in my DNA --- but it's not for everyone--andif you can't do your own work, it's not exactly inexpensive.
xquote]ORIGINAL: biz44
I dont think changing the heads and cams would reduce the reliability of the engine. And....yes with your other mods the heads & cams would give you a bit more hp/Tq, but I think a new map and dyno tune would be in order.
What i dont understand.....is why people want a bagger thats like a hot-rod. I'm just saying.....you going to be riding 2 up, with a **** load of gear in all the bags....you got a huge fairing that was designed to block wind that the engine also has to push through the air.....all this stuff only works to slow you down.......the bike aint never going to be a hot-rod. Dont get me wrong.....I have a 08' SG, and I am adding a set of Rinehart TD's (see I could go with a 2 into 1, for the increase in power, but I like the sound and look of the Rineharts), and a Screamin' Eagle heavy breather intake....with a SERT and a good dyno tune, and that will be enough for me. I know like that the bike will have more than enough pep to get me and my GF, and all our gear down the road at throughly illegal speeds in all of North America. I am fortunate enough to also have a 2003 SE Deuce thats pulling a c hair under 100Hp/100Tq in its current form.....and I can still continue the build, but I am happy for now. That could be why i am conservative with my bagger....?
I dont know.....its very early in the morning and I am long winded......but I am happy.
[/quote]
xquote]ORIGINAL: biz44
I dont think changing the heads and cams would reduce the reliability of the engine. And....yes with your other mods the heads & cams would give you a bit more hp/Tq, but I think a new map and dyno tune would be in order.
What i dont understand.....is why people want a bagger thats like a hot-rod. I'm just saying.....you going to be riding 2 up, with a **** load of gear in all the bags....you got a huge fairing that was designed to block wind that the engine also has to push through the air.....all this stuff only works to slow you down.......the bike aint never going to be a hot-rod. Dont get me wrong.....I have a 08' SG, and I am adding a set of Rinehart TD's (see I could go with a 2 into 1, for the increase in power, but I like the sound and look of the Rineharts), and a Screamin' Eagle heavy breather intake....with a SERT and a good dyno tune, and that will be enough for me. I know like that the bike will have more than enough pep to get me and my GF, and all our gear down the road at throughly illegal speeds in all of North America. I am fortunate enough to also have a 2003 SE Deuce thats pulling a c hair under 100Hp/100Tq in its current form.....and I can still continue the build, but I am happy for now. That could be why i am conservative with my bagger....?
I dont know.....its very early in the morning and I am long winded......but I am happy.
[/quote]
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
RE: Changing up heads and cams
I have to agree with PhilM--need motor to go with thatsharp looking bike
ORIGINAL: Bobberino
Would just changing out your stock head and cams with some good cnc ported heads and aftermarket cams be reliable enuff or no? My SG is an 07 with a Thunderheader, k&n cleaner and power commander. Im thinking ways of tryin to save a buck and still get a lil of a lot of umph to my bike. And if Im goin about it wrong, please tell me.
Would just changing out your stock head and cams with some good cnc ported heads and aftermarket cams be reliable enuff or no? My SG is an 07 with a Thunderheader, k&n cleaner and power commander. Im thinking ways of tryin to save a buck and still get a lil of a lot of umph to my bike. And if Im goin about it wrong, please tell me.