Cams VS 103" conversion?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 109
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From: Rolla, Mo
Cams VS 103" conversion?
Greetings everyone;
Has anyone just changed cams on the '09 96" engine instead of going to the 103" kits? I've heard of a lot of people that do the 103" upgrade, but NOT change cams.
I'm wondering if just going to the SE 255 cams on the 96" engine might produce a significant improvement.
Bryon
Has anyone just changed cams on the '09 96" engine instead of going to the 103" kits? I've heard of a lot of people that do the 103" upgrade, but NOT change cams.
I'm wondering if just going to the SE 255 cams on the 96" engine might produce a significant improvement.
Bryon
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,808
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From: Waynesville, NC
It really depends on what you are looking to gain, and what you want. You could read this post:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ad-advice.html
Bob
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ad-advice.html
Bob
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 53
From: New Oxford, Pa
Friend of mine had a Andrews 26h w/SE air cleaner and Rinehart true duels on a 08 SG with a custom map make 85hp & 101 torque. He is selling the cams. The map may help you also. He has the SERT and I believe it can be converted to the SEST.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 68
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From: Pendleton, IN
Your 255 cam is more of a high end cam which comes on later in the powerband. At our dealership we install a lot of 204 cams with a woods 4 degree advanced cam gear and have had great numbers out of that combination.Obviously it depends on your exhaust that makes a big difference and from what I have seen on here a lot of guys do not use a screamin eagle race tuner or super tuner. The tuner is by far the best way to tune your motorcycle it may be expensive but by far the best way to tune your motorcycle barnone.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 108
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From: FL
hmmm
Ive had the 255 cams in my 96 it was ok. Went to a 103 with flat top pistons and 255 cams and made 85hp and 105tq. I have changed cams to a 258 and its a whole new bike WOW is all i can say 
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
The tuner is by far the best way to tune your motorcycle it may be expensive but by far the best way to tune your motorcycle barnone.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Greetings everyone;
Has anyone just changed cams on the '09 96" engine instead of going to the 103" kits? I've heard of a lot of people that do the 103" upgrade, but NOT change cams.
I'm wondering if just going to the SE 255 cams on the 96" engine might produce a significant improvement.
Has anyone just changed cams on the '09 96" engine instead of going to the 103" kits? I've heard of a lot of people that do the 103" upgrade, but NOT change cams.
I'm wondering if just going to the SE 255 cams on the 96" engine might produce a significant improvement.
The end result was exactly what I expected, and I mean that favorably. There is a nice improvement in power throughout the RPM range, primarily from 2500-4000 RPM. I'm very happy with the result, but these are not racing cams and a massive increase in peak HP should not be the reason you buy them, as you won't get it. For heavy touring bikes with tall gearing this is my idea of a meaningful performance increase where most of us ride.
I did the work myself and spent $285, which includes $110 for the slightly used but perfect cams and the remainder for the HD cam-install kit (17045-99C), Timkin inner bearings, and bearing install/removal tool. The SE255's can occasionally be seen on Ebay that sell for no more than $150, and buying used cams is not a problem as long as they weren't removed from an engine that cratered. I did a write-up on the install process here.
I didn't want to go with the 103" upgrade because of the expense and realization that it would likely make a smaller difference than the cams alone. Fuel Moto has dynoed many different Harley configurations and I was told the 103" kit alone (no cams) would bring only a small HP/TQ increase over a TC96. The Stage II kit with 103", flat-top 10:1 pistons, and the SE255 would make a bigger difference, but that's a big expense and I wasn't looking for major increases, just a meaningful change that didn't cost an arm and a leg. I got that and am happy with the result.
Last edited by iclick; May 20, 2010 at 12:18 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
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From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
Increasing your motor's displacement by 7 ci (96 to 103), without doing anything else, will yield a significant increase in torque (10+ ft-lbs) across the entire powerband and a bit less of an increase in horsepower and these increases are accomplished without affecting driveability in any way.
The 'best' option is to do both cams and jugs, but if you're on a budget, increasing your displacement alone is a viable alternative to doing cams alone. I don't think there's a wrong option here. I've always loved good cams and plan to swap out my stockers in the future, but for now, because my goal was primarily to boost low-end torque and power, increasing my motor's displacement to 103 ci was the right choice for me.
After I add the right cams, the process will be complete, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the nice increase in power I've gained with the 103 ci Stage I kit (jugs, pistons, and SE intake).
The 'best' option is to do both cams and jugs, but if you're on a budget, increasing your displacement alone is a viable alternative to doing cams alone. I don't think there's a wrong option here. I've always loved good cams and plan to swap out my stockers in the future, but for now, because my goal was primarily to boost low-end torque and power, increasing my motor's displacement to 103 ci was the right choice for me.
After I add the right cams, the process will be complete, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the nice increase in power I've gained with the 103 ci Stage I kit (jugs, pistons, and SE intake).
Last edited by XTrooper3936; Mar 26, 2009 at 05:14 AM.