Dealing And Stealing Question On Cams Or?
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From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
Dealing And Stealing Question On Cams Or?
My '09 Street Glide is awesome, but doesn't have as much bottom torque as I'd like. Changed to 2" Rush slip-ons, added an oil cooler, run synthetics in all holes, Stage I A/C, SERT and dyno'd.
I called a local stealer looking for a deal on having SE-255 cams installed (low end torque and trying to keep my warranty valid). Stealer told me that to do the cam install, it would run $825, but (and this is a BIG BUT) the cams would void my warranty if that was all they did. Now the Up Sell: If I wanted the SE-255 cams and wanted to retain my warranty, I'd have to do the Big Bore Kit, which included the SE-255 cams Only $2,400. WTF? The Stealer told me Harley doesn't consider the cams to be for race applications IF they're installed with the Big Bore Kit. Is "ReachDownAndGrabYourAnkles" one word or six? LOL!!
Darn, if I'm going to lose the warranty on a 2009 SG with 4,000 miles, I might as well put any darn cam in I like! Did I miss something, but isn't the economy a little slow? Wasn't it just a few months back that Stealers were offering Big Bore Kits for about $500 or $600 less??
Need a little help with this one guys
I called a local stealer looking for a deal on having SE-255 cams installed (low end torque and trying to keep my warranty valid). Stealer told me that to do the cam install, it would run $825, but (and this is a BIG BUT) the cams would void my warranty if that was all they did. Now the Up Sell: If I wanted the SE-255 cams and wanted to retain my warranty, I'd have to do the Big Bore Kit, which included the SE-255 cams Only $2,400. WTF? The Stealer told me Harley doesn't consider the cams to be for race applications IF they're installed with the Big Bore Kit. Is "ReachDownAndGrabYourAnkles" one word or six? LOL!!
Darn, if I'm going to lose the warranty on a 2009 SG with 4,000 miles, I might as well put any darn cam in I like! Did I miss something, but isn't the economy a little slow? Wasn't it just a few months back that Stealers were offering Big Bore Kits for about $500 or $600 less??
Need a little help with this one guys
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Road Master
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From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
I must be asking the wrong questions the wrong way. Just called another stealer somewhat close by and was quoted $1,300 for a cam change (recommended a SE-258 or Andrews 31-H cam). Told me to add another $1,200 if I wanted to do the Big Bore kit. Either way, he told me since I'd had my bike more than 90 days, there wouldn't be a warranty of either mod except from their specific dealer. Let's see: Rob a bank, buy a 2010 and start again (kind of rhymes...).
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
SE255's will produce more low-end and midrange TQ than the above two cams, and any other aftermarket cam set that I know of, in a stock engine. Because of their very early intake close they are likely not suitable for CR increases to more than 9.5:1, while the other two you mention should be able to tolerate more, especially the 203's. Given added CR all bets are off, but in a stock engine (with typical Stage 1 upgrades) I don't think you can beat 255's in the low-end and up to about 4500 RPM. They won't win you any dyno shootouts, however, as they don't produce prodigious peak HP numbers. But how often are you above 4500 RPM's?
Last edited by iclick; Jun 25, 2009 at 01:33 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I'll second Harleygoodies' suggestion to DIY, but that will most certainly violate your warranty if they find out about it. Paying what these dealers want for a cam job is ludicrous, as you can do it in one day even if you take your time like I did. The hardest part is removing the exhaust components to access the cam chest. After that it is only a matter of following the instructions in the manual and doing it right.
Buy a manual and read my write-up on this job that I did on my '07. It is really quite easy on a TC96 given the right tools, and the only special tool you'll need is an inner-bearing installer/puller. PM me if you have questions.
You'll have to decide if the need for more power is worth the risk of terminating your warranty at this time, although they won't likely know you have aftermarket cams in the bike unless you tell them, or unless they disassemble the cam chest and see the non-stock cams. They won't do that unless there are some serious problems, however. OTOH a cam upgrade will change the exhaust tone and a trained ear may be able to tell the difference.
Also, SE255's come in HD Stage II kits as well as CVO 110 bikes, and some owners want peakier cams. Therefore you'll see them frequently on Ebay for $150, and you shouldn't shy away from low-mileage pulls. I bought a perfect used pair from a forum member with only 3500 miles on them for $110 shipped, so the deals are out there if you are patient. Do an Ebay search on "Harley SE255" and "Harley 255". There is a low-mileage set available now starting at $199, which is a bit steep IMO since you can get a new set from Zanotti's for $232.80 plus shipping (MSRP is $300). Don't get in a hurry and you'll find these for less. I did my cam job for $285 total, including the bearing-installer/puller tool.
Buy a manual and read my write-up on this job that I did on my '07. It is really quite easy on a TC96 given the right tools, and the only special tool you'll need is an inner-bearing installer/puller. PM me if you have questions.
You'll have to decide if the need for more power is worth the risk of terminating your warranty at this time, although they won't likely know you have aftermarket cams in the bike unless you tell them, or unless they disassemble the cam chest and see the non-stock cams. They won't do that unless there are some serious problems, however. OTOH a cam upgrade will change the exhaust tone and a trained ear may be able to tell the difference.
Also, SE255's come in HD Stage II kits as well as CVO 110 bikes, and some owners want peakier cams. Therefore you'll see them frequently on Ebay for $150, and you shouldn't shy away from low-mileage pulls. I bought a perfect used pair from a forum member with only 3500 miles on them for $110 shipped, so the deals are out there if you are patient. Do an Ebay search on "Harley SE255" and "Harley 255". There is a low-mileage set available now starting at $199, which is a bit steep IMO since you can get a new set from Zanotti's for $232.80 plus shipping (MSRP is $300). Don't get in a hurry and you'll find these for less. I did my cam job for $285 total, including the bearing-installer/puller tool.
Last edited by iclick; Jun 25, 2009 at 01:35 PM.
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Road Master
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From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
I talked with a friend that just had an indy install Head Quarters TC-525-HC cams, which he was told were better than anything Harley has. Given that the SE-255 is good and that the SE-203 would probably be better on the valve train, which way should I go? The Harley dealer will stand behind their work at their shop (pretty important), but would there be any significant difference worth going with HQ?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Conroe Texas
I think there is a dealer in Atlanta that does HQ kit installs, and backs them up, Ikro had id motor done there, do a search and you will find it.
I talked with a friend that just had an indy install Head Quarters TC-525-HC cams, which he was told were better than anything Harley has. Given that the SE-255 is good and that the SE-203 would probably be better on the valve train, which way should I go? The Harley dealer will stand behind their work at their shop (pretty important), but would there be any significant difference worth going with HQ?