Need help: new cams or 103 upgrade
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
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From: Minnesota
Need help: new cams or 103 upgrade
I've been thinking of goiing with the 103 KIT. The dealer has it on sale this winter for $1650 installed. After reading these posts, it looks like I'll also have to install the compression releases... so more money.
As an alternative, I'm thinking I could just put new cams in and forgo the 103 upgrade. I'm not unhappy with the performance I have now... I do a lot of 2-up riding, so a little extra torque and hp would be nice. Don't know if I'd get that much or not... can you help? Also, what kind of cams would you suggest to give me good power up to 4500 rpm.
My ride: 07 Ultra, SERT, SE A/C, SE II slipons.
As an alternative, I'm thinking I could just put new cams in and forgo the 103 upgrade. I'm not unhappy with the performance I have now... I do a lot of 2-up riding, so a little extra torque and hp would be nice. Don't know if I'd get that much or not... can you help? Also, what kind of cams would you suggest to give me good power up to 4500 rpm.
My ride: 07 Ultra, SERT, SE A/C, SE II slipons.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
There are quite a few discussions about cams here recently, so do a search and you'll find lots of ideas. I was also happy with the performance of my '07 with the Fuel Moto Power Package, but decided to go with SE255 cams after finding a used but perfect pair for $110 from a forum member and deciding I could do the work myself. After spending a total of $285 and a day of work I had the upgrade I was looking for, which was more low-end and midrange torque without making any other engine mods. With some creative cost-cutting you could probably get the cost down to about $200.
These cams don't produce great peak-HP numbers and are designed for torque, which they do very well with a stock engine. The sweet spot is about 2300-4500rpm on my bike, which is exactly where I ride, and the extreme low-end (below 2500) is not decreased like it would be with most other cams on the market given stock compression. You can read my write-up here.
A Stage II (103, flat-tops, and 255's) will give you more displacement and higher compression, which will enhance performance even more. I've seen some very impressive dyno charts with this kit if torque is your game.
What I think is a good idea is to try the 255's alone first, then if you want more add the 103 kit and flat-top pistons.
These cams don't produce great peak-HP numbers and are designed for torque, which they do very well with a stock engine. The sweet spot is about 2300-4500rpm on my bike, which is exactly where I ride, and the extreme low-end (below 2500) is not decreased like it would be with most other cams on the market given stock compression. You can read my write-up here.
A Stage II (103, flat-tops, and 255's) will give you more displacement and higher compression, which will enhance performance even more. I've seen some very impressive dyno charts with this kit if torque is your game.
What I think is a good idea is to try the 255's alone first, then if you want more add the 103 kit and flat-top pistons.
Last edited by iclick; Oct 10, 2009 at 01:29 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
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From: Eastern Washington
Kit alone cost $800 and another $850 to install? That seems pretty high especially for a sale price. Should not be more than $500 to install.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 173
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From: sayreville nj
i have the se 103 kit with the 255 cams and they kept the compression under 10 to 1 no compression releases needed for my 2007 rk dyno'd at 85 hp and 104 tq with rinehart truduals and se hi flo air filter plenty of get up and go.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 43
From: Boise Idaho
I did a cam upgrade last winter I used a Head Quarters HQ500 cam in my bike and I am very pleased with the results. The bike runs WAY better than it did, it sounds WAY better than it did, it has no starting problems like so many 103's have, in doesn't bang anymore on start ups like before, and I think 90 HP and 93 lbs of torq are pretty impressive for a 96" engine with just a cam, a set of FatCats, air cleaner and a good tune with a SERT.
My bike hauls ***, this winter I'm going to do the 49T ring gear that Evolution sells and I think I'm going to be happy with this combo for quite a while.
I don't think the Harley 103" kit is that impressive for what it costs, it only gets a little more torque than my set up and usually less HP.
My bike hauls ***, this winter I'm going to do the 49T ring gear that Evolution sells and I think I'm going to be happy with this combo for quite a while.
I don't think the Harley 103" kit is that impressive for what it costs, it only gets a little more torque than my set up and usually less HP.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
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From: Po-Dunk Looziana
I built a 103 w/SE255 and I dang sure needed compression releases. I'd be buying a starter if I had not put them in. I bumped my Static Compression to 10.01:1 and Cold Cranking Compression to 204 though.
HERE is a thread of my build. Different ways to go about getting there, but I LOVE my build. Push in the releases, hit the starter and you hear......psssst....psssst.....VROooomm.
If you do just cams then you should not need CR's. If you choose to do the whole enchilada, put the releases just to be safe. It doesn't take but an extra 20-30minutes for them to drill them out.
HERE is a thread of my build. Different ways to go about getting there, but I LOVE my build. Push in the releases, hit the starter and you hear......psssst....psssst.....VROooomm.
If you do just cams then you should not need CR's. If you choose to do the whole enchilada, put the releases just to be safe. It doesn't take but an extra 20-30minutes for them to drill them out.
Last edited by UltraKla$$ic; Oct 10, 2009 at 08:32 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 739
Likes: 3
I did a cam upgrade last winter I used a Head Quarters HQ500 cam in my bike and I am very pleased with the results. The bike runs WAY better than it did, it sounds WAY better than it did, it has no starting problems like so many 103's have, in doesn't bang anymore on start ups like before, and I think 90 HP and 93 lbs of torq are pretty impressive for a 96" engine with just a cam, a set of FatCats, air cleaner and a good tune with a SERT.
My bike hauls ***, this winter I'm going to do the 49T ring gear that Evolution sells and I think I'm going to be happy with this combo for quite a while.
I don't think the Harley 103" kit is that impressive for what it costs, it only gets a little more torque than my set up and usually less HP.
My bike hauls ***, this winter I'm going to do the 49T ring gear that Evolution sells and I think I'm going to be happy with this combo for quite a while.
I don't think the Harley 103" kit is that impressive for what it costs, it only gets a little more torque than my set up and usually less HP.
Agree your numbers are very good! But not all H-D StageII 103" assemblies are created equal:
