Cam upgrade, the good, the bad and the ugly...
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Cam upgrade, the good, the bad and the ugly...
Well, got the 555's in and just got it off of the Dyno. Numbers are low but it definitely runs stronger. 89HP, 90TQ with a long torque curve and HP rising all of the way through to 6200. They said there were some issues with the Dyno so that could be where the low numbers are coming from. I might have it Dyno'd elsewhere later to see if that can be bettered.
Here's the ugly. The bike has developed a deep sounding knock between 1500 - 2000 RPM. You mainly hear it when taking off slowly. Anyone else experience this or know what that sound could be ? My mind is telling me to remove and replace the pipes with new gaskets for some reason... but I can't feel or hear any exhaust leak when next to the bike. This knock kicked in as soon as we fired it up and test rode it after the cam install, I was hoping the Dyno would resolve it but it didn't.
Here's the ugly. The bike has developed a deep sounding knock between 1500 - 2000 RPM. You mainly hear it when taking off slowly. Anyone else experience this or know what that sound could be ? My mind is telling me to remove and replace the pipes with new gaskets for some reason... but I can't feel or hear any exhaust leak when next to the bike. This knock kicked in as soon as we fired it up and test rode it after the cam install, I was hoping the Dyno would resolve it but it didn't.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: New York
the knock if i was to take a shot is probally coming from the valve train or rocker boxes depending on your cam choice pushrods may not be adjusted to spec, valve springs could be hung up. Usually noises that were not there before can be contributed to the last change you made which in your case maybe the cams i would start there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
A dyno is simply a tuning tool. Not all dynos are calibrated the same and not all dyno operators run the dyno the same. With that said, dyno numbers can vary. Don't get too hung up on the peak numbers (high or low). If your A/F is good throughout the run and the bike runs good with no flat spots you should be good to go.
Posting up big dyno numbers is really just about bragging rights, but riding a well tuned, well running bike is so much better than showing everyone your piece of paper that says 100hp.
I agree with the post above, you probably have some valvetrain noise. If it bugs you, you might want to adjust your pushrods a little, assuming you put in the adjustables. There are lots of DIY write ups on how to do this.
Enjoy what you got. It looks like you have a nice bike there.
Posting up big dyno numbers is really just about bragging rights, but riding a well tuned, well running bike is so much better than showing everyone your piece of paper that says 100hp.
I agree with the post above, you probably have some valvetrain noise. If it bugs you, you might want to adjust your pushrods a little, assuming you put in the adjustables. There are lots of DIY write ups on how to do this.
Enjoy what you got. It looks like you have a nice bike there.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: South Dakota
What exhaust do you have?? Reason I ask. I have a 2010 with the 2 into 1. After installing the SE255 cams and removing the Cat in the headpipe, I had what sounded like physical knocking on the exhaust. Not a ping, but like drumsticks on the side of a snare drum but deeper. At a very specific rpm range too. Right before the power comes on between 2500-3000. Had numerous mechanics ride it but nobody thought anything was wrong. I had a hunch it was the cat chamber I created by removing the cat.
Changed to V&H Power Duals and the noise is gone. Something with the cam and the duration causing the extra compression noise. It was so annoying that I strongly recommend not removing the cat in the 2010 2 into 1's. I don't know for certain but I'm betting the 2 into 2's have the same style cat. Just get different exhaust.
Changed to V&H Power Duals and the noise is gone. Something with the cam and the duration causing the extra compression noise. It was so annoying that I strongly recommend not removing the cat in the 2010 2 into 1's. I don't know for certain but I'm betting the 2 into 2's have the same style cat. Just get different exhaust.
Last edited by SDVmnt; May 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Paradise
[quote=reese;8279503]Well, got the 555's in and just got it off of the Dyno. Numbers are low but it definitely runs stronger. 89HP, 90TQ with a long torque curve and HP rising all of the way through to 6200.
I also had the same experience. Lower numbers than expected, but the bikes running better than ever and pulls great...cooler too. Is your bike a 103 or 96..?
I quit chasing numbers a long time ago, but sometimes when they're MUCH lower than others with similar setups you gotta ask questions. As far as the knock you mention, I can't imagine what that could be.
Did you use adjustable pushrods..? And if so are they set up right..?
I also had the same experience. Lower numbers than expected, but the bikes running better than ever and pulls great...cooler too. Is your bike a 103 or 96..?
I quit chasing numbers a long time ago, but sometimes when they're MUCH lower than others with similar setups you gotta ask questions. As far as the knock you mention, I can't imagine what that could be.
Did you use adjustable pushrods..? And if so are they set up right..?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Australia
What exhaust do you have?? Reason I ask. I have a 2010 with the 2 into 1. After installing the SE255 cams and removing the Cat in the headpipe, I had what sounded like physical knocking on the exhaust. Not a ping, but like drumsticks on the side of a snare drum but deeper. At a very specific rpm range too. Right before the power comes on between 2500-3000. Had numerous mechanics ride it but nobody thought anything was wrong. I had a hunch it was the cat chamber I created by removing the cat.
Changed to V&H Power Duals and the noise is gone. Something with the cam and the duration causing the extra compression noise. It was so annoying that I strongly recommend not removing the cat in the 2010 2 into 1's. I don't know for certain but I'm betting the 2 into 2's have the same style cat. Just get different exhaust.
Changed to V&H Power Duals and the noise is gone. Something with the cam and the duration causing the extra compression noise. It was so annoying that I strongly recommend not removing the cat in the 2010 2 into 1's. I don't know for certain but I'm betting the 2 into 2's have the same style cat. Just get different exhaust.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
Well, got the 555's in and just got it off of the Dyno. Numbers are low but it definitely runs stronger. 89HP, 90TQ with a long torque curve and HP rising all of the way through to 6200. They said there were some issues with the Dyno so that could be where the low numbers are coming from. I might have it Dyno'd elsewhere later to see if that can be bettered.
Here's the ugly. The bike has developed a deep sounding knock between 1500 - 2000 RPM. You mainly hear it when taking off slowly. Anyone else experience this or know what that sound could be ? My mind is telling me to remove and replace the pipes with new gaskets for some reason... but I can't feel or hear any exhaust leak when next to the bike. This knock kicked in as soon as we fired it up and test rode it after the cam install, I was hoping the Dyno would resolve it but it didn't.
Here's the ugly. The bike has developed a deep sounding knock between 1500 - 2000 RPM. You mainly hear it when taking off slowly. Anyone else experience this or know what that sound could be ? My mind is telling me to remove and replace the pipes with new gaskets for some reason... but I can't feel or hear any exhaust leak when next to the bike. This knock kicked in as soon as we fired it up and test rode it after the cam install, I was hoping the Dyno would resolve it but it didn't.
Mark
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It sounds like you need to adjust the pushrods. Detonation may be occurring at the wrong time according to where your valves are at during a certain RPM.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
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My Indy put the cam in, I was just the grunt pulling the exaust and fetching tools... I've worked on Pans and Shovels but have never been in a Twin Cam before, figured I'd better let a professional do it. Screaming Eagle adjustables, set per instructions at 2-1/2 turns off of TDC compression stroke each cylinder. I had to back the bike out of the garage to do something when I got home so I just looked at the exhaust and nothing seems to be hitting. When I fired it up to pull it back into the garage I held the brake and twisted the grip slowly and yep there it is. Sounds like a deep ignition / timing / fuel knock. It's not the pushrods / lifters, I know that sound from the solids on the Pans I owned and at initial fire up that noise was present until the oil pressure came up then all noise got quite like it should.
I think I'll call Mr. Woods tomorrow and see what he says.
I think I'll call Mr. Woods tomorrow and see what he says.
