Need Cam Advice
Supporter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 12
From: Monroe, NC
I also run the SE255's in my '09. I do a lot of solo and 2up twisty mountain riding and the torque that the cams produce make them a breeze, a lot less shifting to climb. Also horsepower improvement was noticable but nothing compared to a less torque/more highend cam I would imagine. When I was cam shopping I was more interested in torque and fuel economy than highend horsepower. The SE255 was a perfect fit.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Too bad ya "have" to stick with SE cams. There are much better choices out there, like Andrews 48s. I'm not a fan of 255s at all, but in a stage 1 96" bagger with a "geezer" rider they aren't a terrible choice. Get a proper dyno tune by someone that know what they are doing.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 115
From: Elk Mound, WI
I went with the TW222's and had the install done at FuelMoto. Here's the result.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
I have an 09 Ultra currently with stock header and 3 1/2" Reinheardts. The motor is currently stock except for the Big Sucker and a Screaming Eagle Race Tuner. I'm considering going with a V&H Power Duals Header and the 3 1/2" Reinheardts. Since I would have to get it tuned again, this would be a good time to change out the stock cams. I need to stay with a Harley brand due to the extended warranty I have. I'm thinking the SE255s but would like to get some thoughts. I do a bit more open road riding than city type riding. I shift for the most part between 3,000 & 3,500 RPMs. Would the 255s give the power in the band I ride or is there another one I should look at.
Thanks
Thanks
Mark
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
damn took someone long enough!!
SE255 cams are excellent grunt cams; take a look at dyno charts to see how they come on in the lower RPMS and hang in there for a little while til they peter out.
SE254E cams IMO are a better option for cruising in the RPM range you're talking about. They have the needed grunt at the bottom (granted not as much as the 255) but they carry further out to the right (HP) than the SE255 does so you get the best of both worlds.
Either one of these cams requires someone who knows what they're doing to tune them properly. There aren't many HD shops around the US that know how to tune worth a flip so my suggestion would be ask around for someone in your area that can tune with the device you have.
If you choose to go aftermarket, take a look at the Andrews 48H. Excellent cam with a tad bit better manners than either of these 2 SE cams.
SE255 cams are excellent grunt cams; take a look at dyno charts to see how they come on in the lower RPMS and hang in there for a little while til they peter out.
SE254E cams IMO are a better option for cruising in the RPM range you're talking about. They have the needed grunt at the bottom (granted not as much as the 255) but they carry further out to the right (HP) than the SE255 does so you get the best of both worlds.
Either one of these cams requires someone who knows what they're doing to tune them properly. There aren't many HD shops around the US that know how to tune worth a flip so my suggestion would be ask around for someone in your area that can tune with the device you have.
If you choose to go aftermarket, take a look at the Andrews 48H. Excellent cam with a tad bit better manners than either of these 2 SE cams.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: SE Wisconsin
Been running the 255s in my 2011 SG a couple years now and still find them to meet my needs perfectly.
The way I see it is, the power band of those cams is in it's peak where I spend over 90% of my time.
Sooner or later you will find you will need to 'get on it' for an evasive maneuver, probably due to someone pulling in your lane or whatever.
The last thing I would want to do is have to down shift to get peak performance.
If I where to change my riding style to more of a racing type, I might reconsider the trade off of where the power band kicks in best, for now there is harmony in the universe with the 255s.
The way I see it is, the power band of those cams is in it's peak where I spend over 90% of my time.
Sooner or later you will find you will need to 'get on it' for an evasive maneuver, probably due to someone pulling in your lane or whatever.
The last thing I would want to do is have to down shift to get peak performance.
If I where to change my riding style to more of a racing type, I might reconsider the trade off of where the power band kicks in best, for now there is harmony in the universe with the 255s.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Been running the 255s in my 2011 SG a couple years now and still find them to meet my needs perfectly.
The way I see it is, the power band of those cams is in it's peak where I spend over 90% of my time.
Sooner or later you will find you will need to 'get on it' for an evasive maneuver, probably due to someone pulling in your lane or whatever.
The last thing I would want to do is have to down shift to get peak performance.
If I where to change my riding style to more of a racing type, I might reconsider the trade off of where the power band kicks in best, for now there is harmony in the universe with the 255s.
The way I see it is, the power band of those cams is in it's peak where I spend over 90% of my time.
Sooner or later you will find you will need to 'get on it' for an evasive maneuver, probably due to someone pulling in your lane or whatever.
The last thing I would want to do is have to down shift to get peak performance.
If I where to change my riding style to more of a racing type, I might reconsider the trade off of where the power band kicks in best, for now there is harmony in the universe with the 255s.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
09 Street Glide Here....96ci...V&H power duals...Screaming Eagle Heavy Breather...Race tune...255 is what the dealer said would be the best all around cam for me on that set up...so Sounds like your on the right track
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,543
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From: Ashland Ohio
If I had to stay SE on cams for a 96", go with the 204s. 255s make too much compression when hot and you will wish you had compression releases installed.
If you already own one, fine... but I would NOT be buying any SEPST tuner, they will discontinue that tuner completely very soon... along with all the new calibrations, etc. No more updates. Two things happened. SPX (the maker of the SEPST) was sold to Bosch, and also EPA must have busted the chops of the MOCO, because have you EVER seen a car company sell a tuner? That is a big NO, because it is a huge no no in todays world. Bosch is not going to put up with the hassles.
Buy TTS, or if you must... a PV.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... ANY dealer that tells you to buy a Super Pro Tuner is a dealer that sucks big time. Same with the rest of their advice.
Install 48s for the best riding bike, IMHO. SE cams are not all that anyways. Unless you are having the dealer install the cams? Who would really know you have 48s instead of 204s anyways? Plus, for extended warranty? Neither cam will be warranted if something happens anyways. Warranty MAY be covered by the selling dealer, but that is NOT the same as having a complete warranty. Bright side is neither cam, in and of itself, will do ANY harm to your engine... as long as it is tuned properly (that means not by a dealer).
Since you ride above 2500, the 204s would work better for you than the 255s any day of the week.
Nutz? a Torqester 555 cam from TMan works very well in a 103, and is NOT to be confused by others junky 555s.
If you already own one, fine... but I would NOT be buying any SEPST tuner, they will discontinue that tuner completely very soon... along with all the new calibrations, etc. No more updates. Two things happened. SPX (the maker of the SEPST) was sold to Bosch, and also EPA must have busted the chops of the MOCO, because have you EVER seen a car company sell a tuner? That is a big NO, because it is a huge no no in todays world. Bosch is not going to put up with the hassles.
Buy TTS, or if you must... a PV.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... ANY dealer that tells you to buy a Super Pro Tuner is a dealer that sucks big time. Same with the rest of their advice.
Install 48s for the best riding bike, IMHO. SE cams are not all that anyways. Unless you are having the dealer install the cams? Who would really know you have 48s instead of 204s anyways? Plus, for extended warranty? Neither cam will be warranted if something happens anyways. Warranty MAY be covered by the selling dealer, but that is NOT the same as having a complete warranty. Bright side is neither cam, in and of itself, will do ANY harm to your engine... as long as it is tuned properly (that means not by a dealer).
Since you ride above 2500, the 204s would work better for you than the 255s any day of the week.
Nutz? a Torqester 555 cam from TMan works very well in a 103, and is NOT to be confused by others junky 555s.
Last edited by wurk_truk; Jun 20, 2014 at 04:22 PM.