Would you recommend the SE255, SE204, or HQ500 for my needs?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
This comparison used to be on Headquarters website, they have changed their site to be more web-commerce friendly and I don't see it now.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've been running the 255's in my stock TC96 with Fuel Moto Power Package (PCV-AT, AC, and Jackpots) and did a write-up of my cam job and impressions here.
These cams do not make impressive peak-HP numbers and peak at around 5k RPM. Do you operate this high very often? Where do you run your bike and where do you want the power? If you want a nice torque bump between 2300-4500 RPM and not lose anything below 2300, perhaps even gain a bit down this low, and require no more engine mods, these may be your best choice. You can buy these as CVO pulls and new in Stage II kits on Ebay for $100-150, and you can DIY for about $200-250 including all needed items, including the inner-bearing tool.
Other cams may perform better in the low-end and midrange when coupled with a compression increase, but I don't think any cam on the market can beat the 255's for producing a very flat torque curve on a stock TC96 without harming the low-end performance. I have not only had no problems with detonation but have added up to 3° of advance in the cruise range over stock. They did not make much difference in top-end noise but exhaust noise is noticeably louder, which would likely be the case for any performance cam upgrade.
Also, I didn't notice any increase in oil temperatures or change in gas mileage after the cam swap.
These cams do not make impressive peak-HP numbers and peak at around 5k RPM. Do you operate this high very often? Where do you run your bike and where do you want the power? If you want a nice torque bump between 2300-4500 RPM and not lose anything below 2300, perhaps even gain a bit down this low, and require no more engine mods, these may be your best choice. You can buy these as CVO pulls and new in Stage II kits on Ebay for $100-150, and you can DIY for about $200-250 including all needed items, including the inner-bearing tool.
Other cams may perform better in the low-end and midrange when coupled with a compression increase, but I don't think any cam on the market can beat the 255's for producing a very flat torque curve on a stock TC96 without harming the low-end performance. I have not only had no problems with detonation but have added up to 3° of advance in the cruise range over stock. They did not make much difference in top-end noise but exhaust noise is noticeably louder, which would likely be the case for any performance cam upgrade.
Also, I didn't notice any increase in oil temperatures or change in gas mileage after the cam swap.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
I'm really hoping somebody saved the file or something. I contacted HQ to see if they can send the document to me, but never heard back from them.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
I decided to call 2 HD techs that I know somewhat. Both said the following: If going with just a cam upgrade, go with the 204. If there is a chance of going to a 103 build later, then go with the 255. They both said both cams are good choices, and the 255 just works better in the 103 builds. Neither had experience with the HQ500.
Of course, the plot thickens. I just have to find that file from HQ on the comparison between the HQ500 and SE255 to figure out the differences between both.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
I have to vote for the HQ cams, I installed a set last winter and it is with out a doubt the best improvement I have made to date on my bike.
They work from off idle all the way to the red line, it starts good, sounds good, I live it Idaho and ride up mountians/really big hills regularly and it has change the bike from a mild manored wimp into a real Harley that will charge up a hill.
This cam is compression friendly so you can upgrade to a larger engine with more compression down the road, but if you are like me you may be happy with just the cam, at least for now.
They work from off idle all the way to the red line, it starts good, sounds good, I live it Idaho and ride up mountians/really big hills regularly and it has change the bike from a mild manored wimp into a real Harley that will charge up a hill.
This cam is compression friendly so you can upgrade to a larger engine with more compression down the road, but if you are like me you may be happy with just the cam, at least for now.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Roswell, GA