Good evening gentleman. I've been surfing around the forum for a time trying to glean what appears to be a popular cam for what it is I am looking for in a cam swap. My aim is to gain more low end and midrange, mostly low range, since it fits my riding style more. I like the twisties and want more low end to drive out of them towards the next. That and to better facilitate 2 up riding. Not into top end. In fact, I've never hit the rev limit on my bike, nor do I ever expect to. But I want your input on a cam swap via a different method of choosing. I don't want any suggestions as to what particular cam your running, or what you've heard is a good cam. Instead, I want you to look at the physics of these three examples, and with your knowledge of how cams operate, ( degrees open, close, duration, etc, ), and determine which one you find the most suitable for the extra low end that I'm looking for.
My bike is a 08 FXSTC, stock 96 with Stage 1 DL, V&H Big Radius with Thunder Monster baffles, K&N air filter, and XiED's. That is the extent of the mods so far. I really don't see myself building a HP monster anywhere down the road simply beacuse I don't want to compromise on mechanical reliability. At most, perhaps some sort of tuner in the end. Please look at these three cam specs with your trained eyes, and give me your best choice. Anyone of you that can guess what these cams are as well, will be immediatly elevated to the status of Cam God as far as I'm concerned, and your insight and guidence will never be discounted, or shrugged off in this forum I'm sure. At least not by me.
Remember, I'm looking for low end mostly. My reasoning behind this method is to obtain opinions untainted by any other means such as "name brand". We all have our favorites, and it influences our choices everyday. Sorry for the long intro my friends. And thank you in advance for your guidance.

Cam 1
INTAKE
Open (in degrees): 10
Close (in degrees): 30
Duration at .053 (in degrees): 220
Duration at .020 (in degrees): 255
Valve lift: .498
Lift at TDC: .134

EXHAUST Open (in degrees): 40
Close (in degrees): 8
Duration at .053 (in degrees): 228
Duration at .020 (in degrees): 264
Valve lift: .498
Lift at TDC: .121
Cam2

INTAKE
Open (in degrees): 11
Close (in degrees): 35
Duration at .053 (in degrees): 226
Duration at .020 (in degrees): 262
Valve lift: .490
Lift at TDC: .138

EXHAUST Open (in degrees): 41
Close (in degrees): 09
Duration at .053 (in degrees): 230
Duration at .020 (in degrees): 266
Valve lift: .490
Lift at TDC: .112

Cam 3

INTAKE
open-20
close-36
duration-236
lift-.500
lift at TDC-unspecified

EXHAUST
open-51
close-19
duration-250
lift-.500
lift at TDC-unspecified

Give me my best choice based on what you've just seen. Thanks again.

 

Would'nt go over 490 lift, to hard on it unless you want to do the springs

 

Everything I've seen so far says that anything .500 or under on lift is OK with stock springs. Is that false?? I'll also be using Smith Bros. tapered adjustable pushrods.

 

Your bike is an '08 model correct? If so, it's equipped with the beehives that can handle up to a .575 lift without coil bind (from what I've read here). If it were me, I'd stay at around .550 lift or less.

 

I'm not planning on going over .500 on lift. I think .500 is more than adequate.

 

Cam #1 is Andrews TW21
Cam #2 is Andrews TW26A
Cam #3 is Headquarters HQ-0034

Lobe separation angles are 103, 104 and 102 respectively ... so, quite similar characteristics ....

The HQ cam advances the timing events a little further forward in the cycle ... so, should be good for what you describe as your objective ....

I think any of the choices would suit you ... personally, I'd recommend the TW26 as it stays around a bit longer ....

Good luck with your decision and hope we can help ....

R/
'Chop

p.s. they are all bolt in cams (your stock valve springs will be adequate) ... and I see no reason not to reuse your stock pushrods ... save a few bucks ....

 

Cam 1, strong bottom end, midrange good, top end a bit weak (falls off earlier)
Cam 2, strong bottom end, a little more midrange, top end carries on a bit better
Cam 3, strong bottom end, very good midrange and carries out well (BTW, the HQ0034 is designated as the HQ 500 for 07 and up bikes.) Cam 3 would be my choice, and it is as I am currently running it in a 103 FLHTK

 

I'm impressed!!!! The only reason I'm using adjustable PR's is so I don't have to remove the rocker boxes and all the other stuff associated with it. I figure the less gasket surfaces I disturb, the better. They claim the 21 is 1700-5200 RPM, and the 26 is 1800-5500. Probably not a whole lot of noticable difference between the bottom of the RPM range huh??

 

07 or later heads allow for more lift. .590 should be fine from what I've read. I'm running cams with a .575 lift stock heads no issues.

 

FWIW i just installed 26H in my 07 and WOW....It does all i wanted and Adjustable rods made my valvetrain quieter than before...It pulls stong in the RPM range i wanted...2up riding Highway and mountains...Can't wait to go wear out a tire in the Smokies...