So I started doing the 124kit and originally I was going to get a 540 cam but came across a 590 for a great price new. My question is has anyone ran the 590 in a 124 yet?
This is the list of what I have to do the build.
S&S 124
S&S high lift springs
S&S 55mm manifold
S&S 590 cam
Fueling high flow 6.1 injectoinjectors
I did the whole S&S cam chest last year with a 475 cam with the quickie push rods and lifters. I have a Thundermax tuner with Sawicki Speed 2-1 shorty exhaust.
I'm sure I'm missing something but.

 

Did you have the crank done before the S&S cam plate? That cam plate is not a good idea on a stock bottom end.

 

Take this with a grain of salt… I know little past Shovel & Evo. 590 seems awfully small for 124”. I’m not a fan personally of high duration. I’d much rather run more lift than the head will flow so that it’s seeing peak flow for a longer degree of crank rotation. My 11 second street ridden shovel with a 93” ran a 590 lift cam. I’d think 124” would need more lift to breath.

Seems to me your exhaust would be good for two up passing semi’s, but for top end might be too restrictive.

 

Have you looked on the S&S web site to see what they say about the cam? Picking a cam because of the price or because it is the “biggest” cam they offer normally doesn’t work out so well. The cam has a late intake close and unless you’re running very high compression it will be a slug at low rpm and have mediocre overall performance.

 

Look on FMs site and see what similar 124 builds have done. Be honest in evaluating how you ride. There are a few, here, who use the rev limiter as a reminder to move their left foot. The 590 is more suited to them, but really needs more compression & head porting. You'll want a bigger TB & better pipe to get big HP with that setup.
What is your goal? Do you spend more time 2500-5000 than you do 4000-6500? Personally, I'd rather have 150TQ @ 3500 than 150 HP @ 6500. It just feels better.

 

M8 is whole different ball game with the 4-valve heads. Most bolt-in cams don’t exceed .485 lift, most non-bolt in cams are sub .550. The cam timing, duration splits, lift, etc. is drastically different than what many of us are used to with the twin cams, evos, still getting used to it myself.

OP, what’s the static compression of your 124” kit? That 590 cam is gonna want around 12:1 static…it’s a real hot rod of a cam too…lot more cam than the 540.

 

Keep the 475 in there.

 

So when I first ordered everything for the 124 I was torn between the 540 and 590. I was already leaning towards the 590 and the price just gave me the push to get it. On the S&S site it says it's good for a 124 and up engine. I really was trying to see if anyone else has run the same setup. I realize it's more of a top end cam. I wasn't going for the biggest cam I could find either. I really like the 475 now and from what I've read the 590 is close to that if I was going bigger..

 

That's why I'm a little confused on what way I want to go with it because I'm all over the place with the rpms. If I'm 2up I ride it like 2500-5000. If I'm alone I'll be hitting the redlines. I'm beginning to think the 540 might be a better choice though. I shouldn't have a problem selling the 590. I don't really know my goal as stupid as that sounds. I really just want the power there wether its passing people on the highway or just snapping the throttle and being able to get the bike sideways without really having to beat on the engine to much to get that.

 

The compression should be around 11.1. If you go to S&S it says it's good for the 124 and up. My thing is I'm trying to find someone who might have done this same setup but it doesn't look like I'm going to find them.