I ordered my 103 stage 2 kit with 255 cams yesterday. My question is should I get new heads or machine the stock heads? Would the headwork or new heads make that much of a difference? Would the money spent on heads be worth it? I am no engine guy, I just want more power when I need it (passing and riding 2up). I have a 2010 deluxe with V & H BSL's, SE pro super tuner, and SE air filter.

 

The simple answer is yes, get the headwork if it's in your budget. You'll leave alot of horsepower on the table if you don't. Have your stock heads milled to get the best CR for those cams, cc'd, and ported which will enable the engine to breathe much better. There are many good engine machine shops, some that are sponsors here like Hillside which is located in NY state. Alot of guys on here use BigBoyz in Maine too.Who is doing the work for you and which machine shop do they use? Also, just curious why you chose the 255 cams?

 

Head work will make a pretty big diff for the money. BUT
U need to do some research. then call some builders that does porting. They need to know what Ur build is and what U expect.

Any good build has to have all the pieces fit together.

Also I've read that the SE head are OK, but for the money most good porters that rework Ur heads are Usually preferred by members in here.

Its amazing what one can find in the computer when one does a search.

Look through these links, U'll learn a bunch.
https://www.google.com/search?source...1&bih=633&bs=1


Also check to see if Ur cam pick is correct for head porting, most that do head work is for the uppper mid-high RPM's to really shine, Ur SE 255"s may not be a good choice for that.

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I would do the heads thats where performance comes from, air in air out. Did mine last year and not looking back like a whole new bike again. Not sure about the cams, depends on how you ride. If you are one that doesn't like to rev the motor then they are a good choice I have 204's and with the 103,heads and tunning it works great over 100ftlbs from 2500 and goes up from there peaking around 110, flat curve and just pulls good

 

The 255s are what come with the kit I ordered. I have done a search on here and found good info. I asked about SE259 cams and was told that those were more of a mid to high range cam. I think the 255s would suit my riding style better, low to mid. I want passing power when I need it and of course for riding 2up. Im 160lbs and my wife is 125lbs. To me , my bike seems sluggish when riding 2up. I dont like to ride fast. 80mph is tops for me. I prefer to ride 55-65mph. I dont want to do this and later wish I had done headwork. Again, all this engine stuff is foreign to me. This is why Im asking the experts on here. Thanks again.

 

The 255's will give you the power where you want it. Do the headwork and have it done at a reputable machine shop that works on Harley engines, like Hillside in NY state. You should call Scott Palmer up at Hillside to get his take on the build, he's a good guy and willing to help forum members.They should mill the heads to get the right compression ratio for the cams, cc the combustion chambers and port the heads.Who is doing the build for you? Make sure you get some recommendations before you chose the shop that does your work. This type of build can be done in your garage if you're willing to tackle it and have some basic mechanical sklls and tools. Good luck and when the build is done, you won't recoginize the bike.

 

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The 255's are great cams for heavy touring bikes with full gear and 2up.
They do tend to start falling off around 4300 rpm's.

Ur BS longs are not helping U any under 3000 as they don't usually make TQ till around 3000 rpm's

With a Softy there's a bunch of cams that will work well, and just adding cams will make a huge difference.

I go 280 and wife is 130 and we ride 2up 95% of the time, Like U said about not enough Power even with a STG 1, the 96er is under powered for using 6th, IMO.

But when I added the Andrews 26 cams we can now pass easy in 6th running at 60 mph without downshifting.
The bike has MORE TQ and can pass/accelerate better than it used to in 5th at 55mph. And thats without Head work.


U'll for sure get more TQ with head work but just doing the cams will make a big difference.

Here's the dyno of my stock 07 VS the STG1/cams Dyno's

And I still have stock headers and Rush slip-ons.. Because I love the sound, knowing I'd get more TQ in the lower end with some good 2-1` pipes.

 

Thanks for all the good info guys. Much appreciated. I am definitely doing my homework on this.

 

For my money, I'd go with Fuel Moto's 107" kit w/Wood 555 cams and level B head porting service, which will yield over 110hp/120tq easily. With the SE 103" kit and 255s only, you might pop the 100tq mark.

 

Also if U do the above Ur right on the line to needing to install better crank bearings and a heavier clutch too.

Read the suggestion on crankshafts below.
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/h...e_upgrades.htm