For what it is worth, just my opinion as I have been there and done exactly what you are talking about. Just a cam change is not going to give you much help with torque below 2500. A good tune and exhaust system will make big difference. I put power vision on mine and lot of difference. Put Game Changer on next and made another big boost. Little while later changed cams and wasn't much better than the stock cams as far as torque goes below 3000. Above that the cams came to life. We have a couple of 103 baggers around here that have the 255's in them with a 4 degree RETARD sprocket on them and they work really well. The Rushmore stock cam has same basic specs as 255 when 255 is retarded 4 degrees, but you gain .050" lift.

 

Why buy a sailboat? These are much faster...

 

What kind of changes did you see in fuel mileage?

To answer your question AS IT RELATES TO ME, power and speed aren't synonymous. "Power" is used to move a load, and to move a 450lb load (2 up + luggage) on a 900lb motorcycle, more POWER is desired for passing and on-ramps, and in some cases just for plain ol fun. I have had my bike in triple digits maybe a mile of the 30+k miles that I have on it, but sometime, getting to 60 or to 80 is just a bit more fun. Plus, when I'm in the mountains, and the guys on their EVO or TC88 is slowing down, I'm not. It is not required to maintain this speed, but it helps to have some oomph to move you out of the way if needed.
I also drive a Duramax Diesel. From they factory, they have PLENTY of POWER. I do still have the stock air box on it, but I opened up to a free flowing 4" exhaust to help keep temps down and I got a decent tune put on it. I didn't go for max numbers, but having a little more oomph to move a trailer up a hill or even get the load moving is nice. It just so happens to add a little "fun" to the mix when unloaded as well. I have touched triple digits twice in that truck, and rarely see anything over 75 (which is what I cruise in the 80mph midwest) so FAST is definitely not what I am after.

Remember, POWER is not synonymous to SPEED.

 

I don't get, HD website says 103 Stage IV won't fit a wet head? Of course there are a lot of things on HD's site I don't get.

 

They had one in 17. It wasn't a 110 Tire Shredder and remained a 103 and had CNC Wet Heads 58 MM Throttle body and 259E cams and 10.5 pistons. Part number is 92500019. May not have them now as didn't check the 18 catalog. I helped guy today with map on 15 FLHTK with fresh install 103 stage 4. Wasn't broken in yet, but is running pretty well. Not a tire shredder. Atleast 7 torque and HP short of tire shredder as same compression, same heads, but 7 Cubic Inches short of 110.

 

 

........ now that's the kind of attitude that'll help you get along well in here !

 

You seem to be around these stage kits quite a bit, thanks for the info. I'm toying with the idea of installing the 92500019 kit stage 4 (keeps it @ 103) or the 92500035 kit which takes the motor to 110. I assume there are pluses/minuses to each of these. Biggest complaint on the 110 kit seems to be that people think it sounds clunky and loud. The stage 4 kit has the cnc heads, bumps compression (10.5) and has the 259. The 110 kit, no heads, 10.2 compression and a 585. With these 2 kits, would you see one being better than the other?

I'm also toying with just forgoing the HD stuff and possible doing a FM kit, either 107 or 110 and also looking at the 106-110 offerings from S&S.

My main interest in keeping HD stuff is for warranty purposes. I had an M8 and went back to a still new on the floor FLHTK and with it came a dealer supplied "warranty forever", so that keeps my head spinning HD products.

Currently I'm at a stage 1 with S&S stealth air intake, FM Jackpot 2-1 and their canned powervision map.

 

Never heard of a "warrant forever" Bet Harley hasn't either. That stage 4 seems little light on power on their dyno sheet. A drop in cam like SE204 will do 93 hp and 110 torq with stock heads and Throttle body. I know Harley will fuss if you don't put on the stage kits at delivery. Might want to talk to dealer. If dealer is willing to warranty HD parts, here is a list that will get you around 120 HP and Torque. The CNC twin cooled heads 16500208, 110 cyl and piston kit 92500039, 58 Throttle body 27200029, 5.3 injectors 27796-08, .030" cometic head gasket. Another way to do it is to use the stage 4 kit, but use the 27000007 pistons which is 11 to 1 on CNC heads. Also put 5.3 injectors in it. Adding the 5.3 injectors and .030" head gasket to the Stage 4 kit and a good tuner will do wonders. The SE 259E cam if sticking with HD would do ok. Only tuner Harley has is the street tuner and it won't likely do the job. Lot of dealerships are tuning with PV or TTS and selling license. Keep doing your research as that to me is worth the effort if you have time.

 

So do Harleys