I'm thinking about putting a set of cams in my bike. I ride an '07 RG with V&H True Duals, A/N Big Sucker 2 and a PClll. I hardley ever ride 2-up and I'm looking mostly for low-mid range power. Can any of you engine guys out there point me in the right directions for choices? I'd like a nice reliable set of cams that are matched well with the components that I already have.

 

Many many choices, will you go to a larger motor later, check out HQ, Andrews and Woods websites, they all specific cams for the 96, dont rule out the SE cams as a lot of people have had success with them, mild cam from SE would be the 258 which is comparable to the HQ 500 cam. Learned all this on the Forum so take it for what its worth, I went with the HQ 500 cam and am happy.

 

I'm not going to go to a larger engine. Just want some nice power and torque with a nice sound. Also, what all do I need to buy when I put in new cams?

 

THe HQ500 is a great cam in a 96" motor when properly tuned!

You can get the the cams & and install kit, which includes inner torrington roller bearings & a new gasket. Beynod that, oil & filter, and possibly a new set of exhaust gaskets. Tune'r in & enjoy!

 

you have a link to their website?

 

You can buy them right off the site if you like....

http://www.head-quarters-usa.com/ushome.html

 

What bothers me about the HQ500 is that compared to an HD255 the TQ is lower until about 2800. Check out Case Study 2 on your link, which is an otherwise-stock 103. In the range where I normally want the performance, this cam is a step down from the 255. In fact, this 103 is 10 lb/ft lower at 2500 than a stock 96 with Fuel Moto's custom baffles and PCIII map, and doesn't surpass it 'til about 3000. For me this would be counterproductive, even though it makes good numbers above 3000. It's just that when I pass a truck I'm usually lower than 3000, and that's where I want the performance, not peak HP for the very few drag races I participate in. Peak HP is not a big priority for me.

I'm watching these cam threads, and await the day when Jamie at Fuel Moto tells me he's found a good cam for the TC96. He tells me he's tuned no cammed 96-inchers, and suggests that the reason is that most owners are happy with the performance using low-cost options that don't involve expensive and invasive procedures like cam changes and head work. Months ago two people cammed their 96's with Andrews 26's, with underwhelming results, not much better than stock. This is a cam that worked wonders in TC88/95 engines. The hope was that mfrs. would develop dedicated 96" cams, but I'm not aware of any even this far in the engine's production.

Until I see a cam that meaningfully increases low-end and midrange TQ, mostly from 2200-3500, I'm sticking with the status quo. With FM's custom baffles I'm very happy with the performance of this bike. More would be nice, but it'll have to be more in the right places, and enough to warrant the trouble and expense.