new to the forum... looking to upgrade my semi stock 96" to 103" kit..
need ideas on cams toooo many to choose from... want to keep the bike reliable.. please help..

 

Unless you're stuck on staying "factory", and have some kind of extended service plan, I would go this route. www.fuelmotousa.com. I see that you're new to the forum (welcome by the way!), but if you search this site and read other fuelmoto threads, they are a very well respected sponsor here and have worked on many member's bikes (mine included). He's one of the best dyno-tuners in the area as well, and I dare to say that you can get his 107" kit for much less than you'd pay a dealer for a 103". Call there and talk to Keith or Jamie, they will take their time answering whatever questions you have and will be able to reccomend a good cam as well.

 

My 07 SG has a HD 103 kit w/ SE255 cams, I kept the compression down to 9.7:1 just to make life easier. It wont win any dyno shoot-outs but it runs nicely & the torque is down low where I need it here in the Tahoe Mountains. When I did the 103 kit, the various 107 kits were not available. If I was doing it now, Id definately go with the 107... but not sure which cams Id choose. Far more choices available now than before. But Id still build a Torque motor vs a HP motor....

 

A+. I'll take torque first anyday. Unless you're the kind of person who rides in the very high RPM ranage, torque is what counts most. But now a days, you CAN have both. The important thing is knowing where you ride (on the tach), and getting a cam that works where you ride.

 

thanks for the replies...
looking for low to mid rpms
will look at 107 kit but want to make sure it stays reliable...
torque first..

 

called local harley dealer
they recommend a se 103 kit with 255 cams
i saw allot of posts on builds with 255 cams.... they seem to be happy..
but when you look at the date of posts and then look at the profile the cams are totally different..

 

Not trying to steer you too hard in the 107" direction (even though that's the way I'm going to go), but with all of the builds fuelmoto has done, I have yet to hear about any reliability failures. Not sure I understand your last question about how people "have totally different cams"?

 

just something to think about...if you go OEM 103 stage II, that will get you flat top pistons and 255 cams. if you later decide you want more power via more compression, then the 103 flat top pistons will go and the 255 cams will go. so there's a double cost in parts and labor. your current valve springs will limit the max lift you can go to. my 07 did not have beehive springs but some 09 heads I used did. So you are right...alot of folks will post good things about a basic config..and later go beyond basic. So if you take some time and think about where you want to be in the long run, it will save some cash and time to move from where you are not to where you want to be. going the biggest you can go with out case boring is always good. Also worth mentioning that a lot of dealers have 103 new take off motors for sale and sometimes give decent trade in credit for your old engine.

 

I had the 103/255 kit installed when I bought my 2009 SG. Best money I ever spent. I love the low end torque boost and it runs great.

 

I have a brand new 103" motor I'll sell you. LOL. $2500 No miles.