All this talk about camshafts but.....

J

Jemma J

New member
Hi,
I've been watching the fuelmoto thread about the Woods cams and am quite impressed by the numbers being produced.

My plan is to add an air cleaner, PCV and a set of cams to my 96. What no one really talks about theough is how they drive and if the difference is noticeable. Will I say thats the best $1K I've spent or will I have to convince myself it was worth it (spent plenty on mods like that in my time)? How do they run in stop and go traffic?
Thanks!
J.
 
This is a great question; a lot of these upgrades give the bike great acceleration and/or improved top end speed... but some of them ride like crap when in stop and go traffic. That is why a good builder will always ask you how you ride and what end result you are looking for before they do your build.
 
Probably 99% of the answer to that question lies with the tune. Mine pulls great at WOT and rides very well around town and in traffic. PhilM has a 124" hot rod that he rides everywhere and (from what I have read) is more than happy with it. If the tuner focuses on that WOT run to get the most out of the motor and neglects the rest of the tune you will not be pleased. It's really all about the tune....
 
Bigger engines can tolerate more camshaft easily. You can fix a cam too large for an engine by advancing it somewhat, but it's still a compromise. There are physical limits of what an engine can handle while still maintaining adequate light load, low rpm combustion- a tune can help, but it isn't the magic answer to a cam too big for a given combination and riding style.
 
Makes sense. I never assume though, I've seen plenty of car engines (usually smallblocks) with cams WAY too big. They're usually topped with carbs that are oversized as well, and then the owner complains it doesn't run clean at low RPM.
 
I installed a HQ500 cam winter before last and it is one of the best mods I have made to my bike and it's had a LOT of mods since I bought it. I produces good smooth power throw the entire RPM range and living in Idaho I can tell you that this cam works with every type of terrain, you can find anything form the flats to a goat path withing 1/2 hour of each other, it runs the same weather it's 35 or 105 degrees outside.
I'm not one of those people that makes a $1K mistake and not worn everyone else not to do the same.
I almost bought the Woods cam till I check prices, that was the final factor that make me buy the HQ cam, it was way cheaper and works almost identical.
Yes the difference is noticeable 90 HP and 93 Lbs of torque does get your attention.
 
I just went with the SE255, PCV with AutoTune SE air cleaner and Rinehart True Duals no down load either. My bike rus exceptionaly well at all speeds. It did take a little while for the Auto Tune to really dial in on the below 1500 rpms where you just roll on it real slow with no little quick pre rev to take off but it did fix it! So I know the 255 cam is mild but has made a great improvement with the taller gears on the 07 and 08 like mine. Some are changing the pullies to get a lower gearing ther is no way I would do that now. She was a little tall geared stock but this cam fixed that spot on for me. I am very happy with in all conditions.
 
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