Millions of riders enjoy their American motorcycles, but some ride a little harder and faster than others. Those who fall into this category know that the stock Harley Davidson Cam engine will eventually need an upgrade.
Is this your first time? You probably want to know if the Harley Davidson Cam engines need fixing or upgrading like some other brands of motorcycles do. Yes, it does, and this article will give you a shortlist of the best cam upgrade for Harley 103, 110, 96, and 88 Twin-Cam.
Best Cam Overall ( 96, 103, 110) – Andrews 57H or Feuling Reaper
Runner Up (88, 96, 103) – Feuling 525 or S&S Cycle 583
Best Cam for Harley 103 – S&S Cycle HP 103 or S&S Cycle MR103
Best Cam for 96 Cubic Inch Harley – Feuling Reaper
Best Full Camshaft Kit (88, 96, 103 inch) – S & S Cycle 510G
Best Cam for Stock Twin Cam 88 – S&S Cycle 509G
Why We Choose the Above Cam Upgrades?
As with all products, there are many different brands and models on the market. Some of these cams offer more performance than others, which makes each one unique in its way. Not every Harley-Davidson motorcycle’s camshaft is created equal. Harley puts different grinds in its bikes depending on displacement, model year, factory specs, etc.
The truth is that there are some cams out there that will work with your stock valves and springs and others where you’ll need to swap parts or add more. This article includes some of the most popular cam upgrades that meet all the designated engines. Through the above selections, Harley Twin-Cam owners will get an idea of what they should expect when purchasing a new camshaft.
Is Cam Essential for Your Harley?
Camshaft profiles are one of the most important parts when it comes to making your Harley Twin Cam perform at its best. If you want to get more power and torque out of your motorcycle, using a quality aftermarket cam is one of the quickest ways in which you can make this happen. You’ll be able to make huge gains in horsepower and torque, and your bike will also be much smoother and easier to ride. If you know how a motorcycle engine works, you can easily understand how essential it is to have the right camshaft.
Different Twin Cam Engines – Explanations
Harley Davidson motorcycles are the only factory motorcycle to use their cam design. The Harley Twin Cam engine has different cam profiles than other engines, so it’s vital to ensure it corresponds to your specific throttle body size if you’re buying an aftermarket cam. Most trike kits will come with a custom cam designed for your specific engine size – so you don’t have to worry about this.
The Harley 110 has a 4″ bore and a 4.37″ stroke, so you’ll need to buy a cam with those measurements. The Harley 103 has a 3.87″ bore and a 4.37″ stroke, and the 96 motor is 3.8 bore and 4.0 stroke. The Harley 88 has a 3.75″ bore and a 4″ stroke.
Horsepower of Twin-Cam Engines (110, 103, 96, and 88)
Harley Davidson has many different models of motorcycles, including the 110, 103, 96, and 88. The horsepower output ranges depending on your model year. All four engines are famous for customization with cam upgrades because of the big punch they produce when you open up that throttle.
Replacing your camshaft is one of the best modifications you can make to your Harley. Not only will it help you get more horsepower and torque, but it’ll also help you get a much smoother ride. In the end, the camshaft determines how much power your engine produces if you have a stock. Basically, the more performance that you’re looking for, the bigger cam you’ll need.
Horsepower Levels of Harley Twin Cam Engines:
- Twin-Cam Engines 110: 80 Horsepower at 4700 rpm
- Twin-Cam Engine 103: 75 horsepower and 90 ft torque
- Twin cam engines 96: 80 horsepower and 5200 rpm
- Twin cam engines 88: 80 horsepower and 5200 rpm
Comparison Chart of Harley Cam
The comparison chart is a quick reference guide that shows the horsepower gains of some popular Harley cam upgrades. Keep in mind that many factors influence how much power your motor will produce – so these are just approximations. This information can vary depending on dyno type, weather conditions, rider weight, etc.
The cam upgrade you choose for your bike depends on your budget and the type of riding you do. If you’re not sure which cam will work best for your bike, then doing some research online is the way to go. You can also ask Harley Davidson mechanics or technicians about which cams they recommend.
Harley Twin-Cam Upgrades – Buying Guideline
Primary Application
Harley Davidson Twin Cam 110, 103, 96, and 88 engines are designed for a pretty aggressive cam. You should upgrade your cam simultaneously as other performance parts like a larger throttle body or exhaust.
Bike and Engine Combination
The first thing you need to do is buy a cam that has the same RPM range as your bike, so if you have an 88 motor, then your cam should be designed for this engine size specifically – it’s not going to work to use a 110 cam with this smaller engine since it will have a lower RPM range.
Fitting
Keep in mind that these cams are not universal – you need to make sure your valves are compatible with the cam size. If you buy a cam with the wrong stroke, then it’s going to have clearance issues when fitting into your motorcycle.
Cam Intake Opening
The intake opening is the first part of a cam so that it will be the lowest RPM range.
Cam Intake Closing
The intake closing is the second part of a cam, which means that you’re looking for higher RPM levels here.
Cam Exhaust Opening
The Exhaust opening is the part of the cam profile where you want the most power. Here, you’ll be looking for the lowest RPM figures.
Cam Exhaust Closing
Higher RPM figures are what you’re looking for when it comes to exhaust figures.
Horsepower
Horsepower will be the number one reason you upgrade your cam, so it’s important to make sure that you focus on this factor first and foremost. You should always aim for as much power as possible.
Top Brands – Aftermarket Harley Cam Upgrade
You can purchase aftermarket cams and parts from many dealerships, but you should try to buy from a reputable dealer who has real experience in this area so they can guide you through the installation process. The three main brands of the best cam for 96 cubic inches and other Harley aftermarket cam upgrades are:
- AndrewsCams
- Feuling Cams
- S&S Cycle Cams
How Do You Tell if Your Harley is Cammed?
There are a few ways to determine if your Harley has been upgraded with a performance cam. One way is to check if your motorbike has adjustable pushrods, then this is how you tell if it’s cammed.
Also, get it dyno-tuned after you make this upgrade. You can then compare the results to the manufacturer’s specifications. This might help you determine if your cams are stock or upgraded.
Cam Upgrade Installation on Your H-D : Steps & Tips
Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that your cam upgrade installation is done properly:
- Remove the inner workings of your engine, including the cylinders.
- Clean all parts with a degreaser before putting them back together again for this upgrade. Please make sure they are spotless since any dirt or grease will decrease efficiency.
- Once you’ve cleaned all these parts, you can now start the process of reassembling your engine. Put everything back together in the reverse order that you took them out.
- After this, make sure that they are secure and won’t come loose during use. You will probably need to tighten most bolts.
Anytime you install an aftermarket cam, it’s good to purchase new pushrods and follow the manufacturer’s specifications to replace these components.
Best Cam Upgrade for Harley Twin Cam – Top Table
Concluding Remarks
In the end, this upgrade is worth it if you want a faster motorbike, but make sure that your engine is compatible with aftermarket cams before you purchase them. If done correctly, this will increase power and efficiency, giving you a smoother ride overall.