Gear Cams in a 88"

[maineultraclassic]

I'm looking into doing gear drive cams in my stage 1 TC88 in my '05 FLHTCUI.

I'm planning on just changing the cams, no head work, no big bore kit, just staying with stage 1 88".

What would a good gear drive cam set be for this setup and bike?

PCIIIusb
Ness Big Sucker
'06 Rinehart True Duals
stock ecm

I'm looking at Wild Thing TC-1G, Head Quarters HG-0034G as my 2 primary interests. What do you think of those 2, and are there any others that might be better or produce better numbers?

Thanks,

Steve

[Mike]

In reality, most bolt in cams will perform about the same with the constraints that allow "bolt-in", there are exceptions but those tend to be high end/low torque. The TC1G has the least overlap and earliest exh closing and should give very good 2-4k numbers but no so good from 4.5 on. The HG034 looks better from a cylinder pressure view (earlier intake closing, good for torque) and has good overlap to support higher end numbers. The HG034 looks very similar to the S&S 510 and the two should perform the same. I mention the S&S because, in kit form (gear drive) it is the best value of the above ($700.00 complete). Other cams to consider are the T-Man performance 525 (new) and Wood Auto TW6G (proven). Also consider the possibility of more mechanical noise with a gear drive setup (the reason H-D uses chains). Oversize/undersize gears are available to help but can add up to $160.00 (if both required) with additional labor to fit (must be fit by hand). We get 5hrs/$85.00/hr to install (one hour additional time vs chain drive for cover clearancing and gear fit). Last, the EFI will need remapping (no problem with the PC USB), we always prefer to custom map to take into account differences from bike to bike (vs "canned" maps). PC basic maps are $165.00 and advanced (USB only) are $275.00 (we map each cylinder seperately). See my other replies regarding gear drives on this forum.
Thanks, Mike

[maineultraclassic]

I'm not worried about noise at all...........I just want the crappy HD chain & tensioners out of my motor. What I'm looking for is useable torque in the normal riding range......which is under 4500rpm. I know the remapping routine, and am fully prepared to get all that done after the work is done. My big thing is to select a cam set that is going to give me the best bang for the buck for my riding style.

Thanks,

Steve

[Mike]

Let us know if we can be of more help. Also, let us know how it all works out.
Thanks Again, Mike

[maineultraclassic]

I have 2 more questions for you............

What kind of numbers can expect from just adding gear drive cams to my current stage 1 setup?

What, in your opinion, is the best cam for my build?

Thanks,

Steve

[Mike]

My personal choice would be the T-Man performance 525 (made by Andrews to TR's spec's) with the S&S 510 as second. With proper EFI mapping and the rest of your combo (on a 250i model dyno, 250 numbers will be approx. +8%), you can expect 78-82HP/88-95tq. The gain is a function of the cams and not so much the gear drive itself. I would recommend a before base dyno run so the actual gain coud be measured.
Thanks, Mike

[maineultraclassic]

I looked on T-man's website and didn't see anything about a 525 cam. Do they still make them?

Right now with just my stage 1 stuff..............I have 72hp/78 torque. I'm hoping by adding a good set of gear cams, that I can get that up to around 85/90.

Steve

[Mike]

The TM525 is brand new and may not yet be listed on his site. The numbers I'm qouting are based on a 250i dyno wich will read approx. 8% lower than numbers generated by a 250 series. I'm now quoting 250i numbers because this is the dyno we now have installed. A better way to look at thse numbers is as a function of the amount of increase you will get. That is why a "before" base run is recommended so that we can make such a comparison. The amount of gain will be same regardless of which dyno is used (I.E., a bike that goes from 68 to 98hp on the 250i would be the same gain as one that recorded 78 to 108 on the 250 version, both gained 30hp but you cannot compare the actual numbers directly). Your 85/90hp expectations may be a little high as these are the numbers we estimate (and routinely seen on our 250 dyno) for our 95ci kit with 10.25 pistons and 211 cams. The same build featured in the August issue of American Iron magazine (part two in the next issue). Your torque number would be achievable on the 250 but will be less on the 250i but the before/after gain will still hold as above.
Thanks, Mike