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I have a 2004 1200XLC looking to do some upgrades. first is cam, the 497 or the newer 536 SE E. going to have the heads ported and decked .010 and use .030 head gasket for a bit more compression. riding style is more twisties and light to light, sometimes will hit the upper end of 5th gear. so im looking for gains in the lower to mid range more then top end. I will be doing all the work myself so ease of install will be a factor. The 497's are bolt in where the 536's require a little more detail from what ive read. just looking for some input.
Welcome. Thank you for choosing Just Answer.heads are ported for a specific application. if someone told you he can port your heads and didn't ask for the cam, compression, pistons and application what he's really saying is he would like to take a die grinder to your heads and he would like you to pay him to practice.don't get sucked into that. it's appropriate to have someone clean up your heads, which involves nothing more than knocking down any rough edges and blending the valve seats....nothing you couldn't do in your home with a dremel tool.IF you intend to have head work done, do it right. send your heads to someone who can provide something you will appreciate. I would recommend BC Gerolamy http://www.bcheads.com/ , Hammer performance http://hammerperf.com/xlvalvetrain.shtml#Camshafts and Yankee Engineuity http://www.yankeeengineuity.com/Duncan Keller of Yankee Engineuity is the sporty master!if you contact any of these most reputable sources they can give you recommendations based on recent, current testing and information.let me know if you need more help.Steve
thanks for the response, Atwood performance in Newark Ohio is who i was intending on using for port work being they are local, we did discuss the need to review cam selection, i was looking for some addtional input regarding the cams, would the .497 with 256 durations be a noticeable difference from the stock cams .470 lift 240 durations if i remeber right. I only am considering head work due to being so close to having the heads removed when installing cams
I have to reinforce my previous response in that, most reputable "head guys" will ask you what you want the engine to do, then TELL YOU what cam and compression you are going to have to use to make their heads do that for you.I would be a bit apprehensive of a shop that wants to know what cam and compression you want to use. I was surprised to see they offer no packages on their site.if you intend to use Atwood, I would ask them for recent dyno results of 1200 XL engines with their heads and ask about the cam and compression used on each.I don't have any dyno experience with their heads and a cam I like for your motor and what you want it to do may or may not perform to your expectations with their heads.that said...... read the blurb on the Hammer site. it is full of cam selection information.more lift makes more torque.more duration makes more torque.more overlap makes more horsepower (less torque)the intake closing spec and the LSA (lobe separation angle) define the character of the engine. even with high lift, high duration and minimal overlap.....a higher LSA will make the cam more of a Hp than a torque cam.Does this answer your question?Steve
yes..thank you, you gave me more of what i was looking for in your last response. your break down on the cams helped for me to better understand so i know how to approach cam selection and the head work. i need to be able to ask the right questions as i go forward with whomever i have do the work. thanks again.
Glad I could help.Please leave me a positive rating.let me know if you need more help.Steve
Experience: 30+YRs,MMI,HD tech,HD early,engine rebuild/perf,bike builder,kit bike program manager, cci 2001-2004