Topic: SE203 cams compared to SE257 (Read 13602 times)

hdrider53 · « **on:** March 22, 2006, 10:19:24 AM »

I have a 02 SE Road King.
Im getting ready to do the SE performance heads and was considering changing the cam also. How much HP gain if any would I get by switching the cams out. It has SE203 cams in it now and I'm thinking about the SE257. Would it be worth the extra expense in labor or not.

kng103 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:29:03 PM »

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I have a 02 SE Road King.
Im getting ready to do the SE performance heads and was considering changing the cam also.

GC_Super · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:31:54 PM »

The 203's and SE Heads don't play together well, especially in hot climates. Too much compression. Most cams have a happy point for compression, just match the two together. Don't know much about the 257's, but the HD 211 and the S&S 570 are used a lot w/SE heads.

geezerglide · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2006, 03:46:12 PM »

hdrider3,

My old 95" with SE Flat Top Pistons, SE Heads, Scotsmen Build by SBC, inlet valve diameter 1.900, exhaust 1.6250, CCs of Combustion Chamber was 9CCs. I put in the SE 251 cams. Was putting out 97 HP with 104 lb ft of Torques, with Bob Woods TW6H Cams, same HP, however 114 TQ.

Pulled them out, to much valve train noise.

geezerglide

hdrider53 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:10:42 PM »

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what kind and what length pipes are you running?

I will be running D&D fat cats 2 into 1.

kng103 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:25:42 PM »

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I will be running D&D fat cats 2 into 1.

the 257 sould do the trick for you.
most of hd performance stuff works fairly well with eachother.
you should see a nice increase in torque and hp with the new heads, cams , and pipes.
the 203 is more for a stock or modified tc88.
the 211 is also an option.
i know a couple of people with the same mods that you are doing, and they are very happy with the results.
i don't really know too much about the 211
make sure to use the forged pistons.

nidan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2006, 07:22:00 AM »

If you are staying with SE/chain drive cams I'd agree with the 257's. I went gear drive (TW31g) and am very happy with both the torque and peace of mind.

211's run .508 lift for intake /exhaust 31G's run .510 (basically a TW37 for hi comp) 257's run .569 . If I was going to a cam with that lift , I'd go with a Woods TW5G ,(.570) put the roller rockers in and HANG ON.

nidan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2006, 07:27:46 AM »

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If you are staying with SE/chain drive cams I'd agree with the 257's.

nidan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2006, 07:35:46 AM »

This is the SE 257 dyno out of the SE catalog with 44mmCV Hi comp forged pistons SE II slipons and SE perf Heads

spydglide · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2006, 08:48:42 AM »

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If you are staying with SE/chain drive cams I'd agree with the 257's.

hdrider53 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2006, 08:49:07 AM »

Bike already has the 1550 kit from the factory in it with flat top pistons.
I don't intend to change those. So along with the flat top pistons and SE perfromance heads would it be best to stay with the SE203 cams now in the bike or switch to the SE257 or others?
I ride mainly highway, one up. Then take the bike to the local drag strip a few times each summer to race.

kng103 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2006, 09:18:33 AM »

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Bike already has the 1550 kit from the factory in it with flat top pistons.
I don't intend to change those.

Unbalanced · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2006, 09:35:14 AM »

My suggestion would be to change from the 203 cam if your going as far as you are. If you were staying with a 1550 kit and no headwork then I would suggest the 203 cam. Now the real question comes in

Where do you want it and are you set on sticking with harley cams. If the answer is yes then I would suggest the 204, 251, 257, but not the 203.

203 = down low on stock 95" (1550) runs good about 85 / 80 for numbers
My buddy just did this to his 06 ultra and yeilded 87 / 83 for numbers no headwork yet.
204 = Down low pulling power 1800 to 5000 pulls great then falls off 95 / 95
211 = Runs its best 3500 to 5500 rpm range peak was 98 / 95
251 = Pulls like a freight train 2600 to 5400 109 / 109
257 = I have not tried this cam myself. I chose to go with the 55g from Andrews.

Good luck with the build and let us know what you decide on.

Crawdaddy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2006, 09:59:56 AM »

HDRider,

I have the 10:5:1 compression heads and pistons with the 257 cams and like it very much.

1bagger · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2006, 08:37:16 PM »

I first installed 1550 flat top pistons , port and polish,203 cams and was a little disapointed with the gains. The next winter tossed the flat top pistons
and 203 cams.SE Stage2 down load.
Had HeadQuarters redo the heads incl. bigger valves etc, SE 1550 10.5-1 high comp. pistons,SE 257 cams, the Zippers 50mm throttle body and the Zippers air cleaner upgrade. PC111.
The first set up maybe 80hp. doubt it. 8-)Mild gains .
Then the second set up 105 HP / 108 ft/lbs
Now THATS performance, but I have to say all the gentalness of the bike is gone.
At first it was like a teenager going to the bar for the fist time,now she runs like a drunken old whore! The only thing I didn't do was add comp. releases thats next.I wish I never bought the 203's.

03glide120 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:47:02 PM »

Andrews TW 37G

HUBBARD · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2006, 03:04:12 PM »

Yeah, 'er 'uh, 1Bagger,

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2006, 05:12:07 PM »

Not sure where you're at , but the best advice I can offer on the west coast is to contact someone like Dave Mackey in the LA area (Cal) He matches cams to heads and cylinders. He offers a pkg deal where you send in your stuff to him and he works his magic on it. I've said this on another thread somewhere, can't remember which one. At one point before the V-Rods started dominating the drag stip Dave Mackey was the head guy for 7 out of the top 10 AHDRA top fuel racers. He also grinds his own cams with aggressive profiles, but easy ramps so you get good strong performance but not the wear and noise issues some high lift cams have. Carl's Speed shop in Daytona is superb as well. The important thing is to match your parts so going with a sole source on Heads, cylinders, pistons and cams is your best bet IMHO

nidan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2006, 07:55:18 AM »

Regarding the gear drive noise: with the Baisley LMR-02 oil spring the noise isn't too bad , also did the S&S reed valve breather (reduces blow by and increases mid range hp). At idle you can hear the whine , but it isn't annoying. As soon as your rolling the bike is a good bit louder than stock so it doesn't matter.

hdrider53 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2006, 10:32:29 AM »

Bagger1 you say the bike runs like an old whore now with your current set up. What exaclty does that mean, runs rough, pops and misses some etc?
Or does it just smell bad when you ride her?
Seriously though did the work done make it less undependable starting and running bike?

1bagger · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2006, 09:39:15 PM »

No old whore just to me means not subtle. Goes like stink ! All good.
I just road a friends stock 03 SE Road King very nice bike,but well just not that exciting. As for reliable I ride between 20 and 25 thousand a year.
The only negative is fuel consumption down 20%.

hdrider53 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2006, 10:15:47 PM »

Thanks for the info guys.
Just ordered everything from Zanotti HD.
Super prices on the stuff hopefully they got it all in stock.

I went with the SE performance heads, SE257 cams, adjustable push rods and SE air cleaner kit. I also ordered a set of the D&D fat cats 2 into 1 exhausts with the ghost pipe from the group buy section here. Hopefully all that along with the 1550 kit with flat tops already in the bike will net me at least 90+ HP.

One last question whats the deal with the cometic .030 head gaskets?
Is there a HP advantage there or do they just lower your compression some. With the flat tops and those heads it looks like my compression will only be about 10:1 anyway, not to high. I suppose higher compression may mean more HP but at what cost. So cometic gaskets or just use the stock set up.

Unbalanced · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2006, 12:23:45 AM »

If anything they the .030 gaskets could increase your squish, but would not lessen your compression most likely raise it when compared to using a stock gasket. Since the stock gasket is approx .050 you would be bringing the piston up higher by approx .020 for sake of government work. When they build it they should clay it out to be sure of the squish is in clearance range / spec and than decide whether they need a stock gasket or a smaller one based on parts you have purchased and put together.

DCFIREMANN · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2006, 06:20:20 AM »

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Thanks for the info guys.
Just ordered everything from Zanotti HD.
Super prices on the stuff hopefully they got it all in stock.

I went with the SE performance heads, SE257 cams, adjustable push rods and SE air cleaner kit. I also ordered a set of the D&D fat cats 2 into 1 exhausts with the ghost pipe from the group buy section here.

Author Topic: SE203 cams compared to SE257 (Read 13602 times)

SPIDERMAN