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[Firewalker]

Hello all. Need your opinions and advice. Have a CVO 2012 Ultra and have a ticking that am going to explore, maybe lifters? Who knows at this point but am going to open it up. Am thinking this is the time to change cam if I am going to do it. With the thought that I am going to stay with HD 'stuff', extended warranty and all that, can you give me your opinions on changing out to SE-259E cam? Am going to put in the Quick Install push rod kit as well. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Tannehill Kid]

All I can say is that I have them in my 12 SESG and really like the way the bike preforms.  Wide range of torque.

[timo482]

extended warranty goes out the window if you change the cam..

is in the contract - the extended is a contract [not really a warranty], you agree to leave it alone and do the maint, they agree to fix anything that breaks.

local dealer may offer a dealer warranty, if so no problem, unless you travel a lot

its typical of dealers to gloss over the fact that race parts void the warranty, but they really want to sell you parts and service..

if you want to hot rod the thing - get the warranty refunded first

to

[North Georgia Hawg]

Funny how the SE 255 cams come stock, but any OTHER SE cams will (potentially) void the warranty and ESP.

Some dealers will make a fuss while others will turn a blind eye. Know your dealer!

That said, I really like the SE 259e cams... they run GREAT with my Drago's 2-1 pipe. The Cometic head gaskets bump the CR a bit, too... which helps. The 246/250 duration will move the torque curve a bit to the right, but they will pull hard all the way to redline. Some head work would help even more.

Ken

[GRam]

And the 259e like more compression than stock as well, so to do it right with those cams would require pistons.
If you only wanted to do cams, there's better choices I'd think. I've had awesome luck with Woods' products.
I have the 259e now with mva heads pistons etc. They're coming out for some 8-6 woods I think..
Not that the 259e are "bad" or anything, just my 103 with the 8-6 seemed to rev out quicker/harder with same components around them.

[FlaHeatWave]

I really like the 259s

[maac16324]

Had a 2009 CVO Ultra that started ticking at about 20,000 miles. Turned out to be a defective lifter. Destroyed the engine. Harley was good for it but was a real PITA on a long road trip. Also had a 2010 Ultra Limited that started ticking. Lifter was also defective but caught it before it destroyed the engine. Harley covered that too. If your engine is ticking ... Go checkout your valve lifters. I love the 255 cams.

[grc]

Funny how the SE 255 cams come stock, but any OTHER SE cams will (potentially) void the warranty and ESP.

Some dealers will make a fuss while others will turn a blind eye. Know your dealer!

That said, I really like the SE 259e cams... they run GREAT with my Drago's 2-1 pipe. The Cometic head gaskets bump the CR a bit, too... which helps. The 246/250 duration will move the torque curve a bit to the right, but they will pull hard all the way to redline. Some head work would help even more.

Ken

Unfortunately Ken it often doesn't matter if the dealer is willing to "turn a blind eye" and defraud either Harley or the ESP folks.  These days both Harley and ESP are requiring a lot more prior approvals from an onsite inspection for major engine work, and no matter what the dealer may say those service reps and ESP reps have the authority, not the dealer.  Ultimately it's a gamble, and probably one with decent odds if we were talking about otherwise reliable products.  With the history of Harley's, and in particular the CVO110 engine, I'd say the odds are no where near as good.  For people who seem to be so conscious of this reliability situation that they freely hand over thousands of dollars extra to insure their Harley against failures, I find it somewhat surprising how many hand over that money for the ESP and then immediately do things that void the contract.  I know some claim ignorance of course, but claiming ignorance with the warranty or ESP folks is about as productive as claiming ignorance of the law in front of a judge.

Anyhow, now that the OP has been informed it's completely up to him if he wants to take the chance.  I just wish customers could get the straight scoop from the dealers and it wasn't up to guys on an internet forum to give the customer the information.  I always suggest folks who get the hard sell to do mods from their dealership insist on a written statement from the dealer principle that the dealership will stand behind the warranty if Harley declines coverage due to those mods.  That tends to bring the lies and BS to a halt and the backtracking begins.

Jerry

[DCFIREMANN]

I know there are a few that like the 259's. IMHO if you are doing a cam change in an Ultra look for a cam with more lift and a lower duration. This will keep your tq curve more to the left, which is where you need it to be to move THAT BOAT!!!! There are so many options to look at. So do yourself a favor and do a lot of looking before you take the plunge.

Also with your extended warranty it won't matter which cam you choose. If they want to they can and will VOID your warranty!!!! Also make sure you buy a GOOD LIFTER!!!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG 

[tweeter13]

As always JRC is right on.  You may have a dealer that will do the work and have a way of covering or hiding things for you if you did have a problem.  I know if it was me and the luck that I have, it will never break down when I am close to home.  I sure don't want to pay a tow bill for 1000 miles just to get it back where they MIGHT get it covered. 

I like to gamble but not that much. 

Todd. 

[Montanakid]

Just wondering, is there as visual way to tell if the stock 255 cam's are different then say the SE259E the the OP is questioning? I had the 259e and pistons installed upon buying the bike new in 2010.So I'm wondering if something goes wrong what do these inspection detail?

[grc]

Just wondering, is there as visual way to tell if the stock 255 cam's are different then say the SE259E the the OP is questioning? I had the 259e and pistons installed upon buying the bike new in 2010.So I'm wondering if something goes wrong what do these inspection detail?

Depends on how good the inspector is.  First, most folks doing these swaps go with adjustable pushrods, and that's a very simple visual tipoff.  Second, the cams are stamped with the number, so if the inspector suspects anything it's easy enough to check.  It all depends on what fails.  If anything in the cam chest fails, that part of the engine will be disassembled and the change will be obvious.  If something in the primary fails then the inspector would be unlikely to check for different pistons and cams.  But here's the thing:  the major failures common to these engines tend to be in the cam chest.

Anyhow, I'm not saying you can't get away with it, I'm saying people need to understand the risk involved.  Too many dealerships, and too many people on these website forums, try to make customers believe there is no risk and you can just take their word for it.  Yeah, right!

Jerry

[FLSTFI Dave]

If you do not want the torque curve to shift to the right, then more work is needed with the 259E.

It does work very well in my CVO road king and my buddies CVO road glide.  But both bikes have head work, have 10.5 HD pistons, larger Trottle bodies, and injectors.

My 13 has 9K miles on the build, which is in my sig.  Pull hard from 2500 up.  It has been ridden to Key West and Milwaukee. 

So yea, no extended warranty on my bike.  Runs so much better and smother than stock, I miss the power every time I ride my 12 CVO road glide.

[Mount'nman]

My 2014 CVO Breakout has the following work done by dealer and covered by them:

S&S 551 cams, lifters, adj. push rods, Roller Rocker arms
Heads shaved and port work
V&H Big Radius 2 into 2

Valve train now sounds great.. (Quiet)
Pipes sound good (Loud)
Trq curve moved left and pretty flat... 112 ftlbs at 2k, max 120 ftlbs at 3.6K, 110 ftlbs at 4.5k

Tuned open loop, engine runs soooo smooth

[grc]

My 2014 CVO Breakout has the following work done by dealer and covered by them:

S&S 551 cams, lifters, adj. push rods, Roller Rocker arms
Heads shaved and port work
V&H Big Radius 2 into 2

Valve train now sounds great.. (Quiet)
Pipes sound good (Loud)
Trq curve moved left and pretty flat... 112 ftlbs at 2k, max 120 ftlbs at 3.6K, 110 ftlbs at 4.5k

Tuned open loop, engine runs soooo smooth

If they gave you a warranty in writing, good for you.  If they just told you don't worry about it we'll take care of you, good luck with that.

Jerry