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HD 117" KIt for 2015 CVO

7K views 26 replies 7 participants last post by  Wildman 
#1 ·
From all the information I had read prior to installing this kit I knew I would have a dip in torque with the SE259e cams that came with the kit. I had really thought about getting the SE585 cams to have installed instead but I figured I would give the SE259e's a chance and see how they did.

I'll be the first one to say I am not an expert on cam selection. I also know nothing about tuning an EFI engine. According to the dealer I need more back pressure to get the dip out of my torque curve.

I have V&H Power Duals head pipes and Khrome Werks mufflers. Of course I was told a 2:1 exhaust would be better but I am a duals guy. My understanding is that the SE259e works better if I increase the compression ratio from the 9.9:1 that comes in the kit to 10.5-8:1 and that will wake this up.

I also know I'm being handicapped having to use the SESPT but I want to get a year on this engine work and then I'll cancel my ESP.

So here is my dyno sheet. Rip away...……… :grin:

 
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#2 ·
So a few looks but no replies.

I am trying to read and understand what is happening here. I know my FIRST major issue is the SESPT. Is this what is causing the dip in torque?

Or is it the V&H Power Duals? Or the Khrome Werks mufflers?

Do I need to be seriously concerned with the dip? Will the auto tuner help smooth that dip out as I ride it more? I know if I want to get the most I can out of this kit I'll need to go to an aftermarket tuner and I am looking into that.
 
#3 ·
Have you road it yet? Can you feel the dip? Ride the snot out of it and see what happens.
I found a sheet GMR did in a 113 with that cam and a fatcat. Table top flat. However, I do not know what compression it was running. He did say he was surprised by the cam in that build, not the norm.
Going to come down to what you want. If you like it how it is ride it. Would a 2-1 pipe void the warranty? If not, and you want to get one, do it. It won't hurt your build now or if you change it up later.

When you go with dealer kits sometimes this happens unfortunately. But you have a warranty.

Not my bike so I wont comment on what I would do.
 
#4 ·
Yes I've rode it about 150 miles so far but it was raining so I really didn't feel safe trying to ROMP on it too much.

Here is what I can tell you so far. Below 2500 RPM it isn't that impressive but it's got more grunt than the stock 110". Once it hits 2500 RPM's man this thing is a freight train. It'll go from 50-80 MPH in 5th gear in a blink of an eye. I like the way it sounds and runs other than I would like a little more down around 2000 RPM. The SE259e from all I have read isn't known for being a great cam down low unless the compression is bumped up.

That is why the plan is to have HD Performance work the stock CVO heads and cut the jugs to raise the compression up around 10.5-8:1. Right now the thing I need to decide is do I wait until next year to do this or yank it apart this winter and have it done so I can install the parts come spring.

Once I get some more miles on it I'll be able to answer that question more. I like the way it rides so far but 150 miles really isn't a good enough time to have a good feel for it IMHO. I don't want to void my ESP just yet and that is also part of what is holding me back from doing anymore engine work.
 
#5 ·
What compression is it at now? In a year are you better off running a different cam or increasing the compression? Lots to consider. How much will a different pipe help? All things HD performance can answer
 
#6 ·
Compression is 9.9:1 with the kit.

HD Performance is recommending the compression bump and keep the SE259e cams. He was okay with the pipes on it but wasn't sure about the mufflers when I spoke with him.

To be honest I don't know why I am worried about the ESP becasue on my last bike I put Woods cams & Power Vision on it within the first year I owned it.
 
#8 ·
Yes I should have gotten the thinner head gaskets and had them install them but forgot about it.

My main concern is that dip in the torque curve. I really wish there was an independent shop close by that I could go talk with. On my next trip over to the westside I'm going to find one I can go in and talk with them.
 
#9 ·
My .02......any Stage 4 Needs a good 2:1 and better AC than the Stock.......again, just my opinion here and many are smarter than I - The Street Tuner is not the issue, its a few things like the low Compression and CAM Choice - But, don't get caught up in the Graph and Numbers as that is a fucked up and costly rabbit hole to go down - Also, sadly, some of it will come down to the Tech who did the tune but same bike on a Diff Dyno with diff weather outside could produce a whole diff chart - Ride the shit outta it and have fun man....its the Butt Dyno that counts and the smiles per dollar ratio that I personally go off
 
#10 · (Edited)
Nothing wrong with the 259E cam. I've seen plenty of dyno sheets with great curves and great numbers. Yes there are better cams out there but I had this cam in my 120ST and a friend of mine put the full 117" Race kit in his street glide with a D&D Boarzilla exhaust. My dyno was 125hp/132tq his 117" dyno'd at 123hp/130tq. I'll have to dig up the sheet but I don't remember it having any dip but if it did it was not noticeable when riding. I could smoke the back tire with it or I could easily pull the front end off the ground in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I would like to see the AFR line from your dyno pull. I'm betting that your bike could benefit from a more experienced tuner doing the work but that is purely a guess. If you have the current Street Tuner it is holding it back somewhat and would benefit from a TTS, TMax, or PV. Me and my friend tuned our bikes with the old SE Race Tuner which was basically a TTS tuner. I still believe your lines could be better with your current tuner. I would raise the compression just a bit as the pistons do sit too deep in the jugs.
 
#11 ·
Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think my first ting is to do the head work and cut the jugs to boost the compression.
 
#14 ·
Been talkin with Khrome Werks about their mufflers and they have a new set of baffles out so I am going to give them a try and see what that does. Once non-riding weather hits I'll decide what I am going to do with the rest of it.
 
#15 · (Edited)
I have the 110 in my 2012.
I also have the V&H Power Duals, but have the V&H Hi Outputs. I'm using the SE Heavy Breather for the intake. It has the SE259e cams. It's putting out 113hp/123torque.
When I had the SE255 cams I only put out 97hp/117torque.


SE259e cams


SE255
 
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#17 ·
Stock compression. I have the sepst Both Dyno charts are just pulls with a canned map. No tuning done at all. I know there was plenty left that can be fine tuned out of it.
 
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#18 ·
Just my unprofessional opinion here. Seems like it would be a whole lot easier to change cams then to pull cylinders off and change compression, a real tune, done. There are plenty of 106 and 107 producing mid 120 torque
Guy that tuned my bike has done a few 117s, non-HD, 135 squared on both of them.
The cu in are there. Change cams and tune. Only thing left after that is to hold on.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Yes I suppose it could be easier but are any of us ever satisfied with leaving something alone? I guess some are but I'm one of those who isn't.
I'm pulling the heads to have them P&P no matter what else I do. So while I have the heads off pulling the jugs isn't that much more work.
To be totally honest I am still on the fence about keeping the SE259e cam.
Except it is just more money being spent if I change the cam also while doing the P&P and shaving the jugs isn't a waste. Bumping the compression isn't a bad thing as long as I don't go crazy and head work is always a good thing.

I'm taking the bike back in to the dealership on Tuesday to have the clutch safety switch replaced and they are going to give the bike a spin on the dyno again since I have installed the baffles so we'll see where the bike is at now. Running the SEPST is always going to hold this back.
 
#20 ·
Here is the new dyno sheet and then a sheet showing the difference between the two runs.
 

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#21 ·
I'm going to guess I'm not going to see any additional HP or TQ unless I dump the SEPST and run a Power Vision or other aftermarket tuner.
 
#23 ·
I know at this point the SEPST is what is holding me back. So I either forget about the ESP and go Power Vision or I live it as it is for a few years and then go PV.
I have one already I just don't want to void the ESP.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Your exhaust is also holding you back also. I know you said you're a duals guy but you're going through a lot of trouble to leave some on the table so to speak. You still have a less than appealing dip, just not quite as bad as it was.
 
#25 ·
Your exhaust is also holding you back. I know you said you're a duals guy but you're going through a lot of trouble to leave some on the table so to speak. You still have a less than appealing dip, just not quite as bad as it was.
I am not going to disagree that a 2:1 exhaust might be better but I like a 2:1:2 exhaust better. If all I was worried about were having braggin rights at the local bar I guess I would run a 2:1 with a ghost pipe.

I think from reading other builds with similar pipes that the SEPST is holding me back more than my pipes are. I could be incorrect but I'm willing to keep the dual exhaust at this point. The bike right now is a lot more rideable and once I get the engine work done this winter and switch to a PV I'll see what I get and then go from there.
 
#26 ·
Fair enough. Not trying to be offensive at all. People like what they like and if there is a certain look or sound you like then there's no changing that. I'm sure you'll end up with something you're happy with in the end. Good luck.
 
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#27 ·
I didn't take your comments as being offensive one bit. I know a 2:1 exhaust is the better option for getting the MOST power out of the bike.

IMHO I prefer the sound of a dual exhaust or a single. I'm willing to give up a little to have that sound and look. If once I do the engine work and change to the PV it's still not performing like it should I'll swap to a FullSac DX pipe and then if the Khrome Werks are the issues I'll swap to their CVO replacement cores.

I've said it before and I know it can cause me grief but it's me. I'm hardheaded sometimes and have to try things my own way even when it costs me more money.
 
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