What is Twin Cam?

Energy One
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I have to admit, that any time someone asks me about my motor, I don't have a clue how to explain it. It has a single cam but with a twin cam upper. Just what the hell does that mean? What does it mean to have a Twin cam upper? How is this different from a single cam upper? I know some of you guys know, but I sure as hell don't. :job: Is this how the oil flows back through the head or how the rocker box is configured? C'mon guys. Jump on in. Don't make me have to ask Biker Babe, because she probably knows. :D
 
V

V

Guru
Twin cam top end has improved breather/venting system. Thus the bolts holding on the carb backing plate are solid vs hollow on a true evo.
A twin cam engine also has two seperate cams instaed of one cam like our bikes and a different type of oil pump system

Thats about what I know
 
Chris04Masitff

Chris04Masitff

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
BadBrad said:
I have to admit, that any time someone asks me about my motor, I don't have a clue how to explain it. It has a single cam but with a twin cam upper. Just what the hell does that mean? What does it mean to have a Twin cam upper? How is this different from a single cam upper? I know some of you guys know, but I sure as hell don't. :job: Is this how the oil flows back through the head or how the rocker box is configured? C'mon guys. Jump on in. Don't make me have to ask Biker Babe, because she probably knows. :D
Click to expand...

x2
 
V

V

Guru
And the twin cams are supposedly lined up better with each cylinder for better lifter/pushrod/rocker arm geometry
 
scott70d

scott70d

Member
I would say our ENGINES are across between two generations of V=twin. Thus takeing the best of both plus new things also. Unless you speak of the Wolf witch is a X=wedge a redesigned engine.
 
V

V

Guru
scott70d said:
I would say our ENGINES are across between two generations of V=twin. Thus takeing the best of both plus new things also. Unless you speak of the Wolf witch is a X=wedge a redesigned engine.
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And the x wedge has the best valvetrain geometry because the 3 cams have the lifters, pushrods and rocker arms damn near straight.
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
V said:
Twin cam top end has improved breather/venting system. Thus the bolts holding on the carb backing plate are solid vs hollow on a true evo.
A twin cam engine also has two seperate cams instaed of one cam like our bikes and a different type of oil pump system

Thats about what I know
Click to expand...
V, that sounds like something a politician would tell me. How is the top end improved in breather/venting? What's the difference between ours and an EVO? I'm sure BDM didn't make a few solid bolts to hold on a backing plate and call it a twin cam. I read about twin cams and the better geometry alignment to the top end, but we only have a single cam. What about oil flow? Is this part of the twin cam top end too? I know you know a hell of lot more than me V, so I'm just trying to pick your brain a little. :cheers: If our motors had 2 cams instead of 1, I would be content on telling someone, "because it has 2 fuckin' cams, that's why they call it a twin cam". But Noooooooooooo. We have a twin cam, single cam. I'm so picture oriented from all the porn. Anyone got a pic that shows the difference?
 
MARV

MARV

Well-Known Member
BadBrad said:
I have to admit, that any time someone asks me about my motor, I don't have a clue how to explain it. It has a single cam but with a twin cam upper. Just what the hell does that mean? What does it mean to have a Twin cam upper? How is this different from a single cam upper? I know some of you guys know, but I sure as hell don't. :job: Is this how the oil flows back through the head or how the rocker box is configured? C'mon guys. Jump on in. Don't make me have to ask Biker Babe, because she probably knows. :D
Click to expand...
dude

if you have to go to BB for your tech info.........
:spank:
:spank:
:spank:
 
Five Five

Five Five

Well-Known Member
I heard the twin cam top end is for 4" -4"-1/4 cylinder bore ...cylinders stand a bit taller maybe 5/8" ?? supposed be better cooling and breathe a little better..... I think "FATSO" builds a motor with EVO lower and Twin cam upper .... I'm sure John Sachs could school us on this subject.

:2thumbs:
"five"
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
If I remember right S&S introduced the Super Sidewinder + motor back in 04 and BDM started using it in 05 with the new RSD models.
The S&S Super Sidewinder motor is a combination of both the Evo and Twin Cam motor in that is used the single cam lower (Evo) and the more efficient breather system of the Twin Cam. And I will tell you after having both I certainly like the later better.

Yes Biker Babe could telll you this but then again she worked at a BD dealer for quite a while and knows quite a bit about our bikes. :2thumbs:
 
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BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
Looks like I'm going to have to break out the heavy artillary to get this one answered. PM'ing John and BB to join in.
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Your engines, SSW, are Evo style engines. Geometry really hasn't changed. You have a single Evo style cam. The SSW heads are on a different style casting, still Evo though.
S&S offers a Twin Cam engine.(fashioned after the Harley Twin Cam engines) :2thumbs: 2 cams, and a bunch of other differences. :eek:
If you go on their website, bring up component pictures, and you'll see the differences.
John
 
Biker Babe

Biker Babe

Queen Bee
Calendar Participant
The top ends are very similar with one another and do use the same breather setup. But, they have different heads and rocker arms. The geometry of the pushrods with the Twin Cam vs. the Evo are not the same. The Twin Cam has 2 cams. Each cam has 2 lobes ( one exh. and one Int. ) The single cam Evo motor has just one cam with 4 lobes ( 2 Int. and 2 exh. )
The single Cam Evo is also centered in the motor, gear driven by the Pinion shaft.
The Twin Cam motor has 2 cams that are offset to the Pinion shaft but are still driven off the shaft via chain ( H-D ) or gear ( S&S )
Because of the difference in the location of the cams, you end up with longer pushrods with the Evo and a different geometrical angle into the heads.
As far as the oiling goes, the Twin Cam motor uses an internal Gerotor oil pump driven off the Pinion shaft and sends the oil up threw the pushrods to the top end. The Evo style motor uses and external style pump that is also driven off the Pinion shaft via gears and also sends oil threw the pushrods to the top end.
 
avdhunter

avdhunter

Active Member
Biker Babe said:
The top ends are very similar with one another and do use the same breather setup. But, they have different heads and rocker arms. The geometry of the pushrods with the Twin Cam vs. the Evo are not the same. The Twin Cam has 2 cams. Each cam has 2 lobes ( one exh. and one Int. ) The single cam Evo motor has just one cam with 4 lobes ( 2 Int. and 2 exh. )
The single Cam Evo is also centered in the motor, gear driven by the Pinion shaft.
The Twin Cam motor has 2 cams that are offset to the Pinion shaft but are still driven off the shaft via chain ( H-D ) or gear ( S&S )
Because of the difference in the location of the cams, you end up with longer pushrods with the Evo and a different geometrical angle into the heads.
As far as the oiling goes, the Twin Cam motor uses an internal Gerotor oil pump driven off the Pinion shaft and sends the oil up threw the pushrods to the top end. The Evo style motor uses and external style pump that is also driven off the Pinion shaft via gears and also sends oil threw the pushrods to the top end.
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Thats what I am tawkin bout rite der boyz an gurls!!!!!!:whoop::2thumbs::whoop:
 
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