Cam change revisited.

O

Oldskuul

Member
After much thought and searching here on the forum I rolled the dice and installed the S&S 600 cam.

I took it in and had it dynoed and jetted and went out to enjoy the world. The K-9 ran absolutely incredible, the power the torque and the sound made this a dream bike.

Just over a month later and I've just changed back to the stock cam.
The reason is most of my riding on this bike is in the city and in a group, the 600 cam is not made for or ideal for this type of riding.
I'll be crying all the way down the road when I'm out on the backroads. But I will be looking at the 585 or equivalent for my next go around.
 
Iman

Iman

Well-Known Member
I went with the 585. I Like a lot. The only draw back was a loss of gas mileage
 
PurpleDog

PurpleDog

Well-Known Member
I am strongly considering going with the 600 from what I am guessing is the 585 (was put it by previous owner). Curious, why wasn't the 600 acceptable for group riding/city cruising?
 
knucklehead

knucklehead

Member
Sorry to hear about your disapointment. I highly recommend the Dave Mackie 580 cam. Gobs of torque (for 2 up riding) and got 45 mpg highway with wife on back.
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
Oldskuul said:
After much thought and searching here on the forum I rolled the dice and installed the S&S 600 cam.

I took it in and had it dynoed and jetted and went out to enjoy the world. The K-9 ran absolutely incredible, the power the torque and the sound made this a dream bike.

Just over a month later and I've just changed back to the stock cam.
The reason is most of my riding on this bike is in the city and in a group, the 600 cam is not made for or ideal for this type of riding.
I'll be crying all the way down the road when I'm out on the backroads. But I will be looking at the 585 or equivalent for my next go around.
Click to expand...
thanks for the info. it's always good to hear the "rest of the story" so we can make informed judgments. :cheers::cheers:
 
erldawg

erldawg

Guru
Oldskuul said:
Just over a month later and I've just changed back to the stock cam.
The reason is most of my riding on this bike is in the city and in a group, the 600 cam is not made for or ideal for this type of riding.
I'll be crying all the way down the road when I'm out on the backroads. But I will be looking at the 585 or equivalent for my next go around.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. No disrespect but I would have popped the .585 in while taking the .600 out would have saved some work.
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
I'm with Purple Dog on this. What drawbacks did you experience from the 600? I installed that cam over a year ago. Love the torque, power and it's great for bar hopping or taking it out on the highway. No regrets here. Besides that, John Sachs recommends this cam above all others for everyday, all around riding. Can't hardly beat that endorsement.
 
outdoorsman26

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
he just cant handle the power!!!!!:roll: and when his buddies are riding HDs there gear ratios are different so you find yourself shifting all the time, I know it sux it really sux when your buddies have 5speeds!!!:bang::bang:
 
PA Chopper

PA Chopper

Active Member
outdoorsman26 said:
and when his buddies are riding HDs there gear ratios are different so you find yourself shifting all the time, I know it sux it really sux when your buddies have 5speeds!!!:bang::bang:
Click to expand...
I hear ya on this one! My buds all got HDs with stock motors and when I ride with them I'm constantly shifting and braking while they cruise comfortably. My K-9 has the 600 cam, and massaged engine and I feel like I should throw out the anchor to ride with them. Even my HD with 95" and 6 speed is noticeably different. I wouldn't have it any other way though. :2thumbs:
No replacement for displacement.:whoop:
 
Rally

Rally

Active Member
first I've heard of going back down from a 600 cam, what other engine work was done for the 600 cam install?
 
racer1

racer1

New Member
I am sorry to hear you did not like the S&S .600 cam.

I put the .600 cam in my 2005 Ridgeback and I love it. The bike turns heads everywhere and it performs nice. Remember you have a performance bike and it will not act like the Harley's. Everyone I ride with does not have a Big Dog (yet) and my shift points are different but not so bad that I would take the cam out. I am considering the super G carb next.
 
O

Oldskuul

Member
FYI everyone...I loved it!! For blasting around it was exactly what this bike was born to do.
The downside is the higher powerband, and the ability to ride with other bikes as stated by Outdoorsman.
Its just my riding style and preference, not someone else' s. That is what its all about right? I've got a monster bored out cb750 that will instantly make you grow chest hairs when you start it up but it has its uses and my K-9 has it's.

As far as changing out the cam being some amount of work, I have to disagree. Its easily one of the simplest performance changes you can make on your bike. When I decide to go with the Mackier or ss 585 I'll spend a relaxing morning wrenching on the bike.

Oh and by the way Master Engine Guru John Sachs does not say pop a 600 cam in. He goes to great lengths to point out that certain guidelines and conditions need to be met first in order for these changes to be effective. My bike has the valve springs and mechanicals in order to make this change, but not the right compression and other items so while the 600 is awesome, its not performing up to its proper potential.

I hope this ramble will help someone in making the decision about a cam change. There are other factors besides all out drag performance which might be of consideration.

A good sticky with the requirements and characteristics of different cams would be of immense value as a reference, just sayin.

Henry
 
chili08k9

chili08k9

I will buy the 1st round
.600 Cam

I bought a .600 S & S Cam the first month I had my 08 K9, (Feb 08) After ridding my little cousin's K9 with a 600 it flat out rocked and I had plans of putting it in as soon as I was sure I wouldnt need any motor repairs from BigDog, It is still sitting on the shelf in my garage, I still do NOT know all I would have to do with a EFI bike. I think I just need a new VFI with new map and a set of valve springs. Can anyone with EFI let me know how they made it work, thanks Mike Didnt mean to ramble:flag:
 
LamboV12

LamboV12

Active Member
Its torque vs horespower. The 600 moves the power curve to the higher rpm range while the 585 will give you greater bottom end torque. 3 years ago i did 600 cams with 640 springs & also thinking of stepping down to 585. Seems better with 2 riders and can cruise at lower rpm without lugging the motor
 
BadBrad

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
Hell, I didn't get my dog to ride passengers or to ride at low RPM's, so the 600 suites me to the core. I would be interested in seeing any information anyone might have that shows the actual relation between different size cams vs horsepower/torque.
 
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