I have done quite a bit of dyno experimentation using many different cams,carbs,exhaust on my stock 900 and my 4&5/8" stroked 900 as well as others but I will only touch on the above 2 bikes here.
(I have zero stock 1000 experience, but can only assume the same info applies to a stock 1000.)
Let me emphasize all this info is for stock 900's, bigger engines are a different story.
I have come to realize the guys at the factory knew their shiet,
and long before computer technology and digital dyno setups.
I used to think of the stock P cams as just that, stock P cams.
I think it has alot to do w/ the catalogs w/ lists of aftermarket cams, there must be a better, higher performance cam for my bike right? In some performance applications yes I agree.
But think back to days before govt mandates and emissions, what would be the reason for the engine designers, builders to use a sub par camshaft... and these were the days before the screaming chicken (HD performance brand)
I have not tested all the aftermarket cams of course but as of yet I have not found a bolt in cam that performs as well as the stock P in a stock engine.
I will clue you in if I do.....
To elaborate some on the "performance increases" guys feel once a different cam grind (or other performance change) is installed.
This is not meant to point fingers or call anyone a liar of course, just to mention a phenomenon I have felt myself as well.
I have bounced this off of a couple very experienced performance guys as well, they feel the same way.
I am begining to realize this situation; that is when guys install a so called hotrod cam
and the engine now runs with a "different" characteristic or rides with a "different" feeling.
This feeling immediately tells the rider... WoW this is a definite improvement.
But just because it feels different does not alway mean better performance.
Some times also when a cam or exhaust or whatever is changed, in effect they are often (not always) losing power in certain critical crusing rpm.
So your crusing around with less power, but when you twist the throttle to say pass a car, you feel that rush that the "on cam" power gives you.
Any guys that have ridden 2 stroke dirtbikes, know what the "on pipe" feeling is, and this situation of the hotrod cam feels much the same.
It's a total false sence of power that is induced from the flat spot you were crusing around in, even when your bike is tuned as best a DIY'er can.
I have a sneaking suspicion that most all performance cams give this false sence of power, in a 900 that is.
Dont get me wrong, I know there are many improvements that can be made and these are true genuine improvements even w/o a dyno graph, but on these 900's they were close to optimal from the factory.
If you do not have a a before dyno run or ET, and a after to compare them to then do yourself a favor and stick w/ the P cams, because I have the graphs and so far have found no extra power in swapping cams.
Exhaust has been by far the best opportunity I have found for increasing power and torque.
Just what I have learned so far on these dinosaurs if anyone cares.
How many of you think im CRAZY ?????
900 thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1222275
Stroker thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1265958
2:1 thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1367025
(I have zero stock 1000 experience, but can only assume the same info applies to a stock 1000.)
Let me emphasize all this info is for stock 900's, bigger engines are a different story.
I have come to realize the guys at the factory knew their shiet,
and long before computer technology and digital dyno setups.
I used to think of the stock P cams as just that, stock P cams.
I think it has alot to do w/ the catalogs w/ lists of aftermarket cams, there must be a better, higher performance cam for my bike right? In some performance applications yes I agree.
But think back to days before govt mandates and emissions, what would be the reason for the engine designers, builders to use a sub par camshaft... and these were the days before the screaming chicken (HD performance brand)
I have not tested all the aftermarket cams of course but as of yet I have not found a bolt in cam that performs as well as the stock P in a stock engine.
I will clue you in if I do.....
To elaborate some on the "performance increases" guys feel once a different cam grind (or other performance change) is installed.
This is not meant to point fingers or call anyone a liar of course, just to mention a phenomenon I have felt myself as well.
I have bounced this off of a couple very experienced performance guys as well, they feel the same way.
I am begining to realize this situation; that is when guys install a so called hotrod cam
and the engine now runs with a "different" characteristic or rides with a "different" feeling.
This feeling immediately tells the rider... WoW this is a definite improvement.
But just because it feels different does not alway mean better performance.
Some times also when a cam or exhaust or whatever is changed, in effect they are often (not always) losing power in certain critical crusing rpm.
So your crusing around with less power, but when you twist the throttle to say pass a car, you feel that rush that the "on cam" power gives you.
Any guys that have ridden 2 stroke dirtbikes, know what the "on pipe" feeling is, and this situation of the hotrod cam feels much the same.
It's a total false sence of power that is induced from the flat spot you were crusing around in, even when your bike is tuned as best a DIY'er can.
I have a sneaking suspicion that most all performance cams give this false sence of power, in a 900 that is.
Dont get me wrong, I know there are many improvements that can be made and these are true genuine improvements even w/o a dyno graph, but on these 900's they were close to optimal from the factory.
If you do not have a a before dyno run or ET, and a after to compare them to then do yourself a favor and stick w/ the P cams, because I have the graphs and so far have found no extra power in swapping cams.
Exhaust has been by far the best opportunity I have found for increasing power and torque.
Just what I have learned so far on these dinosaurs if anyone cares.
How many of you think im CRAZY ?????
900 thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1222275
Stroker thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1265958
2:1 thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1367025