Cams
Installation
Cam Installation Process - Created by Joe Conway - joe91898(joeconway) - Edited by SilverBack
Warning: There is a risk you might drop the 22 MM socket into the case when you revolve the engine!
Suggest you do one of two things - your choice:
Buy a deep-well socket (22mm) - it will be long enoough to do the job and not fall into the engine
Firmly attach ta standard socket socket to an extension - a couple of wraps with duct tape will do the job (or JB Weld, or really weld - but the tape works fine)
- better to be safe than sorry, as you will likely have to pull the engine and crack the case to get the dropped socket out!
Another Warning: you will need to readjust valves - so also look here: Adjusting Valves Instructions
Cam Installation Videos - Maustarman
Cam Break-In Thread From the Forum
Cam Install on 06 Bike (with info for all installers) - forum thread
Cam Timing "How To" Video - Cam Timing Video - thanks to Maustarman for providing the link
What to buy
There are 2 "preferred" cam suppliers. SS Custom Cycle and Metric Magic.
SS Custom Cycle "429" Cams
Speaking for my cams the first big difference is the quality of the cam itself... We do not offer reworked cams on stock cast cores, we offer new steel billet replacement cams. In fact we are the only company making new steel billet cams for the V Star 1100's... The manufacturing process of our steel billets include hard-facing the lobes and heat treating the steel. This process although expensive allows for an extra long wearing lobe surface and produces the highest quality cam possible.
Our billet cams are sold outright, without the need for a core exchange, core return or core deposit you have next to no down time or additional funds tied up. This also allows you to also retain your original stock cams should you ever decide to return the bike to the stock configuration.
The current cams being use by all of our competitors is made by Webcam and was designed for use in the Yamaha TT-500 dirt bike, not the 1100 V Star. Although this cam will function, we feel it does not have the correct specs for optimal performance when used in the V Star 1100. Nor does it have the durability of a steel billet cam.
We not only feel that our cams are the best that can be had, we are sure of it. When we bring out a new grind it because it's better then the previous designs, we spent money on its development to insure you get the best that can be had... It's never for the sake of fancy name or "name change" on a older obsolete grind...
The perfect cam package should include the following for best tuning and best overall performance results...
- K&N Pods large enough for the job
- AIS removal
- A good performance exhaust system, Cobra or Leo-Vince are recommended.
- A Dyna Ignition to allow the TPS to be taken out of the equation, to produce the best tuning results and lastly for higher rev limits that the cams will allow for.
- Next would be a performance clutch upgrade like our Barnett 464 pressure plate, this will get the power to the ground and prevent slipping caused by the large increase in HP
- Dyna performance coils because they produce sufficient spark required at the higher rpms,
- Lastly a good set of spark plugs like the E-3 we offer.
The stock bike puts out right around 50HP Add pods and pipes and ya have 60HP... Now add most cams and you've got 10 additional HP... Our cams will add 15HP plus on average... Here's a recent dyno posted by someone running our 429 cams.
429 Dyno Sheet -click for picture
Dyna Settings for SS Custom Cams
We suggest starting with curve 6 and trying curve 5 as well, the TPS should be disconnected at the plug.
429 cams.... 7000 Max rpm setting (Do not exceed with stock valve springs)
502 all........ 7500 Max rpm setting (8000 with NOS & Shortened valve guides)
Metric Magic "440" Cams
A great highly recommended all around cam. These pull hard all the way from take off to the rev limiter. It's been called by some as the perfect 1100 grind.
For Tuning and other cam set up information- See Tuning - Carb Jetting