Maybe he had this guy helping.

 

I liked clippy!

 

The Paper Clip!

 

I believe the OP is hot air, fantasy and BS..

There are some here, whose info and opinions can be followed with confidence..
From me,,,take the engine apart, before ordering anything,, inspect all components associated with a cams change... I do not use the popular term upgrade, as this implies improvement and/or betterment.. which is not the case in many pop the cams in .

 

Owners of the late model Twin Cam 103, looking for affordable power, (Rushmore Bikes) want to upgrade their Cams. Many upgrades are on these models at the factory already, so some companies say you can put in a set of upgraded lobs without changing anything else. Yes just replace the Cams and nothing else. No bearings to push or rods to cut.

So for example, is it worth it to replace factory cams with TW222 Wood Cams, and nothing else at all?
Considering they are $400 and easy to pop in with a couple magnets or clips, do you really need to spend 2000 for a whole Zippers or S&S Kit / Package?

What "upgrades" are on at the factory?

What are "lobs"?

Yes, you "can" just replace the cams, but your question was whether or not it is worth it.

You don’t have to cut or change the push rods, I do it all the time with a paper clip. The question is, do you really have to spend any more than the Cams? If you do that stuff why stop there, you need oil pump, tensioners, a new cam plate and everything is better when you spend. Your answer is no then, you can’t just do the lifters alone. I appreciate your opinion. Not sure I disagree. Wood says you can do the TW222 all alone and publishes a pretty impressive Dyno.

I thought the question was about cams, not lifters.

Claims of doing "just cams" usually refers to the fact that they don't require any valve train changes, commonly referred to as a "bolt-in" cam. Upgrading cam bearings (upgrade from factory bearings) and installing a fresh set of lifters are always recommended. Adjustable pushrods are just a way to avoid the labor of re-using the solid factory pushrods, not necessarily an upgrade.

I would like to see your pics of the paper clip thing. I have never seen that done before.

 

Just my two cents worth...
S&S MR103 cams, bearings, support plate, oil pump, and adjustable pushrods, Feuling lifters, S&S power tune duals with slash cut mufflers, power vision tuner and target tune with wide band O2 sensors. This combination woke my '16 RG ultra right up. Pulls like a tractor and 120 mph is not a problem (although I don't recommend it).

 

I have the MR103 also- data and advertisement shows it as a balanced option.

Only advise would be as follows-
Keep drivability in mind- I find the MR103 in my setup is good all around, but really shines as a noticeable performance gain in the higher RPMs above 4250. Which is a place I seldom go on a daily ride.

That kind of high RPM WOT riding will wear those around you thin- fun but not practical.

I’d say look at a heavy torque cam, and focus on exhaust design to keep velocity. (My 103” at WOT at 6500 rpms with homemade 2.5” 2-1 only has a differential pressure from valve to tip of .05PSI! Actual pressure is higher, but it’s ideal and it’s not choked flow, Or anywhere close to your idea of ‘bad back pressure’

Velocity is king for that instant power at a wrist flick!! Many true experts and thoughts; in my case I experimented through iterations from real sensor data

 

Andrews 48 cams would be my choice for a cam only swap in a 103".

I take it you're new to HD's? You have to either remove the pushrods from the rocker box or cut them out and use adjustable pushrods. And you should always upgrade the inner cam bearings from the OEM bearings, use B-168 bearings. Also, new aftermarket lifters, later model TC's have -99C lifters, and they're not that good of a lifter.

And to get all that the upgraded cams can give you, a dyno tune by a reputable shop that focuses on performance work.

 

You don’t have to cut or change the push rods, I do it all the time with a paper clip. The question is, do you really have to spend any more than the Cams? If you do that stuff why stop there, you need oil pump, tensioners, a new cam plate and everything is better when you spend. Your answer is no then, you can’t just do the lifters alone. I appreciate your opinion. Not sure I disagree. Wood says you can do the TW222 all alone and publishes a pretty impressive Dyno.