Cam timing, poor mid-performance, discussion
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:06 pm
I'd like to get some inputs re my "poor" mid-ompphhh...
I don't have any recent nrs/charts, but i'll try to describe the issue.
I have a fairly tuned engine, with 878-kit, MAB full-system, Mikuni flatslides, stacks with pod-filters, CDI-mod. Cylinder head has been ported/plasted quite extensively including modified valves, welded exhaustports etc. Squish has been measured/adjusted, slightly skimmed head/cylinder. I also have Kent cams, that due to a mishap at Kent have been slightly modified in comparison to standard Kent cams. It's been on dynos a number of times for checking/adjusting A/F.
All has been done with the aim to add mid-range oomphh, not caring about peak figures. The porting has been done by a very skilled porter in Sweden, with the same aim, peak-figures/high RPMs not interesting. (Looks very different with for example KW's porting, my inlets are a lot narrower for example)
I won't go into numbers, as all knows, dynocharts can't be compared (but i've been happy enough). What has been puzzling me is the look of my curve, in comparison too other charts, both stock, mildly tuned and ones with similar specs as mine. My bike easily revs 9500, with very slight drop in power above max, it revs on and on... On the other hand, it has quite a loss in comparison in mid-range. All contrary too what was expected...
Over the winter, I've had the bike at a workshop, and asked the mechanic to check my cam-timing too see if there would be any gains changing the timing. Cams have been mounted with standard sprockets, so no room for errors frommy side. The cams should be 105/109 according to Kent specs, also with my slightly modified profiles. Turns out the timing is 110/100 instead. Bingo! That's the cause then! The mechanic slots the sprockets, and sets the timing correct. The gain in mid-range is approx. 2 hp, and losing 1.5 at top... (It also turns out the cams seem to be not completely round, he got different measures on valve gap each time he checked?)
I feel like i am missing more in the region of 4-5 hps in midrange (comparing curve shapes with similar), and would happily sacrifice 2 or more at top.
1, Any good theories on my poor mid-range?
2,What with the cam timing, I would have expected a much greater difference once it was correct?
I don't have any recent nrs/charts, but i'll try to describe the issue.
I have a fairly tuned engine, with 878-kit, MAB full-system, Mikuni flatslides, stacks with pod-filters, CDI-mod. Cylinder head has been ported/plasted quite extensively including modified valves, welded exhaustports etc. Squish has been measured/adjusted, slightly skimmed head/cylinder. I also have Kent cams, that due to a mishap at Kent have been slightly modified in comparison to standard Kent cams. It's been on dynos a number of times for checking/adjusting A/F.
All has been done with the aim to add mid-range oomphh, not caring about peak figures. The porting has been done by a very skilled porter in Sweden, with the same aim, peak-figures/high RPMs not interesting. (Looks very different with for example KW's porting, my inlets are a lot narrower for example)
I won't go into numbers, as all knows, dynocharts can't be compared (but i've been happy enough). What has been puzzling me is the look of my curve, in comparison too other charts, both stock, mildly tuned and ones with similar specs as mine. My bike easily revs 9500, with very slight drop in power above max, it revs on and on... On the other hand, it has quite a loss in comparison in mid-range. All contrary too what was expected...
Over the winter, I've had the bike at a workshop, and asked the mechanic to check my cam-timing too see if there would be any gains changing the timing. Cams have been mounted with standard sprockets, so no room for errors frommy side. The cams should be 105/109 according to Kent specs, also with my slightly modified profiles. Turns out the timing is 110/100 instead. Bingo! That's the cause then! The mechanic slots the sprockets, and sets the timing correct. The gain in mid-range is approx. 2 hp, and losing 1.5 at top... (It also turns out the cams seem to be not completely round, he got different measures on valve gap each time he checked?)
I feel like i am missing more in the region of 4-5 hps in midrange (comparing curve shapes with similar), and would happily sacrifice 2 or more at top.
1, Any good theories on my poor mid-range?
2,What with the cam timing, I would have expected a much greater difference once it was correct?