Power Commander

[Gordo]

So I'll try and insert the chart comparing the stock fuel map (blue) and the new custom map done on the dyno (green).  The stock map would be, I assume, what I would call a zero map.  I've just included the Custom Map compared to the Roadhouse pipes and Thunder airbox map as well.

Now remember the charts are comparing changes to each other, not the actual fuel maps.  That's why my Custom map looks different on each chart.  It reflects the change from the compared map.

[Gordo]

So picked up the bike this morning.  Torque and HP were tuned to almost exactly the output of the fuel map I was using.  Numbers were within decimal points of each other.  I think I was using the thunder air kit/roadhouse pipes with baffle map, not the zero map.  Results are not very earth shattering.  HP is 58.1 @ 4700 and torque is 77.4 at about 2800.  So, less than advertised stock numbers.  The bike has 62k kms (36k miles) on it and in good shape.  I'm guessing that the small diameter pipes have reduced numbers from stock.  Thats OK.  It looks good and runs strong.

What showed up very quickly was the air/fuel ratio problem.  It started very rich, dropped way off at 2000 rpm, then spiked off the chart by 3000 rpm.  The tech tuned it as flat as possible within the 13-14 range.

What I noticed riding it home was a very smooth, predictable response to throttle input.  The driveability improved.  It starts instantly, idled great, doesnt burble and gag at stop lights, and throttle roll-on response in high gear between 80-100 km  (50-60 MPH) is great.  It pulls nicely.

Quick MPG note .... I drove 30 miles from the shop after a fill up and got 46.1 mpg (Imperial gallons).  2.99 ltrs for 49.0 kms for those math types that want to convert on their own.

So all the mods to intake and exhaust are not reflected in performance gains.

[chief]

Very interesting. Let us know how it turns out... and also mpg's!

[Gordo]

My '99 with unknown dual fishtails, Khrome Werks HP Plus baffles and cleared out intake is at the dyno shop right now tuning my PC III.  After a few years of experimenting with all the maps out there, I decided to treat myself to a dyno tune.  I got a call from the shop right away telling me that the Power Commander is reading twice as many RPMs as the Dyno says it actually is.  They asked permission to reflash the new firmware from PC.  So with PC thinking is was going double, my thoughts are that it would be dumping fuel in when not necessary.  The shop downloaded the firmware upgrade and is keeping the bike overnight to finish the tune.

I googled Power Commander and double RPM and there is lots of stuff out there on the issue.

So I'll give it a blast tomorrow and see if I can notice any improvement.  I will keep you posted.

[1SG CAV]

What map did you finally download?

Ride with pride

[plevine1]

While the jury is still out regarding the gas mileage after my fresh download I will say that the bike feels much smother. Most of my friends REFUSED to ride behind me due to the fumes. Now the only thing they smell is if I had beans for dinner.

[chief]

I have a Gold Wing  - totally different bike from the Drifter... but a great one IMHO.

[plevine1]

I finally got around to downloading a new (hopefully the correct) map to the bike today. Heading out for a ride. If this doesnt help I see a Gold Wing in my future......

[michaelh42]

I do mainly highway at about 70-75 depending on traffic.  When I mix in some city driving I get about 40.

[1SG CAV]

at what average speed. Traveling back and forth to work I average around 45. On the freeway doing 72 I average 40.  I use the map for hard krome with thunder box. Over 72 mph i drop to 35.

Ride With Pride

[plevine1]

and I am getting 42 to 45 mpg.

42 to 45 mpg..... I hate you.

[michaelh42]

I have a 2001 1500 with the PCIII, ram air intake with a spacer, Fire and Steel pipes without baffels.  I bought the bike this way and the owner said he had it dialed in on a dyno. The bike is loud, fast and I am getting 42 to 45 mpg.

[1SG CAV]

http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/powercommander_iii_usb.aspx?mk=8&mdl=65&yr=201&pcVersion=411&PartNum=201
This has all the maps that I have in my computer. hope this helps.

Ride With Pride

[plevine1]

there is a map for Vance & Hines straight shots with thunder box. The Long shots doesn't look that much diferent than the Hard Krome pipes. You could try the map and see if it makes a difference. Having it Dyno'd would be better.

I can't seem to find that map. Can you post a link to the download.
Thanks

[1SG CAV]

there is a map for Vance & Hines straight shots with thunder box. The Long shots doesn't look that much diferent than the Hard Krome pipes. You could try the map and see if it makes a difference. Having it Dyno'd would be better.

[ranxerox]

I have a Power Commander III that I no longer need.  I had it Dyno'd in when I put on my Thunder Mfg teardrop intake and my Bub long pipes, I have the CD's with all the Dyno information and mapping that resulted from the Dyno work.  They dyno work alone cost $400.00

[plevine1]

Hey I know your problem. I have a PC III and a hyper-charger on my 02 1500. You can go to power commander web site and down load the map for Vance Hines without baffles and Thunderbox. This is the map I use on my bike. The thunder box is the components between the hyper-charger an the throttle body. With this map My bike runs great. Dyno the bike is truly the way to go. Hear in Oregon it cost me $250.00 Vance Hines is the closest thing I can come to for pipes. I have Hard Krome two walled headers (straight pipe) on my bike. You can do mild adjustments yourself. I will tell you that if it starts to run like crap. first check for broken wires. dailed in you'll like the way it rides.

Ride With Pride

The Powercommander website only shows 2 Vance & Hines downloads. One with and one without baffles. Nothing with the Thunderbox. Are you suggesting I use the download for the Hard Krome exhaust?

[tmassey]

i have a 1999 1500 drifter with vance & hines longs shots...bought the cobra 2000 ..i installed it with no problems and i have it set on the stock setting...works great...no complaints here.

terry

[1SG CAV]

Hey I know your problem. I have a PC III and a hyper-charger on my 02 1500. You can go to power commander web site and down load the map for Vance Hines without baffles and Thunderbox. This is the map I use on my bike. The thunder box is the components between the hyper-charger an the throttle body. With this map My bike runs great. Dyno the bike is truly the way to go. Hear in Oregon it cost me $250.00 Vance Hines is the closest thing I can come to for pipes. I have Hard Krome two walled headers (straight pipe) on my bike. You can do mild adjustments yourself. I will tell you that if it starts to run like crap. first check for broken wires. dailed in you'll like the way it rides.

Ride With Pride

[chief]

Yeah, and those solenoids are often removed when people do an airbox mod. The FI is pretty flexible but when you combine all of these things it simply cannot adjust sufficiently.

Dyno looks like an even better idea... to me anyway!

[Troll]

I love puzzles....I just had a thought.  Inside the stock airbox, on the right side, is a small sensor, the A.I.T. sensor. I don't know if this sensor is present in the air intake you have...but it could be crucial to the operation of the system. It senses the incoming air charge temp. and makes fuel adjustments based on it. Normally, the fuel trim would be richer in 50 deg. weather than in 90 deg. weather. There are also 2 idle air solenoids in the airbox. If those are not functioning correctly, or leaking, that too would enrich the mixture. Just some idle thoughts... I really have to get a life...

[plevine1]

Since the day I got the bike the mileage has always be off. When I first got the bike my range to empty was about 125 miles. Since pulling the baffles the mileage dropped to 85-90 per tank. Either the initial download was wrong or you might be on to something.

I am calling a few local shops to get pricing on having the bike dyno'd.

[Troll]

Somebody either installed the wrong map for your bike, or there is another problem, like....and I've seen this on cars, a lot...the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm has a small hole in it and fuel is being sucked through the vacuum hose. I would start by installing the zero map, which takes the pc III out of the fuel control picture and lets the factory programming proceed. Does this thing smoke under load? Are the pipes sooty? Check the air filter in the box, since it's open to the "ram effect" maybe it's plugged with dead bugs and other debris

[chief]

First, any of the boxes have to be adjusted based upon your pipes and breather. The Dyno is the most effective way of doing that... as has been noted, anything else is guesswork.

I have a cobra box on mine... the box is set up for the bike and pipes used. You can then adjust it for variances in that setup. A dyno can also be used to adjust. Not all pipes have the same impact on the bike. Different pipes impact the FI in different ways.

You are getting terrible fuel mileage, but you made that decision when you removed the baffles and kept the hypercharger.  Since you have the pcIII have it dyno'd. You might improve mpg's enough to pay for the dyno in a season or two.

[plevine1]

I cant complain about the performance of my bike. It had all that stuff when I bought it. I pulled the baffles because I like it a touch louder. My beef is the awful gas mileage. I hit empty at around 85 miles. Maybe 90 when I'm only on the parkway. I wouldnt consider myself heavy on the throttle. But this stinks.

I would agree that playing with the settings on my own is hit or miss. I just hate spending the money to have the bike dyno'd.