Question about Power Commander 5 and ECU Flash

[JohnHighlander_imp]

I'm not very technologically savvy so I do have one quick question... If I get an ECU flash will I have to do that before or after installing a power commander 5 and mapping it?

[chync_imp]

Well you don’t necessarily need to do both. If you want to remap your air/fuel accurately then a power commander and fuel map generated on a dyno will give you the best performance.

Some people will bypass the dyno and use maps others have had made and posted online. They will include the bike setup of things that affect the air/fuel mix like the type of exhaust and any mods to the air inlet. That method can get you better than stock results but only if you have a similar bike setup.

Some of the ecu flashers will do a couple of things one of which is to flash a new fuel map into the ecu. Again that works best if the map they use was based on the same configuration of your bike. They can also typically remove the speed limiter and raise the rev limit a few hundred rpm as well.

If you are primarily interested in better throttle response and power and are willing to spend for a power commander I would skip the ecu and spend the money to get it tuned in a dyno. If you are planning on changing your exhaust, headers, or air intake do that before the dyno.

If you aren’t planning on making mods to the exhaust or air intake then either finding a map online to load into the power commander or getting the ecu flashed with a fuel map for stock exhaust would also work and may be cheaper than the Power commander and dyno.

Of course if you want the speed limiter remover you will need to have the ecu flashed regardless of a power commander.

The bike is setup lean from the factory to help meet emissions in the u.s. Re-mapping the fuel gets more gas in the engine that the engine is capable of burning. Gas mileage can go down depending on how you ride but once you feel how much smoother the throttle is especially when first getting on it you likely won’t mind any gas mileage difference. Eliminates that jerky response when first rolling the throttle on.

I have a power commander with both intake and exhaust mods. I had it tuned on a dyno. I love it. I did end up flashing the ecu as well but only to have the speed limiter removes and the rpm limit raised 500 rpm. I told them to leave the fuel map stock. That way I can simply remove the power commander and have it running stock as far as the fuel mix goes.

But there are some in the forum that only had the fuel map changed in the ecu flash and are happy with it.

Are you planning on any mods to the intake or exhaust?


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[Aussieflyer]

Hi JH, Just a suggestion ... you could have your ECU remapped by a reputable dyno tuner plus ask them to modify any other features you want, e.g. speed limiter removed. That way you won't need to buy the PCV.

Edit: I was too slow and Chync's given a much more detailed response.

[JohnHighlander_imp]

I have a GP exhaust on at the moment. I just put it on and haven't rode the bike since. My biggest fear is that I would run too lean & it would damage the motor... I have a power commander 5 on the way and I do want to get rid of the speed limiter just in case I have to get away from any crazy drivers. That and I think it's just silly to have a motorcycle that can't go above 115 LOL
If I do the mapping with the power commander on... Will I have to do that all over again after I reflash the ECU?

Hi JH, Just a suggestion ... you could have your ECU remapped by a reputable dyno tuner plus ask them to modify any other features you want, e.g. speed limiter removed. That way you won't need to buy the PCV.

Edit: I was too slow and Chync's given a much more detailed response.

I got the pc5 as a reconciliation from the girl that backed into my bike...so it didn't cost me anything lol I figured...might as well use it since I got it!

[Retsel_imp]

The first question is, what bike do you have? Second, what are you looking to achieve?

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[JohnHighlander_imp]

2014 CB1100
Goal: not running too lean with a GP style exhaust, not being limited to 115mph, gaining HP. In that order

[Retsel_imp]

Okay, I see from a previous post that you have a 2014, I assume standard? If you are looking to eliminate the catalitic converter, with a new exhaust, I would definitely go with a powercomander and either use one of the existing maps available, for your chosen exhaust, or have it dyno tuned to optimize for your setup. If you want to eliminate the limiters you will need to have your existing ecu remapped as well.

I chose to keep the stock headers and add a slip-on, Staintune. I had the ecu remapped by Guth Motors. I did get some improvements in throttle response but my main goal was to eliminate the limiters.

As far as actual performance improvement, I got the most bang-for-the-buck by adding two teeth to the rear sproket of my 2014 standard.

Is you are looking to increase power or noise level there are lots of options. You just need to decide what is important to you.

The first question is, what bike do you have? Second, what are you looking to achieve?

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[Cormanus]

Guth Motors is rally Guhl Motors, isn't it? Not sure our Glorious Leader is into that aspect of motorcycling.

[Aussieflyer]

Aha, you already have the PCV and got it at no cost, very cool. In that case you might as well use it. You could fit the PCV and the muffler very easily yourself and then:

1. search the internet (commence with the Dynojet web site) to find a proven fuel map to suit your exhaust, air filter combination. Then just load the map into the PCV and you're away. Finding the right map could prove problematic as there just aren't that many around. Or ...

2. take the bike to a dyno tune expert to build the correct fuel map to suit. There will be a significant cost for that service but at least you will know it's done right. So long as you don't change the exhaust, air filter, fuel combination it will stay right. Happy days. Or ...

3. Buy and fit the Dynojet Autotune module, weld the wideband O2 sensor onto the collector of your headers and configure the PCV to suit. Then the bike will always be adjusting the fuel map to deliver the air fuel ratio that you define in the software. I went down this path mainly for the fun of doing it but, on reflection, next time I'd just take option 2 above and get it dyno tuned.

As far as the speed limiter goes the forum members with experience tell us you have to reflash the ecu. In Victoria Australia going that fast would see my bike impounded and I'd lose my licence for a year but I certainly understand the temptation ... and I'd like to know how fast you can get it to go!

Good luck with the project.

[chync_imp]

If you are definitely having the ecu flashed do the dyno mapping after. When I had mine on a dyno before the speed limiter was removed the ecu was cutting power during the dyno run because of the speed limiter. They had to run the dyno in a lower gear than normal.


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