Can't leave well enough alone-Power Commander Install

[bradrcfii]

After installing the torque loops and the Torq Master pipes that are awesome, I started thinking about installing a Dynojet Power Commander and their auto-tune module to see the possibilities.  My brain said no, it runs great, but I just can’t help myself.   I like to tinker as much as riding.  Additionally, I was not getting the fuel mileage I should have seen.  Weak justification I know but there is no financial justification for this project.

The newly installed wideband O2 sensors reports AFR over a larger range thus can deal with bike changes like my new pipes that are flowing more air.  The challenge I had with the new PC5 installation is that there are no AFR maps for the Valkyrie.  I guess I could of used a Goldwing map but decided to start from scratch. The custom shop that installed the PC5 set the target map to 13.2 and told me not to go beyond 14 if I should decide to run the bike leaner.  My research taught me 14.6 AFR makes the most horsepower but will run to hot.  13.2 is the right number for balance of power and temperature but I would sure like to know what Honda’s target AFR is.  I think I will research the stock sensor to see what it's AFR range is.

The auto tune constantly changes fuel delivery to hit the target AFR.  At the same time, it builds trim tables, offsets that can be applied to the base map.  I need to get a couple of hundred miles on the system before applying trims.  You use a Windows laptop and a standard USB connection.  The three boxes (PC5, Auto-Tune and Secondary fuel Controller) are all hidden under the seat up front on the right side.  If installed per the directions, the boxes are hard to see even with the seat removed. Thank god my dealer is cool who told me to make sure he cannot see them.  Once you have the base map set, you can remove the auto-tune module.

The PCV5 software gives you the ability to set AFR based on percent of throttle and RPM.  After I take some fuel mileage readings, I might lean a few tenths between 2% and 15% throttle position at 2700-3200 RPM’s, the cruising range in hopes of better fuel mileage.  Power levels and loads are low at cruise so temps should be good.  I wish we had cylinder head temp data like we have in piston powered aircraft.

Only have a few miles on the new system.  Engine is very strong, certainly did not go backwards and exhaust popping on decal is gone. I always had one pop using the engine to decal.   I never heard any popping with the stock exhaust system.  I do not know if the PCV solved this or the stock system muted the pops.
 
Also lowered the bike ¾ of an inch.  It is so nice to be able to get by boot heels on the ground and is it possible this great bike might handle even better.

Will post more data as I learn more.

[AdrianR]

I have to assume you are getting the deceleration popping after the new pipes right? 

I have zero decel pops with the stock pipes.  As long as I run corn free fuel, or condition fuel that has corn in it...I get tremendous power and nearly 50mph! (being easy on throttle)..

[bradrcfii]

Yes, just one pop on decel after new pipes. New tuning eliminated the pop.  If you pulled the clutch in and not use the engine for decel, there would be no pops.

Where do you find corn free fuel?

[AdrianR]

Yes, just one pop on decel after new pipes. New tuning eliminated the pop.  If you pulled the clutch in and not use the engine for decel, there would be no pops.

Where do you find corn free fuel?

I live near the border of WI. in IL.  Close to me is a town called Pell Lake.  There is a Mobil station that sells it.  It though is only their premium gas...so you will pay more for it. Cenex gas stations as well in WI sell fuel without it.

Most of the time though I just buy a Stabil's Ethanol Fuel Conditioner at Meijer.   Works great...an ounce or so to a full tank..  I know I say this allot, but I cannot stress enough how much better my bike runs using this product, or the corn free fuel.  Runs smoother, idles better, accelerates faster and gets excellent fuel mileage...  I simply will not run gas with ethanol in it...except for my car.

[Robert]

Will be interested in hearing your results, I was interested in the PC or may do a Ghul ecu mod along with removal of the cats. I like the exhaust sound and the power is actually enough. So this is not a must do project either.  I do want the cross over pipe in the system and the aftermarket pipes dont have that. I was thinking about what you said about the head temp. You can get some info with a exhaust temp sender. That would be doable on these bikes.

I have used rec fuel in mine also a couple of times, really didn't feel a difference but tried it again and I think I like it. Noticed this time better idle better cold start, as for power the jury is still out. Of course Adrian had nothing to do with me trying it again, you in sales Adrian?  

[AdrianR]

I have used rec fuel in mine also a couple of times, really didn't feel a difference but tried it again and I think I like it. Noticed this time better idle better cold start, as for power the jury is still out. Of course Adrian had nothing to do with me trying it again, you in sales Adrian?  

  Actually, I USED to be in sales... for quite some time..  but that has changed. Anyway, yeah, give it *some* time...like by the second tank full for sure you should notice a difference.  It is not a night and day difference, but it is definitely there. Aside from just all around better run characteristics...the bike just feels more *hyper*...rockets/accelerates better..better throttle response... I also noticed that these bikes need to get to good operating temperature too before they start producing max power.  And if it is cool out...this will take a bit longer.  I've been riding allot on days where the temps are in the 40s...She takes a good 20-30 minutes to fully warm up...then she's 'a rompin' for sure!

I discovered this ethanol crap run disparity to real gas...like back in the last decade when I owned my 03' Shadow Sabre 1100...It took me YEARS to figure why bike ran ran SO DAMN good in Tn...(the dragon/deals gap and a state that sells gas without ethanol) compared to what it did here in Illinois. And also, when I would store it during the winter using Stabil to stabilize the gas for Winter.  In March during my first ride with the treated fuel the bike ran so good...and I thought I was just imagining it...thinking that I hadn't rode my bike in 3 mos...and just forgot...how it ran...  I did this for several years before I realized it was the ethanol in the gas that was causing it exhibit less power.  Seafoam will do the same thing..(this is when I discovered it..as I had water in the gas at one time...)

My bike, lawn tractor, lawn mower, weed whipper, snow blower...ALL use treated fuel! Alcohol free gas is just all around better for your entire fuel system man.  Alcohol attracts moisture..and holds it in your fuel system...  This is why you are suppose to drain all the fuel out of anything if it sits for awhile.   *Back in the day* gas would last for years..if stored properly.  Ethanol sucks ass!

[Thor32]

Search "pure gas" app and it will help you locate a nearby station w/o ethanol!

[bradrcfii]

I finally have the PowerCommander sorted out with a map that provides both power and economy.  There were no maps for my bike at Dynojet so I had to build my own.  I researched proper AFR for varying conditions and found this.  The items in Red are notes from Dynojet.  There is no question concerning performance gains.  The engine roar on acceleration is nothing I have heard stock and acceleration from cruise is impressive.  The two columns within the target map are throttle position and RPM.  I plan to get the bike on a dyno so I can record thrttle position at variouss speeds and gears to refine the map.  The software will highlight the active cell based on what the engine is doing.  I will report back the dyno performance figures.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I finally have the PowerCommander sorted out with a map that provides both power and economy.  There were no maps for my bike at Dynojet so I had to build my own.  I researched proper AFR for varying conditions and found this.  The items in Red are notes from Dynojet.  There is no question concerning performance gains.  The engine roar on acceleration is nothing I have heard stock and acceleration from cruise is impressive.  The two columns within the target map are throttle position and RPM.  I plan to get the bike on a dyno so I can record thrttle position at variouss speeds and gears to refine the map.  The software will highlight the active cell based on what the engine is doing.  I will report back the dyno performance figures.

I know this was quite a while ago. I was wondering if you still have the bike? If you do, have you had any problems associated with the power commander? Still using the same fuel maps?

[Robert]

Its alot of work and money for 10 hp probably.

I just put a tune on my car the gain is about +20 HP / +14 LB-FT for around a thousand dollars. Unless you have a supercharger or turbo charger the gains just are not that much as a general rule. But what you do get is a sweeter ride and one that responds better and quicker on accel and most situations. That to me was worth it and they for that price did all the programing and it was tried on many vehicles before mine. I did not want to screw the car up and did not want to change the overall characteristics of the car and did not want to spend the time fooling with trying to tune it. Which is one of the most time consuming and hardest things you can do on any vehicle.

The programing, computer and fuel system is different on the Wing and that is why they dont have maps to switch over to the Valk. The self tune systems are ok but they also have their problems and unless a small jump in hp or gas mileage is ok with you they are generally not worth it.