Sorry to jump back in here guys but, then again, it is MY thread. I have been ignoring lately because it has gone way beyond my point which was to just say be careful when you go giving out advice on how people can go about getting stage 1 on their EFI bikes - specifically when you go telling them all they need is an a/c and pipes or mufflers.

I read up on what's been posted lately and just have a few thoughts to add. First, as anyone can tell, there are many different ways to get a decent stage 1 done and not a single one of them is the ONLY way to do it. Other than that, just some miscellaneous things to add:

Air Cleaners - many available and they all get the job done. They are also very easy to install if you aren't afraid of a screwdriver and a wrench and most can be bought much cheaper online than in a store and you can really save on labor by installing it yourself. For example, I saw someone say they were quoted $149 for a Big Sucker kit. I bought mine for $120 online and installed it myself in 20 minutes.

The HD SE stage 1 download - personally, I don't think the download is enough for some applications, more specifically full pipes or very open baffled slipons like V&H's Straightshots. It has been suggested to compliment the download with IED's. I don't know a lot about them yet but, from what I've heard, that sounds like a reasonable combination and I'm hoping to find out more about these things from people that buy and try them out. As for the price of the download, I have a slight bone to pick about some things that have been said. As a Software Programmer, I have to add that, even though you can't touch the download, it is tangible in that it is software that is intellectual property and does have a cost associated with it. With that said, it has been my understanding for quite some time that dealers charge a flat fee of $150 for it and do not add for labor. If a dealer is adding labor to the quote, go to another one if you feel you need or want the download.

There has been a lot of useful information added to this thread. It can be very helpful to people but also VERY confusing. Suffice to say that to do a successful stage 1, you need a high flow air cleaner unit, not just a filter, and higher flowing pipes or mufflers. And you need to do SOMETHING to augment your A/F ratio be it downloads, fuel managers, tuners, IED's, or a combination.

 

The stage one download is important when your bike goes out of closed loop mode to open ..
i.e. on acceration and at flat-out top end, it increases your AFR and opens the rev limiter to around 6000 rpm whereas stock, your rev limiter kicks in around 4500 rpm. THEREFORE the IED's which will richen your AFR in closed loop mode ( talking O2 sensors here) are desirable at cruising and idle.

I agree the download is "intellectual property" but you can be sure, the programmer has been paid off by now by the MoCo and probably doesn't have royalties on each downoad, so the charge for a unit of download at $150.. is plenty, that's what i paid, and getting screwed for more is a rip-off.

 

Agree with you there and that is what I hear people saying they paid. Still feels like paying for "air" I know.

 

Right on, same as the Napster debate..........[:@]

 

Got my IED's. Cinch to install except that my chubby mitts had a hard time with the front 02 sensor. Haven't gone riding yet. Maybe a little after work tonight. I'll post my observations later. Big Mahalo to all the people contributing and helping me out.

 

I have a carb and can adjust my bike to run from lean to rich easily..... The Rush pipes pop on decel no matter what i have done to the a/f mixture. many have reported the same problem.

 

Took a test run last night. Bike handles better. More power, more torque. Engine was noticably cooler. Thing is, it popped on decel on me twice and once upon startup. Tomorrow I'll check on my plugs to see how they're doing. Overall, I am really happy with this mod. Mahalo again everyone.