Mar 17, 2015, 03:36 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Issue: What is the best EFI tuner with no crazy modifications
When looking for a new EFI tuner there could be a lot of information out there that is difficult to wrap your head around. Users give their opinion of what is the best tuner out there that doesn't have too many bells and whistles for a decent price.
Read the full discussion below for more information
When looking for a new EFI tuner there could be a lot of information out there that is difficult to wrap your head around. Users give their opinion of what is the best tuner out there that doesn't have too many bells and whistles for a decent price.
Read the full discussion below for more information
Best tuner ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
Note though that I've made some changes to that post and added a little blurb about dyno tuning to each.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
power comander is the biggest name in the industery as far as after market ecm and tuners go.
Last edited by matt25; Apr 14, 2011 at 06:20 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
refering to the harley aftermarket tuner. look in your parts and accessoris book if you have not seen them.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
power comander is the biggest name in the industery as far as after market ecm and tuners go.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
power comander is the biggest name in the industery as far as after market ecm and tuners go.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
6. ECM Custom Reflash or replacement. This is what the SERT does and what the Thundermax allows you to do (but replaces the stock ECM completely). It allows you to physically change the tables within the ECM like the factory download (option 1) but now you can change all the values in those tables for any kind of modification you make to the engine. The benefit to this is that you are adding no additional devices to your bike or trying to "Spoof" the ECM in any way to get the right results and have direct control of the tables in your ECM. The drawback also happens to be the strength of this option. While you can use the canned tune for your modifications, you (or your tuner) MUST know what you're doing when modifying the tables and the SERT option needs a dyno tune to get the most out of it every time you make a modification to the engine. With the Thundermax ECM system, you physically replace your stock ECM with their system. If you get the Thundermax system with Autotune, it now will automatically tweak the base tune using Wide Band O2s. Coupled with the available table maps for different modifications, this eleminates the need to dyno tune the Thundermax ECM with Autotune like you would need to do if reflashing your stock ECM with the SERT.
I don't think you mentioned the TTS tuning kit which is probably the most dominant and important tuning tool available to amateurs today (the company knows delphi system and also offer products to GM tuners). The amateur does not need an intimate knowledge of EFI to effectively use the tool, although it may help save some seat equity time. But you can certainly and safely learn as you go if you so desire. To get that last HP out, you would need more than a casual knowledge of EFI and probably access to a dyno. Although a competent pro will likely do a better job than a backyard mechanic, the tool kit alows the amateur to get very close, certainly better than a mediocre tuners, and without the expense of dyno time. That is if you consider all around street smoothness, power, driveability, responsiveness to be ideal tuning. The mastertune.net site has some descriptive text if you chose to study or add it to your post. There has been a sticky on this toll and the EFI subject in the EFI part of this forum for years. It is difficult to boil it down and also be complete and accurate. There a very few head to head competitions/comparisons. of real world results, let alone by independent journalists.
There are as least one ECU replacement and several tuning add-ons, but it is a good start. I hear there are better options than the ancient Thundermax available for those that just want to ride and not interested in tinkering.
Last edited by ColdCase; Apr 15, 2011 at 07:10 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
The FP and PC were much more "archaic" than the Tmax when you consider what it takes to get the best tune. They both require tinkering since it does not autotune like the Tmax, and even then if you are a "backyard mechanic" you will probably never get it as close as the Tmax does after initial setup.
I have not used the TTS personally, so I cannot comment on that, however I do know a couple guys that have it and are very happy with it.
Seems to me a lot of people are posting "knowledge" based on what they have read instead of seat of the pants actual experience, which is fine, but opinion based strictly on book knowledge is not as useful.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,718
Likes: 11
From: Back in the Good Ole USA. South Carolina to be exact.
refering to the harley aftermarket tuner. look in your parts and accessoris book if you have not seen them.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
power comander is the biggest name in the industery as far as after market ecm and tuners go.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
power comander is the biggest name in the industery as far as after market ecm and tuners go.
Last edited by jluvs2ride; Apr 15, 2011 at 07:57 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,718
Likes: 11
From: Back in the Good Ole USA. South Carolina to be exact.
Talk about being a shill.... Ancient?? Really?? What is ancient about Wideband o2 sensors, ECM's and EFI? There is no need to tinker with the Thundermax if that is your choice, the initial setup on mine runs like a champ, much better than either the Fuelpak or Power Commander III that I previously had on this bike, so I think I have a pretty good basis for my opinion.
The FP and PC were much more "archaic" than the Tmax when you consider what it takes to get the best tune. They both require tinkering since it does not autotune like the Tmax, and even then if you are a "backyard mechanic" you will probably never get it as close as the Tmax does after initial setup.
I have not used the TTS personally, so I cannot comment on that, however I do know a couple guys that have it and are very happy with it.
Seems to me a lot of people are posting "knowledge" based on what they have read instead of seat of the pants actual experience, which is fine, but opinion based strictly on book knowledge is not as useful.
The FP and PC were much more "archaic" than the Tmax when you consider what it takes to get the best tune. They both require tinkering since it does not autotune like the Tmax, and even then if you are a "backyard mechanic" you will probably never get it as close as the Tmax does after initial setup.
I have not used the TTS personally, so I cannot comment on that, however I do know a couple guys that have it and are very happy with it.
Seems to me a lot of people are posting "knowledge" based on what they have read instead of seat of the pants actual experience, which is fine, but opinion based strictly on book knowledge is not as useful.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I hadn't heard much on the TTS so I didn't want to add it just yet. Since this is something I'm looking into soon (and figured on going with the PCV with Autotune) I most certainly will read up on it.
The idea behind my post was not to get into all the specifics but rather just post an overview of what's out there. Sounds like the TTS comes in under option six and if someone is interested in that they can read more about it (like I will).
I DON'T have a lot of knowledge about Harley specific tuners which is why I first, tried to keep it to the very, very basics and second, why I said I'd "try" to write this up. I do have experiance on scanning and tunning GM Delphi EFI systems and EFI tuning systems are pretty similar (as far as types go). This is also why I'm more than open to corrections...I certainly don't know it all...
The idea behind my post was not to get into all the specifics but rather just post an overview of what's out there. Sounds like the TTS comes in under option six and if someone is interested in that they can read more about it (like I will).
I DON'T have a lot of knowledge about Harley specific tuners which is why I first, tried to keep it to the very, very basics and second, why I said I'd "try" to write this up. I do have experiance on scanning and tunning GM Delphi EFI systems and EFI tuning systems are pretty similar (as far as types go). This is also why I'm more than open to corrections...I certainly don't know it all...
Last edited by Robotech; Apr 15, 2011 at 06:28 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Olney,IL
I currently am running the screamin eagle race tuner "orange one" and I am happy with it...my friend is running the dobek TTI fuel tuner...I am thinking of trying one of these automatic tuners or one that I can tune myself..any ideas on any of these?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,718
Likes: 11
From: Back in the Good Ole USA. South Carolina to be exact.
If you have the race tuner you can tune yourself.