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 ?
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: W.Kentucky
I called my local H-D dealer yesterday and asked the service manager what tuner they use. They use a Dobeck tuner. Have not even seen this tuner mentioned on this site. Does anyone here know any pros or cons about this tuner. http://www.electronicjetkit.com/default.asp The price of the tuner for my SuperGlide is about $250. Price is not really an issue for me. I just want a real good one that wont void my extended warranty...
Novice
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Regina
I loved the Dolbeck TFI on my bandit. I'll probably get the same for my street bob. I love being able to tune all the settings with a screwdriver on the fly - use the seat of my pants dyno. Sure I won't squeeze every last HP out of it like a dyno tune, but I'm riding a cruiser because I don't need every last HP.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Why has no one mentioned the Power Vision? This is a great little tuner. Has auto tune built in now and uses your existing ECM and O2 sensors. You can get the auto tune module for it to expand the auto tuning functionality with the added wide band O2 sensors. Easy install and setup and you dont need a PC to tune it. You can still fine tune it with a PC if wanted but the all in one handheld device makes life simple.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Hi,
I don't have tuner yet probably gonna have to get one, for ease of use the powervision seems pretty good to, just plug it in at fuse box
Whereas Powercommander looks like a lot of mucking around, and not much room under seat
Thanks
Mirrmu
I don't have tuner yet probably gonna have to get one, for ease of use the powervision seems pretty good to, just plug it in at fuse box
Whereas Powercommander looks like a lot of mucking around, and not much room under seat
Thanks
Mirrmu
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: SC Lowcountry
I just took a Dobeck TFI off my 2010 FXDC & replaced it with a Power Vision. The Dobeck did a good job of removing my decel pop, but shot my gas mileage in the ***. Put the PV on last week, and there is an unbelievable difference. The Dobeck is basically just an injector tuner. Nothing more. You really can't compare it to an actual tuner.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 2
From: Cali
I just took a Dobeck TFI off my 2010 FXDC & replaced it with a Power Vision. The Dobeck did a good job of removing my decel pop, but shot my gas mileage in the ***. Put the PV on last week, and there is an unbelievable difference. The Dobeck is basically just an injector tuner. Nothing more. You really can't compare it to an actual tuner.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
Looks like it's been a while since anyone's posted here, but just wanted to say:
Thanks to Robotech for the very informative and comprehensive post on the subject. And thank you for admitting that you are still learning and are open to corrections. Anyone that tells you they know everything about tuning is probably blowing smoke up your @ss. Thanks to those who have posted here with corrections and or comments.
Also, some posts mentioned either unplugging your stock O2 sensors, or there not being a difference in using a narrowband over a wideband. First, any device that would have you unplug your stock O2 sensors, imo, is garbage. The whole point of having 02 sensors is so that the ECM can see exactly what is in the exhaust, and adjust as necessary. Unplugging your 02 sensors is like riding your bike down the road blindfolded. You may be able to do it, but won't know when a turn is coming up. As for the narrow/wide band 02's, if you are running narrowband (stock) 02's and your bike seems to be running fine, then cool! But, wideband sensors allow for better resolution, allowing the ECM to 'see' the exhaust values in more detail, and therefore can correct air/fuel ratios to an even finer degree.
Hope this helps!
Happy riding!
Thanks to Robotech for the very informative and comprehensive post on the subject. And thank you for admitting that you are still learning and are open to corrections. Anyone that tells you they know everything about tuning is probably blowing smoke up your @ss. Thanks to those who have posted here with corrections and or comments.
Also, some posts mentioned either unplugging your stock O2 sensors, or there not being a difference in using a narrowband over a wideband. First, any device that would have you unplug your stock O2 sensors, imo, is garbage. The whole point of having 02 sensors is so that the ECM can see exactly what is in the exhaust, and adjust as necessary. Unplugging your 02 sensors is like riding your bike down the road blindfolded. You may be able to do it, but won't know when a turn is coming up. As for the narrow/wide band 02's, if you are running narrowband (stock) 02's and your bike seems to be running fine, then cool! But, wideband sensors allow for better resolution, allowing the ECM to 'see' the exhaust values in more detail, and therefore can correct air/fuel ratios to an even finer degree.
Hope this helps!
Happy riding!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
. As for the narrow/wide band 02's, if you are running narrowband (stock) 02's and your bike seems to be running fine, then cool! But, wideband sensors allow for better resolution, allowing the ECM to 'see' the exhaust values in more detail, and therefore can correct air/fuel ratios to an even finer degree.
Two reasons it might not (or not much):
1. That degree of fine-tuning on a street bike is not going to get you much, especially on a relatively crude HD. The majority of people adding a tuner are doing a stage-1 and that will net you 10% over stock. You will get that (with a 2006+ bike) whether you add no tuner, add some Xieds, add a PCV, add a proper tuner with a canned map, add a tuner and get it dynoed...
Some of those will improve engine temps, low speed surging, etc too of course. And maybe find you an odd HP. You will get that regardless of the sensor type though.
2. GIGO. The old computing adage: Garbage In Garbage Out.
A setup with wideband sensors is only as good as the base tune. If its a perfect tune then this perfect tune will be maintained through varying conditions. If the tune is a bit crap then a wideband system will do an equally excellent job of maintaining that crap tune. How many of us have a perfect tune?
Basically, there are really good reasons that the vast majority of even high performance vehicles go with narrowband systems: they are reliable, cheap and they do all that's needed. If they would really help then you can bet that Ferrari, Jaguar, Porche, etc would be fitting them as standard because they wouldn't be bothered about a few extra $ a wideband system would cost.