Fuel Pack? Tuning?
Fuel Pack? Tuning?
I am perparing to make a purchase of a Vance and Hines Short Shots for my FXDB and I had some questions as I am new to this. Any answers from any of you expects is greatly appreciated.
1. Is a fuel pack needed with the exhaust system?
2. Can the bike just be tuned at a dealer to accomidate the new exhaust(no fuel pack/management module)?
3. Is tuning required or can the bike be ran fine without the tuning and the pipes?
4. Is a heavy breather/other intake needed with the pipes?
5. Can the combination of the intake/pipes function properly w/o a fuel pack and just shop tuning?
Thank you guys.
1. Is a fuel pack needed with the exhaust system?
2. Can the bike just be tuned at a dealer to accomidate the new exhaust(no fuel pack/management module)?
3. Is tuning required or can the bike be ran fine without the tuning and the pipes?
4. Is a heavy breather/other intake needed with the pipes?
5. Can the combination of the intake/pipes function properly w/o a fuel pack and just shop tuning?
Thank you guys.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
Before I answer your questions, the new FP3 isn't the same as the old ones, it's a true tuner, I highly recommend one.
1. A stage 1 download would be fine, but the FP3 will be better
2. Yes, but the FP3 has better maps
3. The FP3 is removed after you upload the map, doesn't have to stay on the bike (unless you want the *very cool* bluetooth real-time telemetry monitoring with your iPhone)
4. No, but make sure you get at least the stage 1 download or an FP3 if you change the intake AND pipes or you'll be running lean
5. The HD Stage 1 download is adequate, the FP3 maps are better
1. A stage 1 download would be fine, but the FP3 will be better
2. Yes, but the FP3 has better maps
3. The FP3 is removed after you upload the map, doesn't have to stay on the bike (unless you want the *very cool* bluetooth real-time telemetry monitoring with your iPhone)
4. No, but make sure you get at least the stage 1 download or an FP3 if you change the intake AND pipes or you'll be running lean
5. The HD Stage 1 download is adequate, the FP3 maps are better
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 41
From: Nevada
I also have short shots, although I also have the high flow intake. I originally had the dealer flash the ECM for the stage 1. It ran ok, no major issues. I just put on the FuelPak FP3 and used the canned map they provide. Huge difference in the way the bike runs now, much smoother, better power delivery and no decel pop.
Just running the pipes you will probably be ok as is, but it would definitely run better with the FP3 (Or other tuner). A buddy of mine finally added a power commander to his bike with after market pipes and he couldn't believe how much better it ran, said he wished he would have installed it at the same time as the pipes.
Just running the pipes you will probably be ok as is, but it would definitely run better with the FP3 (Or other tuner). A buddy of mine finally added a power commander to his bike with after market pipes and he couldn't believe how much better it ran, said he wished he would have installed it at the same time as the pipes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
Before I answer your questions, the new FP3 isn't the same as the old ones, it's a true tuner, I highly recommend one.
1. A stage 1 download would be fine, but the FP3 will be better
2. Yes, but the FP3 has better maps
3. The FP3 is removed after you upload the map, doesn't have to stay on the bike (unless you want the *very cool* bluetooth real-time telemetry monitoring with your iPhone)
4. No, but make sure you get at least the stage 1 download or an FP3 if you change the intake AND pipes or you'll be running lean
5. The HD Stage 1 download is adequate, the FP3 maps are better
1. A stage 1 download would be fine, but the FP3 will be better
2. Yes, but the FP3 has better maps
3. The FP3 is removed after you upload the map, doesn't have to stay on the bike (unless you want the *very cool* bluetooth real-time telemetry monitoring with your iPhone)
4. No, but make sure you get at least the stage 1 download or an FP3 if you change the intake AND pipes or you'll be running lean
5. The HD Stage 1 download is adequate, the FP3 maps are better
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
I had been running the original FP with Exhaust, Air and cams for quite a while. Bike ran flawlessly.
Just exhaust, install and ride.
Add Intake, you need some kind of fuel management.
I am not a fan of dealer download, if you need to have something tweak, back to the dealer you go.
The FP3 looks like it is quite the unit.
I finally decided I wanted more and went with the PV and autotune. Added wideband O2 sensors. I think it was more for me just to have a new toy to play with.
Good luck on you decision, you can't go wrong with the FP3.
Just exhaust, install and ride.
Add Intake, you need some kind of fuel management.
I am not a fan of dealer download, if you need to have something tweak, back to the dealer you go.
The FP3 looks like it is quite the unit.
I finally decided I wanted more and went with the PV and autotune. Added wideband O2 sensors. I think it was more for me just to have a new toy to play with.
Good luck on you decision, you can't go wrong with the FP3.
I am waiting on the shippment from J&P Cycles of my short shots and Arlen Ness stag 1 big sucker. Any thoughts on the Arlen Ness? I wanted to order the FP3, but it apparently is not legal for sale in CA. I will have to be happy with(for now) a dealer stag 1 download. Only problem is that the dealer will not install the pipes, so I will be doing that and then riding the bike 9 miles to Harley Davidson of Monterey. Will I be causing any damage/harm to my bike having installed the stag 1 breather kit and the short shots and riding it to the dealer for download?
Last edited by VoiceofReason44; Apr 9, 2014 at 05:14 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,278
Likes: 1,138
From: southeast PA
9 miles to the dealer won't be a problem, bike won't even be warmed up by then. I'm not a fan of a dealer download but it's your money. Think about getting a real tuner, the PV seems to be the one of choice lately.
As for the Big Sucker, I've been running one for six years and it's been fine, no problems.
As for the Big Sucker, I've been running one for six years and it's been fine, no problems.
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Bexhill, UK
Autotune problem
I installed the FuelPak FP3 a few days ago and I've been very pleased with the result. Runs cooler, better throttle response, no decel pop and tick-over is more stable; all this from the V&H canned map.
Running autotune presented problems which I eventually overcame; here's how. After flashing the canned map I decided to run the autotune function, I was told to select which map to autotune and I selected the canned map and the FP3 went ahead and flashed the ECM.
This is where it went wrong, the bike would not start, it turned over but would not fire, behaving as if it was out of fuel. My first action was to re-flash the canned map but the FP3 was now in autotune mode so would not allow me the access any installed maps. I selected autotune again and then selected to finish autotuning, I was now able to access the installed maps. I re-flashed the V&H canned map which worked I could now start the bike.
So what went wrong? The following day I attempted to run autotune again after using some of the other functions of the FP3, this produced the same result but this time I noted a message saying "the ECM flash was not completed", once again the bike would not start. After re-flashing the V&H map again and getting the bike running I turned off the engine and switched off the ignition. After waiting 30 seconds I turned on the ignition, waited a further 30 seconds for the FP3 to boot and then run the autotune option, this time the FP3 reported the flash was successful and the bike started.
In summary, it seams the FP3 autotune feature needs to be run without having previously run any other of the FP3 features for that session. My guess is this is an issue with the internal RAM of the FP3.
Can anyone confirm this?
Running autotune presented problems which I eventually overcame; here's how. After flashing the canned map I decided to run the autotune function, I was told to select which map to autotune and I selected the canned map and the FP3 went ahead and flashed the ECM.
This is where it went wrong, the bike would not start, it turned over but would not fire, behaving as if it was out of fuel. My first action was to re-flash the canned map but the FP3 was now in autotune mode so would not allow me the access any installed maps. I selected autotune again and then selected to finish autotuning, I was now able to access the installed maps. I re-flashed the V&H canned map which worked I could now start the bike.
So what went wrong? The following day I attempted to run autotune again after using some of the other functions of the FP3, this produced the same result but this time I noted a message saying "the ECM flash was not completed", once again the bike would not start. After re-flashing the V&H map again and getting the bike running I turned off the engine and switched off the ignition. After waiting 30 seconds I turned on the ignition, waited a further 30 seconds for the FP3 to boot and then run the autotune option, this time the FP3 reported the flash was successful and the bike started.
In summary, it seams the FP3 autotune feature needs to be run without having previously run any other of the FP3 features for that session. My guess is this is an issue with the internal RAM of the FP3.
Can anyone confirm this?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
The stock factory ECM will automatically compensate for the intake and exhaust change, just like it compensates for changes in air density or altitude.
This doesn't mean that the bike can't be made to run better with additional tuning.
I have two "stage 1" bikes, and both run fine without any changes to the tuning, except for what the ECM does automatically. One was checked on a dyno, and air-fuel ratios were in the safe range.
This doesn't mean that the bike can't be made to run better with additional tuning.
I have two "stage 1" bikes, and both run fine without any changes to the tuning, except for what the ECM does automatically. One was checked on a dyno, and air-fuel ratios were in the safe range.