SERT vs. PCIII
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: SERT vs. PCIII
I prefer the SERT. The PCIII is a unit that piggybacks the stock ECM. It takes the signal from the stock ECM and alters it, mostly to richen up the mixture. With the SERT, there is no piggyback unit.. the SERT alters the settings inside the stock ECM. You can use the SERT to log data (data for each cylinder) such as temp, spark knock retardation, rpm and then use that data to decide if the timing needs to be altered or the fuel mixture needs to be richer or leaner. The SERT comes with a CD-ROM with a bunch of HD EFI maps all ready to go. You upload the map closest to your needs, then fine tune it with the SERT. Once you get the map all set, disconnect the unit and save it for the next engine mod. I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think the PCIII can alter timing, nor can it lean out your mixture below what the ECM is already calibrated. One example in which the SERT can be more useful is exhaust popping on decel. Most people assume it's just a fuel mixture problem, but it can also be timing related, and it might be coming from the rear cylinder and not the front! This can be checked by logging spark knock retardation with the SERT. Can't do that with the PCIII.
I'm not knocking the PCIII - there are a bunch of people out there happy with them. Tuners usually recommend the item they are most familiar with.. If I already owned a PCIII, I'd probably keep it and get it dialed in. If it's a choice between the two, I think a SERT is a powerful tuning tool, whereas the PCIII is a fuel enricher.
I'm not knocking the PCIII - there are a bunch of people out there happy with them. Tuners usually recommend the item they are most familiar with.. If I already owned a PCIII, I'd probably keep it and get it dialed in. If it's a choice between the two, I think a SERT is a powerful tuning tool, whereas the PCIII is a fuel enricher.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: SERT vs. PCIII
ORIGINAL: bountyhunter
I did the stage 1 download and the bike did not run any better than it did without it. Went to see the local DYNOJET tuner (who used to race). He advised me against a SERT. Installed a PCIII and I could not be more thrilled with the result. I was in the dyno room for an hour or so watching him tune the bike. Very meticulous, taking his time, checking with the thermal gun and stopping sometimes to let the bike cool down. Actually tuning the bike with his left hand while running the bike. Was amazed at the number of adjustments he made in the hour I was there. He explained and showed me how and where the bike was running rich and lean and the cause to all of the symptoms that I had explained. I saw how the air fuel ratio and throttle settings were way off and watched him correct this. Basically tuned the bike in every gear, at all rpm levels. It is time consuming and must be done by an expert who has learned by experience. When I got the bike back later that day as soon as I started it I could feel the difference. I literally could not believe the difference. When I returned the next day he saw me smiling and said, now you now haw a Harley is supposed to run!
I did the stage 1 download and the bike did not run any better than it did without it. Went to see the local DYNOJET tuner (who used to race). He advised me against a SERT. Installed a PCIII and I could not be more thrilled with the result. I was in the dyno room for an hour or so watching him tune the bike. Very meticulous, taking his time, checking with the thermal gun and stopping sometimes to let the bike cool down. Actually tuning the bike with his left hand while running the bike. Was amazed at the number of adjustments he made in the hour I was there. He explained and showed me how and where the bike was running rich and lean and the cause to all of the symptoms that I had explained. I saw how the air fuel ratio and throttle settings were way off and watched him correct this. Basically tuned the bike in every gear, at all rpm levels. It is time consuming and must be done by an expert who has learned by experience. When I got the bike back later that day as soon as I started it I could feel the difference. I literally could not believe the difference. When I returned the next day he saw me smiling and said, now you now haw a Harley is supposed to run!
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 517
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RE: SERT vs. PCIII
Hey Jamie...
I'm almost positive that the PCIIusb does have an effect on the timing and if I recall there is a section in the software that, when a PCIII unit is attached to the computer, you can balance out each cylinder. As far as logging info I don't think that is possible on the PCIII. Again, I could be entirely wrong with my memory of the program.
I spoke to Eastern Performance today in regards to getting the bike dyno'd. My question to them: will the outside temp have anything to do with the tuning. The answer was yes & no. They tune in a heated garage so the bike will be tuned for that ambient temp so it will not have an affect on the tuning itself however the bike will run differently (as per the tech) during the colder months and will "come back around" with the warmer weather. Cost is about $250 for the dyno time.
Basically I will stick with the PCIIIusb for now but if it ever takes a dump I'll be switching over to the SERT.
Thanks,
Brian
I'm almost positive that the PCIIusb does have an effect on the timing and if I recall there is a section in the software that, when a PCIII unit is attached to the computer, you can balance out each cylinder. As far as logging info I don't think that is possible on the PCIII. Again, I could be entirely wrong with my memory of the program.
I spoke to Eastern Performance today in regards to getting the bike dyno'd. My question to them: will the outside temp have anything to do with the tuning. The answer was yes & no. They tune in a heated garage so the bike will be tuned for that ambient temp so it will not have an affect on the tuning itself however the bike will run differently (as per the tech) during the colder months and will "come back around" with the warmer weather. Cost is about $250 for the dyno time.
Basically I will stick with the PCIIIusb for now but if it ever takes a dump I'll be switching over to the SERT.
Thanks,
Brian
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