Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Thundermax in a Rocker

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
variablek's Avatar
variablek
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Default Thundermax in a Rocker

About fuel management....ive got a rocker and was looking at the PCIII but recently I came across something on another forum called ThunderMax? Anyone had any luck with one of these? Or should I start my own thread?

THanks ahead of time!
VK
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 09:52 AM
  #2  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default

I have one, and there is a fair sized group who do. One thing you will hear, besides we love it is that if you do get one, go the extra distance and get the Autotune option with it.
It will allow you to modify its internal maps, just like a SERT will on your stock ECM. But with the Autotune the unit will fine tune it for you so there is little or no need for a Dyno tune.
If there is a drawback to the system its that its not cheap. But if you consider what a PCIII or SERT will cost plus Dyno time, and more Dyno time whenever you change something the cost seems much more reasonable.










PS I moved this to its own thread, so you could get a bit more feedback.
 

Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Oct 24, 2008 at 09:56 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:07 AM
  #3  
variablek's Avatar
variablek
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Default

Excellent thanks Citori! Yeah the whole point for me was the fact that I really wanted to do all the work myself (exhaust, af & fuel management) and didnt want to get the dyno work done on it. Ive been looking on their site (Tmax) and was wondering how much it would cost...including the autotune?

Also this would be my first time working on a bike like this so would it be really difficult for me? From what ive been reading you basically pic a map that is close to what you have on the bike and let the autotune figure everything else out...?

Thanks again!
Kyle
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:21 AM
  #4  
gadawgsfan's Avatar
gadawgsfan
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From:
Default

variblek,
I was also going to go that route (thundermax) and i do all the work myself, but the only problem i saw with it is there is really was not enough room to mount the unit or the power commander unit.Even though i hated to i went with the sert and had to have the dealer dyno it for me. i have done other mods since and i have had alot of the bike apart so if you get really really creative you can pull it off.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:23 AM
  #5  
variablek's Avatar
variablek
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by gadawgsfan
variblek,
I was also going to go that route (thundermax) and i do all the work myself, but the only problem i saw with it is there is really was not enough room to mount the unit or the power commander unit.Even though i hated to i went with the sert and had to have the dealer dyno it for me. i have done other mods since and i have had alot of the bike apart so if you get really really creative you can pull it off.
I actually spoke to my stealor about that when i was considering a pcIII....the mechanic said they had figured it out and already put it on 3 bikes...however it involved removing the swingarm (if i can recall) and sticking it up under the back of the seat / mud guard for the rear tire. Hope i didnt muck that up since im not much of a mechanic...lol
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:27 AM
  #6  
sportncruise's Avatar
sportncruise
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From:
Default

I have the thundermax with auto tune and it isn't without its issues.
For instance they didn't have a map close to the cams I purchased so that meant having them change the map at a show then I still felt it wasn't right so they did it via email.

Also you may want to spend some time thinking about any future plans you may have. I really like head-quarters out of canada. At the time I bought my thundermax i didn't know that head-quarters has a unit similar to the thundermax that also works with the sert.

http://www.head-quarters-usa.com/efituning.html

Zippers also does complete builds and of course would support their parts with the thundermax.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:31 AM
  #7  
Bob's Avatar
Bob
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 4
From: Lantana, Florida Crew
Default

Originally Posted by gadawgsfan
variblek,
I was also going to go that route (thundermax) and i do all the work myself, but the only problem i saw with it is there is really was not enough room to mount the unit or the power commander unit.Even though i hated to i went with the sert and had to have the dealer dyno it for me. i have done other mods since and i have had alot of the bike apart so if you get really really creative you can pull it off.
I don't know where you got your information on the TMax, but it is flawed.
The Tmax REPLACES the stock ECM, therefore NO additional space is required to mount it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:41 AM
  #8  
jarhead45's Avatar
jarhead45
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 2
From: Sin City
Default

Just ought my T-Max.. Remove your old unit, put in the new.. May have to replace the O2 sensors. Done, after you load a map.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:46 AM
  #9  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default

The units are not cheap like I said, I got REALLY lucky and fouind a place that was not going to carry them anymore, issues with the company and pricing, not problems with the units adn got the whole thing, Autotune and all for just under $600.
I think they are closer to $1000 now, but I don't know for sure, So I would look around, maybe you can get lucky too.
As for where to fit it in, the Rocker is a bit of an odd duck in my opinion. Its not a bad bike, but they didn't leave a lot of room under that cover for much and there's a bunch of electronics, wires, and a battery under there already. Its "SUPPOSED" to fit in place of the original ECM and in my bike it does, but it didn't go in without a little bit of "finessing" shall we say. The ECM isn't a big problem by itself, but with the Autotune module attached and the O2 sensor wires things get cramped under there.
As part of your research you might want to try e-mailing or calling Zippers to see if they have any feedback from other Rocker owners or any in house experience fitting one in.
Who knows they might have information we know nothing about because it hasn't been published or put on the web site yet.

Good Luck and ride safe.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 10:57 AM
  #10  
gadawgsfan's Avatar
gadawgsfan
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From:
Default

i was told it was a little bit bigger than the stock ecm. i know you unplug the stock and just plug tmax in, but the stock ecm has very little extra room around it.the pc3 would be more of a challenge. not sure if you know the rocker is not like all the other softails thats the reason in all the books when you want to buy something for a softail it says
(except rocker).i didnt say it cant be done i said be creative and you can pull it off. im just trying to help another member and rocker owner save some researh time and aggravation.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE