Mod of the day, Power Commander III (Pictures)
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
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From: N.C.
Mod of the day, Power Commander III (Pictures)
I got tired of the my bike not having the power I thought it should have so I got a heck of a deal on ebay for a new Power Commander III for $200.00.
I upgraded the firmware (version 2.2.5.0) on it and installed my map (M805-208) for my bike and man it really runs good. I notice it smokes a little black smoke now, because of its richer condition. I had to modify the fuse block holder a little and the fuse box cover to make more room under my Deluxe seat. I could not for the life of me get the fuse box too sit as low as the pictures in the instructions, so I modified my cover and holder a little to get that flat flush look. If I had not just bought new non 02 pipes I would have gone with the ThunderMaxx system. The PC5 really offered no more advantage over the PCIII for my year of bike, other than its smaller size.
I upgraded the firmware (version 2.2.5.0) on it and installed my map (M805-208) for my bike and man it really runs good. I notice it smokes a little black smoke now, because of its richer condition. I had to modify the fuse block holder a little and the fuse box cover to make more room under my Deluxe seat. I could not for the life of me get the fuse box too sit as low as the pictures in the instructions, so I modified my cover and holder a little to get that flat flush look. If I had not just bought new non 02 pipes I would have gone with the ThunderMaxx system. The PC5 really offered no more advantage over the PCIII for my year of bike, other than its smaller size.
Last edited by Rockyriver; Jan 9, 2010 at 09:35 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 6
From: N.C.
I'll keep my money and wait for someone at a a spring or summer rally that is more reasonable and also reputable.
Last edited by Rockyriver; Jan 9, 2010 at 10:45 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 572
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
I would not count most dyno guys at the rallys as "reputable dyno guys" A dynometer is a very easy thing to manipulate by entering in the wrong values, ie barometric pressure, humidity, etc... It is too easy for a dyno guy to just change the values and give you a miraculous 20hp gain when its really only a couple hp. You also have no easy recourse when you leave the rally cause of distance issues, ie located in a different state. These guys are so cheap for a reason. They either dont know what there doing or are scamming you. Would you take your bike to someone who set up a shop you never heard of in a cow pasture?? Why would you trust your engine to one then. Idk if you know this but when you get a dyno you sign a waiver that absolves the operator from any responsibility or legal action if your bike blows up on the dyno as a result of it. Always remember you get what you pay for...
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 6
From: N.C.
I would not count most dyno guys at the rallys as "reputable dyno guys" A dynometer is a very easy thing to manipulate by entering in the wrong values, ie barometric pressure, humidity, etc... It is too easy for a dyno guy to just change the values and give you a miraculous 20hp gain when its really only a couple hp. You also have no easy recourse when you leave the rally cause of distance issues, ie located in a different state. These guys are so cheap for a reason. They either dont know what there doing or are scamming you. Would you take your bike to someone who set up a shop you never heard of in a cow pasture?? Why would you trust your engine to one then. Idk if you know this but when you get a dyno you sign a waiver that absolves the operator from any responsibility or legal action if your bike blows up on the dyno as a result of it. Always remember you get what you pay for...
I would not just let any Joe tune my bike. I would ask a few people standing around and had tried out the guy first at the Rally. I agree you do get what you pay for, but not always. I looked a 20 different companys that ranged in price from $200-$350 for A new power commander III, Should I have gone with the $350 PCIII? Is it better? The answer is NO. Also let me note my engine is stock except for headers and air cleaner, if I had a cam ,cylinder, or other big mod then a custom map would be necessary.
My daddy may have raised a crazy man , but not a fool. How much did you pay to have your bike custom tuned?
Last edited by Rockyriver; Jan 9, 2010 at 10:49 AM.
I would ask around on here for a reputable Dyno guy. In some cases you pay more than you should, in others you don't. I just changed pipes on my bike again and loaded a map from the Dynojet database and ti seems to run fine. A little black smoke like yours as well, but no Dyno right now. When I find the right person i will get it done.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: FL & SoCal
Rocky...Nice job with the install of the PCIII. I had to do the same thing when I installed my V&H Fuel Pak. Needless to say after lots of manipulation and cursing, i got it in there very neatly and professional looking. I am not one for shotty work.
In hindsight, kind of wish I went with a PC instead of Fuel Pak. Been looking to do a little head work and cam and the tuners are telling me I'm going to have to ditch the Fuel Pak for a PCIII because the PC is more programmable. Think I am going to sit on what I have for awhile until I get bored.
In hindsight, kind of wish I went with a PC instead of Fuel Pak. Been looking to do a little head work and cam and the tuners are telling me I'm going to have to ditch the Fuel Pak for a PCIII because the PC is more programmable. Think I am going to sit on what I have for awhile until I get bored.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: kansas city,mo
Rocky....They make a deeper ECM tray(that comes with the PowerCommander if you bought it new) made for your bike so everything fits right.
Also if your bike wasn't smoken before why would you want it to smoke now? I installed my PC-V and my bike runs perfectly with no smoke. I know it sounds like a broken record but give "Fuel Moto" a call and get the correct map for your set-up. As it is very BASIC. Im sure its not goona cost to much.....Your tuner is a important mod so don't go cheap on it.
PC-V can also be retro fitted for your bike. The PC-V has a ton of features that the PC-III doesn't. Size being one of them.
Also if your bike wasn't smoken before why would you want it to smoke now? I installed my PC-V and my bike runs perfectly with no smoke. I know it sounds like a broken record but give "Fuel Moto" a call and get the correct map for your set-up. As it is very BASIC. Im sure its not goona cost to much.....Your tuner is a important mod so don't go cheap on it.
PC-V can also be retro fitted for your bike. The PC-V has a ton of features that the PC-III doesn't. Size being one of them.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Ohio
Good work Rocky....your bike will be much happier getting the additional fuel. Assuming you have the right map for your bike, pipes, AC...if your MPG is in the 40-44 range and your throttle response is good throughout the entire range with no surging or hesitation, I would not bother with a dyno.
On both my bikes I loaded the SE race tuner and slightly modified the Stage 1 maps to add a little more fuel in certain areas and haven't put either of them on a dyno. Both bikes run like they should and the excessive heat on the 08 has been significantly reduced.
You might get a little more out of them on a dyno, and I might too, but I seriously doubt you (or I) would gain anything significant. I see no need to spend the money.If and when I build the motor, then I will spring for a custom map.
On both my bikes I loaded the SE race tuner and slightly modified the Stage 1 maps to add a little more fuel in certain areas and haven't put either of them on a dyno. Both bikes run like they should and the excessive heat on the 08 has been significantly reduced.
You might get a little more out of them on a dyno, and I might too, but I seriously doubt you (or I) would gain anything significant. I see no need to spend the money.If and when I build the motor, then I will spring for a custom map.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
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From: WA - The State
I would not just let any Joe tune my bike. I would ask a few people standing around and had tried out the guy first at the Rally. I agree you do get what you pay for, but not always. I looked a 20 different companys that ranged in price from $200-$350 for A new power commander III, Should I have gone with the $350 PCIII? Is it better? The answer is NO. Also let me note my engine is stock except for headers and air cleaner, if I had a cam ,cylinder, or other big mod then a custom map would be necessary.
My daddy may have raised a crazy man , but not a fool. How much did you pay to have your bike custom tuned?
My daddy may have raised a crazy man , but not a fool. How much did you pay to have your bike custom tuned?
That being said, from everything I've read and people I know, $300 isn't a bad price for a custom map and dyno runs. One guy I work with ended up spending more than twice that much, having to get his bike re-dynoed after trying to save a few bucks on a cheaper guy. My suggestion would be to bite the bullet and get it done, rather than riding it for 3 or 4 months with a bad tune before getting it done. You haven't scrimped yet, so don't risk any damage now.
Last edited by ElSupremo; Jan 9, 2010 at 12:26 PM.