Beginning to get really pissed off
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Hey Rocker, I'm a 10-year Navy Vet, and I get a lotta flak about being "just ex-Navy"... and I also get a lotta flak about changes to the bike.
Anyway, here's what I've learned: the 09-later 96ci Delphi EFI bikes are capable of a limited amount of auto-adjustment for simple intake/exhaust changes. As long as the changes are limited to the intake airflow difference between the stock air cleaner and the SEA/C, and the difference between the exhaust airflow/backpressure baffling between stock pipes and the SE exhaust, the Delphi can auto-compensate to provide the close-to-standard fuel/air ratio (which is supposed to be 14.7:1 for standard gasoline-only - I don't know what is considered "stochiometric" for 10% or 15% ethanol, but I'd guess it's similar).
Now, if you go to something OTHER than the Screamin' Eagle components, you WILL have to do something to adjust your fuel/air ratio. You want to bring it down closer to 14:1 to get good mileage AND good power.
For example, I put the SEAC on the bike, but also put on a set of Rush slip-ons with 2" baffles. The exhaust airflow and backpressure were different from the SE pipes, so I *DID* need to adjust the fuel.
There are a few ways to do this, but one of the cheapest - and one that works surprisingly well - is to go to nightrider.com and buy a pair of XIED "cheaters". These wires plug in between the O2 sensors and the ECM. Essentially, they fool the ECM by changing the apparent voltage returned from the O2 sensors (while the engine is running in closed-loop mode only), and the ECM thinks the engine is running lean -- so it adds fuel.
The second way to do this is to pick up the SE Race Tuner (or equivalent). This is a HD component that "mates" with the bike and allows modification of the ECM's tables. If you ever decide to change cams or make any changes beyond simple Stage 1 (exhaust/air cleaner) mods, you will need to change the ECM's tables.
The third way to do this is to allow the ECM to stay unchanged, and use some kind of "piggyback" system. There are several, and each has its supporters and detractors. But, each does the same thing: modify the data going INTO the ECM, and modify the outputs FROM the ECM. The inputs are "normalized" so the ECM "thinks" that the engine is running within spec (and so no errors are thrown), and the outputs change the fuel/air ratio without the ECM knowing.
IMHO, the LAST people to ask about modifications are the dealership employees. Although they'd LIKE to help you, they have to "toe the company line": engines must stay within EPA specs unless the engine is being used for "racing applications". Plus, they often know LESS (or admit to knowing less) about add-on parts than many of the guys who ride the wheels off their bikes.
In my case, I have the XIED wires on the bike and find the performance to be quite acceptable. For $100/pair (when I bought them), they did what I was hoping they'd do: stop a LOT of the popping on deceleration, give me a bit more power on the upswing, and let the engine run a bit cooler (more gas = cooler running engine... to a point...)
So, ignore the naysayers, do a bit of easy research, talk to some folks who wanna help you get the most out of your bike, and then ride it.
One last thing: a Harley 96ci TwinCam is *NOT* the same as a 4-banger on a metric bike, and the Harley Softail/Touring frame is *NOT* the lightweight frame on a GSXer. These are two completely different designs, and provide two completely different riding experiences.
Once you get the bike tuned the way you want and running the way you want, with the sound and look you want, you'll probably find that you'll want to do other things to the bike... chrome bits... paint... lighting... pegs... grips...
... the Harley experience is NOT the same as a metric GSXer experience. I've been there, and I left metric to go Harley -- and won't return. I just find that the Harley cruiser slower-riding experience is more comfortable over the long haul -- and I *DO* mean the long haul (hundreds of miles per day with no backache at all).
Anyway, here's what I've learned: the 09-later 96ci Delphi EFI bikes are capable of a limited amount of auto-adjustment for simple intake/exhaust changes. As long as the changes are limited to the intake airflow difference between the stock air cleaner and the SEA/C, and the difference between the exhaust airflow/backpressure baffling between stock pipes and the SE exhaust, the Delphi can auto-compensate to provide the close-to-standard fuel/air ratio (which is supposed to be 14.7:1 for standard gasoline-only - I don't know what is considered "stochiometric" for 10% or 15% ethanol, but I'd guess it's similar).
Now, if you go to something OTHER than the Screamin' Eagle components, you WILL have to do something to adjust your fuel/air ratio. You want to bring it down closer to 14:1 to get good mileage AND good power.
For example, I put the SEAC on the bike, but also put on a set of Rush slip-ons with 2" baffles. The exhaust airflow and backpressure were different from the SE pipes, so I *DID* need to adjust the fuel.
There are a few ways to do this, but one of the cheapest - and one that works surprisingly well - is to go to nightrider.com and buy a pair of XIED "cheaters". These wires plug in between the O2 sensors and the ECM. Essentially, they fool the ECM by changing the apparent voltage returned from the O2 sensors (while the engine is running in closed-loop mode only), and the ECM thinks the engine is running lean -- so it adds fuel.
The second way to do this is to pick up the SE Race Tuner (or equivalent). This is a HD component that "mates" with the bike and allows modification of the ECM's tables. If you ever decide to change cams or make any changes beyond simple Stage 1 (exhaust/air cleaner) mods, you will need to change the ECM's tables.
The third way to do this is to allow the ECM to stay unchanged, and use some kind of "piggyback" system. There are several, and each has its supporters and detractors. But, each does the same thing: modify the data going INTO the ECM, and modify the outputs FROM the ECM. The inputs are "normalized" so the ECM "thinks" that the engine is running within spec (and so no errors are thrown), and the outputs change the fuel/air ratio without the ECM knowing.
IMHO, the LAST people to ask about modifications are the dealership employees. Although they'd LIKE to help you, they have to "toe the company line": engines must stay within EPA specs unless the engine is being used for "racing applications". Plus, they often know LESS (or admit to knowing less) about add-on parts than many of the guys who ride the wheels off their bikes.
In my case, I have the XIED wires on the bike and find the performance to be quite acceptable. For $100/pair (when I bought them), they did what I was hoping they'd do: stop a LOT of the popping on deceleration, give me a bit more power on the upswing, and let the engine run a bit cooler (more gas = cooler running engine... to a point...)
So, ignore the naysayers, do a bit of easy research, talk to some folks who wanna help you get the most out of your bike, and then ride it.
One last thing: a Harley 96ci TwinCam is *NOT* the same as a 4-banger on a metric bike, and the Harley Softail/Touring frame is *NOT* the lightweight frame on a GSXer. These are two completely different designs, and provide two completely different riding experiences.
Once you get the bike tuned the way you want and running the way you want, with the sound and look you want, you'll probably find that you'll want to do other things to the bike... chrome bits... paint... lighting... pegs... grips...
... the Harley experience is NOT the same as a metric GSXer experience. I've been there, and I left metric to go Harley -- and won't return. I just find that the Harley cruiser slower-riding experience is more comfortable over the long haul -- and I *DO* mean the long haul (hundreds of miles per day with no backache at all).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
