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

Fuel management system.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 05:36 PM
  #1  
bigbopper's Avatar
bigbopper
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Delta BC, Canada
Default Fuel management system.

Hey all,

Over the winter I installed a stage 1 and am running a PCIII with V&H pipes and SE heavy breather AC on my 08' Fatboy.
There was no way I was going to fit the PCIII box under the seat, so I ended up jamming the connectors through a really tight hole and putting the box in front of the splash guard in front of the rear wheel.
I'm really not happy with the install of this "piggy-back" system. The placement sucks and I was wondering what the best system is for factory computer tuning or replacement. I really don't want an external box. The map I'm running also doesn't seem quite right and I get nasty pinging when it's hot and I get on it....
I would like something tuneable, as I am never happy with what I have and am always looking for more....
I will be taking the bike for dyno tuning once I figure this out.

Thanks,
BB
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 05:50 PM
  #2  
fishcop's Avatar
fishcop
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: las vegas nv
Default Fuel Mgmt. System

In my humble opinion the Thunder Max or T-max is the best. It is a direct plug an play replacement for your stock ECM. With the Autotune, which I recommend, you simple download a map as close as you can to match your components and then ride. As you ride the auto tune does it's thing and fine tunes the ecm. It also has features that you can adjust with a laptop computer for even finer tuning. I installed one on my 07 Ultra installed a map and WOW what a difference. No more pinging, and the heat was finally bearable. I have also read some posters liking the HD SERT which is a software download so you have no "piggyback system" to worry about. But with the SERT you probably need to Dyno the bike. If you can hold of a recent issue of American Iron Magazine they are doing a whole series on tuning EFI HD's. One other point, the T-max is not cheap about $850-900. I know Cateye Customs, a forum sponsor, sells them. Anyway just my $.02 worth.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 06:30 PM
  #3  
bigbopper's Avatar
bigbopper
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Delta BC, Canada
Default

Thanks fishcop, good info there. I'll look for the magazine and do some reading too...
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 10:42 AM
  #4  
tk353's Avatar
tk353
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
Default

thundermax and look for a used one on the hd classified for about $400-$450
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 02:40 PM
  #5  
bigbopper's Avatar
bigbopper
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Delta BC, Canada
Default

Great, thanks for the info!
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 07:32 PM
  #6  
texas-buzzard's Avatar
texas-buzzard
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: san angelo, tx
Default

TM with autotune, worth every dollar. plug and play with whatever upgrade you do.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 07:56 PM
  #7  
WoodsHog's Avatar
WoodsHog
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Mount Morris Illinois
Default

I agree with all above.Thunder Max with autotune.Just installed mine last week and love it.The problem with the Sert and others is the fact they just reprogram the open loop map.When in closed loop it is still trying to achieve 14.7 to 1 air fuel ratio.The narrow band o2 sensors are only good for 14.1 to 15.1 readings,I think.Closed loop is cruise and idle,which is where we ride most of the time.At least thats what I've read in AIM mag.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 08:06 PM
  #8  
tk353's Avatar
tk353
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
Default

Originally Posted by texas-buzzard
TM with autotune, worth every dollar. plug and play with whatever upgrade you do.
what he said
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 08:55 PM
  #9  
Colin1966's Avatar
Colin1966
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 8
From: Blind Bay, BC
Default

Ditto on the Thundermax

Colin
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 10:09 PM
  #10  
av8or's Avatar
av8or
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 12
Default

What babout the TTS Mastertune? I don't have one but have been thinking about getting it. If I understand it right, you can adjust some voltage values to change your target AFR in closed loop mode. I like the idea of both systems, but I really like the price ($425.) of the TTS. Hopefully someone with a TTS will post and let us know if I'm right about the TTS being a viable choice.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:30 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE