EFI Rule of Thumb?
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Alabama
EFI Rule of Thumb?
I still read widely varying accounts of just what does and doesn't require an EFI recalibration: is the rule of thumb that if you do EITHER the intake or exhaust, you don't need to recalibrate, but if you do BOTH of them you definitely have to flash the system?
Even at this late stage of EFI I'm seeing exhaust and intake products that note that recalibration isn't necessary, but on the HD site it seems every part requires a new flash!
I'd definitely be looking at a Stage 1 intake kit, and I'd even go for the EFI update, but would I be looking at a second update if I were to do the exhaust later, or does the generic Stage 1 flash have enough leeway to cover that?
Even at this late stage of EFI I'm seeing exhaust and intake products that note that recalibration isn't necessary, but on the HD site it seems every part requires a new flash!
I'd definitely be looking at a Stage 1 intake kit, and I'd even go for the EFI update, but would I be looking at a second update if I were to do the exhaust later, or does the generic Stage 1 flash have enough leeway to cover that?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
Ideally, you want to retune every time you make any change that will affect airflow. Usually, that means changing intake, exhaust, or both. Some people will go further and change the cams, port/polish the heads, etc. The ECM on the bike will compensate to some extent, which is why you're probably fine if you just change the mufflers or the intake, even the headers depending on what you get, but the bike will run best if you get a tuner such as the Power Vision and adjust the AFR yourself, either by downloading maps from Dynojet or having a shop dyno the bike. The tuner is a one-time purchase and will give you the ability to vary the injector timing almost infinitely, no matter how many changes you make to the engine. The expense comes from having a professional tune the bike for you.
Also, I wouldn't spend money on flashes from Harley because they are most likely designed to meet EPA regulations, rather than designed to be what's best for your engine.
Also, I wouldn't spend money on flashes from Harley because they are most likely designed to meet EPA regulations, rather than designed to be what's best for your engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
EFI rule of thumb is factory setup is good for nothing. Even if you do not change any parts (intake, exhaust, whatnot) you still will do the right thing by upgrading the Fuel Management.
I still read widely varying accounts of just what does and doesn't require an EFI recalibration: is the rule of thumb that if you do EITHER the intake or exhaust, you don't need to recalibrate, but if you do BOTH of them you definitely have to flash the system?
Even at this late stage of EFI I'm seeing exhaust and intake products that note that recalibration isn't necessary, but on the HD site it seems every part requires a new flash!
I'd definitely be looking at a Stage 1 intake kit, and I'd even go for the EFI update, but would I be looking at a second update if I were to do the exhaust later, or does the generic Stage 1 flash have enough leeway to cover that?
Even at this late stage of EFI I'm seeing exhaust and intake products that note that recalibration isn't necessary, but on the HD site it seems every part requires a new flash!
I'd definitely be looking at a Stage 1 intake kit, and I'd even go for the EFI update, but would I be looking at a second update if I were to do the exhaust later, or does the generic Stage 1 flash have enough leeway to cover that?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...uning-etc.html
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From: Bedford UK
There is a bit of a tug-of-war on this subject, with the backyard tuners in one camp and the purists in the other! We can 'get away' with doing nothing or very little and wonder why the bike doesn't run very well; use various devices which make simple changes, including dealer downloads; or do a thorough retune and get it just so.
I've been around since the bad old days of slash-cut pipes and an untuned S&S carb, when such bikes never ran right and made a lot of bad noise, so I have become a purist!
I've been around since the bad old days of slash-cut pipes and an untuned S&S carb, when such bikes never ran right and made a lot of bad noise, so I have become a purist!
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