Finally got around to installing the Target Tune module and wideband kit onto my 2017 Iron 883.

The process took about 3 hours and was really easy overall looking back on everything. The Target Tune kit itself comes complete with the module, two Bosch 4.2LSU AFR wideband sensors and necessary harnesses.

The major issue I had was not with the Target Tune kit so to speak, but it was with the front AFR bung angle/location on the front primary tube of my Patriot Defender exhaust.

The Patriot Defender 2-1 uses 18mm AFR bungs, no problem.. this helps out a lot because you don't have to add any new bungs to the primary tubes.

The problem was that the front bung angle was causing two issues:
1. Couldn't install the AFR sensor without removing the top stabilizer bracket (under the horn).
2. Once bracket was removed and sensor installed, the tail end of the Bosch 4.2LSU sensor would make contact against the bracket causing vibration and possibly an eventual crack at the AFR bung weld or worse destroying the sensor.

However, I fixed this issue by modifying the stabilizer bracket by notching just enough of material in order to not completely lose structural integrity of the bracket.

More on the bracket later as I post pictures.

On to the installation.

The tools I used for were as follows:
-3/8 Drive Ratchet
-10mm Ratching Wrench
-14mm wrench
-7/8 short well socket
-8" and 10" extensions
-3/8 drive swivel
-7/8" Wrench
-Precision or eye glass flat blade screw driver
-Regular flat blade
-Kline style crimper/cutter (favorite tool)
-Paperclip (for TT module membrane puncture)
-ZIPTIES
-02 Sensor Socket kit (rental from parts house, very important to have)

Just standard tools outside of the Oxygen sensor kit, and a flash light really... that is all. Very simple.

First up is the before image we all know. I didn't use a jack or anything because I don't have one... yet.




Below is the Front primary of the Patriot Defender exhaust. Since I had stock narrow bands, I had to use a 18mm to 12mm adapter. This is that adapter. You will need a 14mm wrench to remove the factory narrowband sensors. Use 7/8 socket to remove the adapter.
Sensor removed exposing adapter and washer.


Now the 18mm to 12mm adapter is removed exposing the Patriot Defender factory 18mm bung. So if you have this exhaust, no need to weld on additional or the supplied bungs unless you want... I guess.


This is the rear factory narrowband sensor, use 14mm wrench to removed factory narrow band, 7/8 socket to remove adapter.


Below are different images of the factory Narrowbands. I had been using Dynojet Powervision with Auto Tune Basic for the last 1000 miles. Also shows the Bassani 18mm to 12mm adapter and metal washer.




Now that the factory sensors are removed, I unbolted the seat and removed the battery cover exposing the locations I was going to route the harnesses and mount the Target Tune Module. In the seat image you can see where I store my Powervision cable.




Also, forgot to mention, this below is an image of the rear narrow band sensor connect that is unplugged. Right above the battery.


Now for the Target Tune Kit. Everything comes in a black box, all packaged nicely with detailed instructions ready to go. The image below the exact diagram to follow.




Next up is the Target Tune module. You must puncture the membrane for each wire port using a paper clip. Once punctured you can see how deep the paper clip goes and bottoms out. This is a reference to let you know how far each color coded wire must extend into the module. You will feel the tinned end of the wire kind of snap or lock into place inside the module once the depth is reached. You then use the precision flat blade screw driver and tighten them down. You can back the screws out all the way and they won't fall out as they are locked in the casing, just make sure to do so before installing the wiring. The backside of the module has a color reference for each wire, so its fool proof. Even the instructions label the colors as well.


As stated above, the paperclip is bottomed out to show reference to depth in case you're not sure if the wire has ''locked or snapped in''.


Now for the installation of the 18mm Bosch 4.2LSU sensors. This is of the rear sensor as it required the use of the Oxygen Sensor Socket Kit. You can get these rental tool kits/sets at your local parts house. 3/8 drive ratchet, extension and O2 Socket made this extremely easy. I'd recommend the socket kit even just to have in your tool arsenal. I do now! Most of my stuff is Autocraft because I manage an Advance Auto Parts. Has its perks.


Installing the front sensor is where the trouble started. The front stabilizer bracket has to be removed because initially the new 18mm sensor could not be installed dead on or threaded without removing the bracket, ok no big deal...right?... Wrong. Use 10mm Wrench to unbolt Horn from mount, disconnect positive negative connectors. Remove bracket bolts with T45 Torx socket. Swing bracket outwards of the frame and removed the Link bolt which is also Torx. Once bracket is removed, I had to notch material from the bracket in order to prevent the tail end of the bosch sensor from making contact. This modification provided a solution and hasn't degraded structural integrity to the bracket, so far! So just a forewarning to those with Patriot Defender, you may or may not experience this with Target Tune install. Just FYI.

This is what the front sensor looks like when installed, this is BEFORE the bracket was modified. Pics below are the process. Haven't taken a new photo of the modified bracket yet.








Sensors are installed, so then I mounted the Target Tune Module to the side of the battery box. I used the supplied double sided tape to attach module to battery hold down bracket.



I didn't take many photos of how I routed everything but this one shows I routed the target tune's Yellow/Orange (front) harness to the front stock 02 connector as well as the harness from module to Bosch AFR wideband along the underside of the fuel tank. The Yellow/Green (rear) goes to the rear stock 02 connector. The instructions will go over the labeling. Its up to each individual on how they really want to route their wiring. I did mine the easiest way I could on my sporty.


And finally... its all installed and completed! All the wiring is tucked the best I could with what I had available. Used quite a few zipties as well. No one will notice that its on there unless they see the larger AFR Bosch sensors or something... who knows lol.




In summary, the Target Tune from Jaime at Fuel Moto was money well spent. I've only driven it about 5 miles before I had to modify the bracket, and of course due to weather here in Florida today, I wasn't able to ride.

But during the time I did ride, all I can say is dayuum! Jaime's base map provided is working flawlessly. Upon initial startup I checked the Front and Rear AFR sensors to see if they were reading and they were. The LED on the module illuminated as it was supposed too.

Once it fired off the sound of the engine was clearly different in a good way. The engine sounded much smoother and just overall healthier. It didn't take as long to fire off either upon cranking.

On the short 5 mile ride I noticed a few things that were better. First off is the decel popping is 95% eliminated as in I have to try and get the engine to be under the same load under decel again when it first happened because it literally only happened once, so i'm guess its probably just learning. The rest of the ride when decelerating at higher speeds and rpm, it was just smooth and crisp sounding. It doesn't sound strained at all, it sounds like its tuned correctly.

The next thing was the off idle performance in the lower rpms below 2500. There is definitely an increase in power production in the lower end of the power band upon take off now. It doesn't feel sluggish. Granted even before the target tune with the Autotune basic it was hard to get a load in that area, but Jaime did a great job with this new map and the target tune's ability to have full time closed loop fuel control is worth the extra loot.

The rest of the power band feels just as good. From 4500rpm onwards it just pulls better. Its very linear and you don't feel a drop off in power anymore like you would with stock tune and even auto tune basic. Plus the peace of mind now that WOT fueling is on point and where it should be.

I haven't experienced any detonation or any negatives from a tuning standpoint. I do run NGK DCPR7EIX plugs and about to switch to NGK DCPR8EIX (1 step colder) becuase its getting ready to get silly hot in florida.

I can't believe with just the Target tune/Powervision, Patriot Defender, and the Hammer impact 2'' air cleaner setup with correct tuning... has transformed this 883 from how it was stock. This is how the Iron 883 should perform from the factory honestly.

I'm going to get the sporty on a dyno here soon after I put 100 miles on her with the Target tune.

Some of you may think this is overkill for a ''stage 1'' modified sportster, but I'm wanting to get all the tuning components out of the way before I get the 1275cc 100hp kit from Hammer Performance in the following months. So far, i'm happy with the choices in mods i've made and I hope these writeups help any of you who may need a reference.

Thanks for viewing everyone, I will keep you all updated with further progression and modifications.

Cory,

 

so you are running a powervsion and added the target tune correct?

 

Correct. You have to have powervision in order to run target tune upon target tune installation. Afterwards you don't have to have powervision installed unless wanting to monitor ecu parameters.

 

Just a quibble... Yes and no...

You'll need PV to flash your Target Tune enabled tune to the ECM. You will also need PV if you want to modify the tune (i.e. via auto tune sessions). But, PV becomes optional once you have everything the way you want it. You can run with the PV mounted if you like or remove it from the bike and run without it. Target Tune is stand alone.

 

Correct as he stated above. You will need the powervision initially to install your converted target tune map onto the powervision then upload to the ECU.

Once the Target tune rom/map is loaded to the ecu the Target tune module doesn't require the Powervision handheld device unless you want to visually datalog or adjust certain parameters.

The target tune will maintain AFR targets full time in closed loop operation based off the provided Custom tune you receive. In this case I got my tune from Jaime at Fuel Moto.

So I will walk you through what I did.

When purchasing Target tune from Fuel moto... You will use your purchase order number and fill out a "fuel map" sheet listed on fuel moto's website.

In this sheet you list your year make and model as well as the modifications...

Jaime then creates a base map designed to use for target tune software. Mine was 2017 Iron XL883N with hammer impact intake, patriot defender exhaust and NGK DCPR8EIX plugs.

He does this within a day or so. At least for me he did.

You will be emailed the tune and download to your computer.

Then you MUST absolutely UPDATE your Powervision software and firmware to the latest revisions.

Once you do this then you can reconnect your Powervision and download the base map tune from whomever onto your Powervision.

Once installed, you plug the powervision onto the bike using the supplied Y adapter which connects ECU to module to powervision cable. You can either leave the Y adapter or remove it when finished loading the new Target Tune Map onto the ecu.

Once the Target Tune Map is loaded and installed onto ecu you will want to cycle the key to RUN and open powervision datalog channels and display front and rear AFR sensors/lambda to make sure the sensors are powered up and reading.

If all is well, then fire up the bike and go for a ride.

You will notice an immediate change in sound and performance. You may not feel any major peak power but you damn sure will notice how much more useable power there is in the power band.

The bike will be much smoother overall. You'll really notice on rev matching downshifts as well as the decel pop will be gone.

Yeah it's like 800 bucks for powervision and target tune but it's well worth it if you plan on doing further engine upgrades outside of stage 1 mods.

 

Also there isn't a need to do any auto tuning with Target Tune honestly. If the bike runs great with the tune provided from Fuel Moto or whomever you shop with... I'd leave well enough alone until the next engine modification.

If you have an issue with target tune or something doesn't feel right then run some datalogs. If detonation occurs try swapping to colder plug and running higher octane until your tuner confirms the issue. Or just not drive it of possible.

 

K well I stand corrected lol. Ran target run auto tune today and it made a difference when running the SFI valve on the Patriot Defender all the way open.

So yeah my bad.

 

Great write-up!

I have been running the Target Tune on my Sporty for about 8 months.

The improvement was noticeable & significant immediately. Then after doing some auto-tunes it got even better!

Besides having much crisper, stronger acceleration, my MPG went up significantly (in the 7-8 mpg range).

It is unfortunate that it is so expensive (see details HERE) BUT, it is still less than a tuner and getting it dyno-tuned.

There is no doubt that I will eventually have the TT on every bike, the improvement justifies it. The only reason I have not done it already, the other two bikes need to have the headers pulled and bungs welded in. The Sporty was just a simple matter of unscrewing the narrow band sensors and screwing the wide band in.

 

I agree, the target tune may be expensive in total because you need the powervision upfront but even on a "stage 1" 883 the difference is significantly better through the entire powerband.

Another thing I noticed is my bike with just basic powervision did not like the Patriot Defender baffle all the way open it would still kind of surge some on the low end. Also upon cold start the sporty would take longer to warm up before taking off it would want to pop and sputter some. Not anymore. It's spot on!

By the way, thanks kevin and DKCustoms for offering the Outlaw reusable filter. Such a nice quality setup.

May have to get the filter relocation kit soon.

Have enjoyed you guys customer service!