Thundermax- reviews
#11
05-02-2012, 08:36 PM
Road Captain
#12
05-02-2012, 09:13 PM
#13
05-02-2012, 09:58 PM
Road Captain
The PV is a flash tuner so it can be removed, but it has alot of useful displays so I leave mine mounted. Lots of info here:
http://www.dynojet.com/powervision/
#14
05-10-2013, 03:38 PM
I fried my Nightster's ecm (don't ask me how, yet).
Now if I want to tune my bike I have two options:
a- Buy a new ECM and a new SEPST, or
b- Thudermax
Price is gonna be pretty much the same, but now I got concerned with this big O2 sensor (I use a V&H 2x1 competition)...
What do you guys recommend me to do?
Now if I want to tune my bike I have two options:
a- Buy a new ECM and a new SEPST, or
b- Thudermax
Price is gonna be pretty much the same, but now I got concerned with this big O2 sensor (I use a V&H 2x1 competition)...
What do you guys recommend me to do?
#15
05-11-2013, 01:13 PM
I consider the thundermax one of the best mods i have made. no fiddling with anything after the first setup. every time you start your bike it's tuning. no need to ride around with any extra attachments while tuning. a lot of people run them but few need to ask questions or talk about problems because the bottom line is they work just like the stock ecm expect your bike will run far better. maybe not the best for drag racing bike , but for stock or mild street mods i think anyone would be pleased with the set it and ride it operation. I can't comment on the power vision as i have never used one. i'd like to try one someday, but it would have to do a really good job to get me to pull the thundermax out.
Last edited by IRON1250; 05-11-2013 at 02:34 PM.
#16
05-11-2013, 01:45 PM
Here’s my ThunderMax story.
I’ve been thinking of getting an aftermarket ECM for some time and had a good lock at the different options out there. The ThunderMax with auto tune appeared to be a very good solution (though expensive) and the system generally received positive feedback.
I downloaded the ThunderMax software and played with it and even contacted their tech support to find out which base map would be the most appropriate for my bike – a 2007 XL 1200R with Screaming Eagle AC and Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered. When they responded promptly and recommended map 814 I felt confident to go ahead and buy the system, so I bit the bullet and invested the $$$.
My first surprise when I received the system was that the Sportster version features an external auto tune module, i.e. the auto tune module is not integrated into the actual ECM module – it needs to be mounted separately and plugs into the service connector by the battery. The picture on the ThunderMax online store only shows the version with the integrated auto tune module and the description states “ThunderMax is a completely new product that replaces the factory Electronic Control Module (ECM), NOT AN ADD-ON BOX or signal modifier.” So I was disappointed to find that the system I received included an add-on box for strapping to the frame.
The reason for the add-on box is apparently that there’s not enough space where the original ECM is located on the Sportster (under the seat) but I don’t buy that argument – the ThunderMax ECM unit is actually smaller than the original ECM and could easily be designed to accommodate the auto-tune components and still fit under the seat. I understand that the ThunderMax ECM module for the Sportster was also available as a stand-alone open-loop unit and it looks to me that they simply tried to save money by designing the auto tune module as an add-on, rather than integrate it.
My next disappointment was the old serial connector for hooking the ECM up to the computer. While they clearly say in the description that a USB adapter is available separately, I think it is a joke that the adapter is not included in the set – especially given the price of the system! In any case, none of the laptops I’ve owned in the past ten years featured one of the old serial ports so the lack of a proper USB hook up is very strange.
Now to the more substantial issue. On installing the system I found that the wide-band O2 sensors are longer than the stock sensors and won’t fit with my V&H pipes – the thread size of the bungs is correct but the ThunderMax sensors are so long that they collide with the frame/engine. I can therefore not install them without either relocating the bungs or creasing the header pipes to change the angle of the bungs. As a result, I can’t use the system at this stage without spending more money to get my exhaust modified.
Remember that I contacted the ThunderMax tech support prior to purchasing the system and told them about my configuration, including my V&H exhaust – which is a very common aftermarket exhaust for the Sportster. But there was no warning from tech support that I would not be able to install the ThunderMax O2 sensors.
I am therefore not very impressed by ThunderMax. And because the company I purchased the system from excludes the return of electronic components I can’t even send it back for a refund. Anyone for a ThunderMax system for a Sportster? It’s brand new (original box) and I’m happy to throw in the USB adapter. Just make sure you have header pipes that can take the O2 sensors...
I’ve been thinking of getting an aftermarket ECM for some time and had a good lock at the different options out there. The ThunderMax with auto tune appeared to be a very good solution (though expensive) and the system generally received positive feedback.
I downloaded the ThunderMax software and played with it and even contacted their tech support to find out which base map would be the most appropriate for my bike – a 2007 XL 1200R with Screaming Eagle AC and Vance & Hines Shortshots Staggered. When they responded promptly and recommended map 814 I felt confident to go ahead and buy the system, so I bit the bullet and invested the $$$.
My first surprise when I received the system was that the Sportster version features an external auto tune module, i.e. the auto tune module is not integrated into the actual ECM module – it needs to be mounted separately and plugs into the service connector by the battery. The picture on the ThunderMax online store only shows the version with the integrated auto tune module and the description states “ThunderMax is a completely new product that replaces the factory Electronic Control Module (ECM), NOT AN ADD-ON BOX or signal modifier.” So I was disappointed to find that the system I received included an add-on box for strapping to the frame.
The reason for the add-on box is apparently that there’s not enough space where the original ECM is located on the Sportster (under the seat) but I don’t buy that argument – the ThunderMax ECM unit is actually smaller than the original ECM and could easily be designed to accommodate the auto-tune components and still fit under the seat. I understand that the ThunderMax ECM module for the Sportster was also available as a stand-alone open-loop unit and it looks to me that they simply tried to save money by designing the auto tune module as an add-on, rather than integrate it.
My next disappointment was the old serial connector for hooking the ECM up to the computer. While they clearly say in the description that a USB adapter is available separately, I think it is a joke that the adapter is not included in the set – especially given the price of the system! In any case, none of the laptops I’ve owned in the past ten years featured one of the old serial ports so the lack of a proper USB hook up is very strange.
Now to the more substantial issue. On installing the system I found that the wide-band O2 sensors are longer than the stock sensors and won’t fit with my V&H pipes – the thread size of the bungs is correct but the ThunderMax sensors are so long that they collide with the frame/engine. I can therefore not install them without either relocating the bungs or creasing the header pipes to change the angle of the bungs. As a result, I can’t use the system at this stage without spending more money to get my exhaust modified.
Remember that I contacted the ThunderMax tech support prior to purchasing the system and told them about my configuration, including my V&H exhaust – which is a very common aftermarket exhaust for the Sportster. But there was no warning from tech support that I would not be able to install the ThunderMax O2 sensors.
I am therefore not very impressed by ThunderMax. And because the company I purchased the system from excludes the return of electronic components I can’t even send it back for a refund. Anyone for a ThunderMax system for a Sportster? It’s brand new (original box) and I’m happy to throw in the USB adapter. Just make sure you have header pipes that can take the O2 sensors...
Last edited by IRON1250; 05-11-2013 at 03:21 PM.
#17
05-13-2013, 04:50 PM
#18
05-13-2013, 06:24 PM
so all your problems have nothing to do with how the thundermax actually performs? I think it would be pretty easy to have a set of angled bungs put into the same holes your stock bungs are in. this is a problem for many installations. that is why they offer an angled bung. kinda hard to fault zippers for where the exhaust manufacturer installs their bungs. sorry to hear you won't get to actually see how it works once installed. i think it is just the sportster models that need the extra box due to there being no room for it under the seat. very small box and wire ties easily to the frame out of sight.
1. Zippers never alerted me to the fact that I would need to modify my pipes, even though I discussed my setup with them prior to purchasing the system - call me old fashioned, but to me that is not good customer service;
2. they advertise the system as "NOT AN ADD-ON BOX", yet when you buy the system you find that the auto-tune module is, in fact, an add-on box (lack of space is NOT a reason for the add-on box!); and
3. they charge almost $900 for the system and then don't even provide a USB connector that would allow you to hook it up to a computer out of the box. The PS2 connector and cable are completely useless - the last laptop I had with a PS2 connector was a Dell I purchased in 1996!
I did eventually install the system (after welding in an extra set of O2 sensor bungs) and it performed well but there was not a great difference to the stock module I had re-flashed by the dealer for my setup.
#19
05-13-2013, 09:48 PM
Stellar HDF Member
#20
05-14-2013, 09:42 AM
Tourer
The autotune module is only separate for the Sportsters <2010 that have the ECM located under the seat. Us Sporty's that have the ECM located on the rear tube behind the rear cyl, it's a single unit. Yes, it still requires you to plug into your diagnostic port, but that should go without saying.
I believe somewhere on the site it might state you MAY have to modify aftermarket pipes. That's almost a no brainer also. I've used the Thundermax before I went 1250 and had good results with the exception of some odd error that kept throwing codes and my batt, eng and other lights would come on and my speedometer would stop working. They ended up giving me my money back but I went PV with my 1250 per Dan/Aarons recommendation.
I believe somewhere on the site it might state you MAY have to modify aftermarket pipes. That's almost a no brainer also. I've used the Thundermax before I went 1250 and had good results with the exception of some odd error that kept throwing codes and my batt, eng and other lights would come on and my speedometer would stop working. They ended up giving me my money back but I went PV with my 1250 per Dan/Aarons recommendation.