Nagging ECM question
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Nagging ECM question
I have a question that has been nagging at me for some time, I asked my the Harley dealership here in California (a while back) if they would install Vance and Hines exhaust on my bike and they told me they could NOT do anything to the motor or exhaust that would jeopardize the Cal emissions standard here in Cal and that either I would need to install them or have it done elsewhere, so here is my question after installing the exhaust and the high flow air intake I took the bike to them to have them do the ECM download which in my understanding allows for more air and fuel to enter the motor BUT wouldn't that be jeopardizing the emissions here in Cal?? Also, what does the download do to the ECM am I correct in thinking that it is allowing more fuel into the motor to compensate for the more air the intake is allowing in??
Stellar HDF Member
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It's a lot harder for a cop to spot an ECM flash than it is aftermarket pipes.
The download just accounts for the new airflow changes so that the stock ECM can get back into it's range of adjustment. It can only account for small changes, and sometimes after market stuff gets outside of the ECU's "window". In that case, the ECU wouldn't be able to adjust all the way to where it needs to be since it is limited to a certain range. Programming it to account for the changes moves it's "zero" line, and then it can work properly again.
The download just accounts for the new airflow changes so that the stock ECM can get back into it's range of adjustment. It can only account for small changes, and sometimes after market stuff gets outside of the ECU's "window". In that case, the ECU wouldn't be able to adjust all the way to where it needs to be since it is limited to a certain range. Programming it to account for the changes moves it's "zero" line, and then it can work properly again.
Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Jan 12, 2013 at 11:06 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Phoenix, AZ
ok so the motor is now compensating for the extra air from the stage 1 upgrade so that means the stage one is complete then? no tuner needed or is there another benefit for installing a tuner??
Stellar HDF Member
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No, it's not. It tries to compensate but it can't because it only has a really small window. That's why people use tuners. If you add a Stage 1, you go outside of the window for the ECU to compensate and need to reprogram it so that it will work right again.
Sort of...you have a quasi EPA compliant Stage 1, but it is still crippled because the download added more fuel to keep you at the already lean factory setting of 14.7:1
You can get the XiED that will get you running a bit richer, you will notice a nice improvement in acceleration and no more low speed hesitation.
Click HERE for details.
You can get the XiED that will get you running a bit richer, you will notice a nice improvement in acceleration and no more low speed hesitation.
Click HERE for details.
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