Power Commander really necessary?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
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From: St. Charles, MO
Power Commander really necessary?
Greetings!
I recently upgraded the exhaust on my (formerly stock) 2010 Ultra Limited, installed the SE air kit, Rush headers and Rush 4" Big Louie exhaust with 3" baffles.
Just for giggles, I ran the bike a short run BEFORE installing the PC, and with the O2 sensors plugged in and it seemed to run ok. Programmed and installed the PC (unplugged the O2 sensors per instructions), and it STILL runs ok.
Without throwing it on a dyno, can anyone tell me - is the Power Commander necessary on the newer closed loop injection systems? And why does the pc require the O2 sensors unplugged?
Thanks in advance!
I recently upgraded the exhaust on my (formerly stock) 2010 Ultra Limited, installed the SE air kit, Rush headers and Rush 4" Big Louie exhaust with 3" baffles.
Just for giggles, I ran the bike a short run BEFORE installing the PC, and with the O2 sensors plugged in and it seemed to run ok. Programmed and installed the PC (unplugged the O2 sensors per instructions), and it STILL runs ok.
Without throwing it on a dyno, can anyone tell me - is the Power Commander necessary on the newer closed loop injection systems? And why does the pc require the O2 sensors unplugged?
Thanks in advance!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 19
From: Savage, MN
I don't know much about the power commander, I do however have the power vision for my bike and I will say that doing a full stage one as you have done a tuner of some sort is needed. These bikes run lean from the factory due to EPA regulations, when installing the stage one your letting more air in and more air out thus leaning out the engine even further. To get the bike back to a decent AF ratio a tuner is needed. Some will goes as far as to say a tuner is a good idea even if you leave it stock, by enriching the AF it will run cooler.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 2,562
From: CT/FL
the computer has a little leeway in adjusting the fuel/timing but if you make too many changes it'll go out of range and run too lean usually. it may seem ok for a normal run but will be trouble on hard/long rides
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
if you hadn;t already bought one- I'd advise you against.
but you have so you might as well use it.
the HD ECM may not be able to self -adjust fully for your intake and exhaust.
(I do have a Pal who has run many many miles without a tuner with no ill effect...however my bike pinged when bone stock under load)
the PC you bought is not "smart enough" to use the o2 sensors and relies on maps based on intake air density, rpm, and vacuum to determine load and guesses fuel delivery and spark advance
once HD added o2 sensors to the EFI system, tuners/tuning options got alot better.
mike
but you have so you might as well use it.
the HD ECM may not be able to self -adjust fully for your intake and exhaust.
(I do have a Pal who has run many many miles without a tuner with no ill effect...however my bike pinged when bone stock under load)
the PC you bought is not "smart enough" to use the o2 sensors and relies on maps based on intake air density, rpm, and vacuum to determine load and guesses fuel delivery and spark advance
once HD added o2 sensors to the EFI system, tuners/tuning options got alot better.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Aug 17, 2015 at 11:27 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
imho The only "tuner" that ought to used on newer o2 bikes is a flash tuner (powervision/tts/seprt/new V&H?). The o2s are there for good reason, not good to not use them on the street.
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