Thundermax
Thundermax
Looking for a little information/explanation. I have a 2016 Streetglide Special, bought with Harley's "stage V tire shredder kit" installed and a "super tuner pro" on it. I've heard the next logical step is to do an ECM tuner with Thundermax being one of the better units. Will this mess with the Super Tuner or are they completely different things? Would the Thundermax even add much to the bike at this point?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 102
From: Waukesha, WI
We've had several bikes come in on trade with them, one of which required an ABS service and it could not be done due to the DT not being able to communicate with the Thundermax ECM. We had another that had a persistent check engine light, and again communication and repairs were needlessly complicated.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 457
The super tuner pro is married to your ECM. It requires someone knowledgeable to tune your bike on a dyno if you make changes to the bike.
The Thundermax replaces the ECM and will auto tune. Sometimes you need to us the software and make minor adjustments to get the most out of it. It’s not hard if you’re not afraid to read a little in the tuner manual about the issue or setting that’s causing a problem.
I have used a Thundermax on 3 bikes. Two I currently still own and have made many changes that have required a new tune. With the Thundermax I’ve done it all myself, without having to find or rely on a competent dyno guy. The bikes run great. I’m also a person who likes too do as much as I can myself and I’m always looking to learn more about anything that interests me.
I think the power vision is another excellent option of someone who wants to be in charge of their own tuning. I however, don’t know much about them as I chose to go the Thundermax route and it’s what I’ve learned to use with great success.
The Thundermax replaces the ECM and will auto tune. Sometimes you need to us the software and make minor adjustments to get the most out of it. It’s not hard if you’re not afraid to read a little in the tuner manual about the issue or setting that’s causing a problem.
I have used a Thundermax on 3 bikes. Two I currently still own and have made many changes that have required a new tune. With the Thundermax I’ve done it all myself, without having to find or rely on a competent dyno guy. The bikes run great. I’m also a person who likes too do as much as I can myself and I’m always looking to learn more about anything that interests me.
I think the power vision is another excellent option of someone who wants to be in charge of their own tuning. I however, don’t know much about them as I chose to go the Thundermax route and it’s what I’ve learned to use with great success.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 866
Likes: 248
From: N.Y.C
Looking for a little information/explanation. I have a 2016 Streetglide Special, bought with Harley's "stage V tire shredder kit" installed and a "super tuner pro" on it. I've heard the next logical step is to do an ECM tuner with Thundermax being one of the better units. Will this mess with the Super Tuner or are they completely different things? Would the Thundermax even add much to the bike at this point?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 836
From: KMHT KFMY
I have a Thundermax on my 03, never had a problem with it.
I still have the OEM ECM in case I need to put it back in the bike.
If you can find a good base map from Thundermax ( I couldn't my S&S 509 cams were not listed for a TC88 ) it makes it easier to tune
I am not a fan of "piggy back" tuners as I had TWO PowerCommanders sh*t the bed on me, and their customer service was less than stellar.
I still have the OEM ECM in case I need to put it back in the bike.
If you can find a good base map from Thundermax ( I couldn't my S&S 509 cams were not listed for a TC88 ) it makes it easier to tune
I am not a fan of "piggy back" tuners as I had TWO PowerCommanders sh*t the bed on me, and their customer service was less than stellar.
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I'm personally a big fan of the thunder-max tuner. When installed with a map that's as close as you can find to your actual set-up, it will run at least as good as it did with the original ecm. As you ride the tuner learns and adapts to your riding style. Depending how much you ride this can take awhile. But after that learning period the bike runs stronger and is just a plain joy to ride. The only adjustments I ever made to the tuner was tweaking the A/F mixture ratio. Get it and enjoy it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,162
Likes: 9,673
From: Flyover Country
We've had several bikes come in on trade with them, one of which required an ABS service and it could not be done due to the DT not being able to communicate with the Thundermax ECM. We had another that had a persistent check engine light, and again communication and repairs were needlessly complicated.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,725
Likes: 1,787
From: Toledo ohio
I have the parts for a stage 4 and currently run a thundermax with Auto Tune. So easy to set up with a laptop. Since finding my base map with a stage 1, I have changed the intake 3 times and different mufflers and headers until I am happy now with the set up. When I go do the stage 4, I will download the closest map from Zippers and start with that, if it is close, I will just run it and let the thundermax auto tune, it takes just a few runs. Also not that thundermax rund 4 wire 02 sensors so you have to have a header that accepts them or have the bungs welded in and you will plug the stock holes.
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