PCIII or Thundermax ?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
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PCIII or Thundermax ?
whats the best type to buy these days?
I was at Gettysburg bike week and saw a display by Thundermax - alot of guys were buying them..... any recomendations? i'm only getting 38 mpg when i ride easy so i'm thinking if swapping out my Digital Fuel Optimizer soon
I was at Gettysburg bike week and saw a display by Thundermax - alot of guys were buying them..... any recomendations? i'm only getting 38 mpg when i ride easy so i'm thinking if swapping out my Digital Fuel Optimizer soon
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 372
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From: Austin Tx
38 in town or on the highway?
How fast are you riding?
Do you want to tinker with your fuel system or just set it and ride?
What tuning are running now?
38 isn't all that bad of mileage with an ultra.....
How fast are you riding?
Do you want to tinker with your fuel system or just set it and ride?
What tuning are running now?
38 isn't all that bad of mileage with an ultra.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
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From: eastern oklahoma
the pc III is yesterdays news, with the pcv out. the pcv is very popular so that should mean that you should be able to get it set up easier than just about anything. harley now has the sest, a replacement for the older sert. thundermax, hmm, if that's what you like. i've got a pcv on my harley and i feel good about it. this being said, it's your money, so your choice.
Extreme HDF Member
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 109
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From: Rolla, Mo
Greetings;
I've been looking into both the Thundermax and the PC-V. I will not say here which way I'm leaning right now for a choice, but these are definitely the next evolution for add-on tuners.
These systems both have the ability to start with a general mapping for your engine configuration, and then "learn" (with the additional auto tune modules) how to self-alter the mapping to be perfect for your particular setup. Things like headwork, cams, different compression ratios, etc can make it very hard, if not impossible, to get a "static map" that's close to perfect. Either system with the autotune module can.
One major difference between the Thundermax (TM) and the PC-V is that the
TM completely replaces the harley ECM, while the PC-V still uses it.
Take a look at the documentation for yourself:
PC-V Information
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/pcvharley.htm
Thundermax Information
http://www.thunder-max.com/
Bryon
I've been looking into both the Thundermax and the PC-V. I will not say here which way I'm leaning right now for a choice, but these are definitely the next evolution for add-on tuners.
These systems both have the ability to start with a general mapping for your engine configuration, and then "learn" (with the additional auto tune modules) how to self-alter the mapping to be perfect for your particular setup. Things like headwork, cams, different compression ratios, etc can make it very hard, if not impossible, to get a "static map" that's close to perfect. Either system with the autotune module can.
One major difference between the Thundermax (TM) and the PC-V is that the
TM completely replaces the harley ECM, while the PC-V still uses it.
Take a look at the documentation for yourself:
PC-V Information
http://www.fuelmotousa.com/pcvharley.htm
Thundermax Information
http://www.thunder-max.com/
Bryon
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Cruiser
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I'm looking for better fuel mileage only -- my bike is stock (except for the Bub7 true duals, ness big sucker).... I want to "set it and forget it" less headaches the better -- i want the best bang for the buck (I dont know the prices of either the TM or PCV)
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
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From: Stillwater, MN
You have to do your own research and then make a decision. TM owners will say they love theirs as will PCV owners. Talk to Jaimie @ FuelMoto for some good technical input.
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Tourer
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I've heard it put this way: If you were on a trip many miles from home and your thundermax ecm was to give you trouble you would be stuck but if you had a power commander and that broke you could just unplug it and plug back in the stock wires and you could at least get home. I think the thundermax a better unit for tuning performance/ fuel mileage or whatever your looking to do later(engine work ect..) Power commander has been very reliable and around for a long time. See what others are getting for fuel mileage I've seen 34-36 mpg on an 07 Good luck Just my .02
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
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From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
I've had both, and I like the PCV better.
The ThunderMax is a nice unit, but the interface requires a bit of learning to understand and use properly. You also have to replace the O2 sensors, which can sometimes be a pain, but you'd have to do that with the PCV if you opted for the auto tune module.
The PCV is cheaper if you don't get the auto tune module. In my opinion, you don't need the auto tune with a standard setup: high flow AC & muffler swap. The canned maps will satisfy most, and youy can always get it tuned. If you're the type that's always changing your setup, swapping cams and modifying your engine, then the auto tune option might be a smart choice.
I also like the support better with the PCV, others may have had different experiences.
But you probably won't save a ton of money with either system. If you go from 38 to 42 MPG, and ride 10K per year, you'll save about 25 gallons a year. At $3.00 per gallon, that's $75. If the unit cost $300, it will take you 4 years to pay for it.
The ThunderMax is a nice unit, but the interface requires a bit of learning to understand and use properly. You also have to replace the O2 sensors, which can sometimes be a pain, but you'd have to do that with the PCV if you opted for the auto tune module.
The PCV is cheaper if you don't get the auto tune module. In my opinion, you don't need the auto tune with a standard setup: high flow AC & muffler swap. The canned maps will satisfy most, and youy can always get it tuned. If you're the type that's always changing your setup, swapping cams and modifying your engine, then the auto tune option might be a smart choice.
I also like the support better with the PCV, others may have had different experiences.
But you probably won't save a ton of money with either system. If you go from 38 to 42 MPG, and ride 10K per year, you'll save about 25 gallons a year. At $3.00 per gallon, that's $75. If the unit cost $300, it will take you 4 years to pay for it.