The problem with dyno tuning - smart tune rocks!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
Very interesting. I've often wondered if my local HD dealership gave my bike a "proper" dyno tune when I did my stage 1 upgrades because even though it runs fine and has plenty of power, once it gets above 3000 rpm it's kinda sluggish unless I've got it full throttle AND it only gets 32 mpg.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,144
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
I got the cd, cables, and dvd from ebay from one of the dealers. Cant remember which one. But is was all less than $80. Well worth it. It does take some time studying the software though. The dvd can help with the navigation of the software. In your situation, you should be able to save the current map, record data, and tweak the map a little bit using the smart tune. My bike had been dyno'd then later I added heavy breather and true duals. I was able to start from the dyno map and go from there.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
so when you are done,collected enought data to now have all the areas calibrated to 14.6. you can go into the AFR or Lambda table and change the AFR settings to what you THINK will be optimal. so say @ WOT 100% kpa or map,you wanted 13.2 AFR you should be able to change it now and it would be that desired AFR. once the map has been calibrated.(ve's are set in the ve table) you should be able to change the AFR table to what you want. or at least this is the theory behind smart tune. same thing we do on a dyno.I have found the farther away from this targeted AFR you change it to your desired AFR the more room there is for error. this is why we as tuners like to tune the AFR table as close to desired as we can (or at least I do). then make small changes in the AFR table to tweak or establish what make the motor happy,and what makes the best power.
for this reason it is always best to have it tuned by a competent tuner. you really have no way of seeing what the changes did unless you have a way to measure the changes.
that said... if you can grasp the smart tune, it can be safer,better, have more power than just a canned map.
down side is you might have erroneous data from reversion,caused by exhaust,cams etc. if you are not familiar enough with good data to weed out the bad data,the tune could turn out worse than before you started.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
But I am going to change the cams and give a local Indy I have heard good reviews a swing at the SEPST soon. I figure I can always go back to the PCV if unhappy or if it works out, have Jamie re-map the PCV to the wife's scoot.
Novice
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Central Virginia
I don't think a dyno can simulate the variables of real time riding. It was explained to me that the dyno is normally set at one pressure load for the tuning session, where as real time riding the pressure load varies, 2 up, single rider, uphill, downhill. As I stated before I'm not an expert, but I'm gaining experience.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
I'm not an expert but the smart tune has worked pretty well for me so far.I bumped my 08 Road King from a 103 to a 113 with S&S gear drive cams & a bunch of goodies$$$$$$ to keep the engine together. I had it dyno'd (122 HP) and it ran like crap at low RPM's after the session. The tuner said that was the nature of lumpy cams. RED FLAG. I recorded numerous runs under my riding conditions and started changing the VE tables to what smart tune suggested & reflashed the ECU. It has taken about 15 rides with about 54 recordings so far, and the lower end seems to be straightened out. The high RPM settings needed some tweaking also. I have felt a HUGE difference in power using the smart tune features.
I don't think a dyno can simulate the variables of real time riding. It was explained to me that the dyno is normally set at one pressure load for the tuning session, where as real time riding the pressure load varies, 2 up, single rider, uphill, downhill. As I stated before I'm not an expert, but I'm gaining experience.
I don't think a dyno can simulate the variables of real time riding. It was explained to me that the dyno is normally set at one pressure load for the tuning session, where as real time riding the pressure load varies, 2 up, single rider, uphill, downhill. As I stated before I'm not an expert, but I'm gaining experience.
also sounds like your tuner tuned wide open throttle and maybe Idle and that was it.
A dyno can create all the loads or conditions you will encounter,and even the ones you will never ride at. a proper dyno for tuning EFI has a eddy current brake or tq. arm. with a tuner that knows how to use these brakes,he will be able to hit hit every rpm/ MAP (KPA load vacume) throttle position,and do a complete tune.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
1HarleyGuy1