What are Autotune or Smart Tune Systems?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Annapolis MD
What are Autotune or Smart Tune Systems?
Have seen this referenced in other posts discussing in upgrades. Do these systems negate the need for dyno tuning? I currently use a Power Commander (3 years old) on my SG and would also be interested in alternative systems that provide better/more intuitive tuning capabilities. Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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power commander makes a auto tune dont know if it work on the one u have. auto tune someone will chime in here if they know how to explaine better me.i have the thundermax auto tune what has to be done is down load the software and go through the prompts. look at the base map file find a set up that is close to what u have on your bike. locate click on it it will down load to the ecm. once down loaded my instructions for my thundermax says to cycle the ignition switch in the order they ask u to and your done. this a quick explanation its a little more detailed then that. hope this helps.
Rick
Rick
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From: Eastern Washington
My sepst has an auto tune feature. You plug in the vci and load a base map to the bike first, then go out and ride the bike to collect data. When you are done collecting, you plug the vci back into your computer and the software will make suggestions on what to change based on how you were riding. It still takes a lot of reading and understanding the software, but I like doing stuff like that.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Annapolis MD
Thanks all, next dumb question...PistonPuller, is your sepst a type or specific brand...what companies make them that I should consider (looks like PowerCommander also has one)...if anyone is familiar with the differences between them, it would be helpful as well. thx
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
My sepst has an auto tune feature. You plug in the vci and load a base map to the bike first, then go out and ride the bike to collect data. When you are done collecting, you plug the vci back into your computer and the software will make suggestions on what to change based on how you were riding. It still takes a lot of reading and understanding the software, but I like doing stuff like that.
The only true auto-tune devices available now are the PCV-AT and Thundermax, and these will auto-tune only AFR's. The PCV retains knock-sensing features, as well as all others, built into the ECM--but T'Max is a direct replacement for the ECM it has no knock-sensing capability, nor does it retain the full-features of other sensors like MAP.
Last edited by iclick; Dec 6, 2010 at 12:32 PM.
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Have seen this referenced in other posts discussing in upgrades. Do these systems negate the need for dyno tuning? I currently use a Power Commander (3 years old) on my SG and would also be interested in alternative systems that provide better/more intuitive tuning capabilities. Thanks
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Hey slammd - I can't speak to the differences between different tuners but can tell you about the Power commander V (PCV) w/AutoTune which is what I have on my
2011 Ultra Limited.
I'm very happy with my set-up. Dyno-Tuning MIGHT get me a touch more performance but I'll never know because I'm one of those guys that likes to do everything myself and I don't have access to a Dyno. Therefore the AutoTune feature is right up my alley.
The way the AutoTune works is like this - You program in your desired Air/Fuel (A/F) ratio to the base map. Then as you ride the bike the wideband O2 sensors measure the actual A/F ratio and send that information to the AutoTune unit which in turns adjusts the fuel delivery up or down as needed to reach the A/F targets you have programmed in. When you buy the PCV you'll be provided with a map based on the configuration of your bike. This map will have the target A/F ratios built into it and these are the values to use as your starting point. You can tweak these values however you wish, i.e., leaner to provide better economy, richer for better performance/cooling, etc.
Here's the process I used to tune my bike... I used to A/F ratio targets provided with the PCV map developed by FuelMoto. I made several test runs (approx 20 miles each) putting the bike through every riding condition I could with this set-up. After each test run I downloaded, printed, and analyzed the AutoTune trim data. After 3 or 4 runs worth of data I averaged the trim values and then hardwired them into the base map. I repeated this process for several cycles until the AutoTune trim values were coming in consistently within +/- 2% of the target A/F ratios.
I personally love the AutoTune set-up... it gives you some real data to base your changes upon.
All-n-all, I couldn't be happier with my set-up. You can get everything you need from from FuelMotoUSA.com. They are a great company to deal with... Customer service is exemplary.
2011 Ultra Limited.
I'm very happy with my set-up. Dyno-Tuning MIGHT get me a touch more performance but I'll never know because I'm one of those guys that likes to do everything myself and I don't have access to a Dyno. Therefore the AutoTune feature is right up my alley.
The way the AutoTune works is like this - You program in your desired Air/Fuel (A/F) ratio to the base map. Then as you ride the bike the wideband O2 sensors measure the actual A/F ratio and send that information to the AutoTune unit which in turns adjusts the fuel delivery up or down as needed to reach the A/F targets you have programmed in. When you buy the PCV you'll be provided with a map based on the configuration of your bike. This map will have the target A/F ratios built into it and these are the values to use as your starting point. You can tweak these values however you wish, i.e., leaner to provide better economy, richer for better performance/cooling, etc.
Here's the process I used to tune my bike... I used to A/F ratio targets provided with the PCV map developed by FuelMoto. I made several test runs (approx 20 miles each) putting the bike through every riding condition I could with this set-up. After each test run I downloaded, printed, and analyzed the AutoTune trim data. After 3 or 4 runs worth of data I averaged the trim values and then hardwired them into the base map. I repeated this process for several cycles until the AutoTune trim values were coming in consistently within +/- 2% of the target A/F ratios.
I personally love the AutoTune set-up... it gives you some real data to base your changes upon.
All-n-all, I couldn't be happier with my set-up. You can get everything you need from from FuelMotoUSA.com. They are a great company to deal with... Customer service is exemplary.