Thundermax ECM - any downsides (other than cost?)
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
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From: South Carolina
Thundermax ECM - any downsides (other than cost?)
Question...are there any negatives or flaky side effects to know about before I plunk down the cash for a Thundermax for my '13 SG? Things like cruise issues, idiot light problems, fuel range calculations, or anything like that? I know with some ECM swaps there are problems with the ancillary functions...anything like this on the TMax? Thanks in advance...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
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From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Mine has worked like a champ to 2 years. Every 1000 miles or so I upload the map from the bike, inspect the proposed changes, accept them and then download it back to the bike. Takes 1 or 2 beers (depending on whether there is a software update) to do this. I also used my TM to calibrate my speedo to match my GPS.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
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From: Daytona, Fla.
Buy the auto tune version, use the dielectric grease they send with it for the connectors, & follow the instructions on how to set it up. Sometime in the first few rides it *might* loose communication with a lot of peripherals (speedo, tach, idiot lights, etc.). The solution is to shut off the ignition & restart. Mine did it once. I talked to Zippers about it & they readily admitted some of the units will do that once. They told me that if it happened a second time call them & they would work with me. Hasn't happened in the last two years.
All your other features & functions will work as well as, or better than, the stock ECU. You can set your speedo to be accurate...........
All your other features & functions will work as well as, or better than, the stock ECU. You can set your speedo to be accurate...........
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,543
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From: Ashland Ohio
You will lose the ability to have the bike reduce timing if you encounter a bad tank of fuel... or have it run decent if forced to buy crappy fuel.
You will also loose the ability to have the bike self adjust for altitude.
Finally, you will lose the ability to have the engine know it is under a load.
Read up on Alpha-N tuning -vs- speed density tuning.Max is Alpha-N, and the stock Delphi is Speed Density.
You will also loose the ability to have the bike self adjust for altitude.
Finally, you will lose the ability to have the engine know it is under a load.
Read up on Alpha-N tuning -vs- speed density tuning.Max is Alpha-N, and the stock Delphi is Speed Density.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 826
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From: Phoenix
I'v had the first generation on my bike since when they first came out. No issues. My only problem is I should have done the auto tune earlier. Waiting to do a new exhaust with O2 bungs already in place, then auto tune module.
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From: Darlington, SC
My first impression after installation was "immediate gratification". I have an '07 Ultra and prior to installation had so-so performance despite a few performance upgrades. The TM unlocked the potential and I am truly enjoying my bike now. I am not sure if I am going backwards in technology as one previous post suggests, and I don't think that is a big concern to me. All I know is I love what the TM did for my Ultra.