Yet another tuning question
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Yet another tuning question
I've read several threads and am aware of the different viewpoints on Dyno vs auto tune.
My situation is this. I have a '12 FLHX with gutted head pipe, Andrews 57H cam, s&s air cleaner and ported and polished heads. I've had it on the Dyno 4 times. Two for parts changes and two to try to fix the tune. Now the bike runs well. Last weekend I put 380 miles on it. Half on state hwy at 60 to 70 mph. And half on the interstate at 80 mph. 60 to 70 got me 46 mpg. 80 mph got me 32 mpg. I'm fed up. Unless someone can recommend an excellent (not just good) tuner in the Denver CO area, I'm temped to do it myself with power vision w/ auto tune pro. I don't care if some is left on the table as long as the bike is rideable and I'm not stopping for gas every 150 miles. I don't want to pay for another tune with the"hope" it will be a good one this time.
There are many knowledgable people on this forum so any and all advice is welcome.
Thanks guys.
My situation is this. I have a '12 FLHX with gutted head pipe, Andrews 57H cam, s&s air cleaner and ported and polished heads. I've had it on the Dyno 4 times. Two for parts changes and two to try to fix the tune. Now the bike runs well. Last weekend I put 380 miles on it. Half on state hwy at 60 to 70 mph. And half on the interstate at 80 mph. 60 to 70 got me 46 mpg. 80 mph got me 32 mpg. I'm fed up. Unless someone can recommend an excellent (not just good) tuner in the Denver CO area, I'm temped to do it myself with power vision w/ auto tune pro. I don't care if some is left on the table as long as the bike is rideable and I'm not stopping for gas every 150 miles. I don't want to pay for another tune with the"hope" it will be a good one this time.
There are many knowledgable people on this forum so any and all advice is welcome.
Thanks guys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
I dont think you should expect miracles on gas mileage with any auto tune, or any miracles at all for that matter. Above 60 your gas mileage dives quickly, and more the higher you go and this is what you are seeing. Cams and especially ported heads can eat at your mileage.
I could be wrong tho.
I could be wrong tho.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 18
From: Emmett,Idaho
I'm using TTS Mastertune 2007 FLHTCU 1200mile fresh 103,S&S flywheels,Branch PT heads,S&S flat top pistons ,Andrews 37H, RB racing Black hole spyder 2-1. After ten V-tune generated uploads I got 41 mpg. 1/2 2-up hiway and city 50/50. I'm still working on filling all the VE table cells with enough good data. When I'm done with that I will work on the timing, reducing auto anti knock retard to further improve performance and fuel mileage.So far I'm enjoying the self tuning experience.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I dont think you should expect miracles on gas mileage with any auto tune, or any miracles at all for that matter. Above 60 your gas mileage dives quickly, and more the higher you go and this is what you are seeing. Cams and especially ported heads can eat at your mileage.
I could be wrong tho.
I could be wrong tho.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
I'm 49 MPG though the mountains averaging 75MPH here in Pa. I did my own tune. I want to stress I did not auto tune. I spent a lot of time manually refining my tune with the Power Vision. It's nothing you can't learn but it does take time and a lot of reading.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
a drop of 14 mph for an extra 10 mph seems excessive. No hills, no headwind. I live in denver but this was going east to Kansas. It's pretty flat that direction.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I've driven that several times
Oh, and I agree, given that area losing 14mpg seems a bit much for an increase in 10mph
Last edited by Bowhunter61; Jun 4, 2014 at 03:56 PM.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
What tuner do you have installed now?
A head wind might explain the bad mileage at 80mph if you experienced it only once, but even then that would seem low. If the current tune takes a dive toward the rich for the KPA reading realized at 80mph this could happen. I've seen lots of tunes running closed-loop (14.4 - 14.6:1) up to 80 KPA, then 13.0:1 (open-loop) at 85 KPA, and that will make a big difference if you ride there often, as it isn't hard to move above 80 KPA in normal riding. Having a look at your AFR table would be helpful.
The PV would be a good recommendation, but be prepared to do some homework. There's a sticky thread for the PV in the tuner section of HDForums. There is the so-called AutoTune tuning method, which basically let's the PV do the datalogging and calculations with minimal user interaction, and a multi-step method of using WinPV and PVTune software (downloadable from the DJ site) for more selective tuning. I use the latter, as I like the control. There's no reason you can't tune for maximum mileage for your setup with little or no performance decrease, but if you have a mismatch somewhere (e.g., cam and pipes) you may never get it dialed in to your requirements.
FWIW, I just helped a guy with a 103 w/57H cams installed and he is only getting 25mpg, so you're doing much better than he is. He has mismatched parts and we're working on a fix now, although I'm not a hardware matchmaker, so I can only help him with the tuning.
Half on state hwy at 60 to 70 mph. And half on the interstate at 80 mph. 60 to 70 got me 46 mpg. 80 mph got me 32 mpg. I'm fed up.
Unless someone can recommend an excellent (not just good) tuner in the Denver CO area, I'm temped to do it myself with power vision w/ auto tune pro. I don't care if some is left on the table as long as the bike is rideable and I'm not stopping for gas every 150 miles. I don't want to pay for another tune with the"hope" it will be a good one this time.
FWIW, I just helped a guy with a 103 w/57H cams installed and he is only getting 25mpg, so you're doing much better than he is. He has mismatched parts and we're working on a fix now, although I'm not a hardware matchmaker, so I can only help him with the tuning.
Last edited by iclick; Jun 4, 2014 at 04:06 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
Trying to learn a few more things off this thread, given he is in Denver (famous mile high city) isn't' the rule that he should be better mileage given the lower barometric pressure (hence lower compression), but at the cost of power? I know I may be generalizing this too much, but how will that affect his ability to balance the mileage versus performance?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
You can actually get mileage and performance. The settings become a little trickier with a lot of mountain riding because you are into the throttle a lot going up mountain passes so the trick is to set the performance part of the tune only where you really demand it. But if your riding calls for climbing a lot of steep grades mileage is going to suck no matter what. You have to give the thing gas.