Power Commander

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

I just received my PC III and was wondering if anyone had some tips for the install. The Instructons are fine, but sometimes a little first hand experience can point out some short cuts or pitfalls to avoid.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Rich

[smiller]

My PC install was pretty straightforward, essentially a simple plug-in operation other than replacing the O2 sensor. That's probably easier if you remove the exhaust system but I didn't and still didn't have a particularly difficult time swapping them out with just a 22mm combination wrench and the exhaust system in place. You will also have to remove the tank for the sole purpose of disconnecting the O2 sensor plug from the bike wiring harness. Also, even though the recommended location for the electronics module is in the tail section my PC wiring harness wasn't long enough to allow for that (so why do they recommend it? I dunno) so I mounted it on top of the air cleaner where it fits quite nicely. That was OK for me because the tail section was already taken up by some other stuff and there wasn't any room anyway.

 

After that, load your map of choice and enjoy the improvement...

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

Thanks Smiler!

 

So it is necessary to remove the side and bottom tupperware? Also, how about removing the fuel tank, pretty straight forward? Finally, what do you think of the PC III?

[smiller]

You will have to remove all of the tupperware in order to remove the tank. Removing the tank is pretty straightforward, just don't have a lot of fuel in there when you do it. For more info on the PC itself you can have a look at this thread from a while ago.

 

Good luck, have fun!

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

My bike is transformed. I just got back from a short test run after the install and i am very pleased with the results. The PC did exactly what i was hoping it would, and that is smooth things out in the middle RPM range. In fact, is smoother all over the power band.

 

Thaks so much for the support.

 

BTW, my cables were long enough to put the PC module in the tail section, altrhough I haven't decided if I am going to leave it there yet. Priority tonight was getting in a test drive. Sweet

[russell_bynum]

What map did you use? Is your bike otherwise stock except for the PC?

[boatzo]

The info that I have read thus far on this forum has convinced me to go with the Power Cmdr. instead of the Techlusion. However I have several questions before I order one.

 

1. What other items are needed to install the PC and get it working.

2. You mentioned the oxy sensor. Does that come with it?

3. The map plug. Is there one in the PC or is it the one in the Motronic module?

 

Thanks in advance, I am off to work now.

[smiller]

1. What other items are needed to install the PC and get it working.

2. You mentioned the oxy sensor. Does that come with it?

3. The map plug. Is there one in the PC or is it the one in the Motronic module?

1. Just basic tools to remove tupperware, tank, etc. The PC itself is a totally plug 'n play install, other than item #2.

 

2. You need to replace the stock O2 sensor with the wideband O2 sensor included with the PC. Wideband O2 sensors are much more capable in several respects (most newer automobiles come with them now) and are part of what allows the PC to do its magic. As mentioned previously, swapping the sensors is a minor PITA but no big deal either.

 

3. The PC map is pure software, downloaded to the unit from your computer or laptop via a USB connection. The computer application allows you to edit the map in whatever way desired (adding/subtracting fuel at various throttle position/rpm settings) or you can simply use the default map developed by Dynojet for your application. If you want to be really fussy you can take it to a Dynojet-equipped tuning center where they will put your bike on a dyno and develop a custom map specific to your bike. I don't think that there is much value in doing this for a stock bike though as the default map is likely to be plenty close enough, although it may be worth doing for modified bikes. Beyond tailoring the map the computer software also allows you to view various data in real time, such as A/F ratio, rpm, throttle position, injector duty cycle, O2 sensor operation, etc. That ability is a very handy diagnostic tool in itself.

 

Regarding the interaction of the PC with the Motronic, basically the PC takes the Motronic injector pulse and tailors it to achieve the A/F ratio specified in the PC map during open-loop operation, or to whatever overall A/F ratio you have set for closed-loop operation.

 

BTW, my cables were long enough to put the PC module in the tail section, altrhough I haven't decided if I am going to leave it there yet.

Yeah, I get a lot of that, most people seem to have no difficulty locating the unit in the tail section. I don't know if there is something different about the unit I have or whether I'm just not figuring something out... anyway, I don't want it in the tail section anyway so no matter.

[boatzo]

Thanks Smiller, that info is very handy to have. My RT has a hesitation at low speeds 1st & 2nd gear @3k to 4500 RPM. I wouldn't really call it a surge, more like a cutting out or as I said hesitation. Runs great at highway speeds.

 

I did the TPS and had the dealer check the throttle body sync along with adjusting the valves. It still does it and the dealer said we may need to go with the PC or Techlusion. Seems like the PC is the better way to go.

 

Thanks again,

[smiller]

Another note, I would suggest that anyone experiencing driveabilty problems should first ensure that there are no physical problems with the engine or state-of-tune before considering a Techlusion or Power Commander as neither of these is designed to compensate for an actual problem or failure, rather just to assist in fine-tuning an already properly functioning engine.

 

But if the dealer or a qualified mechanic has done all they can and then suggests going with an aftermarket tuning box, they usually seem to be quite effective.

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

I'm using the default map that comes loaded on the PC. My bike is otherwise stock. I got all of all the tupperware put back on tonight and, cleaned up some wire routing . Still raining, though there was time for a short run after work. It's a definite "big" improvement. Well worth the spend.

 

 

 

Rich