ECU Help Stage 1 kit

[Papa Bear]

Hi, I'm quite new to Harleys after many years on Jap and German bikes. I now have an 2007 (EFI) Superglide Custom, bought used but as new condition. It has Khrome Werks 3" slip ons fitted but no other mods.

I am thinking of getting the air filter mod and Power Commander (PC111) and self fitting. Does this sound like a good plan or am I asking for trouble ? I guess I am asking how reliable the PC111 add on kit is (my 1st Harley, an 883 Sporty had carbs and was fine with stage 1 kit but I am a bit twitchy about the whole EFI thing.

Thanks, Stu

[Roy]

Stu

Hello. As I am sure you can imagine, there has been tons of previous posts on stage 1'ing.

I run a PCIII on my 2006 streetbob and have been a lot happier with it than my Fuelpack (FP). However, found out that as I bought my FP from the states that it would have come with a different fuel map than one bought in the UK/Europe which is why my Uk bought streetbob ran with a hot rear cylinder etc when the FP was fitted. Some people swear by FPs, some people swear by PCIIIs. I think its more down to buying a FP from UK or the dynotune you need to do on a PCIII.

I did a search on past posts and could not readily find one, however did find this recent debate on airfilters http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...t-upgrade.html.

This is a really good forum for advise and other peoples experiences, so hoping you get the answers your after.

Cheers, Roy

[BaZa ®]

May find some interesting reading here: http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...earchid=390389

[Papa Bear]

Thanks Roy & BaZa, have took the plunge and ordered PC111 and Stage 1 filter set-up (from US). Will let you know how I get on.:

[BaZa ®]

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

Thanks Roy & BaZa, have took the plunge and ordered PC111 and Stage 1 filter set-up (from US). Will let you know how I get on.:

Good luck if you had read all the posts then you would have seen problems with USA and Europe some include this and that and others don't. Plus one of our own members sells them to club members with a discount and full warranty that you may find hard with the USA!

[smalHD]

Hi mate

I have a FXDC 2007 also, this is a great Harley model I love it. I have knocked out the core plug like restrictors from my pipes and made a hole about the size of a 10p coin through the catalyst honeycombes. I did not want too much noise as I use the bike early mornings and late evenings all year round. Also I dont go for the too open systems that lower back pressure too much and affect engine flow.

As soon as I did this the already lean mixture became a real issue. The engine has always run very hot due to the lean mixture and now I got a lot of popping back on overrun. With the new pipes you mention I am supprised you dont have the same thing or was it remapped by the dealer when fitted??

Anyway, even running so lean I notice an improvement of about 15mph to my second gear top speed. This is due to the better exhaust flow I imagine. I cannot test top end top gear speed as the limit here is 40mph.

Knowing the lean mixture was not good for the engine I went with my dealers recommendation of Arlen Ness Big Shot fuel timer and I had a Screaming Eagle air intake ordered too. The fueller was from the UK, from Batastinis??

Can't speak too highly of the fueller so far. Instantly the popping back has stopped and the engine runs MUCH cooler. Even people with standard engines should get one of these to richen the mixture a bit and cool things down.

The air filter really sucks air, so now I feel the acceleration power curve has diminished in the lower and mid powerband over stock airfilter. I feel it sucks too much air for the setup I have. However it sounds great and its much easier to clean my pushrod tubes so I will keep it. It undoubtedly will help full throttle performance too.

Some people don't like fuel timers I do. I don't want to develop the engine any further and the main goal was to lower engine running temperature. This is a good solution for that and I can adjust the settings easily by lifting the seat and clicking the buttons, no dyno's or laptop.

Cheers

[Papa Bear]

SmalHD,

Hi and thanks for your comments. I'm also really liking this bike - my 1st big HD.
You mention popping back on overrun - I certainly DO get this with the slip-ons I am running. I was told by my dealer that the mapping was not altered (only required if free flow air filter is also fitted) but from what I am now learning from forum talk is that these 07 and later bikes do tend to run hot and lean. I am hoping the PC111 (mapped to suit my set-up), I am waiting for will improve this - once received and fitted I will post an update on how she runs, this could be 3 or 4 weeks away (holiday looming).

Cheers

[Mr B]

If your bike doesn't run like it ought to after you've fitted the Power Commander, you could do what I did.

I emailed Dynojet tech department (email addy is on their website). I told them exactly what setup I'd got, and what my problems were....popping back on over run etc. Within a couple of days, they emailed me a custom map, and I loaded it in, and it's been perfect ever since. I could only better this by having a proper Dyno tune done.

Brian.

[Papa Bear]

Thanks Brian, I'll bear that in mind.

[Papa Bear]

Finally got round to fitting the PC111 and S/A air filter kit (with help from a friend) and glad to report that all seems good so far. The most noticeable difference being the elimination of popping on overrun and feeling a little bit more punchy. I have to say it was a pretty tight fit getting all that gubbins under the seat!

On a separate note, can somebody tell me what the exhaust valve thingy is all about and whether a full set of pipes (VH big radius for example) will run any better/cleaner than the standard pipes with slip-ons.......... I have the feeling that the engine should feel a bit crisper and wondered if it may be something to do with this exhaust valve maybe ??