| Author | Message | ||
     Giu |
Al,I'm going to do something to improve my xb12 performance.Right now it's totally stock. I thought to put in F.A.S.T. system filter,a good exhaust system (which and why?!!) (consider I live in Italy) and something regarding electronic control (Rapid Bike 2 -doesn't permit to elevate RPM-,TFI or something really work and that is easy to fine tune by me or not typical tuner people). Can you give me some good advice on it,please? Thank you | ||
| Al_lighton |
Giu, Well, I certainly am impressed by the new Micron system for it's power output when tuned, but combined with other changes like airbox mods, it needs to have it's fueling tweaked for best performance and engine longevity. There is no substitute for tuning properly if you start to make anything other than basic mods. If you aren't able/willing to get the tuning done with the right feedback mechanisms (i.e. wideband O2 sensor, dyno, etc), my opinion is that you should stick with slip-on systems that use the stock header, and just use a Buell race ECM. You'll leave leave power on the table if the race ECM is used with anything other than the Buell race muffler, but you're not likely to blow anything up. Using active tuning devices without proper feedback mechanisms is dicey, you may be able to make some driveability improvements and might be able to get the power up. But you also might hole or scuff a piston. A TFI is "safe", in that it only adds fuel, it doesn't take it away. But often adding fuel is not what is required to optimize the system. And the TFI paints with a pretty broad brush, and sometimes the the change required needs to be more pinpointed to a particular RPM/throttle position. How's that for a non-answer? Short answer: Micron + Directlink (or Rapid bike, if you want, but I have no direct experience with it) + Dyno time is my recommendation Buell Race Pipe + Race ECM if no tuning time/$$$ is going to be spent. I personally run the D&D pipe on my other XB, I like the sound, I like where it emphasizes the power, and it seems to run pretty good on previous dyno pulls I've done with it, the torque curve is nice and flat. But I'm pretty convinced it's not being fueled as good as it could be and there is a bit more power I'm leaving on the table. I'll be fixing that shortly with DirectLink. | ||
| Giu |
Thanks Al for your answer.Does exist a web site for Directlink?Would you help me please to understand how people should fine tune it fitting right with other component of upgrading? I agree with you that Pro series would be much more easier (to me very expensive for the value) for normal people tuning but still confident that good products with right making will be much more better performer. In Micron web site they write about no need to improve fuel injection.... | ||
| Giu |
One more. I know that additional products like Rapid Bike have lots of plus but it doesn't start to work at 0 rpm but only around 2000 rpm.So you could find some not regular work in the curve. What about Directlink? | ||
| Al_lighton |
I personally don't have the curves to back it up, but I've been told by someone that should know that if you do NO other mods, the Micron should work with the stock ECM. I already had airbox mods done when I put mine on, and I can say that I was able to get a LOT more out of the system by tweaking the fueling, and that I wouldn't have wanted to have left the fueling where it was prior to tweaking the fuel maps. Personally, I have doubts that the pipe is just fine without some fueling changes. I've seen some plots on an XB9 that had some dangerously lean spots. The good news is that they weren't at high RPMs/high power output, where the most waste heat is generated and therefore most potential for engine damage. DirectLink is made by Technoresearch. We sell it and I even have a few kits in stock, but I have not put it on my website yet because I don't consider it ready for uncontrolled sale at this time. It is very close, but there are a few bugs in the SW that are being fixed as we speak, and the documentation is virtually nil. That latter point is not to be underestimated. There is great potential to blow up an engine once you have the power to manipulate those fuel and spark tables, so documentation on how to use it is as important as the SW itself. This is especially true with the Buell ECM, as the values in the tables are only half the battle. Understanding what the changes to them do is equally important. Terry and I spent 2 days just learning how changing those value influenced the fuelling curves, and some of it wasn't immediately intuitive. There is still more to learn, as it isn't like Buell/VDO are giving us the algorithms in the ECM. I am working on a tuning guide now that will be included with the SW when I sell it. Once I've tested the new SW release and I have the tuning guide written, I will have it on the web site. Selling it uncontrolled prior to that would be irresponsible, IMHO. It is also the plan to generate maps for certain combinations and sell those, so that folks can just load the map and go. But map development is expensive and logistically difficult (so many combinations, test mules needed, etc), so we're just starting to figure out how best to test and market the maps. I can't speak to RapidBike, as I have not tested it. My personal opinion is that once you have a product like DirectLink that manipulates the tables within the actual ECM, products like RapidBike that manipulate the fueling outside of the ECM control loops are obsolete. YMMV. If you haven't read the stuff in my sponsor section here (read whole thread, as it starts with airbox testing first, the Diriectlink stuff starts on the second archived page), please read that and some of this will make more sense. If one did not have access to a dyno, there are wideband O2 systems that can be used. In fact, DirectLink is set up to take the inputs from such systems ( see here so that the fueling can be monitored within the DirectLink application. I have not tested that feature yet, but will be doing so after I get an O2 bung welded onto my D&D muffler. The most difficult part of that is that you have to drive around with a laptop running on your bike to collect the data. Laptop + Paintshaker vibration levels are not a good combination, so I have to solve that first. I think a backpack is the answer. We will be selling that O2 controller as well. Al | ||
| Giu |
Wow!A bit too long time to right read all this new stuff!Anyway... So,if I'm correct you'll be able to put in the market ASAP the best/user friendly way to fine tune main points of fuel/spark chapter. People will have 2 main option: 1 run the factory recorded map (due by customer combination stuff suggested)without needing dyno adjustment.Maybe not the best but the easiest. 2 buy the complete product and to have the option to communicate with the ECM and play the game following what you state in user manual.Right? Now,for the 12 what are you testing in pipe system? When you tested the Micron it was only pipe or the entire system? Rapid Bike 2 users have the opportunity to play in a reduced range for not damage the engine. I suppose you'll do the same. Thank you | ||
| Giu |
Forgotten to ask what's to price of the complete Directlink package and how I could buy it. Thank you | ||
| Giu |
Ok Al,I've found price list so no problem for that.But I still don't understand what I have to look at in the product line. I mean,I saw Standard diagnostic at a low price,Professional much more expensive and finally Professional Plus. What I need for my goal? I'm sorry for so many questions but your help will be very welcome | ||
| Al_lighton |
DirectLink is comprised of two parts: the SW and cable, that is used on as many bikes as you want, and the Key, which upon first use becomes locked to the ECM the SW is connected to when the EC is read. Once the key is locked to the ECM, you can tune THAT ECM only, but as many times as you want. The SW/cable portion is $99, the key is $249. From what you wrote, it sounds like you might be mixing up the VDSTS SW with DirectLink. Directlink isn't available in Standard, Pro, and Pro-plus, but VDSTS is. There is some overlap between the two programs, but if tuning the ECM is what you want to do, then DirectLink is the one you want. It isn't up on my web site yet, it will be soon, after I've tested the latest version. Al | ||
| Opto |
Al, A Megasquirt kit (US$130) could be used to datalog cheaply, log RPM, TPS, inlet air temp, cyl head temp, wideband or narrow O2, plus more, even EGT with mods, and log it all on an old Palm V or Vx, saves carrying a laptop around. Then download the log to a PC. You would have to build the PCB and physically break into the wiring harness though, and it would take time to learn the PC programs to set it up and read the data, but it works well. A partial screenshot below from one of 3 free datalog viewers available (all SW for MS is free). Just a heads up if you were thinking of doing lots of real-world logging.  | ||
| Giu |
Hi Al,thank you for clarifing.I gave an e mail to Italian Direct Link importer asking him same question I did to you and he answered where I would buy Direct Link close to my house. He states that Direct Link is right now in the final release and I'll buy the definitive version because you gave him the OK for that. Please,what about that? Still thank you | ||
| Al_lighton |
I don't understand, Giu. I can assure you that the Buell version of DirectLink that you can download from the Technoresearch site at this time is not "in the final release" as far as the Buell functionality goes (but MAY be as far as other bike brands go, I don't know about that). The version up there now has some issues that I've uncovered during testing that are being resolved. I'm supposed to get a Beta release today to do some testing with to confirm that the bugs have been fixed. I don't know what you mean by I "gave him the OK for that". I am a Technoresearch/DirectLink reseller, it isn't my product. I am not in communications with any other resellers of the SW in Italy, so I don't understand what you mean. I have been working closely with Technoresearch to bring the Buell version of the product to market. I've provided them technical data, Buell ECMs to test with, beta SW testing and evaluations, and have been beating up my shop bikes to prove that it works as it is supposed to. But I am just a retailer, not a developer or distributor, for their products. The folks at Technoresearch don't own or have a Buell. I'm doing all the stuff I'm doing so that I can sell their products knowing that they work as advertised, and so that I can help my customers get their monies worth. It isn't on my web site yet because I don't quite consider it ready for widespread distribution. But it will be very soon. | ||
| Giu |
Al,I can say sorry if I wasn't clear or if I've understood bad.Please consider there some language obstacle for me.Really don't speak English so well... I'll try to summarize what happened. I was searching for something really good in improving my 12 ECM.Right now options were two.Directlink and Rapid Bike 2.As it has bee told 2 different products.OK. You explained me how it could work (when everything will be ready with Beta version of DL) and I thought you were the developer/dealer too and not only a very good/interested reseller. So,please,sorry for having misunderstood it. Anyway,I gave an e-mail to Italian Tecnosearch reseller and he assured me DL was released in the final version (which ?!!) and that I could buy it without problem. You can now figure out why I asked to you questions above. Please,let me know when you think it will be ready and I'll go for buying it at my local shop (you're a little bit far from here!). Thanks a lot. | ||
| Giu |
Hi Al,merry Christmas. Maybe not the right days for testing but do you have some news? Thank you |
