| Author | Message | ||
     Bpt |
Anyone done a FI to Carb conversion? I am looking at the Trojan Horse kit that reprograms your ECM. What are some of the problems I might run into? My FI is not bad but tired of how touchy it it. Sometimes it runs great, sometimes it does not. Any input is appreciated. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
You might put on an ignition module from an M2 | ||
| Blks1l |
I did the conversion on my 00 S3T, and left the FI Race ECM in, nothing needs to be done to it. Easy conversion, and I am glad I did it, I put a CV carb on it. Dean | ||
| Bpt |
What did you do for the fuel pump and are you getting constant check engine light because there is no TPS or Injectors? (Message edited by bpt on September 30, 2010) | ||
| Blks1l |
I was fortunate enough to get an Amazon Green tank for a carburated bike from a freind of mine. I de-pinned the connector to disable the check engine light. I bagged, and secured all of the harness's so it would be able to return to FI if someone ever wished to do that. I didn't install the VOES switch when I did the carb install. Let me know if you have any other questions. Dean | ||
| Andymnelson |
I keep reading about people wanting to swap out FI for a carb, and (outside of BIG power motors) I can not for the life of me figure out why someone would go to the trouble and expense! Why in the world would someone want to spend all the money and time on the swap, when you could spend less time and no money to really learn the FI system and how to tune it? Enlighten me! | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
It could be that it is something more than reluctance or inability to simply learn to tune the FI system. IMHO, FI works better than a carb, when everything is working (all sensors, connections, etc.)but it seems that more than a few members have had a frustrating time keeping everything working. FI makes sense for lots of reasons but, on a touring bike that will venture more than a few hundred miles from the security of home with its computer, ECM Spy cable, workshop manuals, multi-meters, and spare parts, maybe a carb would be better. A carb is less complex and therefore has less to go wrong out on the road. I have a FI with a Race ECM on my S3T and a Mikuni HSR 42 on my M2. Both run great! Now that I think of it, I would rather have a carb on the S3T if long trips were in my future. | ||
| Kalali |
I've also wondered about the logic supporting the switch. I think a lot of folks have gained a lot of experience and just feel more comfortable since they grew up around bikes (or cars for that matter) with carbs. I personally know a whole lot more about FI and I even wished my lawnmower and weedwacker were FI too.... With that been said, my old Honda CB650 had four carbs and even after 75000 miles I never had any problems with the carbs so I never had the "opportunity" to learn about it.. | ||
| Blks1l |
I was having intermittent issues with my FI, I had the Technoresaerch software ,and was never able to find anything wrong. I had replaced all of my sensors at 1 time or another because I couldn't find a definite answer. I was able to sell the Technoresearch software, and a few of the parts I had replaced in my troubleshooting. Cost to put a carb on is minimal, I picked up my carb and intake cheap. The tank is what could be the hard part. I have never looked back since i did the conversion and haven't had a lick of problem. | ||
| Whitetrashxb |
i'm thinking i've read on here more than once that the early FI systems could be 'finicky' | ||
| Easy_rider |
Never had a problem with my '99 S3. At about 22k miles right now, so it's not like it gets regular use that keeps it in top tune. I think I'd be a lot worse off with a carb. That being said, I really wish I didn't have to listen to the injector ticking. It messes with my idea of what an engine "should" sound like. | ||
| Bpt |
I am not opposed to FI. Most FI systems are excellent and reliable. The Buell DDFI is not one of the more reliable systems. HD Delphi is almost bulletproof and smooth. I accept the quirks that go with owning a Buell, it is part of the experience. But to prove my point my S3T has been up and down about how well it runs, and I get home today, pull in the garage, stalls and will not restart. No engine light, no warning. I ride almost everyday. If the FI acts like this, I would rather have a carb. I'll get into diagnosis this weekend, it may not be the FI at all, I'll see. | ||
| Blks1l |
The FI reliability issue on my particular bike was my whole reason to converting to a carb. It is hard to beat the relaibility of a CV carb. | ||
| Terrycoxusa |
carburetor cons - plugged idle circuits, leaking vacuum diaphragms, bad float needle seals, worn butterfly shaft holes, fuel starvation, no ability to compensate for altitude or air density change, erratic performance due to fuel sloshing in float bowl. These are not theoretical, I've dealt with them all. | ||
| Blks1l |
I hope all of those cons weren't all on the same vehicle. By the way the CV does very good for altitude changes. (Message edited by blks1l on October 03, 2010) | ||
| Jramsey |
FI cons-plugged screens,leaky o-rings,worn butterfly shafts,clogged filters,erratic performance caused by low battery,bad grounds,bad electrical connections,faulty sensors,runs in limp mode and have to take to dealer or be a computer wizz to tune. | ||
| Williep13 |
I think one of the biggest problems with FI issues is that most people jump to the hardest things to check or repair when it is usually something simple, like low battery voltage or bad ground. I like the saying keep it simple stupid (KISS). | ||
| Bpt |
I guess this is what I am talking about with this FI. Bike stalled when I got home Saturday, would not restart without a lot of throttle. Today I finally get a chance to check it out, bike started right up and ran fine. I checked the intake seals for a possible leak. No leak. Go figure. Now I ride and worry it will quit again. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Sounds like your TPS connector might be loose. It's up under the tank. A bad wiring harness will make your life a living hell. If you give the computer what it needs, these things are pretty damn good. My 2000 X1 still scares me sometimes with 85000 miles on it. My first 20000 miles were pretty bad with untrained dealerships poking at it like cavemen  It straitened out nicely after that. Still gets low 50s miles per gallon too! | ||
| Oldog |
My first 20000 miles were pretty bad with untrained dealerships poking at it like cavemen  Ugggg handum me hammur} | ||
| Numb_nutz |
I switched mine two years ago and couldn't be happier. The bike never ran this good. I got a carb and intake from ebay for sixty dollars. At first i ran the stock ignition, removed the fuel pump motor and gutted the regulator. Only problem is no fuel shut off. I was able to pick a used tank for 97 or 98 S3 and put in single fire ignition. The fuel injection was just to touchy for me. I had it re mapped several times, just was never happy. | ||
| Blks1l |
Numb nutz did you see any difference in the bike when you installed the single fire? | ||
| Bpt |
I finally got to the bike this week. Replaced the intake seals. Front one looked a little suspect, rear was okay. I did find some rust in the injector manifold. Rode to work the last two days. Seems okay except for the stumble/surge at 3k rpm. Next project is to remove the oval Sportster type air cleaner and install the econowinder. I hope relocating the air temp sensor away from the front head will give a better reading. | ||
| Numb_nutz |
Blks1 It does run a lot better with the single fire ignition. It ran good with the stock set up, no problems. I couldn't run the voes for some reason, i have to run it in a race mode. Best the bike has ever run. | ||
| Snowbees |
i thought X1's are single fire ignitions. I moved my IAT from near the heads to behind the headlight cowl, resulting in a 6% drop in afv but had to tune with ecmspy datalogging and megalog viewer to get a stable 100% afv.. | ||
| Kalali |
"i thought X1's are single fire ignitions" The FSM says no "waste spark" ignition. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Just make sure the air temp sensor gets a good taste of what's going into the engine so the brain can figure out how dense the air is. I would suggest getting the K&N filter for the carb kit, that way there is only one hole then use the breather hole in the filter for the IAT sensor instead. Then reroute the dribble tube from the breather to a catch can down low. Then I'll stop starting my sentences with THEN | ||
| Bpt |
I have more info on my stalling issues. I have found it is when the fuel level is low. Low fuel light is not on, there is approximately 1 gallon left. Something happens to the fuel pressure and it stalls. Happened the other day, I added gas and problem solved. So far I have repeated this condition twice. Next I will look into the tank and see if there is an issue with the pick-up. | ||
| Britchri10 |
BPt: My X1 is the same w/low fuel status. I pulled the pump etc' & checked it out (mechanical & electrical) It seems to be within spec' for all. My solution is to run the bike c150 miles on a full tank & then fill her up again. (I can't sit on it for more than 150 miles & remain comfortable anyway!) |
