Power commander or Ecu map?

Discussion in 'Mods, Upgrades, Accessories and Products' started by raphael, Jan 27, 2020.

  1. raphael

    raphael Elite Member

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    has anyone gone from using one to the other? I understand what’s the ecu flash is capable of but not sure if it’s that much better? I already have a pc5 so not sure weather to keep and use or sell and get the eco flashed

    Cheers
     
  2. bonjo

    bonjo Active Member

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    I stay away from both on my bike unless I start messing aroung with fuelling and god knows what.
    Of the two, ECU flash allows you to changed the maps embedded in the bike so all the sensors are still in use.
    Originally PC bypassed some of the sensors like O2 for instance so the fueling becam open loop. I personnaly do not like the idea on a modern bike with so many closed loop systems. Maybe they now produce more integrated product.
    If ypu mention the reason for having the PC5 in the first place and why you are thinking of changing, perhaps someone can hit the nail on the head for you
     
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  3. raphael

    raphael Elite Member

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    I have a new can coming and I’m thinking of decating the bike so will need one or the other to get it running right mate
     
  4. stuart_g

    stuart_g Active Member

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    I think there are pro’s and cons to them both.
    If a PC5 is fitted and mapped it won’t void warranties and if you ever sold the bike you could remove it and put standard stuff back on and it will be fine. Correct me if i’m wrong but if you have the ecu flashed it voids warranty and then if you put all standard stuff back on is it going to run right again or would you have to have it done again?
    I believe you can adjust more in the ecu than a PC5 like ignition timing where you would need an add on unit for the PC.
    At the moment i would probably go for Power Commander purely for ease of removal and returning to standard unless i was convinced otherwise.
     
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  5. Brom66

    Brom66 Well-Known Member

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  6. Bpjthornton

    Bpjthornton New Member

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  7. Blade runner 1

    Blade runner 1 Elite Member

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    Never went down the ECU flash route although there are people who swear by it. True there’s a lot more parameters can be adjusted, but for me it’s more about getting the bike run smooth on a road environment. I went for a Power Commander and initially got it to a Dyno for a custom map.
    First impression was there were areas of the rpm range/ throttle position where it felt a bit more grunt, but kept feeling other areas where there were flat spots. Could be wrong, but maybe a big ask to get it perfect in one and a half hours on the Dyno.
    One evening shortly after the Dyno run I gave it a good blast high up the Rev range and the engine warning light came on so decided to bin the custom map, £175 down the drain.
    Fitted an auto tune module to the PCV, ran it for a couple of thousand miles and it smoothed everything out. Not going to get every ounce of power out the engine with the auto tune, but for me that’s not important.
    Only down side is you have to weld a bung into the exhaust to accept a wide band o2 sensor.
     
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  8. raphael

    raphael Elite Member

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    Thanks for that mate, I have asked a few dyno places about the auto tune and all said against it, probably just selling the map? A friend has the auto tune aswell as the pc5 so maybe another option?
     
  9. Blade runner 1

    Blade runner 1 Elite Member

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    Yes I spoke to the guy who mapped my bike about the auto tune and he was also against it, but it turned out doing a better job than he did. He actually leaned it out too much high up the rpm range at 100% throttle which could have possibly caused damage.
    I don’t have many options where I live for Dyno tuning, maybe you could get recommendations near to you from someone on the forum.
     
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  10. Spygoat

    Spygoat Well-Known Member

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    Dedicated track bike - ECU map. Street bike - power commander.
     
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  11. Brom66

    Brom66 Well-Known Member

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    Apparently, as per dealer who fitted told me.
     
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  12. Slick

    Slick Elite Member

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    It helps to have a good map first a baseline and let the Autotune fine tune on the go. My local takes 4 hours to do a map, the results are good but are pricey way to go.

    Had mine set up so it didn't nchange from the baseline afr more than 5% - took a bit of work though, having a POD deffo helps.

    Ran mine for around 80k with a r77, BMC PCV and AT with POD and it ran super smooth. Change filter or can is no problem.

    Actually had better MPG, but being a road bike that actually mattered ;)
     
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  13. Blade runner 1

    Blade runner 1 Elite Member

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    Agree about having a good base map helps. Having said that I’ve fitted an exhaust to my brothers bike and I’ve installed the auto tune and going to build a map from scratch. Don’t have time to drive to the other side of the country to get ripped off again. I’ll be checking the progress after each ride out, will be interesting to see how quickly it builds a map.
     
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