Power Commander and a dyno

[jstapleton]

Hey folks,

Just thought I'd share a bit of info. As you may recall I posted a few times trying to lean out a seriously rich 03 Nomad. After installing a power commander I took it to a performance shop where they cretaed a custom map added new firm ware and a utility update. Voila, torque went from 73 to 77, Horsepower went from 56 to 59 but most importantly the air/fuel ratio increase drastically. The dyno readout indicated I was running ridculously rich before all this was said and done. Now, no more burning rich and better MPG.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else with an 03 and aftermarket pipes is experiencing a running rich problem. And by the way-installing the power commander is not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Trying to map it and tweak it is another story-get it dynoed.

Joe

[joesnomad]

Glad it worked out for you.

[rksaw]

Just out of curiousity, who else has installed a Power Commander, and how do you like it?
Rich

[jussmatt]

Thanks for the info Rainman. I'm looking forward to putting one on also, but I'm waiting for enought $$ to do the pipes, PCIII, Air Kit, and Dyno all at the same time. To me, doing one or two, just doesn't make as much sense as doing all at once and knowing I'm running as good as I can. But everybody's info is very helpful!!!

[jstapleton]

Good point JM. I had the pipes and the PC just needed to Dyno. If I do get an air kit it will require another dyno so smart thinking to wait and do it all together.

[scion0]

Originally Posted by Rainman

Good point JM. I had the pipes and the PC just needed to Dyno. If I do get an air kit it will require another dyno so smart thinking to wait and do it all together.

I thought the air was also very important in this equation... meaning all the "tuned" output with stock input??? ??? but then again, I'm not the mechanical type.

Mostly, "tuning" means balancing the whole system to me. A bike with Baggers and yet a stock intake is way out of tune IMHO, and it always will be. Not that those two items alone could bring everything into tune, but with one and not the other any more tuning is fairly hopeless.

[jstapleton]

I agree Cad. Just wanted to get it back running to the best of it's ability and my humble wallet. Next season is the intake and another dyno.

Joe

[oldbikers]

Rainman go with Cadd's air system very cheap and you won't believe the difference I only changed the right side and left the left side with a K&N filter with V&H baggers and a TFI and mine runs like a new bike it is totally different than it was stock, plus if you don't like it you can change it back and you haven't lost a lot of $$$$$$$$$

Just the Spectre paper filter elementss make a huge difference. You don't really need the expensive K&N elements unless you really want to spend money.

[oldbikers]

I have the spectre blue (to match the bike) on the right, the K&N on the left side was there when I bought the bike.

[jstapleton]

Thanks for all the input guys. If only I had as much money as there were parts (LOL).

[bikerbeagle]

I have a PCIII with a custom map, Caddman air mod both sides, and V&H Baggers. I *currently* have the PCIII set with the zero map, though ...I just couldn't deal with LOW 30s mpg anymore, getting HIGH 30s now. I'm going to have my custom map redone, if they will dyno a bike with a car tire on the back, this time with a major focus on fuel efficiency. I got my original map just barely out of the 600 mile break in period and it just never felt right to me, especially in 5th gear.