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Info on Tuning

8K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Wayneolson 
#1 ·
Going to pull the trigger on a new Commander this weekend. Some questions on tuning....

Do y'all use the ECU maps from the dealers or add-on fuel controllers? I keep reading tidbits about the ECU doing a self calibration when changing components, like exhaust. Is that based upon current map? Airbox.... K&N, Triumph washable foam, pull rubber gasket off ??? Going to go with the V&H pipes. Are these just slip-ons, or whole system? Do they replace catcons with open pipe? Do I remove catcons?

Coming from a Victory and know all the info like this on that brand. Any recommendations or advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
Robroy, you can get more info on tuning at tb1600.com. The big triumphs are like a red headed step child around here. With few exceptions this forum is more about which retro styled boots, or bolt on accessories to buy so you and your bike will look cooler at the local Starbucks.
 
#4 ·
Waiting patiently to get my T-Bird LT 2014. Exhausted (excuse the pun) on finding info on tuning necessity with V and H pipe. Hear about the TORS download.....then I hear V&H has a custom download for their product. The Stealer wants a $100.00 for a download but fails to tell me which one. Said it takes their tech 1 hour to download. Seriously? Sorry I'm a network engineer... so the tech takes 5 seconds to pop off the side cover connect the plug and stand there for 1 hour watching a download?. Don't think so. Online chat today with V & H....Question..Do you have a custom tune for your 20065 exhaust? (No we have no tuner for that exhaust) Question 2: Does a dealer have a custom tune from you for that exhaust? (No) Question 3: Will your exhaust work without deceleration popping/lean running condition? (Yes it will run fine it's only an exhaust). My question now is was the Stealer lying to make a quick $100.00? or was I chatting with an 18yr old gum chewer at V & H? Just throwing it out there....
 
#6 ·
I bought a 2014 Commander 2 years ago and tried the Tors and Tors tune.
Waste of money and time.
Had a set of removable baffle pipes made and found the Tors tune useless no extra performance and backfired OTT.
Installed a Power Commander 5 with their fuel map,freeflo airfilter and it immediately improved my bike and with a great sound.
Minimal backfire, no surging at low throttle, pulls real well right through the rev range and getting over 20 kms per lt.
 
#7 ·
Don't chase the back fire!

The back fire , is actually an after fire. The TORS tune nor the Power commander will fix this condition. 2014 and beyond Commander has a lean condition caused by the fuel cutoff section of the ECU it is hard coded and requires someone to hack the ECU. God bless the "environmentalists". The Hard code in the ecu IS THERE TO SATISFY THE EPA!

A hack on the ECU can trash it, a very expensive experiment. I have yet to find anyone who has broken the "Code". Same issue as the Big Yamaha 1800 Raider. Check out there forum!

For now we have to live with it. The Power Commander will improve performance, but wil not eliminate the "after-fire". So will the latest TORS Tune!
 
#8 ·
The back fire , is actually an after fire. The TORS tune nor the Power commander will fix this condition. 2014 and beyond Commander has a lean condition caused by the fuel cutoff section of the ECU it is hard coded and requires someone to hack the ECU. God bless the "environmentalists". The Hard code in the ecu IS THERE TO SATISFY THE EPA!

A hack on the ECU can trash it, a very expensive experiment. I have yet to find anyone who has broken the "Code". Same issue as the Big Yamaha 1800 Raider. Check out there forum!

For now we have to live with it. The Power Commander will improve performance, but wil not eliminate the "after-fire". So will the latest TORS Tune!
not sure i agree with this. the PCV should be able to tune out any backfire by adding fuel in the cells that are within the closed loop section of the ecu. The PCV changes the fuel to the injectors AFTER the ecu signal, so if the ecu is cutting fuel the PCV will add it back int. Not to hard to do.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Spoke with the Stealer again to pin them down....First the Key issue....since my upcoming T-Bird is a used 2014, it has 1 ignition key and no Steering Lock Key. Had to purchase cut set for steering lock from Triumph then a blank immobilizer key with chip. Now the stealer will cut the key but a technician has to program it to the ECU minimum $25.00 fee.
Now onto the Vance and Hines pipe and tune. Stealer now admits they use the TORS Tune for V&H 2014 model but the 2016 models don't need it. Ahhh....now I check the parts fiche from Bike Bandit to see the ECU part # for the 2014, ECU Base KHR4 T1299305; 2015 and 2016 Part # is the same but different from the 2014. Henceforth ECU Base KHR4 T1299100 for the 2015 & 2016. Stealer says they have never had a complaint with TORS Tune....so now this raises additional questions.....are they overwriting the 2014 ECU to the new 2015, 2016 part number T1299100? or using an actual factory workaround tune for free flowing pipes/air intake. What is different between a 2015 vs 2016 model? Why doesn't the 2016 model need a tune for V & H pipe?. Think a phone call to Factory Service/customer service is in order. Determined to get to the bottom of this. ....and what does ECU "base" mean.....does a Stealer have to code that to a VIN? Lastly, do I need to buy a T1299100 ECU to make it current to the 2016 for $800.00?
 
#10 ·
Mike the noise you are hearing is an after-fire, not a backfire. The commander can add or subtract fuel to the injector base on a dyno tune, or other electronic analysis. The timing of when the injector shuts down is controlled by the ECU. It is hard coded in the ECU because of the EPA. In simple terms when the ECU shuts the injector down (cut off) no fuel is added or subtracted. When the injector shuts off, it results in a lean condition. Consequently the after fire occurs. Until the EPA lockdown we were able to affect this condition. Now it take a hack on the $900 ECU that could put it out of commission for good. (Thanks to the EPA). Only the dealer has codes to the ECU. As of my last information they still are not adjusting the fuel cut off issue. I spent a ton of money on aftermarket tuning electronics form PC and Cobra, before I got the straight information from a race "professional". It is something the dealer and others will not talk about. Most dealers do not understand closed loop systems and Hard coding in the ECU.
 
#11 ·
Contacted Triumph....they politely informed me they have only used part # 1299305 for the ECU on the 14, 15 and 16 models of T-bird. So in checking today part #14 for the ECU 1299100 was changed to reflect 1299305 on numerous part websites. Sure it was nothing more than a glitch/typo. Questions resolved. Also they suggested to do the Dealer TORS download if using/changing from stock to aftermarket pipe such as V&H. Additionally mentioned was pairing of the keys can also be done. My potential purchase has only 1 ignition key....so it can be erased from the immobilizer/ECU and then paired with a new key available from the dealer. Great to have this security for peace of mind.
 
#12 ·
I put the Vance and Hines on my 2014 Commander last week and it sounds pretty damn good. There is definitely some popping going on, but no backfires. When I hit 500 miles, I am going to have the tune done along with the first service.
 
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