Triumphrat

johnny5 · 05-09-2006

Finally fitted a new can to baby blue. A steel oval can from Carbon Can Co. Looks ok, a bit wimpy compared to the stock pipe but sounds great, almost a bark. Thought I might get it tuned to smooth it all out. Triumph couldn't help saying there was no map available for my bike, so I contacted Dave Cooper Racing based in Kettering. He has quoted me £530 to fit a power commander, an aftermarket air filter, mod the air box and sort the fueling by designing a custom map. Doing this, he say's, will smooth everything out.

This is the only quote I have for this kind of work, I have never had anything like this done and know nothing about it. Does anyone know if this is reasonable?

Thanks for your help

Eeyun

DaveC · 05-09-2006

Here's one way to look at it.

The Power Commander goes for $333 over here and the other parts maybe $30. So, that's about $360 or 200 GBP. That would leave 330 GBP charged in labor. Labor rate here is about $75/hr which would mean 5 hours.

I would say 5 hours of work is reasonable given the tasks you describe. And if the shop is really highly skilled, they may get a premium for their labor. From what I've read on this forum, it's not all that easy to get a good remap.

Will · 05-09-2006

Well, you could go that route. I would probably do some of the work myself- namely fitting the filter if you even feel the need to do it. Then I would spend the money on and unlock code and cable for TuneBoy and use that instead of a Power Commander. Once you have that, any shop with a Dynojet link that works with a Power Commander also works with TuneBoy. It would be the same dyno tune process from there and you would have all kinds of diagnostic and other mapping capabilities using TuneEdit.

That is just my .02 but I have been using TuneBoy for a number of years and swear by it.

Rik · 05-10-2006

Like Will says - TuneBoy is an excellent product although to be fair you might have some difficulty finding a dyno that will accept it though.

I'd always go for TuneBoy but that's cos I like tinkering with my bike. If your not that way inclined and would rather leave the tinkering to someone else then maybe the PC is better for you.

johnny5 · 05-11-2006

Thanks for advice chaps. If I get the power commander (although I like the idea of the Tune Boy and fiddling myself(hur hur hur) I don't think I'm competent enough) can I use it on another bike as I'm thinking of getting a speed triple next year?

Cheers

Ian

Rik · 05-11-2006

I have never used a Power Commander but AFAIK each unit is tailored for a particular bike (although what the actual differences are between each unit I don't know) so I expect they will not be interchangeable between a speed four and a speed triple = you would have to flog the old one and buy a new one.

Having a fiddle by yourself (ooer :blush: ) is half the fun of TuneBoy and a lot simpler than it sounds. You can download the software for free to get an idea of how it works.

TuneBoy Website
US$349 SAGEM ECU only version
US$399 KEIHIN & SAGEM ECU version

With TuneBoy you get the full dealer diagnostic capability + the ability to make changes that the dealer can't

I believe you can use TuneBoy diagnostics on any Triumph, but have to buy an additional unlock code to make changes to the fuel map (using TuneEdit) on a second bike.
An additional unlock code cost US$150

Whichever route you go down the Power Commander and TuneBoy are similarly priced but unfortunately neither are cheap!!

Cornelis · 05-11-2006

Just happened to browse through this forum, as my son bought a Daytona600 recently.
About Tune-Boy: here in The Netherlands a very well known professional tuner (Ruud Fredriks) charges 300 euro (appr. 450 pounds/380 USD) for the whole process, including individual fine-tuning and as many test-runs as necessary. I witnessed a Daytona 955 getting the treatment last week, and I must say that I was impressed!

johnny5 · 05-15-2006

OK, Seriously thinking about having this done. I will have to keep the bike a bit longer to justify the spend. Will I notice a big difference, will there still be lurchiness at low revs, will the vibe between 4 and 5 thousand RPM still be evident? Is it worth doing?

Cheers

Ian

Rik · 05-15-2006

I've not got mine perfect but have definitely improved the low rev behaviour.
Never noticed the any vibes @ 4-5k.
Is it worth doing? IMHO It's a lot of money but still worth it.