power commander question

Hi all. I'm thinking of putting a power commander on my 2006 vfr. Does anyone think this is a bad idea and what pitfalls/ benifits will I really have.
Cheers
Dave

 

I bought my 99 (staintune and k&n filter) with a PC2 installed and a 'best fit' map off the powercommander website. I disconnected the PC2 some time ago and wet for spin just for curiocity sake, and the bike felt a bit flatter. So, I think the PC just adds a little bit more life and agility to your bike, and yes as previously mentioned, smooths out the power curve. I'm quite happy to keep the powercommander and let it do its thing

 

You have what looks to be the same setup I do, K&N and a Staintune muffler. What kind of mileage do you get with your PCII?

I normally get 240 miles or 384 KM per tank without the PCII.

Thanks

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

lots of info on pc's on here and also on www.600rr.net i put one on my 600rr, it did make it feel smoother through the rpms, but no noticeable powergain. with a pipe and no pcIII, it felt a little lean, the pcIII made it feel like it had a stock pipe on again. that was a best fit map too. i could take or leave the pcIII- when i get a vfr, it will depend for me how i feel about the vtec engagement- if i think it feels too abrupt, or if i feel like the exhaust i'll put on it is running too lean or making it run crappier than stock, i'll get one

 

I have an '06 and absolutely recommend the PCIII for this model. I also recommend dropping the coin and having a custom map done. They do a very good job of increasing the power across the board and they also smooth out the power curve in the dreaded pre/post VTEC engagement rpm range. The VFR will burn more gas after correct adjustment, so if you want economy, you might consider the pros and cons.

I have the dyno before and afters to prove that they make a very noticeable difference. If you plan on doing other mods to the intake and exhaust package, the PCIII is an absolute requirement to perfectly tune the engine.

PM me, if you wish, and i'll connect you with somebody who tunes these things for many race and street bikes, you can talk to him. He has quite a bit of experience with street going VFR's in particular.

 

Hey man. With the PC2 installed I get about 230km ish to reserve (the flashing fuel bar) so in theory, about 270-280km to a full tank. Most of my riding is pretty conservative, though I'm not overly fussed about ecconomy, the bike still gets twice as far on half the fuel as my car did :biggrin:
I am wondering if I should get a custom map done at some point down the track. I think if I have a spare $300 I'll do it, otherwise it's probably not a priority for me.

 

Cool, the more I think about it, the more I want one.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I just got mine installed today. EXPENSIVE!
$425 for the module, $30 for the 2 O2 Elims, and 3.5 hours labour ($300) to get it installed and Dyno tuned with a custom map. They also bypassed the flapper so it is always open. Almost $800 all together

First, the bike runs WAY smoother. There is NO powergain, but it runs a clean straight rise with a SMALL dip (-2hp) when v-tec kicks in at 6500 rpm.
The pre run is all over the map, there was a -10hp drop at v-tec and the power continually DROPPED above 9000 rpm.

This bike is stock with a K&N filter and 10K (6200 Miles)and I wasn't really looking for more power.

I had the same problem as others with the surging and crappy throttle response.
I took this thing into the dealer twice and was told both times "that's just how these things run, that's how they were designed.."

WTF? Why do WE have to pay to fix a problem HONDA HAS to know about?
This isn't rocket science. ALL honda would have to do is re-map their ECR to match the power commander map.

I can see when you mod the bike everything changes and you'd want to custom tune it, but when the thing is stock why does this have to be done?

I COULD have installed the unit myself and saved about $100. I could also have ordered the unit on e-bay for $289 but by the time I worked out shipping to Canada, duty, and the wait time. I would have saved about $50.

Lastly, the custom map MAY not be worth the $200 2 hour Dyno fee.
Buddy told me they only tweaked the power commander map SLIGHTLY so I don't really know if there was any bang for the buck.

Don't get me wrong, I love my bike, it's just unfortunate that I had to ride it frustrated for a year and then shell out extra money for something that should have been designed right from the factory.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but the difference between -10hp and -2hp is a net increase of 8hp? :unsure:

When I installed my pcIII and had the custom mapping performed my charts indicated a 2-3hp increase over the stock ecu from approx 4100 rpms to the vtec engagement point at 6800 rpms, with vitually no drop in hp. From 6800 to 10,500 rpms significant gains were indicated. Max power was achieved at 10,500 rpms with an indicated gain of 6HP at that point. The power did begin tailing off after the peak at 10,500 rpms. These are all before and after comparisons between the stock ecu map and the pciii after final tuning, and, a throttle synch was performed prior to the mapping. I do however have some things done to the air filter, airbox and exhaust.

You should have done a couple runs comparing the stock airfilter to the K&N you installed.....I don't think you would have been excited with the results.

 

OK, lets try it this way...
At 6500 rpm V-Tec, power DROPPED from 70 HP to 59 HP prior to the PCIII install.(Actually closer to 11hp less)
After install, it only drops from 70HP to 68 HP.
So in answer to your question, yes there is now 9 hp MORE but just at the point of V-Tec.
I agree the K&N probably doesn't increase power much if at all.
I bought it because I like the fact that it's re-useable and cost about the same as stock.

 

With the PClll & custom map installed, my VFR gained 5 HP & 2 pounds of torque, but by far the the biggest improvement was the smoothness it brought, you'll really feel the improvement when exiting the corners...

That is the best mileage I've ever seen on a 5g

 

I understand that it DROPPED......initially at the vtec engagement rpm you went from 70 to 59 hp, as stated, prior to the pciii install and mapping. After the install and mapping, your hp at the vtec engagement rpm went from 70 to 68 as stated. I would have to say that at that point you had an increase in hp from 59 to 68, although i understand that the hp had dropped from the 70 hp indicated prior to the vtec engagement, you actually have gained 9 hp at the vtec engagement point over the stock ecu map.

This 9 hp increase at the vtec engagement point is now enhancing the sensation of the bike being much smoother, as now there is much less pronounced dip in the hp curve.

I was merely trying to comment on the statement that you gained NO hp. You seemed to be emphatic about the NO gain, so i thought i would play along. As for the air filter, i understand the cost savings over time with the reusable filter media, what i don't understand is why you would emphtically state the pciii doesn't make any more hp and then limit it's capabilities with a restrictive air filter. I'm not saying you are wrong about your conclusions or the types of products you choose to use, i was just looking at it from a different perspective. If i have upset you, i apologize.

 

Yo Norcal, No worries brother.
I hope I didn't imply I was upset, I just wanted to try and make sure I was communicating this properly.

You are correct. I did gain 9hp and the bike is MUCH smoother overall.
What I was trying to say was that I did not gain any Max HP.
Before and after install, it is still around 95 HP.

I enjoy my bike WAY more now either way.
I'd say overall, the PCIII itself is worth the money.
I would suggest installing it yourself and trying the PC Maps first before dropping the cash for a custom map.

 

Anyone have a setup like mine? = K&N and Staintune? I have read on the web site that there is a specific map on the PCIII USB for that exact setup on both the US and Euro maps. Additionally, I have read that many people perfer and get better perfomance out of the Euro maps, as they change the mapping every 250 rpm vice every 500 rpm on the US. Any comments or corrections to this info?

I have seen the PCIII USB on ebay for, typically, ~$280. Looks like I will have to get the O2 sensor elims off of the Dynojet website for $15 each.

I was lucky enough not to have to endure the cost of the Staintune and the K&N (along with other goodies); very much looking forward to maximizing the bikes potential with the PCIII.

 

No need to by the eliminators, a pair of 330ohm resistors from Radio Shack will work just the same for $0.99cents.

 

Interesting, I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

 

The only downfall I could think of is that you may lose gas milage. When you do get it, make sure that you get 2 of the O2 eliminators with it or you will not like the way the bike runs with a power commander on it. They are used together to make the bike perform at its best. You will want to try out a few of the maps available on thier website to determine which one you like the best for your setup, or if you have it dynoed they will program it for you(which is by far the best & most expensive way to go) and they will be able to give you the most peak performance out of your bike!

 

Just clocked mpg with the pcIII usb installed.
I ride 90% mountain roads, I got 38.6 mpg on the last tank..

Love the PcIII. I downloaded the staintune map from the website.
I would recommend this mod to anyone. Well worth the money and easy to install yourself.

 

I just ordered the PCIII USB for my 03' from morepowerracing.com. They are installing the program for my K&N and Staintunes. They said that you don't need the O2 Eliminators unless you have a California Model. I checked the Catalog on the Dyno Jet Website and it says the same. The website also listed a new (Soon To Be Available) Street Legal "Ex" Model. I assume this is in response to the lawsuit that was mentioned somewhere in the forums.
I welcome your Thoughts, opinions and advice.

Old_Codger