OK GUYS... i want to run vance hines big radius, air cleaner kit and the xied 13:8.1 afr, so do you need a fuel pack or pc III, or some like item. just looking for no heat issues and good runn'in bike. 96 tc 09 fat bob

 

Your best option will be the PC-III and no IEDs.

 

Why??

 

You dont need any piggyback ecu like FuelPak or PCIII.

 

Most techs at the dealers dont even look at the plugs as they dont know the riding habits of the owner. Dont worry about the plugs.

 

Just try the XIED's alone for a few hundred miles. If you still feel you need more you can always add the Fuel Pack down the road. If not you saved yourself a few hundred dollars.

 

Whittle with all due respect the technicians don't even due the job they are suppose to do. Your lucky if you get anything else done beyond an oil change. They certainly aren't going to hook it up to the computer to see how it's running without a problem or complaint from the owner.

Remember we are talking about a bunch of kids that got their certificate from MMI 6 months ago.

 

Because with those parts, your fuel mapping and timing will need correction. The XIEDs will do nothing for the timing, and for the fueling they will do nothing whatsoever to help the engine's computer know it is not working with/for the parts it thinks it is. Or from the other perspective, they will do nothing to help make the computer think it is actually working with the parts it is programmed for. To provide the fueling correction you could use either of the devices you mentioned, the Fuelpak or the PC-III. The Fuelpak does not address timing, so far as we know, but, if you wanted to, you could conceivably use the XIEDs with it. The cost of the Fuelpak + XIEDs will be equal to or greater than the cost of the PC-III. The PC-III will address all the fueling and timing needs of those parts all by itself.

Maybe if I keep saying this differently I will stumble onto a way of saying it that will sink in.

Our engine computer has a form of auto-tuning that is only designed to correct a fairly narrow range of differences between what is theoretically correct and what is actually happening. The system requires that the programming in the computer is for the parts on the bike. That's necessary because the way it works some assumptions have to be made, so they have to be based on correct information. The assumptions are for the areas of engine operation where the computer cannot check itself with the exhaust sensors.

When you change fundamental engine parts without reprogramming the computer for them, not only would its assumptions be incorrect, but they will be developed from incorrect information to begin with. This can compound the incorrectness of those assumptions. In this situation, the results of those assumptions are based mostly on luck.

Here are some possible combinations from which to choose:

You've got a factory-correct setup with matching parts and programming providing correct assumptions. Few folks like the heat generated from the EPA-friendly tune in cruising/idle modes, but there is plenty of fuel when you start making real power (where any assumptions come into play).

You've got that same setup with *IEDs installed. This makes folks happier with the cruising/idle heat, but now the assumptions are thrown off.

You've got non-programmed parts with mostly EPA-friendly cruise/idle but incorrect assumptions even if they weren't (but are) based on incorrect information.

You've got non-programmed parts with *IEDs for mostly-cooler cruise/idle and really-who-knows-what for assumptions.

You've got non-programmed parts with some sort of piggyback controller to take over where the main computer leaves off.

You've got natively-reprogrammed-for parts with either EPA-friendly or cooler cruise/idle and correct assumptions, as well as control over timing changes.

For the piggyback controllers you basically have two options:

You can allow the main computer to still perform its assuming, like with the Fuelpak. But then you're back to wanting it cooler, so you throw on some *IEDs and throw off the assumptions.

Or you can do away with the assuming altogether like with the Power Commander, as well as address timing issues.

The best combination of "cheapest" and "most control" comes with the PC-III at this time. Plain and simple. The most correct and full-featured option is the native re-programming (SERT, etc.).

For folks with factory-correct parts and tuning (either totally stock or totally H-D Stage 1), the standard IEDs can be a suitable tool to get them through the heat of the riding season or while they further research and balance all their options.

For anybody else, they really need to address the tuning in some other fashion.

That's the long and short of it. Well, more long than short, I guess.

 

Bob
Nobody has asked you about your riding style; agressive, laid back, etc?
Are you planning on making changes in the future to your bike (cams/heads/big bore/etc.)?
Do you have a budget in mind for fuel management?
All of this can be a clue as to what you might want to consider for the fuel management for your specific situation. The IED is very well suited for simple cruising because its impact is only on closed loop. More aggressive riding starts pointing you towards more extensive fuel management.

You should also generally try to put fuel management on your bike for the way you eventually want your bike, not the way you start out with the bike. This prevents trying to get two fuel management systems to work together. Of course the budget concerns can rapidly come into play here.

If you want a black or white answer on "what is best" for you, there simply is not one correct answer. When it comes your HD tuning, everything is a shade of gray. Only an honest evaluation of what you expect, what you can afford, finding information that you can understand and your level of trust in the sources of the information will lead to your answer.

 

My riding style is basic tool'in around, then when i need an aggressive approach to a situation i expect my bike to respond. i also take about 1000 mile trips for over 4day period 2 times a year and expect this bike to handle 60 to 80 mph cruising. i don't believe a pc III is something that you need when just attempting a good running bike if the xied are what they claim. besides thats a lot of money for something you program 1 time and never mess with again.and glens is it not just a piggyback any way???