Any Power Commander Gurus out there - Harley Forum

shovelmike · #1 03-27-2008, 10:31 AM

I have finally accumulated all the tools and parts to convert my 02 Ultra to gear drive cams.
Andrews TW 21G cams
Rush slip ons 2 in. baffles
Ness Big Sucker air cleaner
Power Commander III USB
Stock ECM never had the dealer flash.
I have been getting the stuff together for a while. Tried to order TW 12's to avoid a remap, it seems they only made a limited production run on those and they sold out fast. Oh well, what the hey, if I'm changing cams I might as well perk it up a little. Rode the bike to the dealer so they could troubleshoot a misfire. Figured to get any issues with sensors ironed out before contending with remapping. They thought they heard the sound of worn out tensioners so they checked them, said they are very good and should be OK for 20k more miles (28k now). I do question how well anyone can see that secondary tensioner with the cam support plate in place.
The problem is this: On the PC website they don't show maps for bikes with TW21 cams at all...SE 203 is probably close I figure but all the maps are for Stage 1 or Stage 2 ECMs. Do I download the intake and exhaust combo I have (or close anyway) and add fuel to compensate for the cams? Do I download for similar intake and exhaust with Stage 1 ECM and add fuel (since the ECM flash probably adds some of its own)
I want to know how others dealt with this situation. I'd be real frustrated to get it all done and not be able to ride because I don't have a suitable map!
I know I have the option of having the dealer tune it on the dyno.... That's big bucks and I hear them over in the dyno room.... They thrash them harder than I ever do.
Thanks in advance for whatever words of wisdom you have on this. Ride safe and God Bless. Sincerely: Shovelmike.

Wrightturn · #2 03-27-2008, 03:53 PM

I have an 02 FLHP carb. It has too much runout to convert to geardrive (.004+).
Wish I could help but I am learning EFI tuning now. My 99 Dyna is under .001.
Never know till you look. The Dyna has the 26g that was going to go in the FL.

shovelmike · #3 03-27-2008, 07:35 PM

Thanks anyway, Wrightturn. I plan to check runout. I think it is fairly uncommon for the 02's to have the runout issue. At least you made use of them in the other bike. I thought very seriously about going with 26's but I have a mellow riding style, figured the 21's were more suited.

shovelmike · #4 03-28-2008, 08:52 PM

I had e-mailed Power Commander tech support and not received a reply, I called them on the phone today and had a real good conversation with one of their tech people. He said to pick a map for an 88 cube engine with similar intake and exhaust and adjust from there with the buttons. Considering that my cams are most effective at low to mid-range he suggested adding one bar (5%) in low range and two bars (10%) in mid range. I'll let you know how it works out once the bike is finished and on the road.

hdnt1550 · #5 03-28-2008, 10:32 PM

I replaced the stock ecm with a thundermax with auto tune. It plugs right into the stock harness but you do need to put o2 sensors in the exaust pipes. Just pick a map that is close and the auto tune set up tunes from there.

shovelmike · #6 03-29-2008, 08:37 PM

Thanks hdnt 1550. Those Thundermax units look like the way to go. If the Power Commander does not work well over the long run I might have to save my money for one.

hdnt1550 · #7 03-30-2008, 08:22 PM

finally just got some test miles on. so far so good. running rich right now but I believe it is leaning itself out. Throttle response is also improving.

shovelmike · #8 03-31-2008, 08:39 AM

I just have a few more things to do and mine is back on the road too! The good news is that it's supposed to hit 68 degrees today, the bad news is the forecast includes severe thunderstorms. I guess if I don't get test miles in today I will soon enough.

shovelmike · #9 04-01-2008, 10:20 AM

Yeah, daytripper, one of those would be real nice. Even though I am not a professional mechanic I love nice tools. I have spent a fortune on tools and the best part is my wife is perfectly cool with it, she loves to tool shop with me.
Incidentally, the primary tensioner was pristine as they reported, the secondary was 50% gone. I am glad to be rid of them.
I finished the bike yesterday. The gear drive is no louder than the chains were and those Andrews TW21 cams upped low end torque considerably. As suggested by Power Commander tech support I went with a map that was close but for stock cams and added fuel in low and mid range (5% and 10% respectively) so far it's working fine.

hdnt1550 · #10 04-01-2008, 07:20 PM

hey shovelmike can I borrow your wife I have to hide the tool bills.
It's good to get back on the road after a project.