Topic: Anyone running Thundermax 309-588 2018 M8 117 (Read 2642 times)

VRODDAVE · « **on:** October 14, 2020, 04:50:17 PM »

Duh, just corrected the model number

Hello, just wondering if anyone is running the Thundermax 309-588 on a 2018 M8 117. This is the first FBW throttle i have ever owned /ridden. I installed the SE street cannons and thought i would be able to get by without a tune. I'm finding some flat spots off idle and around 2000RPM. From what i have read not a uncommon problem.

Will the Thundermax help auto tune these problems out?

Does the 2018 M8 117 have the correct size bungs to install wide band O2 sensors without modification?

Is this a worthy return on investment?

Thanks for any feedback

CVO Couple · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2020, 12:58:01 PM »

Wide band O2 sensors are usually 18mm, I remember reading on the Thundermax site a while ago there’s are 18mm. Sometimes if the bung has enough metal around you can drill and tap for 18mm or worse case have new bungs welded in.

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2020, 01:22:16 PM »

Thanks for the comments ... so, are you implying that the stock o2 sensor's are not 18MM ? not sure i want to remove that header to weld in new bungs ...

Thanks

CVO Couple · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2020, 04:27:38 PM »

Should be 12mm stock.

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havenolife · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2020, 04:41:09 PM »

i think 2017 went to 18 mm but check first all you need to do is put a wrinch on it there up near the top easy to get at

VRODDAVE · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2020, 05:03:06 PM »

yeah, i just tried to put a 12mm wrench on it and it didn't fit but they are the small ones for sure by looking at them.

I had an old o2 sensor from my 04 thundermax and i guess that is what they are calling the 18mm size.

i guess i am out of luck as noone will ship any non compliant parts to California anyway ....

I am not looking increase in power, i just want to make it easier to manage while in slow traffic ...

Thank all for the info ... i will put this on the back burner for now ...

CVO Couple · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2020, 10:35:34 PM »

In O2 sensor world 12mm and 18mm are the thread size, not wrench size.

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2020, 10:38:21 PM »

Yeah I figured that out. Ha! I've just been out of the game for five years, and the brain aneurysm didn't help any either ha ha

CVO Couple · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2020, 07:47:09 AM »

I’ve always considered Thundermax product for my bikes if I decide to make changes that require programming. It’s stuff the DIYer can do without needing a dyno and if your not looking for every HP/TQ you can get. It’s not hard to change the O2 bung size either by a rethread or welding in new.

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2020, 12:52:47 PM »

I agree with you regarding Thundermax, I had one on my 04 FLHTCSC. I just don't look forward to removing that header pipe on this 18. Hah Hah Hah. Maybe as a winter project. Also, every place I have looked online for thundermax won't ship to California. If anyone knows where I can get one PM me

Interesting alternative options that I am checking into. The power vision looks pretty cool with the ability to configure and make changes on its own little display.

Now, don't laugh.
I also ran across another little jewel that I find it hard to believe that it could work, but it exists. That being An o2 sensor adapter from 18 to 12 mm. I had always been under the impression the O2 sensor needed to be directly in the stream of the exhaust. How it could work through an adapter with the tip not actually being in the stream I am unsure. But again it exists, if it didn't work why is it even made?

CVO Couple · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2020, 12:59:09 PM »

Probably works to a point. Definitely not in the proper area to measure accurately.

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CVO Couple · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2020, 07:25:19 PM »

Looked at those O2 sensor extender/adapters, appears most of them are designed to move the sensor away from the exhaust to keep the check engine light off for various reasons by keeping the sensor hooked up and slower/false readings.

Interesting.

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2020, 08:56:31 PM »

I wonder why they would go to the trouble to make it adapt a wide band sensor to a narrow band hall if it was just to keep the emissions control light off

fastfreddy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2020, 11:55:55 AM »

im sure if you check your local welding/fab shops you can get bungs put into your pipe pretty cheep. and with a lill creative thinking you can get your hands on a thunder max sys.

VRODDAVE · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2020, 12:13:44 PM »

VRODDAVE · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2020, 11:39:30 AM »

For whatever it's worth, I sent a message to the folks that sell the 18 to 12 mm O2 adapter and this is the response I got back. I ain't saying it's good and it's saying it's bad I'm just saying.

Hello David,

We designed this product for this exact type of application. In our testing it had no problem with the Bosch LSU 4.2 and 4.9 sensors (the ones our products were designed for). I can not speak to the specifics of your O2 sensor since I do not know the specs but I would not imagine it being effected by the adapter either.

Thank you,

Alex Barnes
Auto Meter Products
413 West Elm St
Sycamore, IL 60178
https://www.autometer.com/

CVO Couple · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2020, 12:24:49 PM »

It will work, just a question of how well.

Reminds me of the spark plug adapters/extensions you could install to prevent spark plug fouling back in the day. Moving the tip of the plug out of the wetness of the combustion chamber.

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Ta2dResqr · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2020, 12:00:04 PM »

These adapters will not work well. An old trick was to use the spark plug non-foulers to back the )2 sensor out of the exhaust stream when you had a bad catalytic convertor or had removed the convertor. As far as why they are sold, the same reason "performance chips" are sold all over ebay, that plug into your air temp sensor. It is cheap and easy and someone will buy it hoping for a cheap fix/gain. Harley (and I am sure others) sell a toll to redrill and tap the stock location to an 18mm. Since this is sold by them (and required to upgrade to their wideband system), I would say there is enough meat to have someone do this. As far as getting a ThunderMax, I would try ebay, having an out of state friend send it to you, or my favorite option but not feasible... move out of Cali! lol Hope this helps.

VRODDAVE · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2020, 12:16:00 PM »

Thanks for the feedback. I tend to agree with you regardless of what the manufacturer claims it just doesn't seem right that it could work.

For the time being I ordered a dynojet power vision black pv2b. My understanding is the power vision will utilize the existing narrow band sensors to Edit the map over time Plus it looks really cool to mount on the handlebars. Ha ha Ha I have one of the old chrome mounts for the road tech that bolts on clutch master cylinder replacing the existing clamp . Can't wait to see if it actually works.

At any rate I will follow with a review of the power vision after it arrives, installed, and tested

Thanks again for all the feedback

brianfl67 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2020, 05:47:32 PM »

Powervision is a very good choice but it will also void your warranty if that's a concern

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2020, 05:51:03 PM »

Not worried about warranty, it expired several months back and the dealer wanted so much for an extended warranty I could afford to just replace the entire motor with a 131 if this one fails drastically.

brianfl67 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2020, 05:54:34 PM »

If you're looking for a warranty company discount ESP is a good choice me and a couple of buddies put four years on for like 14 hundred bucks and they don't care about tuners and aftermarket parts

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Twolanerider · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2020, 06:33:10 PM »

Quote from: brianfl67 on October 22, 2020, 05:54:34 PM

If you're looking for a warranty company discount ESP is a good choice me and a couple of buddies put four years on for like 14 hundred bucks and they don't care about tuners and aftermarket parts

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What's the company name?

brianfl67 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2020, 06:49:13 PM »

Discount ESP

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VRODDAVE · « **Reply #24 on:** October 23, 2020, 11:53:04 AM »

I did look into discount ESP earlier in the year before my 2 year expired. After doing my research I
decided that Was not the best option for me. Sounds like you are very happy with them and I appreciate that feedback.

Dave

brianfl67 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 23, 2020, 12:40:46 PM »

No problem just seemed like a better option than one Harley offers

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2019CVONH · « **Reply #26 on:** November 22, 2020, 08:19:54 AM »

Quote from: havenolife on October 15, 2020, 04:41:09 PM

i think 2017 went to 18 mm but check first all you need to do is put a wrinch on it there up near the top easy to get at

The bungs are 12mm. I did this upgrade. Only new headers have both sets of bungs and you block the ones you aren't using. They do sell adaptors to put your 18mm wideband bungs in but they are crap do not go this route. You either need to drill, weld in new 18mm bungs or get a header. I suggest a Fuel Moto 2/1/2 as I have this header.

PS. I'm switching exhaust systems so if you would like a set of Fuel Moto 2/1/2 headers let me know. They've been on the bike for only last summer. I have the original box and bung plug that goes in the end and it has both 12mm (narrow band stock) and 18mm (wide band measures a wider band for better tune).

This is the pipe. Ceramic coated, stainless steel 2 into one into 2 (2/1/2) and it is NOT the XXX pipe for larger builds. $450 +shipping

Ashley

VRODDAVE · « **Reply #27 on:** November 22, 2020, 11:33:59 AM »

Thanks for the feedback Ashley. At the moment I have the Dynojet power vision installed, running the stock improved tune and it seems to have solved my immediate issue with off the line stumbles. Followed by undesired acceleration. I still plan on installing either the Dynojet auto tune with wide band sensors, or the Thundermax with wide band at some point. But my immediate need no longer exist. Thanks for the offer on the pipe, you should post that in the for sale section. I think I would likely just modify my existing pipe with bungs or go with the Harley hi flow pipe as I would like to retain the cat if not for California smog ha ha Ha then for a silencer. I really like the sound of my bike as it is with the street cannons. I have heard when you remove the cat it gets considerably louder. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks again for the feedback Dave

2019CVONH · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2020, 12:31:07 PM »

Hey Dave,

If you already have the Dyno then stay with that and get the auto tune. This will help when going up into higher elevations or other barometric changes. I had ( still have in box) my 4.5" Street Cannons and had to change mufflers because of the change in sound. In my opinion, I thought it made the mufflers sound like the old fashioned Glass pack mufflers back in the day. I bugged the Hell out of me travelling with my wife back to my buddies house 8 hours away.. So even though they are louder when you really getting on it, they sound nice going down the road. I bought the Hi Roller mufflers and they sounded great. I'm switching it up and going with the KhromeWorks full exhaust.

Thanks for the suggestion..

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Author Topic: Anyone running Thundermax 309-588 2018 M8 117 (Read 2642 times)