Hey All,
John from Zipper's here. I would like to clarify a few things I've just read about the ThunderMax here. I'll try to explain what I can as best as I can.
Yes, we are at York installing ThunderMax ECM's. The price of the unit installed on your bike is $399, not $299 as stated above. The regular list price is $429.95. The $399 is the same price we have charged at Daytona, Myrtle Beach and DelMarVa bike weeks and was the price listed on a notification we posted on HTT in the General section earlier this week. I don't know where the $299 price came from, but it is incorrect.
What makes the ThunderMax better (in our view)? Many things, starting with the fact that it is a completely new processor (a clean sheet of paper, so to speak), not an add-on device for the factory ECM. The ThunderMax was developed with complete versatility in mind. It is very powerful, with many more points of adjustment, or resolution, than any of the popular add-ons or even the factory's Race Tuner software. These points of adjustment are ALL addressed during the creation of our base maps.
All processors use a look-up table to deliver the specified amount of fuel and spark for a given rpm/load situation. The Harley ECM is a speed-density based system, which uses input from rpm vs. throttle position, with input from the MAP sensor (manifold pressure). The input from the MAP sensor allows them to use less blocks on a look-up table on the throttle position side. While there is nothing "wrong" with this system, there is a lot that is not "right" about it, when used in a Harley application. The Harley's uneven firing pulses and common plenum manifold can confuse the MAP sensor, and cause it to supply fuel and spark from the wrong block, causing poor performance. Add increased displacement and broader cam timing (something that we H-D guys love to do!) and the problems intensify. For arguments sake, the H-D system with the Race Tuner attached has 153 points of adjustment; a Power Commander-equipped engine has 279 points on the look-up table. The ThunderMax is an Alpha-N based system, meaning it relies on rpm and throttle position only, and does not use data from the MAP sensor. For this type of system to work properly, it requires many more blocks on the look-up table, so that's what was designed -- 1,984 points! Simply put, if your rpm is *here* and your throttle position is *there*, there is a block on the look-up table to address the engine's needs in that situation. And the speed of the ThunderMax's processor can keep up with the ever-changing demends, rewarding you with that runs, as a very happy DelMarVa rider called it "unbelievable---something-wrong smooth!"
While it is true that a base map that is a match or pretty close to your build is required, we have an ever-growing library of base maps including many for CVO bikes. These maps lower operating temperatures, eliminate exhaust popping between shifts and deceleration and improve throttle response and performance. We develop the maps on a state-of-the-art Land & Sea dyno using lab-type instrumentation. One of our purposes of these "in the field" installs is to better evaluate and educate users on the ease of use of the software should any adjustments be required. Things like idle adjustment, rpm limit, speedometer calibration and others are simple click-and-enter affairs, and the ThunderMax includes a communication cable and Basic-User software that allows 10% +/- on the fuel trim and 5 degrees +/- on ignition timing settings of the base map supplied.
Admittedly, any new product will have somewhat tough inroads in penetrating the markets of established products such as the Race Tuner and Power Commander. Technicians get comfortable with what they know how to use. History shows that the first products offered to market are not necessarily the best products over time. There is always room for improvement. Many technicians with EFI experience and open minds have embraced the ThunderMax once thev've used and understand it, and feel it is actually easier to use than the other products, with its features such as 'live' tuning.
Our Advanced-User software will allow the properly equipped shops a larger swing of adjustment and access to our library of base maps to allow them the ability to make their own libraries of maps for their own combinations.
We are currently offering a 30-day money-back trial of the ThunderMax. I hope you'll take advantage and give the ThunderMax a try....what have you got to lose? JK
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Topic: ECM (Read 7306 times)