New ECU Flash Option: DIY FLASHING

[avc8130]

This is a complete DIY kit.
I may provide more details later depending on their response (haven't received anything yet), but thus far I am very dissatisfied with Flash-Tune's customer service.

Because of their record with me so far, I even question the accuracy of some aspects oof the baseline map they provide. This is based on anecdotal evidence, but I noticed the one time I did the clutch jumper mod during my commute that I smelled like pretty dirty exhaust when I got home. According to their extracted data, the map used with the clutch pulled in is identical to the normal maps except for unrestricted throttle and advanced ignition at 100% throttle.

My commute doesn't involve much 100% throttle, and my intake/ exhaust is totally stock. So how would I stink like I had just gotten off of a piped 1980's UJM unless the clutch jumper mod (neutral map) used different fueling?

Again, anecdotal evidence and it would be difficult to incorrectly extract data from a stock ECU but their actions have me questioning this stuff now.

I questioned Chris about that, but he insisted the stock ECU file was exactly what was pulled from the bike. I don't see a reason he would lie about that.

These guys support AMA race teams on a regular basis with R1/R6 bikes. They definitely know their stuff.

This also means they don't have much time for CS.

This is a 100% DIY TOOL. This is like buying a ratchet set from Snap On and then looking for support on how to take your car apart.

Post your questions/problems here. Check out the R1/R6 forums. You can see it is the COMMUNITY that helps you work with the tool. FT just sells you the TOOL.

ac

 

[twinrider]

Synmoto (Authorized Tuning Center) in BC doesn't answer the phone, return my calls or reply to my e-mail. Now I'm rethinking my options.

I sent my ECU all the way from Japan to AF1 in Texas. You're a lot closer... Just ask them to mark it as a warranty repair and you shouldn't get charged by customs on its return.

 

[talonboy]

I just bought the Flash-Tune software and cable. After installing, my software would not flash my ECU. After a few phone calls and emails, it was decided I had a bad USB cable. They sent me new one and it worked first try. Good customer service!
Since it started working, I have been playing around flashing a few different settings.
I raised the rev limit a little, to allow a little over-rev if needed.
I lowered the fan temps, so the fan will come on earlier.
I played with the throttle-by-wire settings a bit, and like the better throttle response with a more 1-1 setting (blades open how far the grip is open).
I've added a few degrees of ignition timing, but can't really say it made any difference. Haven't noticed any pinging yet.
I turned on disable Inj decel cut, this removed a little decel popping I was getting.

Current work:

I have been playing with the map-tps bias lately. I want to turn off the stock o2 sensors. Chris said to change the values in this table from positive to zero, or negative. This doesn't seem to work. Bike seems to run at 14.6 AFR, no matter how you change it. This needs more testing.

Future work:

I've talked to Chris at Flash-Tune about adding the speedo calibration feature available for other bikes, it may be added soon. It is so annoying when the speedo reads wrong.

Chris said he was going to add a feature that the bike would remember the last traction control setting on startup.

 

[avc8130]

I just bought the Flash-Tune software and cable. After installing, my software would not flash my ECU. After a few phone calls and emails, it was decided I had a bad USB cable. They sent me new one and it worked first try. Good customer service!
Since it started working, I have been playing around flashing a few different settings.
I raised the rev limit a little, to allow a little over-rev if needed.
I lowered the fan temps, so the fan will come on earlier.
I played with the throttle-by-wire settings a bit, and like the better throttle response with a more 1-1 setting (blades open how far the grip is open).
I've added a few degrees of ignition timing, but can't really say it made any difference. Haven't noticed any pinging yet.
I turned on disable Inj decel cut, this removed a little decel popping I was getting.

Current work:

I have been playing with the map-tps bias lately. I want to turn off the stock o2 sensors. Chris said to change the values in this table from positive to zero, or negative. This doesn't seem to work. Bike seems to run at 14.6 AFR, no matter how you change it. This needs more testing.

Future work:

I've talked to Chris at Flash-Tune about adding the speedo calibration feature available for other bikes, it may be added soon. It is so annoying when the speedo reads wrong.

Chris said he was going to add a feature that the bike would remember the last traction control setting on startup.

Have you tried just disconnecting the o2 sensors?

I've been BEGGING Chris for a TCS "remember" function. Keep up the pressure.

ac

 

[greg the pole]

Synmoto (Authorized Tuning Center) in BC doesn't answer the phone, return my calls or reply to my e-mail. Now I'm rethinking my options, this option does reminds of my hobby, programing remote control airplanes and helicopters, we are always messing with the pitch curves and throttle curves, expo., governors, heat sensors to control a servo to riching or leaning nitro or gas engine as they fly in different flight modes. Took me a couple of years to get comfortable with it all and it's a lot of fun when you know what you're doing, or when you think you know what you're doing .

I'm thinking about this unit but intimidated by it.

Tried to get in touch with those guys, and nothing. Waste of time. Go somewhere else

 

[talonboy]

Have you tried just disconnecting the o2 sensors?

I've been BEGGING Chris for a TCS "remember" function. Keep up the pressure.

ac

I haven't tried disconnecting the o2 sensors lately. I did previously a few times, the bike would seem to hunt/surge in closed loop. I don't know if the bias will change that or not. More testing needed.

I don't really care much about the TCS "remember" feature, give me the TCS tables so I can change TCS1 to match TCS2, then change TCS2, to allow a little more slip.

 

[avc8130]

I haven't tried disconnecting the o2 sensors lately. I did previously a few times, the bike would seem to hunt/surge in closed loop. I don't know if the bias will change that or not. More testing needed.

I don't really care much about the TCS "remember" feature, give me the TCS tables so I can change TCS1 to match TCS2, then change TCS2, to allow a little more slip.

Chris has said he was working on that, but that was 6 months ago. He was concerned people would be able to do scary things.

ac

 

[Tremor38]

I turned on disable Inj decel cut, this removed a little decel popping I was getting.

That part has me interested. Did it also remove the very abrupt cut (feels like injector cutoff) when decreasing throttle at some point between about 0 to 5% throttle opening?

 

[talonboy]

That part has me interested. Did it also remove the very abrupt cut (feels like injector cutoff) when decreasing throttle at some point between about 0 to 5% throttle opening?

With the injectors on all the time, the bike does seem smoother, on/off the throttle. Chris at FT said the injectors only turned off in some gears, but not all gears. I believe he said gears 4-6 the injectors turn off, but do not in 1-3. This setting is only on or off in the software, it doesn't show which gears.

I can confirm the injectors did at times turn off completely under zero throttle decel stock. I have a Power Commander and LCD gauge, the duty cycle would go to zero under some decel conditions. I can't say for sure it was only in 4-6 gear, I didn't pay that close of attention. Now, with that feature turned off, it never goes to zero duty cycle, my decel popping is gone, and the bike is smoother fully closed to open throttle.

This makes sense, with the injectors turning off completely, then back on when the throttle is moved from fully closed, it can be a little abrupt.

 

[avc8130]

I really like how the bike feels with the injectors not cutting out on decel.

ac

 

[oKLRider]

Looks like this thread has new life. Probably the perfect time to post about my results from my recent ac flash. ::024:: ::001::

Skimming this thread, I came across an offer from ac (avc8130) in one of his posts that he'd be willing to flash others' ECMs as an experiment. He'd already developed what he thought was a pretty solid flash, and simply wanted opinions. After some emails back and forth, I took him up on it. ::008::

We talked back and forth about riding style, likes, dislikes, etc. A couple of shipping labels, a cardboard box, and a ride to the UPS Store later...it was off. I anxiously awaited the return of my black box, riding the wife's KLX250 in the interim. About a week or so later, it was back! Like a kid at Christmas I was into the package, and out to the garage. Reassembly, check. Ignition on, check. Starter, and it still runs...woohoo! My initial impressions after coming back on it from the KLX were words that would probably get me banned. ::26::

He ended up putting three different maps in; one for standard 'T', one for standard 'S', and one in experimental that we'll call '2S'. Right out of the box the difference was noticeable in both 'T' and 'S', but I quickly fell in love with '2S'. This extra map is accessed with the CJM. Had I known then what I know now, it'd probably be my 'S' map. ::024::

I've been running around with his flash for about 800mi now. 600 of that was on a road trip, the other 200 from commuting. I wanted to get a more solid and honest feel for it before posting an impulse "OMG! This is the best thing ever!" response. My main goal was throttle response, and boy did I get it with '2S'! It's like an on/off switch now. Daddy like! You can ride it like a hooligan. Guilty. Or you can cruise at 80 in high gear, and accelerate further with ease. It's hard to describe without being too dramatic. You really have to ride one to feel the difference. It's really amazing the difference a few 1s and 0s can make.

This is a small, one Tenere town, so I've got nothing to compare it to but memory....but wow...big difference over stock. Ac was/is a standup guy. Knows his stuff, and was cool enough to share knowledge to help promote this small market that we all ride in. Well worth the effort. ::008:: ::26:: ::001::

 

[jbrown]

I've still been too busy to mess with the flash-tune stuff yet.
But since there's some more activity on this, has anyone flashed a 23P-8591A-70-00 ECU using the flash-tune provided 23P-8591A-30-00 files?
Knowing that it works will save me some stress.

 

[avc8130]

OKL,

Glad you like it! I have quite a bit of testing into those throttle maps. I think I am at close to 20 iterations.

If anyone else wants to try a flashed ECU, send me a PM!

jbrown,

I've checked the part numbers of the 4 that I have done, none have been the -70 yet. If you are worried about it, send the ECU to Chris so he can pull the file.

ac

 

[jaeger22]

Quote from oKLRider

He ended up putting three different maps in; one for standard 'T', one for standard 'S', and one in experimental that we'll call '2S'.

I have taken a similar approach. I use the CJM (hooked up through a switch and a relay) for my experiments. That way I can switch instantly between stock and modified for comparisons even while under way. I currently have the 5th gear throttle and timing maps loaded into the neutral map area so that is what I get with the "SS" switch on. I left the S and T modes stock for now except for the fuel map. As I noted above there is only one set of fuel maps for everything. Every mode and every gear. So I loaded a bunch of PCV fuel maps (The FT SW will let you open them) and kind of took an average of the changes they made. Then I made similar changes to my Alpha-N (throttle/RPM) fuel map but I kept it conservative. i.e. I only made about 2/3 the change that the PCV maps did. I can't really say I can feel any difference from the fuel map changes but I sure can from the SS mode throttle response changes. And the cool thing is I can make it any thing I want from light switch on/off to nice and smooth.
Interesting notes, there are 18 timing maps! 19 if you count the neutral (also clutch) table. However only 1-5 are used and all the rest are just copies of the first gear map. 5th and 6th gear both use the same map. (5).
Another thing I find interesting is that the acceleration enrichment tables are set to zero. ??? When I set up my DIY EFI on my DR 650 I had to play with acceleration enrichment a lot to avoid having it bog when I hit the throttle. But the S10 somehow gets along without it?? I think I will experiment with that when I get time.
Right now I am on the road and still have 1000 miles or so to get home. And it is raining. :'(
Well I had better get back out there, got to make Biloxi tonight.
John ::001::

 

[Ron_Luning]

I finally got around to messing with the F-T 91 octane map a bit. My main goal with this software was to remove the upper gear restrictions and smooth out 1st gear in Sport mode. The F-T map removed the restrictions, but 1st gear was certainly not any better than stock in terms of on/off throttle transition (maybe it was the same as stock, I don't know for sure).

Anyway, I wanted to emulate the smooth throttle of T mode, but not have it be so neutered. I averaged the S and T throttle percentages across the range of throttle vs. rpm, then brought in the 2nd gear Sport throttle percentages for the upper rpm (above 6000). It worked out pretty well. The throttle is much more forgiving in 1st gear, while maintaining the ability to go full throttle when I really mean it. This is a critical capability for me personally as I commute and often split lanes at stoplights and stop signs, necessitating smooth throttle control while in 1st gear.

There is still a bit of improvement to make as it does seem to feel a bit flat at a certain rpm/throttle opening when leaving stoplights in a hurry. Also, I've noticed that with the F-T setting of reduced engine braking, the bike will idle along in 1st gear at 8-9 mph whereas before it would go 7-8 mph. Not a problem, just a slight difference. The reduced engine braking is a nice improvement at slow speeds as well.

 

[talonboy]

I finally got around to messing with the F-T 91 octane map a bit. My main goal with this software was to remove the upper gear restrictions and smooth out 1st gear in Sport mode. The F-T map removed the restrictions, but 1st gear was certainly not any better than stock in terms of on/off throttle transition (maybe it was the same as stock, I don't know for sure).

Anyway, I wanted to emulate the smooth throttle of T mode, but not have it be so neutered. I averaged the S and T throttle percentages across the range of throttle vs. rpm, then brought in the 2nd gear Sport throttle percentages for the upper rpm (above 6000). It worked out pretty well. The throttle is much more forgiving in 1st gear, while maintaining the ability to go full throttle when I really mean it. This is a critical capability for me personally as I commute and often split lanes at stoplights and stop signs, necessitating smooth throttle control while in 1st gear.

There is still a bit of improvement to make as it does seem to feel a bit flat at a certain rpm/throttle opening when leaving stoplights in a hurry. Also, I've noticed that with the F-T setting of reduced engine braking, the bike will idle along in 1st gear at 8-9 mph whereas before it would go 7-8 mph. Not a problem, just a slight difference. The reduced engine braking is a nice improvement at slow speeds as well.

I have yet to play with engine braking, what did you change? Just first gear?
I never compared before, but I do see the 91 octane FT map has different ETV Decel values for S mode, than the stock map. Mainly higher numbers, especially in 1st and 2nd gear. It looks like a higher value gives less engine braking?

 

[avc8130]

I finally got around to messing with the F-T 91 octane map a bit. My main goal with this software was to remove the upper gear restrictions and smooth out 1st gear in Sport mode. The F-T map removed the restrictions, but 1st gear was certainly not any better than stock in terms of on/off throttle transition (maybe it was the same as stock, I don't know for sure).

Anyway, I wanted to emulate the smooth throttle of T mode, but not have it be so neutered. I averaged the S and T throttle percentages across the range of throttle vs. rpm, then brought in the 2nd gear Sport throttle percentages for the upper rpm (above 6000). It worked out pretty well. The throttle is much more forgiving in 1st gear, while maintaining the ability to go full throttle when I really mean it. This is a critical capability for me personally as I commute and often split lanes at stoplights and stop signs, necessitating smooth throttle control while in 1st gear.

There is still a bit of improvement to make as it does seem to feel a bit flat at a certain rpm/throttle opening when leaving stoplights in a hurry. Also, I've noticed that with the F-T setting of reduced engine braking, the bike will idle along in 1st gear at 8-9 mph whereas before it would go 7-8 mph. Not a problem, just a slight difference. The reduced engine braking is a nice improvement at slow speeds as well.

Could you post a screen capture of the map? It sounds pretty cool.

ac

 

[talonboy]

The upper table is stock first gear, the lower is 91 octane first gear.

 

[Ron_Luning]

Too bad we can't attach Excel files. Here's a screenshot of the S mode 1st gear I made. It needs refinement for sure, but for my specific purposes I'm happier with this than stock. The rest of the map I'm using is the 91 octane map provided by Flash Tune.

Attachment compressed beyond recognition. Here is this instead:

 

[avc8130]

Just did a flash for another member. I made him a custom flash based on the one I did for oKLRider. Hopefully he likes it just as much! Anyone interested in a much cheaper flash alternative, let me know!

ac