Unsure of engine performance. Any thoughts?

[coolhandgarreth]

I'm the second owner of my 09 xb12scg. I have found that it has a race ecm, k&n filter, ngk plugs with a stock muffler.
It has been running well with what I understand is normal decell popping. Lately though, when starting it up, it fires right up, runs rough for a moment if I don't rev it a little, then cuts off. Start it back up and it usually doesn't choke and die again. Runs with no problem once warm.
It does seem to bog down a little in first gear if I throttle heavily. Filter looks clean.
Just seems like it could run better. Do I need to tune it?

 

[Alfatango1]

Maybe TPS was not reset after ECM was replaced? It's an 09 so maybe this does not apply, so if any one who has a newer XB can chime in.

 

[coolhandgarreth]

That's one of the first things I did when I bought the bike (tps reset). Seemed to idle too rough at startup. Found this forum and found that lil' nugget a wisdom. It helped then but I'm not sure how that would improve the bogging in first gear.

 

[07Bolt]

I have found that it has a race ecm, k&n filter, ngk plugs with a stock muffler.

With that combo you really need a race pipe. most can run a hi-flo/race pipe application or hi-flo. With the race ecm the maps have adjusted values better suited for hi-flo & race pipe.

 

[user_deleted]

what bolt said...sounds rich throughout the rpm range. betting if you remove front plug (the easiest to do) you'll find it black and slightly "sooty". consider a hawk muffler or something similar to lean it up? just wondering.

 

[coolhandgarreth]

Makes sense. A while ago, there was a thread about using zip ties to hold open the valve in the stock muffler. Does this acheive a similar effect to the race pipe?

 

[user_deleted]

A while ago, there was a thread about using zip ties to hold open the valve in the stock muffler. Does this acheive a similar effect to the race pipe?

the active exh. valve is part of the engine management package to give your 12 both good low-end throttle response and greater exh. flow at high engine speeds as well...in principle that is. i'm of the opinion that if you leave your stock muffler in place i would leave valve connected and let the control box on top of the airbox cover which controls it hooked up and functioning. if you unplug the box itself you'll almost immediately get CEL warning and stored codes. if you go with aftermarket exhaust then there are ways around this as they don't have the inneractive valve or in case of hawk or drummer the valve is removed.

 

[Oldgit]

Garreth, I have similar issues to you: decel popping, rough to start, may stall but settles down once warm. I have an 04 XB12R with normal ECM flashed with race map, stock exhaust, K&N, so the setup is similar. My bike was fine before the race map so I'd agree with 07 and lunatic in that your map isn't optimum for your setup. You can either revert to normal ECM unit and tune it, or replace the pipe.

 

[coolhandgarreth]

Got it. Thanks guys.

 

[user_deleted]

You can either revert to normal ECM unit and tune it, or replace the pipe.

exactly! if you have a spare $175 or so lying about coolhand, consider a hawk exhaust. randy is a great guy and he modifies your stock muffler, pays return freight, super quick turn around and it would then match your race map and really make the bike come alive. just a thought.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Not sure, but doesn't the "race" ecm delete the interactive exhaust function? IF it does and the stock exhast is on it...that's probably not a good thing for performance. [confused]

 

[Petrus]

+1, the race ecm does not have the interactive exhaust function.