Your Opinion, Please

2394 Views 33 Replies 9 Participants Last post by dynageno, Jan 14, 2006

Whiffleboy

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2006

OK, I've installed the SEII slip-ons and got the EFI download for my 06 Street Bob. I ordered the SE A/C (29440-99c) and will install it next week. This will complete my Stage 1 mods. I plan on ditching the football cover and running the [paper] filter exposed with just a custom small cap to cover the metal top of the element. Matter of fact, my wife just IM'd me that the cover arrived. (woohoo!)

Since I have no intentions of getting a SERT, PCIII or any other tweaking mechanisms for the EFI other than the Stage 1 download I just got, I'm wondering if you guys think the exposed element will allow too much air in, therefore, putting my bike close to its stock "too lean" condition again. (I'm aware that the download is still on the lean side.)

Or, will my goal of getting much better sound with a little better performance thrown in have been successfully reached with this setup?

I'm aware that the bike can run better with more tweaking/dyno/etc. I'm also aware of the water/washing issues with running an exposed element. We can leave these points out of the discussion.

Thanks a bunch and I promise to quit being so anal about all this stuff. :laugh:

Whiff

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tarathatcher

· #2 · Jan 6, 2006

I can't exactly answer your question, but I just had the stage 1 and SEII slipons installed on my 35th before it was delivered. I asked my dealership about the air cleaner, and they strongly advised against it due to the lean condition. He said the 06 bikes don't need the high flow air cleaner with stage 1 and slip ons. I guess the guy I talked to had just been to a seminar about the 06 bikes and mods or something like that. I may also research some more and call around for a second opinion. I am still debating whether to do a better air cleaner, since I can't leave anything alone! lol Anyway, I thought i would share what little info that I have with ya!

Tara

Whiffleboy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 6, 2006

When I got my remap a couple of weeks ago, I asked the service guy if I'll be fine riding for a few weeks without the high-flow a/c while running the flash and SEII slip-ons. His response was that I'd be alright, but, probably be running a bit rich. I took that as meaning the a/c would even out the richness and bring the mix to a more optimal level. You just never know with these guys.

I think what I'm going to do is just leave the element open, see how it runs, and, if it sucks, throw the football back on.

Whiff

PowerCobra98

· #4 · Jan 6, 2006 (Edited)

It's funny you bring this up because I was just thinking about this yesterday! I too have the SEII's, Stage 1 Air, and 06 download. However, I replaced the SE filter with a K&N filter.

I was thinking about removing the football and doing the small cap (open element) as well. I ran across a website where it shows that Hot Rod Bikes Magazine did a dyno test of this mod on a Harley and the bike gained 3HP.

After reading that I started wondering about it creating too much of a lean condition as well. However, I think the safe tradeoff is that now the bike would be sucking in COOLER air instead of HOT air because of the football cover. Cooler air is where the HP and TQ gains come from but the additional positive side effect of this is that engines love COOL air as opposed to hot air and are less prone to detonate or become lean. So I "think" it would still be within the safe range...but of course wouldn't know for sure unless it was on a dyno with the air/fuel ratio being monitored.

Where did you get your air filter cover from Whiff and what does it look like? The site I ran across sells them but the guy is charging $115.

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Whiffleboy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 6, 2006

I like your logic, Powercobra - mainly because it's in line with what I want to do.

For your covers, try Extreme Custom Engraving. They're stuff is made from billet and it's not pricey. $40 shipped to my door.

I got a wrinkle black cover with a raised and brushed Maltese on it. It's the first small cap cover they've done with that particular emblem on it. So, technically, it was a custom, yet, still only cost $34+$6.

Whiff

PowerCobra98

· #6 · Jan 6, 2006 (Edited)

..........

PowerCobra98

· #7 · Jan 6, 2006

Hey Whiff,

I just spoke with the guy at ECE and I think I'm going to have him do me up a custom cover! He seemed pretty nice and gave me some ideas on what he could do so I drew something up and emailed it to him. He said he would lay something out and send a picture back to me and if I liked it he would go ahead and make it. Thanks for the info!

Scott

Whiffleboy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 7, 2006 (Edited)

Are you sure it's not a tattoo we're talking about here?

So does this mean you're alright with running your Dyna with the open element?

Whiff

PowerCobra98

· #9 · Jan 7, 2006

No tattoo's...it's going to be a "custom" lettering I designed to match my tank and the letters will be filled with black powdercoat and the cover will be polished. I use the word "custom" loosely because it's certainly not original but I think it will look good provided he can do it. I'm not sure if there will be copyright issues or not. If he won't do it I'll just get a plain polished cover.

And yes, I'm more than alright running with an open element. I just went out to the garage and took the football off, stepped back and took a look, and realized how much better it looks with it off. I never realized how much engine it covered up. I think I'm going to buy the chrome backplate too since it's in plain sight now.

Email me a picture of yours installed on your bike if you don't mind.

JamieWG

· #10 · Jan 7, 2006

Whiffleboy said:
Since I have no intentions of getting a SERT, PCIII or any other tweaking mechanisms for the EFI other than the Stage 1 download I just got, I'm wondering if you guys think the exposed element will allow too much air in, therefore, putting my bike close to its stock "too lean" condition again. (I'm aware that the download is still on the lean side.)

Or, will my goal of getting much better sound with a little better performance thrown in have been successfully reached with this setup?

Whiff

In my opinion, you will be too lean once you add the AC. I've got an '06 Dyna.. my experience is as follows..

1. Stock bike ran great
2. Added SEII slip-ons and the bike was lean.
3. Added Stage I download - bike ran beautifully
4. Added SE/AC and now it's lean again
5. Decided I need a SERT

All I can say is, try it and see.... but I bet it runs too lean.

PowerCobra98

· #11 · Jan 7, 2006

JamieWG said:
All I can say is, try it and see.... but I bet it runs too lean.

You could be right, BUT I'd be willing to say that IF we do indeed have the download then we'll be fine. The 06's have a closed loop EFI with O2 sensors. The ECM will in fact adapt it's fuel map to a certain point. If we will be lean it will only be at high rpm's and I don't spend too much time with the bike at 5800 rpm's. The bikes will not have the PERFECT map but then again no bike has a perfect map unless it's dyno tuned.

Whiffleboy

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 7, 2006

I spend 90% of my time in rush hour traffic. I think my bike will love having all that nice air to cool her. We'll see though. Nothing lost with a few weeks of experimenting. I'm under warranty and, if something goes wrong, the football goes back on and the bike goes back in the shop.

JamieWG

· #13 · Jan 7, 2006

PowerCobra98 said:
You could be right, BUT I'd be willing to say that IF we do indeed have the download then we'll be fine. The 06's have a closed loop EFI with O2 sensors. The ECM will in fact adapt it's fuel map to a certain point. If we will be lean it will only be at high rpm's and I don't spend too much time with the bike at 5800 rpm's. The bikes will not have the PERFECT map but then again no bike has a perfect map unless it's dyno tuned.

Heh.. what do you think I ride? Mine's an '06 too. True, it's closed loop EFI, but the 02 sensors are narrow-band and they can only do so much. Mine is very lean at about 3000 rpm. The download doesn't get the job done. I'm getting a SERT.

floyd78

· #14 · Jan 7, 2006

Watch out just trusting the O2 sensors. They are only narrow band and they can only adjust + or _ .5 AFR. Not alot of adjustment to counteract the lean condition. Also they are only in operation in normal operating states so If you are pushing the bike they go to open loop. Just want to make you all aware of the systems limitations. Ride Safe!!!

Floyd

PowerCobra98

· #15 · Jan 7, 2006

JamieWG said:
Heh.. what do you think I ride? Mine's an '06 too. True, it's closed loop EFI, but the 02 sensors are narrow-band and they can only do so much. Mine is very lean at about 3000 rpm. The download doesn't get the job done. I'm getting a SERT.

Well either way all's not lost if it turns out to be too lean...I'll just get the round cover that covers the entire air cleaner. One thing's for sure though, the football is coming off!!!

JamieWG

· #16 · Jan 7, 2006

PowerCobra98 said:
Well either way all's not lost if it turns out to be too lean...I'll just get the round cover that covers the entire air cleaner. One thing's for sure though, the football is coming off!!!

I'm running the round cover. Hope you have better luck.

PowerCobra98

· #17 · Jan 7, 2006

JamieWG said:
I'm running the round cover. Hope you have better luck.

Jamie,

Email me a couple pictures of your round cover. One from the front and one from the side. I'd like to see what it looks like on the bike.

JamieWG

· #18 · Jan 7, 2006

PowerCobra98 said:
Jamie,

Email me a couple pictures of your round cover. One from the front and one from the side. I'd like to see what it looks like on the bike.

I'll try to take some tomorrow. I need to get batteries for my camera. The cover looks nice but I had to trim it to keep it from rattling against the ears on the backplate.

PowerCobra98

· #19 · Jan 7, 2006

JamieWG said:
I'll try to take some tomorrow. I need to get batteries for my camera. The cover looks nice but I had to trim it to keep it from rattling against the ears on the backplate.

Ok cool. I'd like to see it so get those batteries! I'm impulsive as well so the sooner the better before I go buy something else. :brows:

I'll bet a thick washer between the cover and the filter on the bolt would bring it away from the backplate.

JamieWG

· #20 · Jan 7, 2006

PowerCobra98 said:
Ok cool. I'd like to see it so get those batteries! I'm impulsive as well so the sooner the better before I go buy something else. :brows:

I'll bet a thick washer between the cover and the filter on the bolt would bring it away from the backplate.

I tried that and wasn't happy with it. It moved the cover too far out and into my leg... plus, the cover is supposed to be supported by the round edge of the air cleaner element (there is a fat rubber gasket that sticks to the AC just for this purpose) and bolted down in the center. Once it's spaced out, the only support is the spacer and it kind of wobbles around if you push on it. It just wasn't real secure and if your leg pressed up against it, it still rattled on the backplate ear. I used a dremel cutting wheel to remove some of the metal and it looks real nice. Fits right up against the gasket on the AC now and it's bolted on nice and secure.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

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