Guzzi Performance ECU

[WitchCityBallabio]

Recently I purchased and installed the Guzzi Ti cans for the Ballabio. The ECU that came with the cans would not run properly without some tweaking, so I left the stock ECU in place until I could get it into the shop.

 

I dropped the bike off this week at the local dealer and had him put the ECU in, and tune the bike to it. When I picked it up today, I was very disappointed to find that the acceleration of the bike felt in a word...bad. The bike literally felt like it had half the horsepower it normally has accelerating from 0-75. At about 2500 rpm steady throttle, the bike pops, spits, and stumbles.

 

I brought the bike back telling them frankly that it sucked. They came out and took a look and listen. They stated that they set the bike to 3% CO which is spec for the bike. It feels very lean to me and even smells a bit different if that makes any sense.

 

My question is, (for anyone out there with the Guzzi Ti exhausts) is 3% CO the correct setting for that ECU? Is there anything else that would cause this? Is the only real solution to this installing a PCIII? I just find it hard to believe that by adding the Ti cans and the Guzzi upgraded ECU that the bike would run worse if everything is put to spec.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Doug

[Skeeve]

... I dropped the bike off this week at the local dealer and had him put the ECU in, and tune the bike to it....

 

I don't understand: what's the dealer going to do to "tune the bike to the ecu?" Most he's going to do is adjust the TPS, which you can do as long as you have a DMM.

 

When I picked it up today, I was very disappointed to find that the acceleration of the bike felt in a word...bad. The bike literally felt like it had half the horsepower it normally has accelerating from 0-75. At about 2500 rpm steady throttle, the bike pops, spits, and stumbles.

 

Somebody who understands actual wrenching [Roper? RacerX?] will probably suss this right away when they read your post...

 

I brought the bike back telling them frankly that it sucked. They came out and took a look and listen. They stated that they set the bike to 3% CO which is spec for the bike. It feels very lean to me and even smells a bit different if that makes any sense.

 

Smells different? How different? Like unburnt fuel? That's ironically a sign of running lean [if the idle is uneven], since the engine is missing & unburnt fuel accumulates in the exhaust until it ignites & causes "popping" or backfires.

 

My question is, (for anyone out there with the Guzzi Ti exhausts) is 3% CO the correct setting for that ECU? Is there anything else that would cause this? Is the only real solution to this installing a PCIII? I just find it hard to believe that by adding the Ti cans and the Guzzi upgraded ECU that the bike would run worse if everything is put to spec.

 

The Guzzi Ti cans & ECU were designed to work together: the factory actually spent some time getting that right, moreso than the original map in the stock ecu. Everyone using them has stated that their bike runs well once the TPS & valves are properly set/adjusted, ie: the Guzzi "race spec" ECU doesn't like the US/EPA specs of .002/.004 valve lash*, but wants the world spec .006/.008** numbers. About the only way to get better than the Ti pipes/ecu combo is to get a PCIII custom mapped on a dyno...

 

Did you get the other ECU back? Read the frickin' label and make certain they put the correct one in the bike! Didn't get it back? Why the heck not!?! That would indicate an unscrupulous dealer who expects to sell you a PCIII, hook up your original ecu & then turn around & sell the spiffy "performance" unit on eBay for additional change.***

 

Best o' luck!

 

* - or whatever it is; I just pulled these #s outta my portable dark space 'cause I know they're too small.

** - again, look up the correct values, these are only for comparison purposes, I've got an advanced case of CRS... Heck, the Red Cross won't even take my blood anymore 'cause they think I've got the MOOOOO! D@mmits!...

*** - I really hate to say this, & don't want to accuse your dealer w/o real evidence, but felt it bore disclosure because of how many times I've been bent over by dealers of other marques who thought just because I didn't fit their customer profile (or perhaps, fit it too well) meant I was clueless. So eliminate this possibility by due diligence.

[waspp]

The instructions that come with the race kit simply tell you to adjust valves, set the TPS and balance the throttle bodies, the ECU does the rest. My bike always seemed to run well even with the stock ECU but when I installed the race kit I noticed a difference, not a huge one but the bike seemed to pull more smoothly. I would guess something is not adjusted correctly. TPS or balance.

[John in Leeds]

Fitted my Ti cans and found the original ecu ran smoothly with a little (very occasional) pre ignition at high revs under full power, top grade fuel cured this.

 

The race ecu made more power but ran relatively roughly with bad pre ignition under power over 5000rpm.

 

I'm running the standard ecu on good fuel until I can finally purchase a Cliff Jefferies set up and get it tuned properly. (Currently short of spending money for toys)

 

From my limited experience it seems as if your spanner men screwed up as it is unlikely they will be able to alter the ecu without the kit and the appropriate knowledge.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I don't understand: what's the dealer going to do to "tune the bike to the ecu?" Most he's going to do is adjust the TPS, which you can do as long as you have a DMM.

 

According to the directions that came with the pipes and ECU, the bikes' CO has to be adjusted. I actually don't have the tool to balance the TB's, but I assumed reading the directions that it required more than just balancing.

 

Did you get the other ECU back? Read the frickin' label and make certain they put the correct one in the bike! Didn't get it back? Why the heck not!?! That would indicate an unscrupulous dealer who expects to sell you a PCIII, hook up your original ecu & then turn around & sell the spiffy "performance" unit on eBay for additional change.***

 

I did actually get the original ECU back, and they did put the performance ECU in. I actually trust this dealer. They have been in business for 30 years, are a very small personal shop and are generally known to do excellent work. They were only too happy to take the bike back to work to get it right. Every time I've mentioned putting a PCIII on, they insist that it's not necessary and that the bike can be tuned properly without it (although I now have my doubts).

 

My concern is that since the vast majority of their service and performance tuning is done on Ducati's and Augusta's, that they are setting up the V11 incorrectly with regards to the CO setting.

[Tom M]

I read somewhwere on the web (here?) that their are 2 different part numbers for the Ti kits, one for '02 and earlier bikes and one for the later bikes with the front crossover. Maybe you got the wrong one for your '04? Hopefully someone with the real info or a Guzzi accessories catalog will chime in.

 

I'll post the part number for my '02 Ti ECU sometime soon so you can see if the part numbers are the same.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I read somewhwere on the web (here?) that their are 2 different part numbers for the Ti kits, one for '02 and earlier bikes and one for the later bikes with the front crossover. Maybe you got the wrong one for your '04? Hopefully someone with the real info or a Guzzi accessories catalog will chime in.

 

I'll post the part number for my '02 Ti ECU sometime soon so you can see if the part numbers are the same.

 

 

I was wondering the same thing. Perhaps it is the wrong year ECU. I actually thought as I was driving it, that since it ran better with the stock ECU, that maybe it wasn't right.

 

I appreciate the help.

 

Thanks,

 

Doug

[grossohc]

I thought it was a plug in and play, i installed my ti cans and the ecu and there was a noticable difference straight away (for the good).

Gary

[Ballabio Bertie]

Yeah,but they still look wonky.......give em to me Gary.... PS are you STILL on holiday?

[waspp]

I read somewhwere on the web (here?) that their are 2 different part numbers for the Ti kits, one for '02 and earlier bikes and one for the later bikes with the front crossover. Maybe you got the wrong one for your '04? Hopefully someone with the real info or a Guzzi accessories catalog will chime in.

 

I'll post the part number for my '02 Ti ECU sometime soon so you can see if the part numbers are the same.

 

 

Yea that is correct, I forgot about that, 03 is a different setup. Also note the race ECU is just a stock ecu flashed at the factory with appropriate software, some race ecu's have other bike ID's on the sticker any 15m could be used so they reflashed what they had. Who knows maybe luigi fell asleep at the switch when yours came through.

[grossohc]

Yeah,but they still look wonky.......give em to me Gary.... PS are you STILL on holiday?

Yup till tuesday just enough time to clean the bike after the scottish rally, I might have to ask Martin Barret for some cleaning tips

Gary

[VA Sean]

I thought it was a plug in and play, i installed my ti cans and the ecu and there was a noticable difference straight away (for the good).

Gary

 

Man, did this thread pop up at an opportune time.

I have reserved Sunday morning for putting on the Ti cans and ecu on my bike -- I am completely hamfisted, but have been assured by people with wrenching skills that I can do this myself... the concern is if something is "off" and I need to adjust valves or balance throttle bodies... that's definitely above my pay grade.

I hope I have the same luck as grossohc!

 

[WitchCityBallabio]

I just spoke with the shop. They say the bike is ready and is running great. I will see when I get there. I would bet you, that the ECU was not really the right one and they had to fiddle a bit and enrichen it a bit. We'll see.

 

On the other hand VA Sean, mine did not run that great with the performance ECU when I first plugged it in, but ran decent with the original. If you have the same problem I had (which you probably won't), just put the stock ECU back in.

 

The can installation itself is a breeze. I'm sure you won't have any problem with it.

 

I'd still be curious to hear what CO other folks found to be optimal with this set up.

[VA Sean]

I just spoke with the shop. They say the bike is ready and is running great. I will see when I get there. I would bet you, that the ECU was not really the right one and they had to fiddle a bit and enrichen it a bit. We'll see.

 

On the other hand VA Sean, mine did not run that great with the performance ECU when I first plugged it in, but ran decent with the original. If you have the same problem I had (which you probably won't), just put the stock ECU back in.

 

The can installation itself is a breeze. I'm sure you won't have any problem with it.

 

I'd still be curious to hear what CO other folks found to be optimal with this set up.

I'll definitely put up a post (and maybe pics) of my frustrations!

As with most things in my life my kit is missing the bracket/hangers that attach the cans and passenger pegs, so I am going to attempt to go with the stock ones (should put the Ti cans in the lower position whcih is actually what I want, because I also want to put on H&B bags so I can do some touring)... if that doesn't work - I am f'ed because two of the most reliable sources have told me that not only do these things not exist... there isn't even a PART # for it... so I would have to go to a machine shop and have it fabbed.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I mounted mine on the original rear peg brackets. No problem. Or did you mean the brackets that replace the original rear footpeg assembly, or are you talking about the straps that wrap around the cans and then attach to that bracket?