PCV+AT vs Dobek

[Claviger]

There are things you can't adjust in the PC-V that you can in TB or TuneECU.

I am on TuneECU again, custom 8K rpm version. Honestly I don't adjust it much, just set it to my base tune and refine in PCV these days.

Dobeck does work, is easy, and will get it pretty close. If your not after every pony or every mpg it's probably fine.

 

[barbagris]

IMHO Load based tuning is bollocks, to put it nicely. I have to admit, I personally don't like the dobeck. The marking turns me off, the "its so simple a cave man could do it" attitude is an instant warning sign to me. The days of carbs are gone, and I dislike when companies try to overly simplify the complexity that is EFI by giving you a single knob, button, and gauge, expecting you to trust the software.

There - I was hoping you'd chirp in. I wanted somebody else to be the "Anti-Dobeck" first this time. Look for my older posts - where I was less subtle. There is simply too much SMOKE AND MIRRORS on the Dobeck site. I was in technical marketing too long to allow wool to be pulled over my eyes.

IMO - simply - the PCV family is a professional toolbox (esp when used alongside TuneECU etc. The Dobeck is not. And as for "as simple as carb tuning" - Carb tuning is not and never was simple - done correctly. I hate electronics (it's borne of a life working with it) - but once studied a bit the twiddling is easier, simpler and much much more precise than carbs.

Mindset wise - it's a bit like LINUX vs WINDOWS.

PCV trim commitment. BE VERY CAREFUL with the low TPS and RPM values. The "corrected" values can drop very very low. I turn off AT for certain TPS/RPM values.

I keep thinking about the display box/logger for the PCV - but honestly not sure it's worth the effort. Rob?

I would also REALLY like to see a comparison of benefits vs hours spent twixt Dobeck, PCV and the Boosterplug. Whilst I really don't know - my gut tells me the Boosterplug may well be fine for the majority of folk just doing inlet/zorst swaps.

**** - I wish I had access to a Dyno though. There is, tbh, one that's close but the "tuner" has a REALLY bad rep' for blowing engines.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

As you all know I am a fan of the Dobeck Performance AFR Plus because it is simple, easy to use and VERY effective at achieving the desired goal of gaining power, performance variables and economy all in one. Reading all the responses here a thought has occurred to me. Many of you guys that like PCV are very technically inclined. It seams to me you folks really like the PCV because it can do so very many things. You have to be a technophile to use it, but what it can do is amazing. On the other hand the Dobeck achieves "almost the same thing" with its simple to use interface. You get 3 zones of AFR control and the extra punch is very satisfying. The Dobeck is much less expensive. Dobeck offers a $25 discount to forum members and a $75 discount to military personnel or retired. If you want it simple, go with Dobeck. If you are a technophile, go with the PCV.

 

[blip]

Thanks for all the help guys.
Everyone's posts were super helpful and I hope this thread is helpful to others as well.
As for my plans ......... I am definitely a tehnophile (I miss linux, love tweaking things, desire more control) so based on all the thoughts, including your last one Idaho which really put it into perspective, I'm going to crack open the wallet and go with PCV.

There was another thread with a recommendation to buy from motomummy, the PCV + AT was only 509 with free shipping and for some reason no tax so that makes it less of a cost burden.

Reading more on the website it seems that even with PCV you need the ignition control module to advance ignition timing. I am right in assuming that TuneECU does all that, and there is no need for PC's ignition control module.

 

[Claviger]

You are correct there, no reason at all for ignition module unless your using the quick shifter, spray or forced induction.

The display, the POD-300 has a few uses. You can wire in speed and engine temp and map data to your PCV. The screen can display four data points at once and has 3 selectable display configure with a quick press for up to 12 gauges.

It also has control of the "in-field" adjustment points built into PCV, so if your running lean or rich at some point you can easily go in and add or remove fuel until you can get to a computer and do it in the table as a safety measure.

With Map data, TPS, rpm, and AFR datalogged you can now tune your L tables in the ECU if you know how . Also, POD-300 datalogging is vastly superior to any other solution I've seen that interfaces with the ECU. ECU datalogging has a really bad report rate of like 1-2 datapoints a second compared to the PCV stuff, which logs at like 10-20 datapoints per second.

 

[blip]

Is there any datalogging built into the PCV? If not the value of the pod seems clear

 

[Claviger]

None that I'm aware of.

 

[barbagris]

Is there any datalogging built into the PCV? If not the value of the pod seems clear

Nope - And now Rob's explained the sampling rate of the POD - I'm off to raid a piggy-bank. I was just about to ask him "offline" about the POD. Detailed logs - paradise.

Most OBD logging is cyclic and depends on WHAT (how much) you log. It can easily (ime) drop to less than one datapoint per second.
So not much granularity of data for a 6s 1/4 mile run.

Rob - do you use the map/gear option?. I have found it helps keep the averaging algorithms at bay.

 

[blip]

Alright ..... pod it is.
Can't drop another 400 CAD just yet ... maybe I'll find a deal at laconia bike week.

 

[Claviger]

I do use by gear.

For better pricing try rockymountainatv and sportbiketrackgear as well as mototummy. They vary in who is cheapest.