Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: theAmazingKickstand on January 11, 2014, 07:28:44 PM
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Last night right after work I drained the oil but had no time to re- fill.
Today I removed the butterflies and install my PC5 from FuelMoto (pre-mapped to missing butterflies and Two Brothers pipe)
Go to finish oil change and realize I'm out of filters so now I don't even know if it'll start. Will have to get a filter on Sunday or just re-fill.
Removing the tank was the hardest part. The butterflies were surprisingly easy but I had the correct screw driver/bit and found it easier to use a ratchet wrench; still a bit nerve wrecking getting the screws but a magnet does wonders. No need to heat anything at all.
My left side plastics now fit much better also which is a little disappointing.
That's all I've got. Who's been stranded due to their PowerCommander? ;D
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The butterflies were surprisingly easy but I had the correct screw driver/bit and found it easier to use a ratchet wrench; still a bit nerve wrecking getting the screws but a magnet does wonders. No need to heat anything at all.
That's all I've got. Who's been stranded due to their PowerCommander? ;D
Yup...butterflies aren't bad at all if you're half-way handy. I've removed several sets now with Phillips bits and no heat, and no problems. I use a dab of light duty Loctite when re-installing.
I've never had a problem with a power commander on any bike, but I always hear people say that they are unreliable. I don't know...maybe I just have good luck.
I think a clean installation is very important. Make sure all cables, leads, and wires are kink free and mounted tightly. Make sure the wires are NOT against any metal edges where they might chafe through, and make sure the PC itself is mounted tightly with no room to move or rattle. Finally, make sure you have a GOOD ground. At least if you do all of these things, you'll remove any self-inflicted problems.
I've seen PC's just stuffed under the seat on people's bikes with the wires bent and loose all over the place. Removed an old PCIII from a poorly running ZX12R last summer and found two wires that had worn through and were shorting out. It's cases like this where people curse the Power Commander, when in reality it would have been just fine had it been installed correctly.
YMMV,
Rem
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OK....It was totally worth it. ;D
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:thumbs:
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on my ZX14 I grounded to the water bottle bolt per instructions. HUGE mistake, flaky ground. Corrected that and all was well
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Several people back in the early days of the PC V. The PC III seemed to be solid but the PC V went through a period of units failing shortly after being installed. The problem seems to have gone away so it would seem that maybe there was a bad initial production run so something similar?
As Steve already said, whatever you do, do not follow the instructions and use the coolant recovery bottle mounting screw as the ground. Do not use any fastener as a conductor that is anchoring plastic because the only electrical contact is through the threads and the underside of the fastener's head. Always use a screw attached to all- metal, preferably something on the frame if possible.
Brian
Last night right after work I drained the oil but had no time to re- fill.
Today I removed the butterflies and install my PC5 from FuelMoto (pre-mapped to missing butterflies and Two Brothers pipe)
Go to finish oil change and realize I'm out of filters so now I don't even know if it'll start. Will have to get a filter on Sunday or just re-fill.
Removing the tank was the hardest part. The butterflies were surprisingly easy but I had the correct screw driver/bit and found it easier to use a ratchet wrench; still a bit nerve wrecking getting the screws but a magnet does wonders. No need to heat anything at all.
My left side plastics now fit much better also which is a little disappointing.
That's all I've got. Who's been stranded due to their PowerCommander? ;D
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They must've changed instructions because the picture states to ground it to the side cover bolt, just like their video for ZX14 installation.
I took my time and did a very clean install with no kinks or tight spots or anything.
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They probably did, which is great. I am going by very old instructions from back when a PC V was still a PC III (I got mine before PC V's were even available). :-)
Brian
They must've changed instructions because the picture states to ground it to the side cover bolt, just like their video for ZX14 installation.
I took my time and did a very clean install with no kinks or tight spots or anything.
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They must've changed instructions because the picture states to ground it to the side cover bolt, just like their video for ZX14 installation.
I took my time and did a very clean install with no kinks or tight spots or anything.
It's about time they did (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol8.gif)
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So, what gains are to be had by installing the pc5?
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So, what gains are to be had by installing the pc5?
Power wheelies ;D
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Grow hair? If so, I'm adding one immediately!
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Grow hair? If so, I'm adding one immediately!
OMG- if it grew hair, I would but one even faster than immediately. The minoxidil isn't keeping up anymore.
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Grow hair? If so, I'm adding one immediately!
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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So, what gains are to be had by installing the pc5?
The fueling is set for optimal performance/correct burn rather than emissions. In return my bike is much much much smoother all around and all things being equal the engine will wear less over time.
....and power wheelies, but I think removing those stupid butterflies had the most to effect on that feature.
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Have Power Commanders and flies out on both the ZG and ZX-14. Instant power with the flies out and smoother running at the top end with a PC-5 on both bikes. Also smoothed out a dip in the power curve around 6,000 rpm with the Concours. A K and N or BMC air filter also helps in the air box.
I use the FuelMoto maps as well and those guys really know their stuff. Great maps and they provided both a power and economy map that can be set into the PC-5. The economy map makes about a 5 mpg (real world) difference in fuel economy. The additional miles start to add up fast if you are long distance touring . I added a round switch for the PC-5 on the left side of the dash (to change maps on the fly) as it matches the power plug on the right.
Strongly advise however that the PC-5 ground be very solid. Most of the trouble I have seen is directly related to a bad ground wire or shorting of the system due to a shoddy installation.
As a suggestion, you can mount the PC-5 on the air induction tube on the left side with a couple of zip ties. Works well, is solid and you can access it if you need to reprogram the PC-5 with new maps without having to remove tupperware. Plus keeps most of the wiring out of the possible chafing points.
Enjoy the ride.
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No problems here with the PC-5 or the auto-tune wideband feeding it... Good stuff!
Its amazing the power capability that is hidden by Mother Kawasaki. I have the Area P full system, ZX-14 throttle body with the flies removed and the shaft thinned down plus a K&N. Mine will carry the front wheel in 2nd to the redline, its so much more fun to ride this way.
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No problems here with the PC-5 or the auto-tune wideband feeding it... Good stuff!
Its amazing the power capability that is hidden by Mother Kawasaki. I have the Area P full system, ZX-14 throttle body with the flies removed and the shaft thinned down plus a K&N. Mine will carry the front wheel in 2nd to the redline, its so much more fun to ride this way.
Where is the "Like" button!! Are those ZX14TBs awesome, or what ;D ;D Won't grow hair, but it will enlarge the testicles 8)
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No problems here with the PC-5 or the auto-tune wideband feeding it... Good stuff!
Its amazing the power capability that is hidden by Mother Kawasaki. I have the Area P full system, ZX-14 throttle body with the flies removed and the shaft thinned down plus a K&N. Mine will carry the front wheel in 2nd to the redline, its so much more fun to ride this way.
What percentage settings in terms of correction/variation did you set your auto-tune at?
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is the ZX-14 throttle body really worth it in your opinion. Any one ever dyno to see for sure?
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is the ZX-14 throttle body really worth it in your opinion. Any one ever dyno to see for sure?
Yes. Worth it, 161.5 RWHP for Silverdammit and another got 165. There is more there looking at the peak power plateau. Not a ZX, but inching closer. Close to a %20 gain over stock real world numbers. More at the link.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13869.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13869.0)
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Yes. Worth it, 161.5 RWHP for Silverdammit and another got 165. There is more there looking at the peak power plateau. Not a ZX, but inching closer. Close to a %20 gain over stock real world numbers. More at the link.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13869.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13869.0)
I am already at 161.3 with PC5 and autotune with full AreaP and flies out. I dont know if it would be worth my time to go with the bigger TB's
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I am already at 161.3 with PC5 and autotune with full AreaP and flies out. I dont know if it would be worth my time to go with the bigger TB's
Maybe-the power band was so wide at the top end, that was the biggest difference on the track, mad pull with no surge. If someone fabbed up a different set of snorkles and added velocity stacks I see plenty more in the motor. Call me insane but I bet there is another 15 RWHP without a cam swap. I wonder what other motor out there is so detuned as the C14??? A stock C14, roughly 134 RWHP, full pipe and a tune nets 27ish RWHP gain? Not that it matters, I wonder what the gain is at the crank.
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I am already at 161.3 with PC5 and autotune with full AreaP and flies out. I dont know if it would be worth my time to go with the bigger TB's
Exactly. Dropping ten pounds would be a lot cheaper and net better results.
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I am installing the PC5 this week. with two brother exhaust.. then off to a dyno tune.
I am thinking about removing the flies. I heard that you may get a surging issue. Has anyone experienced that? Also would ther be a difference between an 08-09 versus a 10+ when removing the flies?
I have an 2009.
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I am installing the PC5 this week. with two brother exhaust.. then off to a dyno tune.
I am thinking about removing the flies. I heard that you may get a surging issue. Has anyone experienced that? Also would ther be a difference between an 08-09 versus a 10+ when removing the flies?
I have an 2009.
Absolutely not...if anything it smoothens out everything just perfectly! Seeing you are going to have dyno time, it's the perfect oppertunity. Go for it, you won't be dissapointed! :)