Powertronic ECU

A

amitjm1980

contributing rider
Joined
Jul 6, 2021
Messages
20
Location
Morristown, NJ USA
Just got the Powertronic installed yesterday on my 2020 Vitpilen 401. Was a pretty smooth install. The harness and connectors look to be OEM quality and the lengths are just right to do a clean installation. Hardest part was the TPS connector since it's in a tight spot, but even that wasn't too bad. Got the TPS calibration done and will take it for a ride later to see how it feels. I didn't do it for more power, I'm hoping it smooths the bike out at lower speeds, plus I'm installing a resonator delete pipe today so wanted to adjust for that as well. My only complaint is they don't really include clear instructions for everything in the box, nor point you to exactly what you need from their website. Everything is in the downloads section of their website though. Steps are as follows:

1. Install system using detailed instructions downloaded from their website for your specific bike. This is more to help with what panels need to come off the bike and for cable routing.
2. Use stock loopback connector to test installation. You need to download and refer to the stock coupler test instructions on their website to know how to read the LEDs on the stock coupler to ensure the installation went ok.
3. Calibrate Throttle position sensor. You need to download the TPS calibration instructions on the website to be able to navigate the software and correctly save the settings.
4. That's all there is.

Two maps come pre-installed that they call Race and Race+ and can be switched via an included coupler that connects to the ECU or via a handlebar switch that you can buy. Per my communication with them, the "Race" map (Map 1) is a better version of the stock map that smooths idle and the engine in low-mid range and adds a bit of power and torque there. The "Race+" map (Map 2) is geared more for high end power, and you can tell when you look at the map data in their software. They offer an "exhaust" map file for download (which includes optimized versions of both Map 1 and Map 2) but they said it's not necessary unless you do a full exhaust including CAT delete and airbox mods. I told them that I have no airbox mods, a slip on and will do a resonator delete, and they said the stock maps already included will be fine. The software by the way is pretty easy to use and tweak if you wanted to get into that. I'll report back after installing the resonator delete and going for some rides to test out both maps more.
 

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chamber delete done!
 

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You can, I'm no expert so if the stock maps run well, I probably won't bother. They are a good starting point though, so if for example you need to solve something like a stalling or popping issue it's probably really easy to do. There is a youtube video I found that shows it in detail. He starts going over Powertronic right about the 10 minute mark, and goes into detail on the software and how to manually adjust the maps. Ignore the fact that the video says for Royal Enfield, the overview is generic and applicable to any bike. I tried linking it here but I guess you aren't allowed.
 
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Took the bike out for the first ride with the Powertronic and chamber delete. I only tried Map 1 but hands down the ECU accomplished what I wanted. The bike is 1000% smoother. Low speed maneuvering is much smoother and there's no more of the slight stutter I was getting when trying to hold speed at higher RPMs. It's not even a question, the results are immediate and obvious. Does it have more power or torque like Powertronic claims? I have no idea, I don't think I'd be able to tell if the bike had a few more HP or a bit more torque anyway, but it certainly doesn't have less. I'm only at 400 miles so I'll wait to ring out Map 2 after break in and the first service.
 
How loud is it like that on the 2020+?

On my '19 I treid the Coffman and chamber delete on my at the same time and before I got half a mile I had enough... and the power tronic wont make it quieter I would think...
 
it's loud. quieter than I expected but still loud. But before it was hard to hear the engine through my helmet, now I can hear it instead of relying on the tach for shifting.
 
I think it’s a matter of taste, I’ve got the Coffman exhaust on a ‘21 without the db killer and absolutely love it. Nice deep sound. Will see how it sounds with the chamber delete when I can get my hands on one from Competition Werkes.
 
amitjm1980 said:
chamber delete done!
Click to expand...

Can you confirm something for me? It seems that the large diameter entry pipe on your delete is needed for the catalytic convertor to slide into. Is that correct?

I went looking for an alternative chamber delete as that one is expensive here in Australia. I found half price alternatives that are slimmer but one of them says the cat has to be cut off.
 
both cats are in the header pipe, on the inlet and outlet. there chamber is only for sound control. you remove the chamber and install the delete pipe. the cats remain inside the header pipe.
 
amitjm1980 said:
Took the bike out for the first ride with the Powertronic and chamber delete. I only tried Map 1 but hands down the ECU accomplished what I wanted. The bike is 1000% smoother. Low speed maneuvering is much smoother and there's no more of the slight stutter I was getting when trying to hold speed at higher RPMs. It's not even a question, the results are immediate and obvious. Does it have more power or torque like Powertronic claims? I have no idea, I don't think I'd be able to tell if the bike had a few more HP or a bit more torque anyway, but it certainly doesn't have less. I'm only at 400 miles so I'll wait to ring out Map 2 after break in and the first service.
Click to expand...
Tested both maps today over 100 miles, couldn't wait for the break-in. The second map feels much more stock at lower RPMs, but once you start ringing out the bike at higher RPMs, it's apparent that it's leaned out for more power up top. Definitely noticeable but only if you are riding fast and hard. I'm going to stick with the first map because it's significantly smoother in the range where I do most riding, and still has plenty of power up top. All in all, I'd highly recommend the Powertronic for the price, quality and performance. The software makes it really easy to tweak your own maps (which I may try soon) too which is a big plus. Really the only area they can improve is including some type of better guide to walk you through the install and post-install steps rather than making you hunt for the info on their website.
 
BISavage said:
Does it plug into the 02 sensor tio
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No, it doesn't, but doesn't need to. The ECU will advance/retard the timing in all areas except closed loop, where the stock ECU uses the O2 sensor. I don't understand EFI systems all that well, but I asked similar questions to powertronic and they told me that on these bikes, closed loop with the O2 sensor will be basically anything less than 25% throttle. In those cases, it will use the stock fuel and ignition maps. Once you exceed approx. 25% throttle, the system goes into open loop (O2 sensor no longer used) and the bike will run only off the stock map plus the additions/subtractions the powertronic makes.
 
Now I am not in the market, but I am curious about the adjustment... do you need a dyno or is it close enough with the generic maps?
 
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