07 Bulldog S&S VFI replaced with a Thundermax Autotune System

[Nomad2day]

Had enough of the proprietary BDM single band map and software in the Bulldog and relying on them to look at the bike to troubleshoot it or make any updates.
I have had a Thundermax Auto tune ECM installed into my bike which is a wide band system with so much more to offer. Bike is fully tunable on it's own now and the end user has access to the mapping, diagnostics's and able to monitor the system. Even continues to tune under wide open operations. I have the Thundermax ECM and the separate autotune module mounted due to the area to work in. They do sell a self contained wideband autotune ECM as well.
The bike cranks instantly and smoothly now and is not coughing through the throttle body anymore. It has been a night and day difference in performance from the time it was installed. The software is friendly and easy to navigate. Change a part out and let it learn on it's own. Look at the changes it has made from the base map. Save the mapping at intervals if you wish and have the ability to troubleshoot your system.
I am very impressed with the system so far and with Thunderhearts expertise and help. :2thumbs:
As time allows, I will post some how too's and screenshots of what is available to the user.
Neil

 

[lee]

sounds good Neil

 

[Raywood]

 

[Nomad2day]

Bike is awesome and a day and night difference. Runs cooler and will snatch you off the bike if you nail it. The system is a direct replacement.
Bolted it on with a base map forced the fuel to a 13-1 while the wide band learns and made a dyno pull for a base line until the 2-1 R&B Racing pipe comes in and it made 113hp and 139 tq. Made 130tq at 1500 rpms.

No need for tuning anymore because it will learn with any change you do.....You can keep it fat while it learns and then write the new settings over.
Comes with the full smart link software. Full diagnostics and all the typical waranty info displayed as well...ie time at what RPM, temperatures and rev hits. Everything is available for tuning at your finger tips. You can do data monitoring as well and play it back.
If any of you EFI guys want to ride this beast and check out the difference let me know and I will see if we can hook up.
This is the shitttttttt........
Neil in Tenn

 

[Nomad2day]

I need to take a moment and thank those responsible for making this modification happening. Jason and Keith at Thunderheart Performance.

Thunderheart Performance took my bike in as a project bike to see about installing the wide band system in place of the single band OEM supplied system at my request.
Thunder Heart Performance Corp
I want everybody to know that they were most professional and awesome to deal with. Jason in engineering, is who I contacted and met me after email discussions on what I would like to accomplish. They were excited about getting a 07 Big dog bike to see what they could do with it. We were hit and miss over the months due to the mechanical modifications I was trying to get accomplished before I turned the bike over to them.

After meeting up with Jason and Keith at the Thunderheart facility, I told them I was interested in installing one of the Thunderheart 60mm single piece throttle bodies and air cleaner to go along with the Thundermax wide band system. We had to dog this off due to a clearance issue on the air filter housing being in the way of your knee. The S&S throttle body backing plate is recessed to give so clearance and the 60mm was somewhat longer as well. I think I will have to fabricate a backing plate to do this modification in the near future though.

Jason and his tech "Keith" work many hours trying to make all this come together but we ended up doing the wide band install anyway. It is pretty much a plug and play swap now for those that may want to follow in this path and the rewards are many. You know you want too...

Even today Jason follows up on what has been done because he is a biker tuning guru that loves what he does.
Jason and Keith are located in Nashville or White house TN at the Thunderheart Performance factory.
Product List

If you have given thought of wanting more out of your bike and not having a BDM proprietary map that only they can adjust or wanting to make changes in pipes or other modifications on your bike, the Thundermax system will adjust on it's own and make it a seamless install. I wanted to have control of my bike and be able to make it what I wanted it to be, not just another BDM Bulldog of the assembly line. Enough depending on shops that have no clue and having to call corporate to hook up on the computer and tell them what to check.......
Thunderheart already makes some of the items in your Big Dog and now for the EFI guys thay can give it a heart that thumps....
Check out there web site and products and drop Jason a line if you want some support for your EFI bikes. No need to settle for second rate stuff. You pay for it and should be in control of your destiny especially when it is paid for...:2thumbs:
Neil in Tenn

 

[Grape-Ape]

Sounds like the Dog has come alive!!! Mine s*&t the bed this weekend with some electrical malfunction in the middle of a poker run.. Good to hear that the Thundermax worked out for ya.. PM me with a phone # please, I am interested in picking your brain a little over a cold beverage when you get a chance...

 

[Nomad2day]

Sounds like the Dog has come alive!!! Mine s*&t the bed this weekend with some electrical malfunction in the middle of a poker run.. Good to hear that the Thundermax worked out for ya.. PM me with a phone # please, I am interested in picking your brain a little over a cold beverage when you get a chance...

Done deal...PM sent
Neil

 

[PhillyBulldog]

Neil,

I just read your post regarding the replacement ThunderMax EFI module. Any additional feedback on operation or compatibility issues with your BDM Bulldog?

Thx.

 

[Nomad2day]

Neil,

I just read your post regarding the replacement ThunderMax EFI module. Any additional feedback on operation or compatibility issues with your BDM Bulldog?

Thx.

PhillyBulldog,
There has been no issues at all except for a smoother, cooler running bike making great power all across the rpm ranges. Easy to navigate the software and never a reason to have anyone tune your bike again.
It is like a new bike, day and night difference.
I have the bike torn down at the moment to do a 10K service, winter stuff and maintenance.
Email me offline and I will tell you anything you need to know.
Neil

 

[Guillaume]

Hi Neil
I am new on this site , but work that for al the bigdog bikes.

 

[woodbutcher]

Hi Neil
I am new on this site , but work that for al the bigdog bikes.

only the '07 and up fuel injected bikes

 

[Raywood]

Hi Neil
I am new on this site , but work that for al the bigdog bikes.

See the "How To" section for adjustable ignition if you need it by BDMRidgeback.

:2thumbs:

 

[Mr.rvrluvr]

I am really considering this, if I buy it will it remap itself when I add a bigger cam? How bout if I deck the jugs and port the heads? I am also thinking about doing the total rewire of the bike that gas man did, will this still work with that mod?
I am trying to get the motor to perform the way it is supposed too, and get rid of any tree hugger restrictions

Thanx

 

[Nomad2day]

I am really considering this, if I buy it will it remap itself when I add a bigger cam? How bout if I deck the jugs and port the heads? I am also thinking about doing the total rewire of the bike that gas man did, will this still work with that mod?
I am trying to get the motor to perform the way it is supposed too, and get rid of any tree hugger restrictions

Thanx

Sure it will learn whatever you throw at it. You can look at what has been learned, modify it if you wish and write it as the base map. You can force the fuel to a set point as 13-1 if you wish and on and on...
Very good stuff...
Neil in Tenn

 

[Mr.rvrluvr]

Sure it will learn whatever you throw at it. You can look at what has been learned, modify it if you wish and write it as the base map. You can force the fuel to a set point as 13-1 if you wish and on and on...
Very good stuff...
Neil in Tenn

this sounds great...if I had any idea what your talking about...I need something I can put on and turn the key and ride...I am NOT a tech guru. I would NOT be able to make my own programs. I want to build the motor a bit and change this along with the ECM. I will have someone do the motorwork since I don't have the know how to do this either.

Will this setup still work for me? Or does one need to program it as you go?

 

[lee]

I think what Neil is trying to say rvrluvr is that you can set the air fuel ratio (13:1 means 13 parts air to one part fuel, which is near to optimum mixture) yourself or let the system get on with it. It sounds as though this is the thing for you. Also, don't just assume you can't do this yourself. If you want self tuning products on your bike you might also want to consider the S&S IST ignition system.

 

[Mr.rvrluvr]

I think what Neil is trying to say rvrluvr is that you can set the air fuel ratio (13:1 means 13 parts air to one part fuel, which is near to optimum mixture) yourself or let the system get on with it. It sounds as though this is the thing for you. Also, don't just assume you can't do this yourself. If you want self tuning products on your bike you might also want to consider the S&S IST ignition system.

got it thanx

 

[Nomad2day]

this sounds great...if I had any idea what your talking about...I need something I can put on and turn the key and ride...I am NOT a tech guru. I would NOT be able to make my own programs. I want to build the motor a bit and change this along with the ECM. I will have someone do the motorwork since I don't have the know how to do this either.

Will this setup still work for me? Or does one need to program it as you go?

Lee has got you going in the right direction here......
It really is a plug and play system for the most part. Remove the old ECU and plug in the new one. Take out the single band O2 sensors and screw in the new wide band sensors. The auto tune module is separate from the ECU and you can simply mount it below your EHC module. I made a bracket that used the same studs coming off the EHC. I will post some pics for you later. The map that comes in it is all you really need but it will be learning all the time and any shop can help you out if you choose to dial things in some on your own, but that is the beauty of the system, it will do it on it's own. If you change out your pipes, or put a cam in it will learn what you have and you can tell it to write it in as your base map to learn from. It is more complicated than what I am saying but simple once you understand what has to be done. The bike will run cooler and there is a lot of other features as well. It really is a awesome package.
You could have a good EPA done for you and when you need to do your smog testing load the map and when you get home drop in a performance map. I would have to look at the Thundermax specs and see if it is a 50 state compliant item though. The software has a direct email link where it will send your map to a Thunderheart tech if you have questions and they can look at it for you and make any changes if you need them. Just good stuff.:2thumbs:
Neil

 

[Nomad2day]

Here is the mounting pictures I told you I would get...
This is looking from underneath here. The small rectangular box is the auto tune module. I made a bracket and screwed it into the the module from the top side instead of using the plastic ears on the side as you can see they break. I then drilled two through holes so the EHC mounting hardware would hold both in place and it tucks it under everything nicely. The ECM mounts in the same place as the S&S VFI module. If you were to eliminate the EHC, you could install a new model of the ECM that has the auto tune built into the module. The stand alone auto tune was originally designed to be used on the Harley V-Rod bikes which have limited room also. It is all 1's and 0's in the digital world so it don't make any difference.
Neil

Here is a link that shows how simple a exchange can be and what you can gain. This is on a Harley but it is the same for all practical purposes..

http://www.thunder-max.com/NewsAndEvents/Articles/Hot_Bike-0408-ZIPP.pdf

 

[Marco Polo]

Dynojet makes units identical to this and I used to use a Power Commander III on my previous bike but didn't spring for the auto-tune unit and O2 sensors. I bought my Wolf though because as I understood it the X-Wedge VEFI does exactly that and can retune itself with the same changes we're talking about. I didn't look into it enough to know if the O2 sensors are wide band and if the map range is limited. I wonder if that's actually the case even on the X-Wedge because supposedly it's supposed to be a whole new different VEFI that already has these autotune abilities (minus having access to load your own maps I'm sure).