Remapping ECU 2010 GSA

[Balders1450]

Has anyone had their ECU remapped, and if so then what does it ride like?

Hilltop Motorcycles have "tweaked" a few for Rainbow, but I haven't seen any posts about it. There must be someone who's had it done....

The 2010 GSA and the HP2 use the same engine, only difference is in the ECU mapping....HP2 has more top end

GSA...120Nm @ 6000 rpm, 110 hp @ 7750 rpm

HP2..115Nm @ 6000 rpm, 133 hp @ 8750 rpm

I just want more midrange grunt, not top end, so remapping would be a better alternative than spending on a full exhaust system. I know it will be even better if both are done , but it's the expense, plus it should improve the mpg if the right hand doesn't go mad with the extra torque.

So why should I remap my ECU?

When vehicles are distributed throughout the world, manufacturers adopt a one map fits all policy. This one map has to take into account many different factors that are necessary for each export country. Areas such as climate, emissions, fuel quality etc all have to be considered by the manufacturer. What this means is that a vehicle ECU is never optimised for one individual situation.

So how can remapping help

They will actually read your own engine's map file, modify it and then upload it back to the ECU. The company should always take the time to find out your own individual requirements and what you want to achieve from a remap. They will then tailor the map to suit before it is uploaded back to the ECU. By remapping your ECU it is easily possible to release extra power and torque from your engine without any reliability issues. Many owners also report that they have seen improved fuel economy once their engine has been remapped (chipped). Be aware that although many customers experience improved fuel economy, this depends on your own driving style and how heavy your right foot is.

The increase in power and torque that is gained using ECU remapping provides a much smoother drive, with increased flexibility throughout the rev range, allowing for smoother acceleration and better overtaking.

By remapping a normally aspirated engine ECU, you would normally expect to see a 10 - 15% increase in power (bhp) depending on your exact engine specification, and around a 15 - 20% increase in torque (Nm) throughout the rev range. This improves engine response on a lighter throttle.

You will notice an improvement in power and torque right throughout the rev range, along with the possibility of improved fuel economy.


I was concerned regarding the warranty, and was told "even if the bike is "plugged in" at a dealers, they can't tell the ECU has been remapped, it won't show up on their diagnostic equipment"

Thoughts please!

Wapping it's over to you!

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Are you sure they are the same engine? I have done a lot of work on aftermarket car ECU's (magasquirt) and there is no way you can get an extra 22 BHP out of an engine just by changing the map. You can when it has a turbo on it but not normally aspirated and definitely not and stay with in EU emissions that BMW have to do. I reckon there is something else different in the HP2 engine.
Not to say it isnt worth doing though because it is. You don't have to fit in with the emissions that BMW has to so you can tune the fuelling to fill in the holes where BMW have deliberately went lean so they pass.
Who told you they wouldn't be able to tell if you changed the map? I would be surprised if they couldn't, it might not jump out and flash big warnings but it is bound to be logged somewhere. Think about it, its a computer, everything is logged in one way or another.

 

[Balders1450]

Are you sure they are the same engine? I have done a lot of work on aftermarket car ECU's (magasquirt) and there is no way you can get an extra 22 BHP out of an engine just by changing the map. You can when it has a turbo on it but not normally aspirated and definitely not and stay with in EU emissions that BMW have to do. I reckon there is something else different in the HP2 engine.
Not to say it isnt worth doing though because it is. You don't have to fit in with the emissions that BMW has to so you can tune the fuelling to fill in the holes where BMW have deliberately went lean so they pass.
Who told you they wouldn't be able to tell if you changed the map? I would be surprised if they couldn't, it might not jump out and flash big warnings but it is bound to be logged somewhere. Think about it, its a computer, everything is logged in one way or another.

I just found out the HP2 has diff cams, so my original thoughts were wrong!

The guys at Hilltop told me that the dealer wouldn't be able to tell, something to do with firmware? I'm just going on what I have been told!

 

[Schtum]

The guys at Hilltop told me that the dealer wouldn't be able to tell, something to do with firmware? I'm just going on what I have been told!

There are sometimes ways to get round the flash counters on ECUs. However, if BMW release an updated fuel / ignition map and that gets installed when the bike's being serviced, all your good work would be undone.

I don't know how the >'09 DOHC engines respond to decatting but on the earlier ones it's a very effective way of decorking them and getting exactly what you're looking for in the way of mid-range grunt. You would, however, need to have the fuelling remapped - either via a Power Commander or by having the ECU reflashed. The best bet would probably be Power Commander V with the Autotune wideband lambda sensors. That would compensate for any updates to the fuel map by BMW.

 

[Balders1450]

There are sometimes ways to get round the flash counters on ECUs. However, if BMW release an updated fuel / ignition map and that gets installed when the bike's being serviced, all your good work would be undone.

I don't know how the >'09 DOHC engines respond to decatting but on the earlier ones it's a very effective way of decorking them and getting exactly what you're looking for in the way of mid-range grunt. You would, however, need to have the fuelling remapped - either via a Power Commander or by having the ECU reflashed. The best bet would probably be Power Commander V with the Autotune wideband lambda sensors. That would compensate for any updates to the fuel map by BMW.

Wollastons put full Akro on my old 08 GSA at 1st service, it didn't need remapping, the ECU just compensated, and it made the bike come alive, my mate also had it done ( GS ) and now in a side by side blast, both his and my 2010 are the same, the 2010 twin cam is as good as an 08/09 GS with full Akro exhaust, so considering the extra weight of the GSA and with a full tank, its ok, but you always want a little bit more, so changing the exhaust, which weighs a ton, and remapping it should go like the proverbial! Only problem is the cost, so thats why I'm thinking of just remapping.

I emailed Rainbow who have sent a few down for remapping, and Shaun tells me all his customers are very happy with the results, loads more midrange torque, which is what you want in the real world!

 

[Giles]

So Balders, what are they charging for this re-mapping..?

 

[Schtum]

Wollastons put full Akro on my old 08 GSA at 1st service, it didn't need remapping

Oh yes it did.....

the ECU just compensated,

Oh no it didn't..... Well it might have done, up to a point but only when the system was operating in closed-loop mode, not in open-loop which is when it really matters.

 

[skywalker]

Has anyone had their ECU remapped, and if so then what does it ride like?

Hilltop Motorcycles have "tweaked" a few for Rainbow, but I haven't seen any posts about it. There must be someone who's had it done....


Err no they haven't. Some Rainbow customers have had their bikes done by Hilltop but its NEVER been sanctioned Rainbow.
These people have done it off their own bat & brought in their dyno charts to show what they're bikes have acheived on the dyno .
But as any one whose clued up knows that dynos can be manipulated to show what ever they want.
Its wrong for you to suggest that bikes have been done for rainbow!!!!

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I am still doubtfull that they can re-map a BMW, even more doubtfull that a dealer wouldnt be able to tell. I didn't think it could be done yet but then I could be wrong. Are you sure hiltop didn't install and tune one of these http://hilltopmotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?productID=807 .

 

[Balders1450]

Oh yes it did.....



Oh no it didn't..... Well it might have done, up to a point but only when the system was operating in closed-loop mode, not in open-loop which is when it really matters.

Oh no it didn't!

 

[Balders1450]

Has anyone had their ECU remapped, and if so then what does it ride like?

Hilltop Motorcycles have "tweaked" a few for Rainbow, but I haven't seen any posts about it. There must be someone who's had it done....


Err no they haven't. Some Rainbow customers have had their bikes done by Hilltop but its NEVER been sanctioned Rainbow.
These people have done it off their own bat & brought in their dyno charts to show what they're bikes have acheived on the dyno .
But as any one whose clued up knows that dynos can be manipulated to show what ever they want.
Its wrong for you to suggest that bikes have been done for rainbow!!!!

Did I say they had been "sanctioned" by Rainbow NO!

"Hilltop Motorcycles have "tweaked" a few for Rainbow"

Even Rainbow told me they had sent customers to Hilltop, Hilltop themselves told me Rainbow had sent bikes up to them, perhaps he should have said "Rainbow sent customers to me"

I'm so sorry to have caused you distress, next time I post I'll make sure sure I'm out when the thought police come knocking!

 

[Balders1450]

I am still doubtfull that they can re-map a BMW, even more doubtfull that a dealer wouldnt be able to tell. I didn't think it could be done yet but then I could be wrong. Are you sure hiltop didn't install and tune one of these http://hilltopmotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?productID=807 .

It can be done, ring them!

No doubt someone will tell me this is incorrect, but a dealer told me "we can only see the diagnosis side of things not the full map".

 

[Balders1450]

So Balders, what are they charging for this re-mapping..?

£360 ish

 

[Goose]

THIS is what I've been fighting for my bike for over a year!

What it's now come down to is a bike with permanent damage after badly pinging for over 9000km................ so now suddenly BMW's taking notice, but it took a letter to the CEO to get the blokes to take notice!

 

[Schtum]

Oh no it didn't!

Did you have it run on a dyno to check the AFR's....?

 

[Balders1450]

Did you have it run on a dyno to check the AFR's....?

No....
It was under warranty, my dealer changed the exhaust and K & N filter and told me it didn't require any remapping. I ran it for 18,000 miles before changing to 2010 GSA, it ran like a dream!

 

[Balders1450]

THIS is what I've been fighting for my bike for over a year!

What it's now come down to is a bike with permanent damage after badly pinging for over 9000km................ so now suddenly BMW's taking notice, but it took a letter to the CEO to get the blokes to take notice!

What do you mean!

 

[Schtum]

No....
It was under warranty, my dealer changed the exhaust and K & N filter and told me it didn't require any remapping. I ran it for 18,000 miles before changing to 2010 GSA, it ran like a dream!

And you believed the dealer and the fact that it was under warranty made it alright.....

You could fit full systems to '04 - '07 GSes and they weren't dangerously lean; although there's at least one member on here who had his '07 dyno'd and the operator noted that it was dangerously lean. '08 onwards bikes run even leaner as standard.

There's also this common misconception that the ECU will sort it out. It will only do that, as I said previously, when the system is running in closed-loop mode and only then providing the engine's fuelling requirements are within the parameters of the ECU fuel map + trims.

Fitting a full system to an >'07 GS without, at the very least, having it dyno'd is just plain stupid.

 

[Balders1450]

And you believed the dealer and the fact that it was under warranty made it alright.....

You could fit full systems to '04 - '07 GSes and they weren't dangerously lean; although there's at least one member on here who had his '07 dyno'd and the operator noted that it was dangerously lean. '08 onwards bikes run even leaner as standard.

There's also this common misconception that the ECU will sort it out. It will only do that, as I said previously, when the system is running in closed-loop mode and only then providing the engine's fuelling requirements are within the parameters of the ECU fuel map + trims.

Fitting a full system to an >'07 GS without, at the very least, having it dyno'd is just plain stupid.

So... you should agree, but correct me if I'm wrong, regarding my 2010 GSA, having the ECU remapped and dyno'd is the RIGHT way to go?

Which is what I'm going to do.. unless you know a better way?

 

[Schtum]

So... you should agree, but correct me if I'm wrong, regarding my 2010 GSA, having the ECU remapped and dyno'd is the RIGHT way to go?

Which is what I'm going to do.. unless you know a better way?

The downsides to the remapping, as I see them, are that it might at some stage be possible for the dealership or indeed BMW UK to detect this and void any possible future warranty claims. Also, some ECU's have a flash counter which only enables them to be reflashed so many times. I don't know if this is the case with the BMW one. Any future revisions to the OE fuel map would obviously overwrite your custom one. It was certainly the case that there were a number of fuel map revisions to the earlier bikes, although I haven't encountered any on my '09 GS.

As I said, I'd be inclined to fit a Power Commander V with the Autotune wideband lambda sensors which after initial setup on the dyno should enable the bike to constantly remap its fuel requirements on-the-fly. You'd also be able to remove it for servicing or warranty work and sell it to recoup some of the costs when you sell the bike. The initial outlay is, however, likely to be more than the cost of a remap.

I think the important thing is that people who fit full systems, at the very least, have the bike run on the dyno and are prepared to do something to change the fuelling if, as is highly likely, that's necessary. That's why my bike is currently fitted with my Remus can and the headers are languishing in the shed until I fit my Power Commander and book some dyno time.

Let us know what you decide to do and how it works out - I'm interested to know the results.