Two fuel maps, switchable by a toggle? Is this possible?

Is there any way to do this to this generation of motorcycle? I'd love to have a "really good mileage" setting and a "powerful" setting, instead of just relying on vtec. I've been getting 42 just cruising on the highway, but I'll be doing some really long distance touring soon, and I'd like to squeeze every mile I can out of a tank.

I've tried googling for this and haven't gotten any results for the 800, just the 1200. I imagine it would be some kind of mod for the powercommander if anything, or an aftermarked ecu. I haven't seen anything that does this though.

 

With a PCIII you can store different maps on your computer. You would simply connect the PCIII via USB cable to your PC and install whatever map you like on that particular day. However, you'll only have access to one map at a time, so no toggling on the fly. I can tell you that you're not going to get much better than 42mpg regardless. An easier route would be to get a dyno-tuned PCIII for more performance oriented rides, then just disconnect the PCIII when max mileage is your goal.

 

Just some food for thought; it would be interesting to bypass the coolant temp sensor input and substitute two resistors (selectable by toggle) that take its place. Or perhaps use a chassis mount potentiometer for a variable setting. I have no idea how heavily weighed the coolant temp input is, or what RPM range is affected, but it would cause a difference in the A/F ratio.

 

I feel like if I had a tune that was "horrible" for performance, like only 75% as much fuel for the same conditions, I'd use less gas. It'd likely peak at 50 hp or so, but hey, that's plenty for cruising on the highway.

My main concern with the on-the-fly switching is that I could be in "economy" map, and then some crazy guy in a pickup decides he really doesn't like me, or I find a really nice road, I don't want to have to pull over, hook up a laptop, spends some time loading/setting the new map, then leave again.

Also, if someone wants to try riding my motorcycle and they don't have much experience, it'd help prevent insane acceleration. And accidental wheelies.

 

That's an interesting point, I could potentially have a microcontroller fake all the sensor readings to lean out the mixture a bit, or flip a switch and have it go back to exactly what the sensor reads. I imagine the biggest variables in mixture would be o2 sensor, throttle position sensor, and maybe the exhaust o2 sensor.

I might need to rent out some dyno time and play around with these values.

 

You're machine would be running far too lean in that scenario. Engine wear vs. mpg should be an easy decision to make. Besides, no amount of mapping is going to give you 50HP variances at the flip of a switch. In regards to pulling over and connecting a laptop - You wouldn't have to do that if the PCIII is running the performance map, a simple disconnect is all that's required to run the OEM map.

 

I didn't consider that running lean would have wear issues, I suppose that is an easy decision.
I could always make a "touring" map that's stock under the vtech transition, just to keep cruising mpg up. Or tune it and regear it to run at lower rpm. Or lose weight. I guess the two maps might not be the best choice for mileage.

And I didn't know the process, I was just saying that in the annoyingly likely event a car suddenly hates me, I'd have to pull over to get full power.

 

A mate on a GSXR1000k9 had a PC5 installed with custom Dyno map to get rid of his emissions flat spot and make it even more responsive. The byproduct was next trip away instead of getting about the same milage as my VFR every stop he was suddenly down 0.5 a litre per 100kms which also decreased his effective range on country back roads. To overcome this he installed a autotune that works with his PC5 and a handlebar mounted toggle switch to change maps. At this time Mileage wise I'm not sure how effective it is as he hasn't gone away on a Coutry trip since.

 

Yeah, I thought you could do this with the pcV and a toggle switch.

 

From what it looks like, there is no power commander 5 for the vfr yet. At least, not the 2003. Unless there's some way I can get one to work, without it their website listing it.

 

Actually, the PC5 for the 2009 will work on any 6th gen VFR. I have one on my 2003 along with the AUTOTUNE and they work great! You can have two maps and select one or the other with a toggle switch. I don't have two maps 'cause I don't feel I need two. BTW, I have the later (2006+) injectors which flow differently from the earlier ones. The AUTOTUNE has compensated perfectly. Fuel mileage is better, too.

 

That's awesome, how hard were the injectors to put in? Just swap them out or did you have to make some kind of bracket or redo some of the fuel lines or anything? And was it just the injectors, or did you have to replace the ecu or fuel pump or anything else?

 

It's a straight swap as the business ends of the injectors are identical. The differences between pre and post 2006 are the injectors and the ECU. The wiring, fuel pump, pressure regulator and all the rest are the same. If you use the injectors without a power commander or a 2006+ ECU, you will run too lean. You could use a PC3 with the injectors, but you will need a dyno tune to get it right. The AUTOTUNE with the PC5 makes the dyno unneccessary. It's very simple and very cool (but rather pricey).

 

Was at the Parts Unlimited dealers meeting the other day and talked with the Dynojet rep about the PCV working on the bikes older than 2009 and he said that it works on the 02-09 vfr. Just order the part number for the 09 and you are in you can than import a PCIII map in to a PCV commander. The reason they do not list the PCV as working on the older models is because of all the dealers sitting on new PCIII's that would be useless if you could buy the V and get a smaller better package plus the option of autotune which is awesome. The PCV also has the ability to store 2 maps which is changed by the flip of a switch or you can turn on the sutotune with the switch or run a saved map. Hope this helps.