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To flash or not to flash

3183 Views 26 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  exalted512
Hey guys just looking for some advice. I'll be taking my 09 zx6r in next month to the shop to have it dyno tuned and I am wondering whether or not its worth it to have it flashed right away also. I put a m4gp slip-on on the bike over the winter and I want to custom tune since it will run alot better, and because Im running a PCv.

The ECU flash is expensive but Im willing to get it, Im just not sure if its worth it for a street bike that probably wont see the track.What are your thoughts?
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I want to flash mine, but it's also a track only bike that I'm trying to squeeze every ounce out of without engine work. For a street bike with the occasional track day, I wouldn't. Spend the money on a track day instead. It'll be a lot better invested. Hell, before I started racing (but after it was a dedicated track bike, but just track days), I wouldn't do it.
-Cody
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flash it, i got almost 125 horsepower out of mine with just a ecu flash, pcv, gutted cats smog block offs and two brother slip on
Absolutely not worth it for street riding, and even less if you can't adjust things.

You'd be better off with a fuel manager and autotune to compensate for changes.

You already have a PCV, just get an autotune and you'll be fine.
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flash it, i got almost 125 horsepower out of mine with just a ecu flash, pcv, gutted cats smog block offs and two brother slip on
if you dont have before and after numbers of just the flash, this doesnt really mean much.
-Cody
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I am in the same boat. Put a graves slip-on on my 2014 636 and have a PC V with the map from graves loaded in it. The bike runs pretty good other than the occasional backfire which makes me think the bike is running a bit rich. Planning on taking the bike to the Dyno end of this month. Wondering whether I should do a Dyno tune / a ECU flash. I am planning on doing about 5 - 10 track days this year.
I am in the same boat. Put a graves slip-on on my 2014 636 and have a PC V with the map from graves loaded in it. The bike runs pretty good other than the occasional backfire which makes me think the bike is running a bit rich. Planning on taking the bike to the Dyno end of this month. Wondering whether I should do a Dyno tune / a ECU flash. I am planning on doing about 5 - 10 track days this year.

Do some research :) Popping has very very little to do with the tune.
OP - if you haven't removed the secondary air system, your dynotune will be exactly as good as burning money.
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I want to flash mine, but it's also a track only bike that I'm trying to squeeze every ounce out of without engine work. For a street bike with the occasional track day, I wouldn't. Spend the money on a track day instead. It'll be a lot better invested. Hell, before I started racing (but after it was a dedicated track bike, but just track days), I wouldn't do it.
-Cody
Yeah thats what I told the shop, that I was thinking about it but that the bike wasnt a track bike. I think thats a really good point not to get it done. I think that answers it for me. What does the autotune do though that the pcv doesnt do? It has to do with adjustments on the fly or something?
flash it, i got almost 125 horsepower out of mine with just a ecu flash, pcv, gutted cats smog block offs and two brother slip on
That really tells us nothing without a base run, the question is how much did you gain over stock, what if your stock run was 122 would you still say it is worth it? Evdry dyno is different peak numbers don't tell us anything especially when a tuner can play with the settings to produce a higher number.

The op is only running a slip on without a gutted header, he is looking at minimal gains at best in hp. With just a slip on like the OP has I don't even know if I would spend the money on a PCV and a tune.
$300 bucks for the reflash is actually pretty good money spent if the person who does the reflash is actually any good.
Guhl is who I have sent numerous ECU's to and had flashed, it is cheap money to get the bike running far closer to how it should.
They will reflash it later for free too (cost of shipping only) if you make changes that require flash changes....sure not as convenient as a power commander, but how many joe squids know how to actually tune properly with the power commander and the like.......
The flash is a "safe" alternative
I have done atleast a dozen C14's through GUHL and a few ZX6's. Not one person yet hasn't noticed a marked improvement.
if you dont have before and after numbers of just the flash, this doesnt really mean much.
-Cody
There is some numbers for ya

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There is some numbers for ya
Must be a Friday 13th joke...

He was saying what is the before and after, not a one run to next run..


But 125 is unrealistic for what you describe, must be a dyno set up to read high, so people get a feel good about a number....
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That really tells us nothing without a base run, the question is how much did you gain over stock, what if your stock run was 122 would you still say it is worth it? Evdry dyno is different peak numbers don't tell us anything especially when a tuner can play with the settings to produce a higher number.

The op is only running a slip on without a gutted header, he is looking at minimal gains at best in hp. With just a slip on like the OP has I don't even know if I would spend the money on a PCV and a tune.

I Bought the bike with a PCV, I would have bought one either way tbh.
And I forgot to say that Jason Farrell from Speed Tech Motorsports in Oshkosh Wisconsin is doing the work so he's legit and knows his stuff well
That really tells us nothing without a base run, the question is how much did you gain over stock, what if your stock run was 122 would you still say it is worth it? Evdry dyno is different peak numbers don't tell us anything especially when a tuner can play with the settings to produce a higher number.

The op is only running a slip on without a gutted header, he is looking at minimal gains at best in hp. With just a slip on like the OP has I don't even know if I would spend the money on a PCV and a tune.

But yeah your right though Smokey, Im not necessarily looking to make huge power gains, as I am looking to correct the air/fuel ratio now that the new slip-on is installed.
OP - if you haven't removed the secondary air system, your dynotune will be exactly as good as burning money.
They'll be doing that when Its tuned. I have the block off plates ready to go
Must be a Friday 13th joke...

He was saying what is the before and after, not a one run to next run..


But 125 is unrealistic for what you describe, must be a dyno set up to read high, so people get a feel good about a number....
Yeah I know he wanted be an after number. I was just showing him the possible end results. And how is 125 unrealistic 2013 has 113 hp stock that's only 12 hp gain they say you can almost get that from a full exhaust while I don't have a full exhaust but I have as close to one as I can get plus a bunch of other mods as well
Absolutely not worth it for street riding, and even less if you can't adjust things.

You'd be better off with a fuel manager and autotune to compensate for changes.

You already have a PCV, just get an autotune and you'll be fine.


ECU flash with Autotune
2009 Kawasaki ZX6R ECU Flashing
Yeah I know he wanted be an after number. I was just showing him the possible end results.
And how is 125 unrealistic 2013 has 113 hp stock that's only 12 hp gain they say you can almost get that from a full exhaust while I don't have a full exhaust but I have as close to one as I can get plus a bunch of other mods as well

Just do a google search or youtube search.........

Your 2013/2014 never started at 113 at the rear wheel, they may have 113-115 with a pipe and proper jetting...

A dyno is just a tool and as a tool it is all about how one sets it up and uses it that matters........
Your little dyno graph is just proving the dyno is set up to read high, very high.. Ultimately giving you or anyone a feel good stroke, but they are not delivering the release.
I suggest any Chinese massage parlor so you can get the happy ending that is not delivered with your graph or results.
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