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Reprogramming the GL1800 ECU

64K views 223 replies 78 participants last post by  Gigantor 
#1 ·
Just wanted to let you all know, that I'm working with a vendor that has now succesfully downloaded the contents of a 2006 GL1800 ECU and he has the ability to modify it and reload it. The goal will be to modify the fuel and possibly the timing maps to get more power out of the engine. He will eventually need some volunteer bikes to put on his dyno and do some tuning on so he can develop maps for the bike. We hope to also get a 2012/13 ECU to test as well. At this time, we suspect this will not be possible on the earlier model bikes due to the design of the ECU. I'll keep you posted on further developments. It looks like this will open up some interesting possibilities. Stay tuned..
 
#207 ·
Will the ECM reflash cure the surging idle problem that sometimes occurs after a period of using and riding the bike??? It doesn't happen all the time on my 09 Level III, but when it does it is quite annoying... I have done the ECM initialization a few times as described in another post on this forum, and that usually helps for a while, but it doesn't seem to last...

Les
 
#208 ·
OK, I went back and found that my year model is not capable! To bad for me but, mine is fine with me.
Dontcha just hate it when that happens?
 
#209 ·
Would it be possible to buy a second ECM and install the tune on it, leaving my stock ECM stock? I know some chevy car guys that are trying to do it with there cars but are finding their ECM's are vin locked. Those ECM's are a lot more advanced than the wing (flash counters and all kinds of tricks to catch after market tunes). I wouldn't think it would be a problem for the wing but maybe someone smarter than me knows for sure?
 
#210 ·
Would it be possible to buy a second ECM and install the tune on it, leaving my stock ECM stock? I know some chevy car guys that are trying to do it with there cars but are finding their ECM's are vin locked. Those ECM's are a lot more advanced than the wing (flash counters and all kinds of tricks to catch after market tunes). I wouldn't think it would be a problem for the wing but maybe someone smarter than me knows for sure?
Welcome to the forum. Its been 3 years I know but Im glad you are part of it:thumbup:
 
#211 ·
Would it be possible to buy a second ECM and install the tune on it, leaving my stock ECM stock? I know some chevy car guys that are trying to do it with there cars but are finding their ECM's are vin locked. Those ECM's are a lot more advanced than the wing (flash counters and all kinds of tricks to catch after market tunes). I wouldn't think it would be a problem for the wing but maybe someone smarter than me knows for sure?
I know several who have replaced their faulty ECM's (an erroneous sensor code fault, is usually a bad ECM)..
.. Based on that, I'd say it is very probable to reflash a spare ECM.

Dennis
 
#214 ·
I know several who have replaced their faulty ECM's (an erroneous sensor code fault, is usually a bad ECM)..
.. Based on that, I'd say it is very probable to reflash a spare ECM.

Dennis
We already have reflashed a spare ECM and I have used it in my bike. Works fine.
 
#215 ·
We already have reflashed a spare ECM and I have used it in my bike. Works fine.
..Good to know!

Q.
Any more speculation regarding a dual map mode?
The ECM already has a normal and limp home "mode" (i realize one is open loop and the other is not)... Hoping that could be morphed into a normal and performance map?

Dennis
 
#219 ·
Why?

Just wanted to let you all know, that I'm working with a vendor that has now succesfully downloaded the contents of a 2006 GL1800 ECU and he has the ability to modify it and reload it. The goal will be to modify the fuel and possibly the timing maps to get more power out of the engine..
Strikes me as very odd that Honda would intentionally and deliberately choose not to maximize the performance of this machine, which is already a stellar performer. Could it be that Honda already knows that "getting more power out of the engine" would compromise desirable things such as tractibility, driveability, and other characteristics that make the Goldwing what it is, the best touring bike on the market?

The marketing opportunities for added horsepower for the GL1800 would be quite attractive to Honda, and if they decided against doing it, IMO, there must be compelling reasons why not.
 
#220 ·
Strikes me as very odd that Honda would intentionally and deliberately choose not to maximize the performance of this machine, which is already a stellar performer. Could it be that Honda already knows that "getting more power out of the engine" would compromise desirable things such as tractibility, driveability, and other characteristics that make the Goldwing what it is, the best touring bike on the market?

The marketing opportunities for added horsepower for the GL1800 would be quite attractive to Honda, and if they decided against doing it, IMO, there must be compelling reasons why not.
You have to understand that passing EPA certification is one of the main driving forces behind the way all modern engines are tuned. You can't tune an engine for both max performance and minimuim emmisions. You have chose one over the other. This is why there is still some performance that can be gained by retuning the engine.
 
#221 ·
Strikes me as very odd that Honda would intentionally and deliberately choose not to maximize the performance of this machine, which is already a stellar performer. Could it be that Honda already knows that "getting more power out of the engine" would compromise desirable things such as tractibility, driveability, and other characteristics that make the Goldwing what it is, the best touring bike on the market?

The marketing opportunities for added horsepower for the GL1800 would be quite attractive to Honda, and if they decided against doing it, IMO, there must be compelling reasons why not.
Altho I have routinely increased the power of several of my vehicles, both motorcycle and cage ... I think the answer to your question is pretty clear.

Manufacturers are not interested in maxing out the power of their motors. This would cause more premature detonations, warranty issues and reduced reliability.

Now, that said, I don't think the 'tuners' are maxing out the motor's potential either. That would not be productive. This is not Formula One (which has back tracked on this as well since they need to use the motors more than once).

Remapping, retuning, tweaking the ECU is an interesting and good thing to do if done properly, IMO. I look forward to doing so with a new Wing iteration that is on order. Bolder is always better within limits. :)
 
#223 ·
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