Date:         Sat, 26 May 2012 06:44:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Why no bolt-on HP upgrades to the 2.1 WBX?
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEu+PxP+5gDO8UsXPEKF0McEAC4-fkOHZVdCykm1zFTyqBA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sat, May 26, 2012 at 6:24 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>   If you are going to try to get more power by changing or adding hardware
> you have to  put install an engine management system that is programmable
> to take full advantage of the bolt-on mods, really.
>

  Conversely, when or if you change just the engine controller without
doing much to the hardware,  like you might do if you added a MegaSquirt
only...the net 'gains' aren't that worthwhile for the amount of cash you
are spending.

 Fuel injected motorcycle owners...many of them have 'bought into' a
popular aftermarket 'piggy-back' (Piggy-back systems are integrated to work
in conjunction with your stock Brain and allow for modification of the
engine management parameters) engine managment systems called a "Power
Commander"   Those guys are making a fortune selling em....  There is all
kinds of talk about "tunes" and dyno runs, but the bottom line seems to be
you can change around the powerband, you can sometimes get rid or minimize
'flat-spots' and you almost always decrease fuel economy, but the HP gains
are smallish...considering these devices are pretty costly....

 Now, for those who've upped the compression, enlarged the valves, modded
the exhaust......all the normal Hot Rod hardware mods....these aftermarket
EMSs are effective and necessary...but one without the other....not so much.