2005 Ducati S4R tuning question

[ajohnsto]

Hi, I have a new to me 2005 S4R and I had a couple of questions on tuning.  The bike was purchased with a PC III installed on it (I'm not sure if its a custom map or a downloaded one) and the bike has some driveability issues.  It currently has the stock airbox with K&N filter and a full Arrow exhaust.  At constant throttle openings 25mph / 35mph constant speed it surges / almost feels like its slightly missing.  I am also getting a miss / surge at constant 4100 rpm as well as lower RPM's.  I was wondering if it is possible to tune the lower rpm ranges with the PC or does it require a DP ECU for adjustment?  I know the bike likes to be ran at 4k + rpm but after riding a friends S4R his does not stutter at the lower RPM ranges at all.    

Also I am curious what the difference between the new / virgin flash DP ECU's / used units are?  With the dealership have the ability to redo a used ECU or am I better off purchasing a new / virgin flash unit?  

I would like to get the bike running as smoothly as possible and in its current state it is not that fun to try and ride at city speeds.  Acceleration / highway driving is fine but at the lower speeds it sounds / drives like it is missing.  Its almost embarrassing to be driving at 25-30 mph on such a nice bike and have it sound like it is sputtering down the road.  Any help is appreciated.

[JohnnyCanuck]

I've had the same symptoms with my '04 S4R on two different occasions and both times a new set of plugs fixed the problem.  Last time I went with irridiums and the problem has yet to come back.  With small throttle openings under 4000rpm it would miss; above 4000 it was fine and accelerating(large throttle openings) it ran fine.  I had no starting problems and it was fine at idle.  The first time I replaced the standard plugs and it cleared up, next year same problem so I replaced the plugs with irridiums, and it's been fine now for 2 years.  Hope this helps.

[akmnstr]

I have a 2004 S4R with the same problems.  I haven't found a solution but I'll give the spark plugs a try.  My bike has a power commander and tuning it on a dyno didn't help. 

[ajohnsto]

The new spark plugs did not change anything on my bike.  I am thinking about getting the cams degreed and possibly purchasing a DP Ecu (I have been told it not only adds fuel at lower RPM's but it also changes the ignition timing.

[brad black]

the dp ecu on a 2005 s4r has the same adjustability as the std ecu - the idle trimmer.  both are open loop.  the mapping will vary, but in my experience it's leaner in places and richer in others.  one of my customers bikes runs worse at low rpm and throttle with the dp ecu than the original ecu if set up on the lean side to stop it using a heap more fuel.  with the idle mixture at 5% CO it uses more fuel and isn't as responsive.

haven't had a look at the spark maps that i can recall, but while they may be different different is not always better or righter or wronger.

it should run ok-ish with a std ecu anyway if the baseline and general tune are right.  and if you have a pc3 then it just needs to be remapped.  doing all the baseline stuff, fuel filter, injector cleaner and any extra stuff (cam timing) should be done before having it remapped.  but you have the hardware to make it fine.

[EEL]

I'm going to be blunt. You're wasting your money if you get a DP ecu since you already have a PCIII. It does the exact same thing as a power commander on your bike. That said, the DP has less adjustability. Get it dynoed by a reputable dealer in your area. hell you could probably dyno it normally 3 times for the price of one DP ecu.

that said, its better to get a custom ADVANCED Map for your S4R. This has closer RPM increments. Also get a multi-table map. That means individual custom settngs per cylinder.

Even an advanced multi-table map is going to be less than half the price of a DP ECU.

[ajohnsto]

Thanks for the replies, I am going to call my local dealer tomorrow and see when they could fit me in for setting the cam timing and an advanced map.  I will keep you all posted.

[El_HOMBRE_PERRO]

What power commander are you using for your s4r?
Thanks!

[ducpainter]

What power commander are you using for your s4r?
Thanks!

This is a 5 year old thread.

Most of the thread participants have moved on. I think EEL still comes to play.