Reviews on DesmoPorsche/Houston SUperbikes ECU Reflash?

[Artful]

I'm going to have my ECU flashed with DP specs and have the immobilizer deleted as part of a dash swap. I've read many times on this board that lots of folks have had their bikes flashed by the folks at Desmo Porsche (now Houston Superbikes) successfully and that is currently my plan as well.

I've also heard a number of folks that have had issues with fried ECUs, bad maps, and being without a bike for weeks even months.

Now I know how the internet works and how to filter through hearsay, so I'd like to get a few preferably firsthand experiences on how the flash worked for you. Secondhand info is okay, but if it gets to be "my third cousin's sister's husband had it done and the bike caught on fire and killed their dog" then please by all means, keep it to yourself

If you wish to remain Anon, feel free to PM me.

[muskrat]

 
in the same boat.

[endeavor]

My bike developed an exhaust popping problem after my 7,500 mile service. I attribute it to having the emission canister removed and resetting the TPS. I also had throttle lag at low RPM’s ever since I bought the bike. I could not stand my bike running this way, so I had my ecu reflashed by Houston Superbike this August. It was reflashed for a full system rather than just slip-ons, so I have the flexibility down the road to go to a full system. I also told them not to deactivate the immobilizer.

My bike now longer has an exhaust popping issue and the throttle lag is gone. I did not really notice any hp gains, but I did notice that once I turned off the bike with the key the headlight stays on for a couple of seconds. I am very happy that the throttle lag and exhaust popping is gone.

[Duck-Stew]

I've had 2 done thus far.  The first 1 of those ecu's had odd issues in it and when it was re-flashed it simply didn't work.  I got a replacement ecu for that first 1 and had it re-flashed (Bobby didn't charge me for a re-do BTW), and it worked EXACTLY as described. Fueling was spot-on and immobilize issues were gone.  The second ecu I had Bobby do was perfect and neither of my customers has complained of a single issue.

First bike is an 06 SC1000 that got the full DP map and immobilizer turned off.  Bike is running DP cams, open air-box lid and the full-race Zard system.

Second bike is a DS1000 motored Monster with pod filters and a FlightCycles custom exhaust.  Ecu was set to full DP specs w/immobilizer turned off.

If I ever need this service again, they'll get my $.

[muskrat]

sweet.  I'll take mine with me on my next trip to Houston and get'er done.

[Artful]

I've had 2 done thus far.  The first 1 of those ecu's had odd issues in it and when it was re-flashed it simply didn't work.  I got a replacement ecu for that first 1 and had it re-flashed (Bobby didn't charge me for a re-do BTW), and it worked EXACTLY as described. Fueling was spot-on and immobilize issues were gone.  The second ecu I had Bobby do was perfect and neither of my customers has complained of a single issue.

First bike is an 06 SC1000 that got the full DP map and immobilizer turned off.  Bike is running DP cams, open air-box lid and the full-race Zard system.

Second bike is a DS1000 motored Monster with pod filters and a FlightCycles custom exhaust.  Ecu was set to full DP specs w/immobilizer turned off.

If I ever need this service again, they'll get my $.

Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for. The reviews I've seen have been about 50/50 on the first try, but that they always were properly taken care of in the long run. I waited to do this over the winter in the event it didn't so smoothly the first time around, so I should be good to go.

[Duck-Stew]

I don't think that Bobby did anything wrong on my first ecu.  My customer complained of random strange issues for months before we did the work.  I would die during rides. Immobilizer issues all the time. 

Kudo's to Bobby for likely fixing an issue that wasn't his doing (IMO)...

[Artful]

Oh certainly, let me make sure I'm clear, I'm not blaming DP or Bobby personally, I think it's just a complicated ECU and sometimes it doesn't work the first time. A fair number of the threads regarding the flash include it having to be sent back again, sometimes the entire ECU is replaced on DP's dime. I just wanted to make sure that the folks that have dealt with them have had a positive result in the end even if there were some hiccups along the way.

[billruiz]

I'm pretty happy with my ECU from Houston Superbikes. I chose the full system version, but I noticed it runs a bit richer. With the garage door open it will still make my eyes water when idling, but there are no lean surging issues at all. I've only reset the TPS and not messed with fuel trim. I still have the regular closed airbox with the full system map. Overall, very happy with the new ECU.

[junior varsity]

I still have the regular closed airbox with the full system map. Overall, very happy with the new ECU.

wtf. not a great plan. you'd be better off with the slipons map or opening up the airbox. i'd like to see what kind of power it is(n't) making on the dyno with a full system map and no way to breath. stock pipes or aftermarket? stock midpipe or aftermarket?

[billruiz]

Zards full system, K&N filter, closed airbox.

wtf. not a great plan. you'd be better off with the slipons map or opening up the airbox. i'd like to see what kind of power it is(n't) making on the dyno with a full system map and no way to breath. stock pipes or aftermarket? stock midpipe or aftermarket?

[booger]

Zards full system, K&N filter, closed airbox.

Uhhh I think you're supposed to get an open airbox lid for that setup, or you will run rich.

[Artful]

If I decided not to go with DP/HS (takes too damn long to type the full name) are there other options out there to have the immobilizer deleted and the performance tune added?

[billruiz]

Could I just tune the fuel trim more lean?

Uhhh I think you're supposed to get an open airbox lid for that setup, or you will run rich.

[booger]

If I decided not to go with DP/HS (takes too damn long to type the full name) are there other options out there to have the immobilizer deleted and the performance tune added?

Why? They have good feedback. There are others, yes. I think Ducati Depot does it.

Could I just tune the fuel trim more lean?

Again, why would you do that? The easiest and most correct way to deal with it is to just chop the airbox lid. Your ECU is programmed for a full system, and it assumes you have an open/freeflow airbox. It's a static program; it does not adjust fuel mapping in real time like cars do. Detuning the injection trim is a step backwards. You are running the incorrect airbox lid for the rest of your setup. Running rich won't harm the engine like running lean will, but if you like smelling gasoline and low mpg then by all means. You see, when you increase the fuel input like you have done with the full system map, you need to increase the airflow into the engine concurrently.