San Jose - Power Commander

Merrimac · 03-01-2004, 04:14 PM

Is the San Jose Power Commander an alternative to a chip? They advertise a Power Commander modified for an R1100S.

I asked a few questions of San Jose BMW and had Kenan Rappuchi (VP, General Manager) reply. See below:

I'm interested in the Power Commander for my 2004 BMW R1100S. I have your power filter and a Vanderlinde exhaust with stock chip. Is the Power Commander adaptable to my current set-up? "YES." Would it require adjustments? "ONLY SOFTWARE MAPPPING, SIMPLE TO DO." If I added your 1130 piston set later would I still be able to adapt the Power Commander it for that application? "YES."

Is this the solution to all the chip/fuel mapping problems? Would I need a dyno with a sniffer to set up the Power Commander? What do you think?

Jeff "S" Moore

Steve Carlton · 03-01-2004, 04:50 PM

Hi Jeff,

I have the Power Commander (PC) on my '02 to solve the pinging problem many are having, and it works. It is an alternative to a chip- it functions as an overlay to whatever map you have to modify the fuel signal sent to the injectors. Installing a different chip provides the same result (and would be a waste of money to have both), but doesn't have the flexibility of the PC to have it's map changed.

An alternate chip or PC will work best if mapped to your bike's setup. Chips are marketed to work with specific setups. Hopefully, SJBMW would have a map for the PC that would work for your setup. If not, they or someone else would need to do that by running your bike on a dyno (without a cat) and with an exhaust gas analyzer. If SJBMW doesn't already have a map designed for your setup you might want to look for an appropriate chip. Having a suitable, existing map would make things "simple," creating on would not be. A search on this forum will yield much discussion on this topic. I'd recommend discussing this with Chris at SJBMW, as he creates the maps and is the best versed there on modifications. SJBMW markets a R1100SJS that's similar to what you might have with the 1130 kit. They use a Remus exhaust and I'm not sure it breathes as well as the Vanderlinde. Explore SJBMW's website on their history and racing and you'll be impressed with Chris' credentials. Eron Flory raced Chris' machines and would have great insight on this issue. I believe he has a PC on his bike too.

Bottom line is if SJBMW can provide a good map for your current setup you'll only need to concern yourself with new software if you modify the bike further. If SJBMW has a good map for a subsequent setup, then changing your map is free. A new map can be e-mailed to you and you can install it to the PC with a computer.

Chris went to Daytona and is supposed to return March 10th.

EZ-RIDER · 03-01-2004, 07:14 PM

Hey Merrimac;

I am running one of the first power commanders set up for the R11S and I am running the Vanderlinde set up with Lennie In-duct plus Cams
You won't have any problems with it
I am running 100 BHP using the Power Commander

Eron Flory · 03-01-2004, 09:49 PM

SJBMW is selling a kit version of the PC3 adaption I made for my bike. They have quite a few maps and should have more in the future. If you have an unussual set-up and need to do your own map you will want to use a dyno. The best thing about the PC3 and the reason I went to it is because you can change the mapping at anytime you want.

If there is a chip available for the particular set-up you have and you don't think you will be modifying further, then a good chip is the way to go because it will be plug and play. If there is not a chip to suite your set-up or you will be changing things then the PC3 will allow you to change the mapping at will (1-2 minutes to change a map). I know for a fact that SJBMW has a map for a R1100S with 1150 pistons.

Although Chris Hodgson is the most techically knowledgable person at SJBMW Ken Rappuchi is pretty knowledgable as well being a real motorcycle enthusiast and accomplished motorcycle roadracer.

Eron

roger albert · 03-01-2004, 10:16 PM

I'd only add, that if the chip is exactly matched to your setup, and is one of the chips that takes advantage of modifying the ignition map too, then it will do more than the PC. However, the PC is more flexible for future mods.

DCooper · 03-02-2004, 08:29 AM

Be specific with SJBMW regarding the map(s) they offer. When I spoke with Chris a month ago, he said they are selling one map, becasue "all the setups need about the same adjustments". Perhaps he did not understand my question, but that is the answer I got. As I did not want to mess with customizing the map myself, I am leaning towards the FIM chip which matches my config.

Raven · 03-02-2004, 02:56 PM

I got to hang over Eron's shoulder while he was checking out the mapping on his bike. The system is real simple to undertsand and tweak!

pdonnell · 03-02-2004, 04:17 PM

Is that his shoulder or chest thats real simple to understand and tweak?

Raven · 03-02-2004, 06:23 PM

Only yours' big boy

pdonnell · 03-02-2004, 06:50 PM

Let's make sure we keep that way sweetie