Well here goes something....
A little background...
When I decided to add a flash to my bike, I wanted to ensure my OE ECU remained stock for a few reasons. I added the 4 year extended warranty at the time of purchase. Another was to be able to do this very testing. It's the type of stuff I like to do.
CBlast flash service
As mentioned elsewhere and evident to those who were here you are privy to how things pretty much transpired. For the record, I enclosed notes about my bike such as the exhaust and fuel I use. As mentioned before, Sebastian was professional and helpful with a lot of questions.
Test objectivity
Every precaution was taken to create a level playing field. I have no money in this game. I am not paid for anything I do in any way regarding motorcycling. Acceleration testing was recorded using a digital camera. Using video editing software timestamps were pulled from the video. There is literally <.1 second error using this methodology.
Both ECUs I have are out of 2013s with out ABS, specifically part number 21175-0838.
Video availability
If you are interested in analyzing the video themselves I am willing to provide the complete unedited video of the testing runs (> 30 minutes complete, due to turning around and such) or the edited down to test runs only (4 minutes).
And the results are in...
Cblast Flashed ECU vs. Stock ECU
Test by Vic.Thing conducted June 28, 2015 ~8:00am-9:00am
2013 ZX14R - Yoshimura R77 full exhaust, Metzeler M7RRs (40 psi cold F/R, ~1500 miles), ~9200 miles, all maintenance has been performed (including TB synch @7500 miles), Mobil 1 4T Racing 10w/40 (~1200 miles), Kaw air filter and oil filter (OEM)
Engine operating temperature: indicated ~159º to 163º F
Fuel & level: 91 octane E0, for EACH ECU: tank filled, then ridden to test area, ~14 miles, test runs conducted
Rider: ~241 lbs geared
Weather Conditions: Stock ECU ~59º F, Cblast ECU ~63º F, winds NW <= 8 mph
Test Location: Fort Wayne, IN, same roadway for all test, test alternate directions
odd runs: West bound even runs: East bound
Stock ECU - 4000 rpm to 10900 (shift warning lamp on)
Run Gear Start End Total
1.......3.......2.19....8.4.....6.21
2.......3.......11.25...17.86...6.61
3.......3.......20.55...27.54...6.99
4.......3.......30.4....36.99...6.59
5.......4.......39.6....49.03...9.43
6.......4.......50.56...59.35...8.79
7.......4.......61.75...71.08...9.33
8.......4.......73.93...82.64...8.71
Cblast ECU - 4000 rpm to 10900 (shift warning lamp on)
1.......3.......1.26....8.1.....6.84
2.......3.......9.71....16.36...6.65
3.......3.......19.52...26.34...6.82
4.......3.......28.98...35.51...6.53
5.......4.......38.26...47.78...9.52
6.......4.......49.71...58.53...8.82
7.......4.......61.38...70.84...9.46
8.......4.......74.43...83.2....8.77
Analyzing the results
A quick glance shows there's no decrease in acceleration times with the CBlasted ECU installed. Actually the opposite seems true, generally being somewhere around <.1 second slower. I'm not sure why the West bound 3rd gear runs with the stock ECU were so different. I double-checked the results to ensure I hadn't done a typo or looked at the video time stamps incorrectly. Overall, the results are very consistent except those 2 test runs.
It's possible there may have been slightly more or less wind.
Subjective opinion
Now that the numbers are out there I can state my subjective evaluation of this flash. The numbers aren't lying, and while maybe there would be an increase in dyno output (or something) this test proves that doesn't always translate into actual performance increases. Since having the flash I could tell very little difference between the two especially considering the claims made about smoothing throttle response and what not. In a blind test, I don't think I'd be able to perceive the difference.
If I notice anything with the flashed ECU, it might be that cracking the throttle open results in a lean condition at 4k rpm. That's what CBlast himself told me to do, take it out put it in 4th crack the throttle open and hang-on. So who knows, maybe it's giving at the bottom what it's taking at the top resulting in no actual change. I may go back at some point an perform some analysis of the video at ranges of rpm. But that's not the point, what I was told was (along the lines of) take it out put in in 4th at 4k rpm and crack it open.
As far as sounding different or fuel mileage, neither of these claims seem to hold any water.
Flash challenge
If you're a flasher and think yours is better, I'd be willing to perform the same testing of your flash at no cost to you provided you provide an ECU (21175-0838) and your flash (to be returned). My opinion is these results would play pretty much across the field whether your Guhl, Brock, Ivan, etc. I've heard Ivan doesn't tune for performance but street-ability. Maybe Ivan understands the game better than any of them.
Conclusion
Performance increases are not a "feel good" issue, it's not about perception, and it's not about butt dyno. Upgrades either increase performance or they don't and when it comes to power and acceleration timed numbers trump everything (unless you're in a dyno competition). If you can't measure changes in performance you cannot conclude that performance increases no matter how you feel or what your butt dyno says. Unless you have a world class ass, you cannot rely on what you "feel" when it comes to performance. And even those world class ass guys get it wrong sometimes when it comes to feel.
* Last updated by: VicThing on 6/28/2015 @ 1:46 PM *