02 sensors, exhaust & fuel modules

[troyw]

Hey folks,

Got just over 100 miles on the clock on my new FZ6, and I'm already getting
the bug to look at mods. Problem is, it seems I've bought a bike that I can't
find parts for...again.
I was looking for a good fender removal for the rear, but can't seem to find
a good one. Also, no full exhaust systems for these bikes? I did find, thanks
to a thread I found on this forum, that Arrow makes a cat replacement pipe
for about $89 for the 08' model, which I have. I would think it would be
better to get that than to just gut the stock mid-pipe cat. That big bulge
would, I'm sure, alter the flow in a negative way, but I could be wrong.
I am wondering, the the cat in the mid-pipe is gone, will the bike throw a
warning light? Is there any way to gut the header cats since there seems to
be no headers made for the 08'? That would throw a light for sure, but I
wonder if having a closed loop 02 sensor fuel controller would fix that.

Also, does anyone know if just replacing the mid-pipe and putting in a K&N
filter would necessitate a fuel controller? What about with slip-on pipes too?
I would think 02 sensors would adjust like on cars, but there again, I could
be wrong-o. My dealer said they don't adjust as much as an automotive
system. Since I'm not yet really familiar with this bike, I'm looking for
genuine techie help on this one.

Thanks!

- Troy

 

[SovietRobot]

I've only seen one full system, and it didn't have a price listed.
This bike is fine with just slip ons.

If you gut the cat, it's more expensive if you ever want to go back to stock. Just buy an arrow or miiv replacement pipe.

Since you have an 08, they have an O2 sensor which allows the ECU to compensate somewhat to changes in A/F ratio.
My only experience is with the 06 which requires a fuel controller if you're doing any intake/exhaust mods.

As far as getting rid of the cats in the header, try to find a header from an 04-06 rather than modifying your stock one.

 

[wrightme43]

Spend money on brakes, suspension, and rider skills.

The easiest control to operate is the right twist grip, with the highest consequence.

The others skills are much harder with the highest pay off.

Just my humble (not lol) opinion. :welcome:

 

[troyw]

I do need to get supension from Hyper Pro to get this bike lower by their
30mm. That'll help me a lot. I'm 5' 6" and tip toed on the bike.
I am going for a PC III first, with the cat elim pipe. It's going to be a while
before I can afford a slip on set of some kind.

But you're right, for now the bike is quite fast enough, thank you.:rockon:

- T.

 

[SANGER_A2]

Read my thread stickied in the mods section about lowering your seat instead of spoiling the ride by lowering the suspension.

Scorpion also make a decat pipe. I'm planning on ordering one next month. Also, the Scorpion exhausts rock.

The full exhaust system is made by DEVIL in France but would probably cost too much to get in the US. The O2 sensor is before the mid pipe on the 07+. You need to disconnect the battery for a few hours to reset the EFI.

 

[troyw]

You know, I just called Dynojet to ask then about the PC III for the 08' bike.
The guy I spoke to said that all I need to do is disconnect the o2 sensor
(leave it in the pipe, but unplug it.) and it won't throw up a warning light.
Then, I can use the PC III as usual. This sounds suspect to me, but he should
know, right? He also first said that the 08' FZ6 with o2 sensors was only in
Europe. I replied "Well, mine has an o2 sensor, and I bought it in Canton, GA
UNITED STATES". That's when he said I can just disconnect it, and he further
said that all it does is keep it lean for emissions and that's it.
Hmmmmm...

Anyway, if this is true, then that means I could buy a set of headers from an
earlier year then.

Also, HyperPro makes springs front and rear that also lower the bike 30mm. I can't
see how that would ruin the ride? Aftermarket supension has only helped on other bikes
I've had, and I think the front could be firmer.

- T.

 

[jamesfz6]

Hey folks,

Got just over 100 miles on the clock on my new FZ6, and I'm already getting
the bug to look at mods. Problem is, it seems I've bought a bike that I can't
find parts for...again.
I was looking for a good fender removal for the rear, but can't seem to find
a good one. Also, no full exhaust systems for these bikes? I did find, thanks
to a thread I found on this forum, that Arrow makes a cat replacement pipe
for about $89 for the 08' model, which I have. I would think it would be
better to get that than to just gut the stock mid-pipe cat. That big bulge
would, I'm sure, alter the flow in a negative way, but I could be wrong.
I am wondering, the the cat in the mid-pipe is gone, will the bike throw a
warning light? Is there any way to gut the header cats since there seems to
be no headers made for the 08'? That would throw a light for sure, but I
wonder if having a closed loop 02 sensor fuel controller would fix that.

Also, does anyone know if just replacing the mid-pipe and putting in a K&N
filter would necessitate a fuel controller? What about with slip-on pipes too?
I would think 02 sensors would adjust like on cars, but there again, I could
be wrong-o. My dealer said they don't adjust as much as an automotive
system. Since I'm not yet really familiar with this bike, I'm looking for
genuine techie help on this one.

Thanks!

- Troy

Im sure you want to do all this for speed right? Do a sprocket change instead to start off with, it is the best bang for your buck. When my bike was new and all it had was the sprockets changed i was out accelerating my friend who FZ had slipons power commander and k&n.

 

[jamesfz6]

And if you really want to go faster you could always get a FZ1 or R1. That way you know you have the speed thing covered.

 

[troyw]

I just want the bike running as best it can with the limited parts available.
I really don't need it much faster at all. I'm already riding a LOT faster than
when I had my cruisers, so I don't really want to push it and start getting
tickets. I'd like a little more sound out the back too...a bit of shrieking
would be cool.
Only thing I'm concerned about now that I've ordered the cat elimination
pipe, Power Commander & K&N filter is the maps on Dynojet's website.
Not many, and no USA model maps that take into account the header
catalytics. I'm not sure if the stock bike map will be a bit too rich or not
because of the extra restriction of those horrible things. There's no way
I can think of to get them out either, unless I find some clever way of using
a toilet auger or something...
I don't really want to pay over $600 for a previous year non-catalytic
header! If anyone has any direct experience there, share you knowledge
please!

- Troy

 

[Hellgate]

Hi Troy, first; :welcome: Great to have another new excited rider here.

Do some search under "Dyno Tuning" I've got several threads on dyno tuning with a Power Commander in the mod section.

Me, I left the CATs. Modern CATs flow very well and in the case of the FZ the work so well your CO reading is about .01 to 0%, it really is amazing. My bike would run fine, with stock gearing on a track with 600SS bikes.

Bottomline, find a pipe you like, get a Power Commander (I'd wait for the new PC5 that is on the way) and then find a good dyno tuner and have him work his magic.

Here's a shop in Atlanta for tuning: http://www.hfd1motorsports.com/index.html

With the head design of the the FZ the best you are going to get is about 98 to 100 hp. To get any more, well, bolt on a blower.

 

[troyw]

Thanks for that info, Hellgate.
So, I've already got the cat eliminator pipe come for the mid-pipe, and the
PC3. The PC V is for 09 and up bikes only. Dynojet kinda discouraged that
for my 08. Anyway, I plan on using the stock bike map, but I wonder if the
numbers I'm seeing may be a bit too rich with the header cats in?
But what it sounds like you're saying is that they won't make too much
difference?
There's a good tuner in Dahlonega, which is closer than Atlanta, and a nice
ride. Decent rate too, $65 per hour. But, I'll check that link out too.
Unfortunately, this economy has shifted priorities away from money spent
on the dyno getting perfect tune, especially since I know the stock exhaust
will be gone by the end of the year. Heck, being in the 90s for horsepower
on a 600 is pretty darn good as it is! My VTX 1800 only pulled 90 at the
wheel. I had 90 ft. lbs. of torque at 2k rpm and a 104 ft. lb. peak, but that
bike weighed over 300 lbs. more!

- T.

 

[troyw]

Installed the PC 3 with the stock bike map that I took 3% out all around because
I read here somewhere that it might be too rich, though DJs standard maps have been pretty close for me before on my VTX 1800. I do notice it seems I get through the gears quicker, but of course I notice a little carbon buildup forming on the pipes now. Inevitable, as we add fuel for better performance and running, but still, there was none with the stock setup with the 02 sensor. I'd swipe my finger inside the
end pipe, and there was nothing at all. Now, slight trace of black. Not much, but it's evidence that the PC is doing its thing. Bike feels great, though I haven't been able to really open her up yet. Can't wait for that mid-pipe to get here and to save up for pipes! I'm loving this bike for sure.
Oh, and I put the K&N in and did one of the small airbox mods where the inside
rectangle is cut on the intake tube part. I can indeed hear it more, and there's no
noticeable flat spots in the power as yet. These airbox mods probably don't do much, if anything, but I thought I'd give it a whirl. I love to experiment.

T.

 

[troyw]

Update:

Installed the Arrow Cat elim pipe tonight. What a pain that was. I think
I unbolted too many things, because it was a P.I.T.A. to install that.
But, I got it, and no leaks. When I took the stock cat pipe off, I blew through
it, and barely anything came out the other side. I compared it to the Arrow
pipe, and it felt like I was blowing straight onto my hand. That's gotta make
a difference! I noticed the pipe cooled down a lot faster after starting it up
and getting it a little warm checking for leaks. One thing I also noted was
that the headers cooled fairly quickly too where the header cats are supposed
to be. Are we sure there's cats in the header for an 08' model?
I'm interested to see if there's any difference at all in how it revs up.
I've already got a power commander on it...I also noticed the exhaust out the
back felt like it was stronger on my hand in front of the outlets...interesting.