My ( very limited) experience with the VDST-S

[jpgibson]

As is the way with forums, I feel compelled to share my new experience- or should I say , force my new experience on you lot.
After waiting 5-6 weeks for all the bits to arrive , I installed the Ducati ECU ( for the 2-1), cut a hole in the airbox lid ( and then rode it for a week- without resetting the ECU, needless to say it had the fuel light on at 100km , not the ususal 180), the the LV cat elim and pipes came , so put them on , then finally last Friday , the VDST arrived.
I must say, I think the LV pipes look the best out of all of them.The only install hiccup was getting the LHS CF cover to 'fit'.
The setup of the VDST was easy. I have a MacBook running Parallels, so installed the latest version of VDST-S, put in the driver for the Belkin serial-USB cable , and fired it all up.
Guess what? It f'n worked first time- unbelievable.
Reset the TPS, and started fiddling with the fuel trim.Needless to say, before resetting the TPS ( and using the DP ECU) , the plugs were charcoal.Surprised the bike ran.
Started at +6, no popping, plugs clean,idling well. So I fiddle, and go to +12.Now have black plugs.
Back to +6, idle hanging a bit ( so turn out the idle air mix screws a quarter), now runs great.
Although the cable ended up being pretty expensive ( about 400 A by the time I'd got it) , it has paid for itself already , and I dont have the inconvenience of going to the dealership.
Unfortunately , I've now done all I can think of to the bike-what will I do with my time now.Maybe have to spend it with my wife and kids....
So, anyone in Sydney who needs to use it , feel free ( all you'll need to do is download the software and I'll lend the cable.)
out
jonathan

[Antigrav]

Originally Posted by jpgibson

As is the way with forums, I feel compelled to share my new experience- or should I say , force my new experience on you lot.
After waiting 5-6 weeks for all the bits to arrive , I installed the Ducati ECU ( for the 2-1), cut a hole in the airbox lid ( and then rode it for a week- without resetting the ECU, needless to say it had the fuel light on at 100km , not the ususal 180), the the LV cat elim and pipes came , so put them on , then finally last Friday , the VDST arrived.
I must say, I think the LV pipes look the best out of all of them.The only install hiccup was getting the LHS CF cover to 'fit'.
The setup of the VDST was easy. I have a MacBook running Parallels, so installed the latest version of VDST-S, put in the driver for the Belkin serial-USB cable , and fired it all up.
Guess what? It f'n worked first time- unbelievable.
Reset the TPS, and started fiddling with the fuel trim.Needless to say, before resetting the TPS ( and using the DP ECU) , the plugs were charcoal.Surprised the bike ran.
Started at +6, no popping, plugs clean,idling well. So I fiddle, and go to +12.Now have black plugs.
Back to +6, idle hanging a bit ( so turn out the idle air mix screws a quarter), now runs great.
Although the cable ended up being pretty expensive ( about 400 A by the time I'd got it) , it has paid for itself already , and I dont have the inconvenience of going to the dealership.
Unfortunately , I've now done all I can think of to the bike-what will I do with my time now.Maybe have to spend it with my wife and kids....
So, anyone in Sydney who needs to use it , feel free ( all you'll need to do is download the software and I'll lend the cable.)
out
jonathan

Nice write up... When you adjusted the fuel trim how far did you ride it in between checking the spark plugs? Did you do a run that put a load on the engine for a while, or go for a short spin?... I'm thinking of doing the same as you did since I just did the Termi 2-1 install this week end... but I figure the dealer could do it better than me... but I don't know...

[jpgibson]

thanks.
no, gave it decent go- at least 30 mins.
other than EGO analyser, I reckon between you and this place you can do it easy.
I also think, unless you have a great mechanic, you take more care with your own stuff.
plus its good fun ( and more convenient) to do it your self.
jonathan

[PedroHM]

yeah mate.. good news that its all running good. I need to pull a plug and check it out to tweak mine, bit it is way better now i sealed the exhaust correctly with gunk, temp has dropped prob 10deg because of it and the first bend isn't blue any more.

pm me your number and I'll give you a bell when I've got some time.

Pete

[GMP]

I'm surprised that you cured a "hanging idle" by going out on the airscrews, as that is usually associated with a lean condition. If you go with a K&N or other free flow filter you will likely want to trim a bit richer. Remember you are now open loop and there is no compensation except air temp and pressure (altitude). I have the exact same setup and trim at +12, runs perfect.

I had the same minor issue with the left side panel. I removed the bumper from the pipe, and used a piece of high temp silicone rubber tape for insulation. That let the panel sit a little closer and solved the problem. I really like the LVs, quiet enough at idle to fire up in the AM for a ride to work, but they roar when your on the gas and sound awesome at a 4 - 5K RPM cruise.

[jpgibson]

you are quite correct! Going out on the screws made it worse!They were at 1 full turn out before ( standard ECU,Fatduc O2 sensor manip), now they are at 1/2 turn plus a bit.Seems to idle reliably but a bit 'lumpy'.Doesnt stall.
I'm still fiddling with the fuel trim- was at 6 , still had some soot in the tail pipe, so reset to 4 this morning.Fuel economy a fair bit worse on 6 ( 180->150 km before light) , but I think I'm probably spending more time on the gas!
The plugs on +4 have looked good ( light tan) , so I figured I could lean out a little given the tail pipe soot.
The idle is now rock solid at 1300 ( before it wandered between 1250-1400).
Wondering whether I should invest in a dyno run , just to make sure the AFR's are OK.Or do you think if the plugs etc are OK , then I'm fine?
Thanks again for all your help.Oh, still got standard air filter but the free DP airbox lid ( ie 2" hole saw)
jonathan
oh, when you say bumper do you mean the welded on metal bracket or the rubber grommet that goes in it? I was considering removing the metal bracket , but I forced the side cover( I know, I know....at least I didnt use a hammer)