Dobeck TFI Information

Scroll down for 3rd Generation EFI Controller Information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why do I need an EFI controller?

Any power sports vehicle comes equipped with an ECU map developed by the OEM manufacturer to pass federal regulations. The stock ECU map does allow for small fuel changes to compensate for temperature changes, altitude changes,...etc, but does not allow the end user to make adjustments for additional modifications which affect the air flow like after market exhaust systems and air filters. EFI controllers are just like buying a jet kit for a carburetor vehicle. Even a stock vehicle can benefit from an EFI controller, but if you plan to do any other performance modifications to your vehicle then you should start with an EFI controller which allows you to tune the fuel.

What's the difference between the TFI and the Power Commander?

1. Price - The TFI offers the same amount or even more performance gains at a better price point.
2. Simple adjustments - Make fine-tune adjustments with your TFI using a screwdriver. NO computers are required. NO dynamometer tuning is required. NO downloading different maps for changes in vehicle modifications. This simplicity allows you to optimize your fuel solution to maximize drive ability and performance.
3. Load Based Technology - The TFI offers a better fuel solution for every driving condition and within every gear by basing fuel addition on engine load. The Power Commander uses throttle position and RPM technology which optimizes performance for only 4th gear.
Learn even more here

How do I adjust my TFI controller?

Adjusting the TFI is done with a screwdriver. The TFI has four adjusting pots. The Green or Cruise Fuel Pot which functions like a fuel mixture screw on a carburetor. The Yellow or Accleration Fuel Pot which functions like an accelerator pump or needle on a carburetor. The Red or Full Throttle Fuel Pot which functions like a main jet on a carburetor. And a RPM Switch Pot which depending on the application determines when the Green Fuel Zone shuts off or when the Red Fuel Zone turns on.
Additional adjusting info here

What's the recommended settings for my vehicle?

The recommended settings for your vehicle will be listed in the instructions. All instructions are posted online. Click here to view them. The listed settings are only a place to start. Based on the number of after-market modifications you have made on your vehicle and different combinations, they may change slightly. Settings are also very dependent on the individual rider. Your riding style and mileage preferences will affect the settings which work best for you.

You list two part numbers for my vehicle. What's the difference and which one do I want?

For a few motorcycle applications the difference is how you install the TFI. For instance a FI-1025 is a tap-on unit. To install this TFI you will have to splice into the correct wires. A FI-1040ST is a complete plug-n-play controller where it plugs into the factory injector connectors for installation. The other reason for two part numbers for the same vehicle could be for different fueling needs. For example a FI-1040ST can be used for a number of Harley Davidson motorcycles for modifications like an air cleaner or exhaust pipes. A FI-1040HPST is needed for larger builds which require even more fuel.

I hear your product only adds fuel. Is this true?

Yes. The TFI product line only adds fuel. We designed it that way to keep it simple and affordable. Our belief is that 80% of the time when you modify your vehicle you have to add fuel to obtain peak performance. Fuel systems are mapped by the factory to be lean in everyday driving conditions in order to meet emission standards. Then if you modify your vehicle with say an aftermarket exhaust system, which tends to reduce back pressure, you lean out the fuel mixture even more. In certain instances you do have to pull fuel and for those you will have to go to another product. However, our product performs well with the majority aftermarket exhaust systems which require fuel to be added.

Fuel Injection seems complicated. How is the TFI stated to be easy to adjust?

You're right in believing that fuel injection is complicated. There are thousands of hours of design time in creating a solid and effective fuel injection map at the factory. The research and development of a solid fuel system also involves the design of a lot of reliable and proven sensors, components and other hardware. We believe that the factory fuel injection map is rock solid, and that the factory technicians and engineers possess a lot more knowledge and experience in designing their own systems than we do. However, the designers are still just creating an EFI system for a stock machine and to meet emission standards. You start modifying your vehicle and you will need a fuel solution to compensate for the changes. That's what we offer. An electronic controller to adjust your own fuel mixture.

What if I tune my vehicle and then ride up into the mountains. Will I have to re-adjust?

Probably not. The TFI is a "piggy-back" unit. It attaches directly to the signal between the ECU and the injectors and only modifies the length or duration of the pulse width. All of the factory-specified and required settings for temperature, altitude, and barometric pressure adjustments are still made by the ECU. We just add on to the adjusted signal.

What if I add or change my performance modifications? What do I have to do to my TFI?

The TFI is a full-range product that can handle a number of different performance modifications. The on-board pot adjustments allow you to make the necessary changes. Most of the time you will just have to adjust the pot settings to reflect the new modifications. NO downloads. No computers. It's that easy.

3rd Generation EFI Controller Information HISTORY:
	The GEN3 evolved out of the need to address the ever-increasing complexity of factory fuel injection. For the newcomer to the market or professionals wanting to make the transition from carburetors to fuel injection, the GEN3 is a customizable solution for the shop that wants to take control of their tuning needs. GEN3 is the short term used to describe the Generation 3 Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) controller manufactured by Dobeck Performance. The GEN3 was released in 2005 under a private label program. The GEN3 is a piggy-back EFI controller because it does not replace the stock ECU, but rather monitors the signals to the injectors and makes fuel adjustments based on the mode settings. The GEN3 has a push button interface allowing access up to 6 different modes to allow for quick fine tuning by the end user without needing a computer.

KEY FEATURES:
	USES LOAD BASED TECHNOLOGY WHICH ALLOWS FOR TUNING IN EVERY GEAR ABILITY TO ADD FUEL WITHOUT ALTERING THE STOCK FUEL MAP EASY TO SEE LED LIGHTS TO INDICATE OPERATING ZONE PUSH BUTTON INTERFACE TO ALLOW QUICK FINE TUNING EASY INSTALLATION NITROUS FUEL AND SOLENOID CONTROL BOOST SENSING FUEL CONTROL TWO SENSOR MANIPULATION CONTROLS CAPABLE OF FIRING TWO ADDITIONAL INJECTORS

HOW IT WORKS:
	The real technology behind the GEN3 is that it functions like a carburetor. It takes the knowledge and experience that many of us have, and converts it to a fuel injection interface. The GEN3 breaks the stock fuel curve down into 3 different sections with each section correlating to a carb tuning adjustment. The GREEN zone correlates to adjusting the fuel mixture screw on a carburetor. The YELLOW zone correlates to adjusting the needle in a carburetor. The RED zone correlates to changing the main jet in a carburetor. Each zone is set to have a range of fuel adjustability by the developer which correlates to an on-board adjustable mode. The GEN3 is called a "piggy-back" type of EFI controller meaning that it reads the stock injector signal from the ECU, modifies the signal, and then sends it to the injector. With our EFI controller, tuning your vehicle is as simple as pressing buttons. No tools. No down time. Simply jump on, go for a ride and make tuning adjustments on the fly. What sets the GEN3 apart from other types of EFI controllers is that it uses load based technology instead of just RPM vs TPS. Load based tuning allows a user to tune their vehicle for every gear and for all riding conditions. Load can easily be explained by stating that riding up a hill puts more load on the vehicle than driving on a flat road. Each zone for the GEN3 can be adjusted by the developer to determine how load sensitive the zone is and from this definition the developer then sets switch points to change between each zone. The illustration below is a good reference to show how driving through a gear changes between the zones.
	The blue line represents a gradual acceleration in 4th gear for 2005 Harley Davidson's.

UNDERSTANDING AND ADJUSTING THE MODES:
	The GEN3 unit comes with three interactive buttons that are used to enter the adjusting mode and change the on-board tuning features' light settings. When power is applied to the unit, the adjusting mode may be accessed at any time by pressing the Mode button. The adjusting mode is distinguishable by at least one or more LEDs flashing. The current adjust mode is determined by the color of the flashing LED(s) and whether or not the 8th LED is blinking blue. The adjusting mode is exited by waiting several seconds without pressing any buttons. Upon exiting, the light setting is automatically saved for each individual mode. The light settings in each mode are adjusted by pressing the (+) and (-) buttons located on the right and left side of the mode button, respectively. For easy reference, the LEDs are numbered 1 through 8. However, the LEDs can be adjusted to the following positions: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8. Try the interactive Flash Demo below to get used to adjusting the modes and understanding the light setting positions.
	The most important thing to understand about a GEN3 unit is that every unit is different. The GEN3 technology was developed to allow companies to create customized fuel solutions and therefore documentation cannot be written to cover all the applications.
	Green Mode - Mode 1 - Cruise Mode Mode adjusts how much fuel is added when the Green zone is engaged. Most applications correspond this mode to adjusting the cruise fuel. Setting this mode to a light setting of 0.5 typically sets the vehicle back to its stock fuel curve. Yellow Mode - Mode 2 - Acceleration Mode Mode adjusts how much fuel is added when the Yellow zone is engaged. Most applications correspond this mode to adjusting the acceleration fuel. Setting this mode to a light setting of 0.5 typically sets the vehicle back to its stock fuel curve. Red Mode - Mode 3 - Full Throttle Mode Mode adjusts how much fuel is added when the Red zone is engaged. Most applications correspond this mode to adjusting the full throttle fuel. Setting this mode to a light setting of 0.5 is normally developed to set the vehicle back to its stock fuel curve. Green-Blue Mode - Mode 4 Mode is not always present in application and can be assigned to a number of different features. Instructions will have to be consulted to determine how this mode functions. Yellow-Blue Mode - Mode 5 Mode is not always present in application and can be assigned to a number of different features. Instructions will have to be consulted to determine how this mode functions. Red-Blue Mode - Mode 6 Mode is not always present in application and can be assigned to a number of different features. Instructions will have to be consulted to determine how this mode functions.

INSTALLATION:
	Installation varies from vehicle to vehicle so instructions will have to be referenced for the different models. However, the installation is essentially the same for all vehicles. The first thing to do is locate the stock connections to the injectors. Once found then you will disconnect the connectors and then plug directly into the GEN3 harness. After connecting to the injectors you'll need to determine a proper ground location to hook up the ground wire. Final step for installing is determining where to mount the GEN3 and zip tying the harness to the frame.