Has anyone here actually tried putting a police ECU (PGM-FI unit) in a civilian version bike?

vinceklortho

vinceklortho

Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
5
Age
47
Location
Rochester, MA
Bike
2004 ST1300A
Understanding that the part numbers aren't the same (38770-MCS-L01 vs. 38770-MCS-A31), and that the police version ECU may be responsible for the speed limiting (though that seems to be debated here), has anyone here actually tried using the police ECU (38770-MCS-A31) swapped into in a civilian version in years prior to 2008?
 
vinceklortho said:
Understanding that the part numbers aren't the same (38770-MCS-L01 vs. 38770-MCS-A31), and that the police version ECU may be responsible for the speed limiting (though that seems to be debated here), has anyone here actually tried using the police ECU (38770-MCS-A31) swapped into in a civilian version in years prior to 2008?
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Question, why?
 
Used police ECUs are easier to come by and less expensive than the civilian version, and if there's no real difference other than some performance parameters (I wouldn't ride over 120 mph anyway at this point), I would use one in my '04. I have the famous knock sensor FI fault, and know it's not the sensor or wiring. People who say it's indication only somehow don't feel the bike de-tune when it throws the fault...the whole bike performs at a "safe value" mode when the fault registers. So if the police ECU I can get for $100 will work, why would I spend $500 to $1000 on a 16-yr-old bike that's worth maybe $4K?
 
What we need is someone to hook an example of each of those two ECU's up to a computer, download the software, compare them, and explain in layman terms what the differences are. Where are @Mellow and @ad.hom when we need them for an hour or two?
 
Good enough reason for me. Go for it!!

No major parts differences except around the rear control arm points, some frame changes and a different dash assembly.
 
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SMSW said:
What we need is someone to hook an example of each of those two ECU's up to a computer, download the software, compare them, and explain in laymen
Click to expand...

Or get someone like Bob (Supersabre) to real world compare. He has both bike types.
 
I know from speaking with a Honda mechanic that the police bikes are governed due to the way they are loaded making the front end lite.
If your ‘04 is an ABS bike then it may work. @Igofar or @SupraSabre may have a better answer.
 
bigbikerrick said:
Interesting discussion, It does not make sense that the police ECU would cut out at 120. What about when they are chasing a bad guy on a Hayabusa?;)
Rick Duarte
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There are always guys in faster cars than the police interceptors. Ferrari's and Lambo's, etc. but it is hard to outrun the helicopter or radio, so this is really a moot point.
 
vinceklortho said:
Understanding that the part numbers aren't the same (38770-MCS-L01 vs. 38770-MCS-A31), and that the police version ECU may be responsible for the speed limiting (though that seems to be debated here), has anyone here actually tried using the police ECU (38770-MCS-A31) swapped into in a civilian version in years prior to 2008?
Click to expand...

Did you try it? what is the report ?
 
SMSW said:
Where are @Mellow and @ad.hom when we need them for an hour or two?
Click to expand...
I missed this... not sure how I didn't see the email tagging me, but hey ho.

If someone could dump the software from both ECUs, I can happily compare & explain the differences. Wouldn't be my first rodeo with ECU software, but I don't have the tools (or the police ECU).

The last few months at the office, I've been reverse engineering software & comparing versions... can pretty much do it in my sleep now, in hex (unfortunately).

Probably a bit of a moot point though, since vineklortho reports it works with no problems, but potentially worth it for the academic side of things.
 
ad.hom said:
If someone could dump the software from both ECUs,
Click to expand...
Is that difficult? It is not simply a matter of hooking up standard connectors to the ecu, the other end of the cable to your laptop, and copying all the files?
 
SMSW said:
Is that difficult? It is not simply a matter of hooking up standard connectors to the ecu, the other end of the cable to your laptop, and copying all the files?
Click to expand...
Yes, if you have the required software on your laptop. Even then, the standard connector isn't designed to dump the contents, so the ECU will have a JTAG connection or similar used for programming purposes.

With the necessary cables, software & ECUs, my mother could probably dump the ECUs... then it's a matter of understanding the data that's dumped.

I've done similar with a Jaguar that I used to own (but I was modifying the ECU while it was in the car), and if the garage can't quickly turn my Renault around (Engine Management fault code), I might be tempted to tinker there.
 
bigbikerrick said:
Interesting discussion, It does not make sense that the police ECU would cut out at 120. What about when they are chasing a bad guy on a Hayabusa?;)
Rick Duarte
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Yes it does as there were speed restrictions due to the weight of the bike so the ecu would have been limited.
 
bigbikerrick said:
nteresting discussion, It does not make sense that the police ECU would cut out at 120.
Click to expand...
I don't think that this is uncommon with Police motorcycles. Years ago I was in Nashville and had a chat with a motorcycle officer of the Nashville police department. They were using Harley Davidson at the time. He said that they were speed limited to 95 mph. When I told him that that surprised me because I could easily out run him on my ST1100, he said that being city police they didn't need to have the fastest bikes on the road to catch the fastest bikes on the road. He said that they get really good training and lots of practice and that they can out ride most other riders on the road and in addition no bike can out run their radio. It wasn't an issue for them.

He then explained that the speed limiter was because of the way that the contract worked with Harley. Harley provided the motorcycles at a very reduced rate and agreed to buy them back at the end of three years for a price agreed to in advance. He said that they basically used them for three years at almost no cost. The speed limiter was intended to protect the engine to ensure that as many of the bikes as possible would be returned in good enough shape for Harley to be able to sell them and recoup some money. The benefit to Harley was the advertising of having as many Police forces using their motorcycles as possible.
 
I was pulled over in australia as they wished to look at my st1100 , he told me that because of wieght and abs issues they were restricted to 120 km as there was no cover or warranty after that and that why they got rid of them. Safty issue.
Apparently they got wobbles up and had crashed due to unusually irregular wear on tyres due to weight issues. There were a few bike that escaped the limmitter.he also said there was a cut out issue due to a lean over sensor causing crashes.he said he had a good one and was unlimmitted and was in the top bike he had ridden.. I can only tell you what i was told. The wobbles caused by front tyre wear on abs models was why they restricted to 120km .mine site on 210 no issue no wabbles it seems to run out of steam and i really thought it would be quicker, i though maybe 240. I put harley tyres on mine as there were no otheres here to meet the standards and for the weight.i had a pet cock issue few weeks ago and looks like the red wire issue yesterday and with 90,000 on it due for timing belt if i can find one here.bike is almost stripped down and found fan not working.im glad i found issue now as i not long came back from a trip and it run like a dream and all the harly riders were impressed it has great midrange acceleration as we sat on 180kms most of the ride as we were way out western nsw.
I did see another st1100 heading towards albert which was to my surprise.i love the bike but thinking to go fuel injected as its playes up now in winter on early morning starts and unreliable.
 
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