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 *

...if you have a "world class" ass, chances are you make a living with it ala Kim Kardashian....

* Last updated by: kixxit on 6/28/2015 @ 3:04 PM *

ECU1...3........19....4...21
Flash1..3.......26....1...84... Beats flash

ECU4....3.......30...36...59
Flash4..3.......28...35...53 ... flash peaks

ECU6.....4......50...59...79
Flash6. .4......49...58...82... flash begins to sign off

ECU8.......4....73...82...71
Flash8.....4....74...83...77... ECU see that 8th run says it all?

Good shit, Vic. Now, does the flash wheelie better than stock; low rpm? When the fuk is that going to happen? Ah, next tire change... got it. lol

Could you kindly explain your timing methodology? Each run started with the tach needle at 4k, then you slammed the throttle to the stop and held it until the shift light illuminated, is that right? And the start and end times were the numbers recorded on video? I'm just trying to understand how this was done.

My opinion is these results would play pretty much across the field whether your Guhl, Brock, Ivan, etc.

....but your test seems to indicate the flash was slightly slower for the most part!! shit! Do they know the best numbers? Is your bike hitting the right AFRs? ...it's a map no matter which way you cut it. It's not a custom tune.

Now, does the flash wheelie better than stock; low rpm? When the fuk is that going to happen?

...yes when in the fuk for fuk's sake is that fuking happening?

Nice write up Vic. I'm not sure if I'm reading the results correctly but it seems that you are taking the flashed ECU to the same rpm etc as the std ECU.
A question and not a critiscm. Is part of the benefit of the flash not to also remove restrictions, meaning you can rev .higher than stock and also reach higher top end.
If you now tested stock ECU from 1-6 gear and timed that run versus flashed ECU 1-6 gear changing gears at the higher rpm. Would that make a difference in the results?

If you now tested stock ECU from 1-6 gear and timed that run versus flashed ECU 1-6 gear changing gears at the higher rpm. Would that make a difference in the results?

I would be surprised if an additional 1100 rpm would turn the tables but it might make the flashed performance as good as the stock performance.

haha--I would love to see the results of the same test in 6th gear. Sixteen 200 mph runs back to back on a public road! That would be insane (I think you would make Youtube history)! It would be nice to have at least one run in 5th and one in 6th with stock and flashed. If stock is still quicker, I'd call it conclusive.

Also, I assume if you went to get gas between testing each ECU, the bike started off at the same operating temp for both?

Also, what about speed? Even if the stock ECU accelerates faster, it might might be 2 mph slower at the top of 4th gear.

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.

Not sure that I understand this reasoning. You are measuring time to RPM, right? If so Cblast is ~.1 second slower on the average. I may be missing something...?

I got it "decrease in acceleration" = slower :-)

* Last updated by: roadczar on 6/29/2015 @ 9:54 AM *

I got it "decrease in acceleration" = slower :-)

Is it? Does 10,900 rpm in 4th gear mean X mph regardless of what the timing and fueling is? We have bikes that run a quarter mile in exactly the same time but one has a higher top speed. The data Vic has collected includes time an rpm but we do not have mph or the distance that the bike covered in that time. Those pieces of info could be very significant. I would have to guess that acceleration of the bike over a given distance equates pretty close to time and rpm but now throw mph and shifting through a few gears in and you might have a race won by a pretty wide margin.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/29/2015 @ 10:13 AM *

The bottom line - Given the parameters stated the bike was slower from 4k to 10.9K.
.1 sec is significant given the small amount of time lapsed.

It is true that if speed was recorded and if Cblast flash had higher MPH, then that would indicate tuning issues with the flash at some RPM ranges.

I would guess the issue is with too aggressive opening of the secondaries at lower RPM.

* Last updated by: roadczar on 6/29/2015 @ 10:19 AM *

To Rook's point-

VicThing - if you still have the raw data it would be great to see the numbers starting at 5k and 6k rpm.

Here's the simple way to do it: Go to your stretch of road equipped with your GoPro, a can of spray paint and both ECUs. Paint a start and finish line. Hit the start line rolling at a steady 25 mph in 1st gear, camera on and nail it all the way to the finish line. Do the same with the alternate ECU. There you have your time AND the same amount of distance covered AND your MPH and you can do what you want with the rpm and gear. BIG picture. You'll see which is faster and by how many seconds and how many mph.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/29/2015 @ 12:22 PM *

Vic - I know that kind of detail takes time to put together: Thanks for sharing it!

It looks like you have one of those bike lifting stands on wheels?? Does it work well? What brand is yours?

Could you kindly explain your timing methodology? Each run started with the tach needle at 4k, then you slammed the throttle to the stop and held it until the shift light illuminated, is that right? And the start and end times were the numbers recorded on video? I'm just trying to understand how this was done.

This is correct. 4000rpm, slam throttle open, then let it run until well past redline. The video was then examined for the first frame above 4k rpm (as soon as the needle moved) and that's the starting time stamp. The ending time stamp is the first frame the shift warning light illuminates.

Good shit, Vic. Now, does the flash wheelie better than stock; low rpm? When the fuk is that going to happen? Ah, next tire change... got it. lol

I like Sebastian, he's a nice person. I'm not glad or happy about these results, they are just what they are. I'm certain about these results as tested.

Not sure that I understand this reasoning. You are measuring time to RPM, right? If so Cblast is ~.1 second slower on the average. I may be missing something...?

I got it "decrease in acceleration" = slower :-)

Correct. If it were any other way that's what I would've posted. Ultimately I'd say there was no difference.

The bottom line - Given the parameters stated the bike was slower from 4k to 10.9K.
.1 sec is significant given the small amount of time lapsed.

It is true that if speed was recorded and if Cblast flash had higher MPH, then that would indicate tuning issues with the flash at some RPM ranges.

I would guess the issue is with too aggressive opening of the secondaries at lower RPM.

I'm not sure I understand anything about mph being different once ECU to the other. The IC operates independent of the ECU which is why mileage remains the same no matter what ECU someone puts in.

BTW I think I'm going to re-run the 3rd gear with stock ECU test. Not sure what happened that they are so different, but I think that's fair to do to see if I can get more consistent numbers there.

Here's the video

* Last updated by: VicThing on 6/29/2015 @ 5:54 PM *

Vic - I know that kind of detail takes time to put together: Thanks for sharing it!

It looks like you have one of those bike lifting stands on wheels?? Does it work well? What brand is yours?

ABBA SuperBike Stand - definitely one to consider, for the price, safety, and accessories. Great product, made in UK. AFAIK BlueStreakRacing.ca/com is the only importer into NA.

I like Sebastian, he's a nice person. I'm not glad or happy about these results, they are just what they are. I'm certain about these results as tested.

I like Sebastian too. I've climbed on Ivan about hacks, I've loaned Grn my clown suit. No one goes unpunished messing wit the book; without paying a few dues and don't tread on the abstract or here comes the first sign of a 'novice.' And there is no shame they open up the makeup kit and start slapping some on.

Sporty riding there, Vic.

The final score:

E .60
F .71

E.065
F.142

EE = Never mess with Mother Tea is detune the elecTTricks; how many times now? Did removing fly; drop about 2hp?
FF = For Fucks The Frequency Sake, how many more runs do you need FFS!

Signed,

I ride a LimpCityLimiter... I fucking frequency fucking told you so, but my best butt is, but noooooooooo; you are not going to believe it's limped butter.

I'm not sure I understand anything about mph being different once ECU to the other. The IC operates independent of the ECU which is why mileage remains the same no matter what ECU someone puts in.
BTW I think I'm going to re-run the 3rd gear with stock ECU test. Not sure what happened that they are so different, but I think that's fair to do to see if I can get more consistent numbers there.

From my drag racing days... I used to mess a lot with jets, needles, springs, etc at the local strip. What would happen at times, with certain combinations, I would get a slower ET, but higher MPH. This would normally indicate that I screwed something up at the lower RPM, but gained significantly more HP on the top end. My guess this is what is happening here. If you start your timings at say 6k - 6.5k instead of 4k you will see better results with the flashed ECU because it will negate secondaries opening too early.

Never mess with Mother Tea is detune the elecTTricks; how many times now? Did removing fly; drop about 2hp?

I'd like to put both ECUs on a dyno just to see what happens. This probably will never happen. Is it possible for a dyno to show increases throughout the rpm range yet result in overall same or even a tad slower acceleration in the real world? Ultimately I'd have to say yes to answer that question, as we all know anything is possible even if it doesn't make sense.

Maybe some issue arises from using dynos unequipped to simulate ram air effect? So while statically the bike's making more power, riding maybe it goes too lean if the AFR is set to 13.8 on a static dyno? Honestly I have

From my drag racing days... I used to mess a lot with jets, needles, springs, etc at the local strip. What would happen at times, with certain combinations, I would get a slower ET, but higher MPH. This would normally indicate that I screwed something up at the lower RPM, but gained significantly more HP on the top end. My guess this is what is happening here. If you start your timings at say 6k - 6.5k instead of 4k you will see better results with the flashed ECU because it will negate secondaries opening too early.

In this case MPH is a mechanical function. I understand what you're saying about lower/higher trap speeds. I have a basic understanding of 1/4 mile racing, but far from any expertise (the interest isn't there). In this case, 10k rpm in 4th means x mph regardless of the ECU.

As far as possibly comparing different ranges in the power band, yes, that thought has occurred to me. Feel free to do some analysis of the video, there could be something there although that's not what was advertised. Personally, I was expecting somewhere around 3-5% decrease in times as generally dyno sheets using C's flash show that sort of increase in power across the rev range. C instructs his customers to do the very test I did, which is take it out in 4th gear, at 4k rpm, and whack the throttle open and feel the difference. I say this in the literal sense not trying to be mean but there is no difference.

In this case MPH is a mechanical function.

Good point, I'm not used to thinking about purely RPM based runs.

* Last updated by: roadczar on 6/29/2015 @ 8:43 PM *

I get what he is trying to do ...But it's easier to do on a dyno .. You can put the dyno in time mode ..Time mode will show how long it takes the motor in 4 gear or 5th to go from 4000 to redline .. It paints a really clean picture of what flash or tune runs faster ( quicker )

Victhing, I appreciate the effort. Thanks.

I get what he is trying to do ...But it's easier to do on a dyno .. You can put the dyno in time mode ..Time mode will show how long it takes the motor in 4 gear or 5th to go from 4000 to redline .. It paints a really clean picture of what flash or tune runs faster ( quicker )

True, but until dynos can simulate air box pressurization at a given speed, I can appreciate the real world results.

I get what he is trying to do ...But it's easier to do on a dyno .. You can put the dyno in time mode ..Time mode will show how long it takes the motor in 4 gear or 5th to go from 4000 to redline .. It paints a really clean picture of what flash or tune runs faster ( quicker )

But when you're on the street and it's no quicker, and in fact a little slower, why spend the money