Ready for a Boost! | Trask Performance Turbo, Part 2

13. For EFI setups Trask recommends the Zipper’s Thunder Max with Auto Tune. Trask prefers this system because of its extensive and in-depth tuning capabilities. Included is a CD with proper mapping to be loaded into Thunder Max. To go along with the Thunder Max is a two-bar map sensor (pictured). This two-bar map sensor reads boost pressure and feeds a signal to the Thunder Max so the system can add fuel or retard timing, and make adjustments as needed.

14. Matt followed Zipper’s instructions for installing the two-bar map sensor then tucked the sensor between the throttle body and rear cylinder so it was out of the way.

15. Matt then installed the billet Oil Mister Breathers that came with the kit.

16. The boost gauge and blow-off-valve lines were then connected to the back of the plenum, then the plenum was bolted to the throttle body.

18. …he bolted on the plenum’s outer cover and tightened down the silicone connector (arrow) between the plenum and turbo tube using the supplied hose clamps.

20. Up at the right-side hand control, Matt removed the stock throttle-housing clamp and replaced it with the Trask boost gauge/clamp. He then connected the plastic 1/8-inch boost gauge line to the fitting on the bottom of the boost gauge.

21. Nearing completion, all that was left to do was install the Zipper’s Thunder Max with Auto Tune system. The Zipper’s Thunder Max with Auto Tune is a wide-band, closed-loop system that continually monitors the exhaust and automatically adjusts the air-fuel ratios as you ride. The system is very advanced providing extensive tuning capabilities and allows you to continually modify and improve the performance of your bike while maintaining optimal air/fuel ratio.

22. Matt followed the instructions for removing the stock ECM and installing the Thunder Max ECM.

23. Once the Thunder Max ECM was installed, the supplied wide-band 02 sensors were installed into the exhaust manifold.

25. Matt wired this Thunder Max Pigtail Communication Harness into the stock 36-pin ECM wiring harness connector. This communication harness serves as a remote port for the Thunder Max communication cable on bikes with limited access to the standard port. With this cable installed Matt could easily connect to his laptop and load in the base map Trask Performance supplied with the kit.

27. While Trask Performance sets its Turbo kits up with 8-pounds of boost, Nick informed us that the kit is capable of producing up to 20-pounds of boost which would make about 200hp and would require running high octane fuel. Increasing or decreasing boost can be done by loosening this locknut (blue arrow) and adjusting the rod (yellow arrow) to put more or less pressure on the spring inside the canister (red arrow). More pressure on the spring equals more boost. Another option to adjusting the boost is by purchasing a boost controller which would allow you to simply turn a dial to increase or decrease boost. Setting the kit up to produce 20-pounds of boost requires extra precautions to be made on the engine’s internal components to help withstand the significant increase in power. And while Anaheim-Fullerton H-D did make some internal upgrades to Ron’s engine, they chose to keep the boost on the mild side at about 8.5-9 pounds for the time being.

28. After putting some miles on the bike Anaheim-Fullerton H-D’s service manager, Colby Craddock reported back to us and said “It’s a different power band than most of the built motors we’ve done. We’ve built up 103ci engines with ported heads, high compression, and cams that make 120hp, so to get that same power out of a 96ci engine with just a bolt-on kit is pretty awesome. The bike is really fun to ride. Once that thing spools up and the boost kicks in, hold on!”