CBR1000rr Z-bomb experiment

[DirtyD]

I recently bought a 2012 CBR1000rr and I've been reading about how the U.S. models are crippled by Honda to reduce power above 10,600 rpm. The nice thing is that Bazzaz makes a cool product called the Z-bomb that eliminates the timing retard that reduces power. As I will be turning my new Honda into a track only bike, I decided to install the Z-bomb and get that extra 5-6 horsepower above 10,600 rpm. It should really make a difference. Right? Good question. I decided to run an experiment.

First, the control run. Approx. 48 degrees out, 2 mph wind speed, using my Q-starz GPS lap timer to record a pull through 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th gear, shifting at just over 12,000 rpm. I got in 3 runs down the same section of road and then called it a night.

Then I installed the Z-bomb (their instructions made it sound easier than it was, and the wires weren't long enough to install it where they said to install it, but it was still fairly painless) and went out for another run. The second run was on the very next night, same temperature, wind speed and direction, same "track" on the Q-starz (meaning it was the exact same piece of road), and I even put in another 1.5 gallons of fuel to make sure the weight was similar. I tried to shift at the same rpm and do everything exactly as I had done the night before. I did 2 runs with the z-bomb installed and then headed home to plug the Q-starz into the computer and see just how much faster I was going.

All the results were similar, but one of the runs from the first night and one from the second night were so perfectly synced up at the beginning that they are perfect for comparison purposes. Here's a screen shot:

 

[DirtyD]

As you can hopefully see, everything was exactly the same from 75 to 110 mph. If I was racing my "ghost" from the night before, we would have been neck-and-neck. The Q-starz has a 10 hertz log rate and is really accurate. I can look at speed, time, and distance anywhere on that graph. About 550 meters from the start of the runs (after revving past 12,000 rpm in 3rd, 4th, and 5th) I was going 2 mph faster with the Z-bomb installed. 2mph! At the track that might make the difference between making a pass or not, but on the street? Not much of a difference. If I was just going to use the CBR on the street I wouldn't bother.

My last run of the second night I got lucky and had some really light traffic so I could just keep the throttle pinned. I was at 178 mph for 1.5 seconds and it wasn't really looking like it was going to go any faster. The 190/55 rear tire had the speedo indicating 175. Not super impressive. I really thought that without any wind, on a cool night, I could break 180. Maybe even 185. Nope.

Those are my results and thoughts. Obviously, your mileage may vary.

 

[auntiebling]

Butt dynos aren't sensitive enough to detect +/- 5 HP on a 100something+ HP baseline.

 

[Hooli]

The Z-Bomb also leans out your top end. The right thing to do would be to get your fueling redone to compensate.

 

[russ69]

178mph on the street? Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Gary856]

178mph on the street? Sounds reasonable to me.

Extra credit for doing the runs at night to avoid attention. :thumbup

 

[OneRedLT4]

Not to thread jack, but how do you like the Q-starz? I was just looking at the LT-Q6000 online after seeing your reference to it. Looks pretty cool

 

[clutchslip]

Dan NOT on a Zook? :cry How will I recognize him on the track, anymore?

The Z-Bomb also leans out your top end. The right thing to do would be to get your fueling redone to compensate.

It actually doesn't do anything but the timing. It's going lean just because of increased air without added fuel. More noticeable with the ram air at high speeds, of course.

I have the Dynojet IRC on the '08. It's much better than stock, in my butt dyno opinion.

 

[afm199]

I liked you better when you were riding the F4.

 

[Hooli]

It actually doesn't do anything but the timing.

That's what I meant. :x

 

[myers manx]

I put a z-bomb on my 2012 cbr1000rr,,,I did not feel any power gain at all
Also the wires on the device are to short,,,,

 

[clutchslip]

That's what I meant. :x

I figured you knew, but it was just easier to let others know what it actually did by replying to you.

I am glad that I went with the DynoJet. Although, I actually did do research first before I made a decision, so it wasn't total blind luck. (It still goes lean, of course).

 

[Hooli]

OP stock up on engine oil too.

 

[DirtyD]

Ernie, you crack me up. I agree that the butt dyno is not sensitive enough which is why I did the experiment using the Q starz. I really like the Q starz, it works very reliably and is fun to look at the data when you get back from the track. The Z bomb does lean out the mixture a little because it confuses the computer into thinking you're only at 90% throttle. Their website shows the air fuel mixture with and without the Z-bomb. And it's definitely leaner but probably still acceptable.The bike uses an air density sensor in the airbox, so I don't think it will go leaner at speed.

As for stocking up on engine oil, I don't think the 2012 bikes still have that problem. And since it will be a track bike, I will be changing the oil every 800 miles or so anyway.