Review of Bazzaz ZFI by Chip of KWS

First comment…..Excellent!!! The Bazzaz Z-Fi is basically a simplified version of much more complicated stand alone engine control systems like the Motec. We have been talking with Bazzaz about this box for over a year and we are very excited about it finally making it to production. Units are shipping now, but the vast majority are going to fill backorders. I will state my bias up front because we are sponsored by Bazzaz for the 2008 AMA season. We will be testing these units extensively over the course of the year.

There are four basic functions to the Z-Fi TC unit.

1.) Fuel control and mapping -

This works just like the PCIIIUSB stuff we have all been using for years. Basically you build a map based on throttle position and rpm. The big differences are that you can trim the map for each gear and you can store two separate master maps.

2.) Self Mapping or “Closed Loop” –

The closed loop function works very well, but it is not the be all – end all like a more advanced system. The system works very well, but does require a fair bit of knowledge of how to build a map and a dyno or race track to build a complete map. The system does not run all the time and does not work in real time. You have to turn the system on and then run the bike on a dyno or race track at all the various throttle positions and rpm ranges. Once you have hit all your points, you have to hook the bike back up to a lap top, save the data, and then apply the map. You will need to check the map for outliers before you apply it. We have seen cells that contain fairly random readings like + or – 50 (max value) that need to be corrected manually before being applied or the bike will not run correctly. It would be very difficult and or illegal to try to build a complete map on the street and if you do not map for 100% throttle at 13,000 rpm then it is not mapped. When or if you do get 100% throttle at 13K then the bike will not run correctly.

3.) Traction Control -

Very, very cool. You build your traction control map just like a fuel map based on throttle position and rpm. There are 10 positions for TC sensitivity. This is a “rate of rise” system that detects spikes in the acceleration of the engine. The engine will accelerate at a given value for each gear, if the value is exceeded (wheel spin) then the box will retard power until acceleration is consistent. When setting the values (1 – 10) you are telling the box how sensitive it is to those spikes or how much you want it to spin (or not spin) before it starts to cut power. You can also globally set (1 – 5) how hard/softly you want the power cut. Once you have built your basic traction map then you can trim for each gear. You can also control (again globally) how much traction interference you want by a 10 position handle bar switch. The handle bare switch is set up for + 5 and – 5. This will allow you to change your TC settings on the fly. In a race situation you might want to change it as the tire goes off.

Note: You will see a FI light and get Coil Codes from the traction control on the dash. It does not effect performance.

The most difficult part for people to figure out will be
a. If the traction control comes on, that means you are going slower.
b. It is not a “anti-crash” device and you can still highside yourself to the moon!

4.) Quick Shifter –

The quick shifter allows full throttle up shifts with out using the clutch. It uses an inline pressure sensor in the shift linkage and when you compress or pull the sensor it cuts the ignition for a fraction of second allowing you to change gears without the clutch or backing off the throttle. Cut times are adjustable for each gear.

taken from: http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175639