MXAction 8-10

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BAZZAZ MX FUEL CONTROLLER & Z-AFM KIT
WHAT IS IT? The Bazzaz fuel-injection tuning equipment
uses an oxygen sensor in the head pipe and lets you
make custom fuel maps for your track and riding style.
WHAT’S IT COST? $324.95 (MX Fuel Controller),
$349.95 (Z-AFM kit)
CONTACT? www.bazzaz.net or (909) 597-8300.
WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that
stand out with the Bazzaz MX Fuel Controller and
Z-AFM kit.
(1) History. Ammar Bazzaz was a race engineer at
Yoshimura’s AMA Superbike program for six years.
Ammar started his own electronic fuel-injection
company in 2003 (for street bikes). His plan was to
develop his tuners with race teams first, and then bring
the product down to the consumer level for the local
rider. Now that fuel injection has moved to the dirt
market, Bazzaz has expanded its focus. Bazzaz didn’t
sell products under their name originally, but instead
they made the PIM and Data Box for Yoshimura. The
Yosh PIM2 and Data Box are identical to the Bazzaz
hardware, but the Bazzaz software has extra features.
(2) Prerequisites. You will need an IBM-compatible
computer to run the Bazzaz software. A laptop is
preferable so you can take it to the track, but the
controller can be removed and taken inside to your
desktop computer if necessary. A bung-equipped
head pipe is required for the oxygen sensor.
(3) Hardware. The Bazzaz FI MX Fuel Controller is
similar to other fuel-injection tuners in that it allows the
user to adjust fuel delivery in one percent increments at
specified throttle openings and rpm. It can be switched
between two maps without a computer. Where the Bazzaz
equipment separates itself from its competitors is with the
150 www.motocrossactionmag.com
Z-AFM (Air Fuel Mapping) kit. The Z-AFM allows the user to
choose multiple air/fuel ratios at different throttle/rpm ranges.
To achieve this, it uses a head pipe-mounted air/fuel sensor
that collects data as the rider does laps. The unit records the
data and ultimately recommends the necessary changes to
reach the target mixture. In essence, it is self-mapping.
(4) Performance. The self-mapping feature is neat, but
it doesn’t take all the guesswork out of the process. The
air/fuel ratios still have to be determined. On the track,
testers can definitely feel changes. The more heavily
modified the bike, the better this equipment works. With a
stock bike, you can tune the feel, but you won’t see huge
performance gains. Bikes with any number of internal
engine mods better appreciate the fuel-injection massage.
Again, the Bazzaz tuner does not make more horsepower—
it just repositions it based on fuel input.
WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? There are three downsides.
(1) Head pipe bung. Yoshimura sells a ready-to-go head pipe,
but modifying other headpipes for the oxygen sensor is a chore
and can be costly on titanium
MXA RATING
pipes. (2) Ignition. Bazzaz is
working on a version that can
change the ignition timing as
well as fuel timing. It isn’t ready
Bazzaz may be
yet, though, and the MX Fuel
unknown right now,
Controller and Z-AFM are
but as more fuellimited to fuel map changes
injected bikes hit the
only. (3) Difficulty. The MXA
market, their EFI
test crew has vast experience
tuning equipment
with aftermarket mapping
will become more
programs, so the Bazzaz stuff
acceptable to the
was a snap for us. But for the
masses. It’s a little
inexperienced backyard tuner,
too soon at the
there will be some serious
moment.
head-scratching.