Chip vs. Programmer

[E'sStang03GT]

MT outstanding info! You stated something that I have not been able to get the answer to. Emission- you stated with a tuner, i shut the rear o2 sensors off, that the emission computer that hooks up to the obd WILL PASS? please tell me this is so! I also live in Pa. so I assume we are talking about the same Pa. emissions. Thank you for your time and effort. :thumbsup:

[WaterDR]

PA is a strange state when it comes to emissions. Currently, the laws are different from county to county, but we all know what direction they are going.

I live where a visual check and a gas cap test is performed. If you have an o/r X Pipe, the car will fail if the examiner can visually figure out that you no cats. Your county might be the same way, as such, turning your rear o2 sensors off for an o/r X Pipe won't accomplish much as the car should still fail the visual inspection portion.

However, if you live somewhere where your car's sensors are checked for codes for emissions, and you have removed your cats and used a tuner to shut-off the rear o2 sensors, you should pass.

This is one reason why I like the flexibility of the SLP exhaust systems in combination with tuners. You can switch from cats to no cats and back again in minutes.

[White2004]

Any answers to my earlier post? I'd like to be able to tune the car to get the most out of it. Or should I just put in their tune and call it a day? Thanks.

[tedinde]

Any one have This one with the cable. And would this probably be better than getting the SCT chip 4 position.

I used to have a Crane Interceptor back in 1992, It used to work on the fly. Showed air fuel live, boost and nitrous adjustable, Injector pulse and duty. You could change timing and fuel while driving. Read below.

http://www.mustangworks.com/articles...terceptor.html

I used to use this with a cartech intercooled Turbo system. This thing Tunes itself for max, I remember having to buy a GM Map sensor for it, But i painted it ford blue!!

I had a max MPG tune That I used to pull off 26mpg on the highway one 87 octane.

I used to have a Tune for when My wife and brother would borrow it. No boost and 4000 RPM Rev limit!!!

[tedinde]

Took my car through Inspection in Delaware, they didnt check the exhaust with the sniffer. They just plugged under he dash and let the car say if it passes or not. I got home and put the Xpipe on. I have a friend thats having a hell of a time passing in pa

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by White2004

I just bought the Diablo Predator. Will I need to buy additional hardware/cables to get the emailed tunes? Also since I'll be running 93 octane how much can I advance the timing? What other parameters such as fuel should I change? Does anyone have any real numbers on this thing. My car is a 04 GT with 5spd. No other present mods all stock. I saw something called a Diablo Sport Predator Pc interface and power source on ebay. Will I need this?

A. I think you need a cable to get tunes emailed.

B. When you order your Diablo, specify to the dealer that you have 93 octane available to you and request that they advance the timing as such. Some of the mail order tunes are conservative and they assume only 91 octane. You want your timing advance to be about 14 degrees with 93 octane.

C. The Diablo allows the user to advance the timing even further, or retard the settings a bit from the diablo settings. Keep in mind that these adjustments are very minor. Diablo "over-states" how much you can really adjust the thing. Diablo knows that these devices are in the hands of novices and as such their Risk Management Department smartly ensured that end users can't get crazy with these things.

If your tuner arrives with timing advanced to 14 for example, you can only advace it or retard 10% of the amount of advance over the stock factory setting of the car. This means that you will be able to retard to to only 13.6 advance or to 14.4 degrees. This is how Diablo originally set these up...perhaps they have made changes that I am not aware of.

D. Regarding hp gains. I don't care if you use a Diablo, SCT, hypertech....they all get hp improvements the same way....advancing timing and leaning out the a/f PERIOD! There is no great secret here. Your actual results will depend on how good your current tune is and other mods that you have. If you are lucky, you might get as much as 15, but I would bank on 8 - 12.

What you are paying for between differnt devices are things like support, ease of use, knowledge/experience, or even gimmicks. What this translates to is that you might see improvements in the drivability of the car or an improvement in the idle...these fixes won't net hp improvements, but they do make owning the car more enjoyable.

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by White2004

I just bought the Diablo Predator. Will I need to buy additional hardware/cables to get the emailed tunes? Also since I'll be running 93 octane how much can I advance the timing? What other parameters such as fuel should I change? Does anyone have any real numbers on this thing. My car is a 04 GT with 5spd. No other present mods all stock. I saw something called a Diablo Sport Predator Pc interface and power source on ebay. Will I need this?

A. I think you need a cable to get tunes emailed.

B. When you order your Diablo, specify to the dealer that you have 93 octane available to you and request that they advance the timing as such. Some of the mail order tunes are conservative and they assume only 91 octane. You want your timing advance to be about 14 degrees with 93 octane.

C. The Diablo allows the user to advance the timing even further, or retard the settings a bit from the diablo settings. Keep in mind that these adjustments are very minor. Diablo "over-states" how much you can really adjust the thing. Diablo knows that these devices are in the hands of novices and as such their Risk Management Department smartly ensured that end users can't get crazy with these things.

If your tuner arrives with timing advanced to 14 for example, you can only advace it or retard 10% of the amount of advance over the stock factory setting of the car. This means that you will be able to retard to to only 13.6 advance or to 14.4 degrees. This is how Diablo originally set these up...perhaps they have made changes that I am not aware of.

D. Regarding hp gains. I don't care if you use a Diablo, SCT, hypertech....they all get hp improvements the same way....advancing timing and leaning out the a/f PERIOD! There is no great secret here. Your actual results will depend on how good your current tune is and other mods that you have. If you are lucky, you might get as much as 15, but I would bank on 8 - 12.

What you are paying for between differnt devices are things like support, ease of use, knowledge/experience, or even gimmicks. What this translates to is that you might see improvements in the drivability of the car or an improvement in the idle...these fixes won't net hp improvements, but they do make owning the car more enjoyable.

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by tedinde

Any one have This one with the cable. And would this probably be better than getting the SCT chip 4 position.

The diablo ped. and an SCT 4 position switch are quite different. While having a cable that allows tunes to be emailed is nice, you will find that you won't use it much. (I know from experience). The SCT Chip will allow you to actually store four tunes that you can switch between on the fly. This gives you tons of options:

A - N/A tune for max hp (say 93 octane)
B - A tune for race gas
C - A moderate tune for only 87 octane.
D - A valet tune or a tune for the wife and kids. You can add a low speed limiter for example.
E - Nitrous tune

Or whatever ever you needs are.

[White2004]

Thanks MT! I figured I'd need to change some of the settings. It should arrive today. FedEx with next day air was yesterday so who knows.

[Blue02GT]

You can also use one of the 4 tunes as a kill switch on the SCT.

I have mine set up as follows
0-87 octane
1- 93 octane
2 open
3 stock

Switch to stock for inspectsion, the chip will not cause you to fail.
Just reset the computer by disconnecting the battery after setting the switch to stock.

[tedinde]

I was mostly leaning Toward this

http://www.modulardepot.com/product_...products_id=82

The cable isnt just for downloading, you can also hook it to your computer and tune yourself with the downloadable software, which i downloaded, but you cant play with it unless it detects the box.

http://www.sctflash.com/xtreme.php


Now you can fine tune your vehicles SCT Dealer Custom Tune on your personal computer using SCT's all new Xtreme Personal Tuning Software and SCT's new XCalibrator. Adjust and fine tune:

Switched gear ratios? Now you can select your new gear ratio and simply re-flash your vehicle. Added a Cold Air Kit? No problem, fine tune your vehicles air / fuel ratio yourself, without having to bring your vehicle back to your SCT Dealer.

As i stated above i loved my Crane Interceptor and tuning myself. Has anyone tried the downloadable tuning software??

[tedinde]

http://www.mustangtuning.com/sctxc9.html

I notice its for sale here, but no free cable whice is more than just for downloads now, and no downloadable software on the site.

Being able to tweak @ the track by hooking into a laptop is a big advantage, if only somehow, This could be a real time Data logger also. Wishful but doubtful.

Guess ill be the test Guinea Pig

[tedinde]

I ordered it so ill be reporting in how tweakable it is. Ill be running an old laptop in the trunk with my 28 gig MP3 collection tied into my soundsystem.

I ordered this for the visor for easier access to MP3s and video and accessing the SCT Software. Nice touchscreen and i ordered a New Stereo head unit that plays DVDs also.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWN:IT


I have a small computer shop and thats what pays the bills. My other vise is fast computers and im a moderator and live @ www.xtremeresourses.com and www.xtremesystems.org

My main computer is a close to 5ghz Vapochill LS - 60celsus cooled computer. So of course i need a computer in my car, and i love tweaking

http://www.sctflash.com/xtreme.php

Hopefully there might be some more features or someway to see anykind of real time engine data in the future for this.

Looking on SCTs site it would be nice to have their data logger

http://www.sctflash.com/raptor.php

And i guess they want you to become a dealer and want big bucks before they would give up their software

http://www.sctflash.com/dealer.php


This really makes me miss my Crane Interceptor, and some old DFI Boxes ive messed with for friends and being able to plug into laptops. Ive been away from Stangs for 10 years. LONG story!!!!

[ModMotorRacer]

You can buy an SCT Pro Racer Package for $795. It includes the ability to tune ALL parameters of your car. It can be purchased in a chip burner form(comes with chip, chip burner, and all neccesary cables) The flasher version includes the xcaliber flasher and all neccesarry cables. Also right now you get the Raptor Datalogger for FREE with the Pro Racer Package!!! Thats alot of sh*t for $810 shipped. You would be able to tune your car yourself no matter what the mods! Not to mention datalogger will work with other vehicles.

www.modulardepot.com only place that sells this.


Adam

[FEZ]

do you think there is anything to be gained on a completely stock car?

[WaterDR]

No...not really. A mail order tune might net you 15. Wiht the Pro Racer's Package you will just have loads of fun tooling with it. If you plan on racing a lot and modding the car quite a bit, this is an awesome tool to have that will easily grow with you.

While $900 seems like a lot of money (and it is) consider my sorted past.

First, I bought a Diablo Chip for $225. It was a dissaster. The tuner screwed up and my tune was all botched up. Took many months before I paid shipping and got my money back. Net cost to me $15 or soo and TONS of lost time.

Then, I got a Superchips tuner (not an SCT). Caused the car to ping like an SOB. Sent that back too...paid the shipping and lost another week. My net cost $15 (for a total of $30).

Then, I dropped $425 on a SCT Flash Tuner. Paid $75 for the cable and another $75 for an extra tune. That is a total of $500 plus the $30 previously spent on shipping.

Then, I changed my mind and traded my Tuner to someone for a SCT 4 Position Chip. He got the tunes and the cable too. I then paid another $40 to have my tunes put on the chip and another $30 for shipping (long story). So, I have dropped an ugly $600 and all I have to show is an SCT Chip (which I am now happy with).

I could have spent an extra $300 and gotten the Racer's Package.

[ModMotorRacer]

Originally Posted by MT's#1Customer!

No...not really. A mail order tune might net you 15. Wiht the Pro Racer's Package you will just have loads of fun tooling with it. If you plan on racing a lot and modding the car quite a bit, this is an awesome tool to have that will easily grow with you.

While $900 seems like a lot of money (and it is) consider my sorted past.

First, I bought a Diablo Chip for $225. It was a dissaster. The tuner screwed up and my tune was all botched up. Took many months before I paid shipping and got my money back. Net cost to me $15 or soo and TONS of lost time.

Then, I got a Superchips tuner (not an SCT). Caused the car to ping like an SOB. Sent that back too...paid the shipping and lost another week. My net cost $15 (for a total of $30).

Then, I dropped $425 on a SCT Flash Tuner. Paid $75 for the cable and another $75 for an extra tune. That is a total of $500 plus the $30 previously spent on shipping.

Then, I changed my mind and traded my Tuner to someone for a SCT 4 Position Chip. He got the tunes and the cable too. I then paid another $40 to have my tunes put on the chip and another $30 for shipping (long story). So, I have dropped an ugly $600 and all I have to show is an SCT Chip (which I am now happy with).

I could have spent an extra $300 and gotten the Racer's Package.

Yes while it does seem like a big investment, I think anyone who plans on modding their car incrementally, should have one. I have had my car dyno tuned once...$400. Once I change gears...it will need it again....$200. Change to 24lb injectors.....$200. Thats $800 right there and these are things that I guarantee I will be doing in the future. Not to mention the Raptor Datalogger is free ($375-450 depending on where you buy from) which is a must have for a car.
If your car is stock, and going to stay that way I wouldn't buy it. Consider this though, people buy timing adjusters, bigger MAF's, TB's and, Plenums, those 4 things would cost WAY more than the SCT software. Not to mention, bolting these on a stock car without the ability to see the changes (datalogger ) is kind of a waste. Your bolt-ons will net more rwhp if you have the ability to tweak the car to each individual one. The PRP also has more tuning info about cars than you could ever possible acquire anywhere else.
One more thing...the PRP is designed for individuals, but it is the same software that SCT dealers/tuners would use to tune your car if you took it to one. The software is married to your cars computer, so you cannot tune anyone elses car with it..just wanted to add that.

Adam :icon_rr:

[FEZ]

[quote=MT's#1Customer!]No...not really. A mail order tune might net you 15. Wiht the Pro Racer's Package you will just have loads of fun tooling with it. If you plan on racing a lot and modding the car quite a bit, this is an awesome tool to have that will easily grow with you.

I'd like to pick up some additional horsepower "but" this car is still under warranty and I live in Pa. in an area that requires the the toughest emissions test in the state [your next!] so I have a two fold problem. To add to that I don't want to loose too much gas mileage if I can help it. The cat back systems don't seem to deliver much of a power gain although the aftermarket catted X pipes seem to be a better power maker. Do you guy's know if the low restiction cats will pass the Pa. inspection? Any other mods that will keep me in warranty[ I have another year to go]and deliver the most bang for the buck would be appreciated. This state is frustrating in that, here in Montgomery County the '83 Ranger I built with a 302 was legal for 8 years then they changed the rules and I was dead in the water. However if I lived in the county to the west, Berks, I'd be legal!

[WaterDR]

I say "get it." I have read posts from guys who what claimed to have past and some even had cams. But, some have failed with cams.

A mid pipe is oh, so easy to pull off before an emissions test and put back on the car if you run into any trouble.

Warrenty question? Crap, there is so much inconsistancy on that topic. Make friends with the service manager and hope for the best. Personally, I believe that if someone is really concerned about warrenty, do not mod the car at all. Ford can always make your life difficult by claiming the mod caused a failure.

[loadedgt]

Does anyone make a programmer like the diablo for a 96 gt? There are chips everywhere but I would much rather have a programmer

[808GT]

when i order the sct 4bank chip, do i need to mention k&n filter drop? will it matter?

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by 808GT

when i order the sct 4bank chip, do i need to mention k&n filter drop? will it matter?

Things like exhaust (except for o/r x pipe or headers), plenun, UDP's, TB's and CAI's, don't really alter a tune. Just having a K&N filter certainly won't change a tune, but you can always mnention it anyway.