SCT Tuner questions

[Tim From Clevel]

Couple questions on these tuners. One is as I have read but not got conformation on is that these tuners can only be used on one car? The reason I ask is I may have access to one somone else had bought but if it is locked to the vehicles VIN that wont do me much good.

Second is the difference between the X3 and the SF3. As I understand one only has preset tunes that cant be modified and the other is able to have custom tunes. Can anyone else elaborate on this for me? Im kind of confused on why you would buy one that only has preset tunes that you cant change.

And lastly who should I buy from? I am also interested in a CAI and a few sites I have seen have combo kits where you get both the intake and the tuner. Is this a better route to go than buying them seperately and also which combo should I buy and where should I buy from?

Thanks all

 

[The Fang]

They are locked on your specific computer code so DONT use your friends or you will be towing it to the dealer. Buy your CAI before or with your tuner cause the tunes will be calibrated to the mods you have made to the car. I dunt know diffs between tuners so Im sure someone will help answer that.

 

[bigcat]

Mustang Performance Parts & Upgrades by Brenspeed or BamaChips Tuning are good sources for tuners/tunes. great customer service from both and great tunes. pricing is very competitive as well.

the handheld tuners can be locked to a car, so be careful if purchasing used. also, the tunes in it are usually not for your computer strategy, so you end up spending more to get tunes for it.

purchase from the vendors listed above and i believe they will update your future tunes for little or no cost.

 

[69mach1-409]

Tillman Speed is also a good source. Chris Rose can flatout tune these cars.

 

[NastyStang113]

Check out VMPTuning.com ... Justin Starkey can tune Mustangs to say the least. If the tuner isn't loaded onto their vehicle, than you could use it. All you would have to do is get new tunes written. If it's loaded onto their vehicle than nope, it's no good to you.

 

[An_08_GT_STANG]

Question about tuners as well...

Anyone know if a ford dealer can install this?

And does it void any warranty on a new car?
Thanks in Advance

 

[NastyStang113]

The dealer does not need to install a tuner. All you do is plug it into the ODBII under the dash and follow the on screen directions. A caveman could do it, maybe even a Gecko.

A dealer has to prove your mod caused the problem to void your warranty. Regardless, only the part replaced or the parts that are effected by the part replaced would be ineligible for warranty if it was found that it caused the problem. In other words, if you have a problem with your A/C and they see you have a tuner and intake they aren't going to deny the warranty claim.

 

[autumn_again]

got my tuner today. loading it tomorrow morning. question. i plug the tuner in, do i turn the car on or just the key to on? i know on some OBD2 scanners you just turn the key to on and don't crank the car. i didn't get a booklet with my tuner like i was hoping but i'm sure i can find one online. sct x3 is the tuner i got.

and i believe you can't use anyone elses tunes at all. even if they never used it on their car

quote from bamachips site.

. If a tune is written for the wrong calibration code and then loaded into the vehicle then the vehicle will not start. The vehicle can be returned to the stock or previous tunes but the tunes written for the wrong code can not be used.

 

[NastyStang113]

Correct but if you order new tunes, like I said, than you'll be good to go.

As far as installing your tunes. Just plug the tuner into the ODBII port, the directions will read on the screen, follow them.

 

[CONCEPTSMIKE]

The SCT SF3 and X3 hand held flash tuners come with 3 pre-loaded tunes ready to go out of the box. You have additional empty slots on these tuners for custom tunes. Custom tuning generally is not required but can be usefully if there are very high performance mods such as Nitrous, Forced Induction and so on.

If you Mustang has simple upgrades like cold air intake, exhaust, throttle body and so on the pre-loaded tunes will be your best RWHP pick-up. If they need to tune further in the future anyone with the Advantage III SCT Tuning software that many of us dealers have can create another tune for your car as it progresses to a more highly modified state. Generally speaking as well these Mustang Tuners are your best buy and works with most any Ford application.



Sincerely,
Mike

 

[Sparty92]

Do you just take the tuner out of the box and plug it in to the car?

What if you have a Mac and need to update the Tuner software or install new tunes?

 

[FreeRider]

if it comes pre-loaded with tunes it should be good to go. To load new tunes sometimes you need to update the firmware

 

[NastyStang113]

What if you have a Mac and need to update the Tuner software or install new tunes?

Than you'll need to dual boot in Windows.