Diablo Predator vs SCT X Diablo Predator vs. SCT X-Calibrator http://www.mustangtuning.com/diablosport-predator-2v-4v-v6-v8-mustangs.html http://www.mustangtuning.com/sctxc9.html Ok basically I want to know who thinks which is better. I am VERY Interested in the Diablo Preadator, but I had a few questions. 1. Is it easy to tune the car with the predator? 2. Can you constantly RE-TUNE your car whnever you want? Or is it like a superchip and you set it once, and then thats it? 3. How exactly do you use the Diablo and SCTX? You just hook it up to the computer under the passengerside dashboard/glove compartment and hook it into where Fords chip is? If I buy a tuner, I basically want something that I can re-tune myself again and again. So when i get my 3.73s i can tune it once, then get cams, tune it again, then when I get 18" Wheels, tune it again, etc etc. Also, how do dynoshops tune your car? If I tune my car with a diablo and hten take it to a dynojet, they retune the car again right? How?
I personally like the Predator, but I hear good things about the SCT also. It is VERY easy to use. Yes, you can "re-tune" it. You can edit the any of the available parameters that are controlled by the ECU (a/f ration, timing, etc.) Yes, you hook it up to the ECU and basically follow the onscreen directions. It tells you exactly what to do while you're doing it -- it's very simple. I am taking my car to the dyno Saturday. They will tune the car on the dyno and then flash the tune into my Predator and then I install the tune on my car thru the Predator. I'm not sure if all dyno shops can do this so you'll want to ask them before you make an appointment.
I'm going with the SCT Xcalibrator 2.. it has all the features of the Xcal 1 plus more, such as diagnostic features that the DSP has. It works just like the DSP also. And if they didn't change the Xcal 2 from the first version you should be able to still store tunes on it, meaning your stock tune. I'm getting my car tuned on Thursday by a person who knows what they are doing.. but I'm going to mod the tune as I go. Whenever I get my gears I can adjust the speedo with the SCT Xcal 2 very easy. Whichever route you go make sure theres somewhere close who can tune with it just in case.
X-cal 2 all the way. If you want to have full control of your car, then look at the pro-racers package on www.modulardepot.com. It's more expensive, but gives you the ability to do anything a dyno tuner can do. I will be upgrading to this very soon.
1. Yes. Take it in step. Don't try to tweak everything right off the bat. Learn what each parameter does and how it affects your car before moving onto the next one. 2. Yes. Tweak the tune and reflash it into your car, as many times as you want. 3. Predator: Plug it into the OBD-II port under your steering column. Follow the menus on the Predator unit. Xcal (1): Tweak the tune on your home computer, load it into the Xcal, flash it into your car. Xcal 2: *shrug* I like the Predator. Feature for feature, it spits on Xcal (1). Now, the Xcal 2 is a different story. If I were to buy a handheld tuner now, I'd probably go with the Xcal 2.
The Predator is easy to use and re-use. A dynoshop can tune your car by adjusting your fuel settings, etc. for maximum HP and safety. You can do some of these adjustments yourself, but not to the degree of detail a shop with CMR software can do, and you would also need a wideband 02 monitor as well. You access your car's computer through the OBD II port under the driver's side dash near the console, so there is no need to physically modify the PCM as with a chip. I am only familiar with the predator, but the SCT XCal 2 is getting good reports from what I have seen, and you shouldn't go wrong with either one.
predator fan I got my predator about 7 months ago and I've been very pleased. I'm not as familar with the other tuners but I know you can't go wrong with the pred. I saw great gains in hp and tq and it's really easy to use and adjust settings. Any of you guys that have got a custom tune on your predator at a dyno shop, how much does that norm run? So far I have just installed the Diablo tune that comes with the Pred. Also how much of a difference can you tell between the diablo (generic) tune and the custom tune that was installed 99 gt auto off road x, diablo predator, 3.90 gears, flows, shift kit, densecharger, chrome cobra r's.
First let me say I have a Predator and have been very pleased with it. But you must realize that performance wise you are somewhat limited in what you can tune just using the Predator alone. Basically you can advance/retard the timing and air/fuel through the low or high range. You cannot make these adjustments at individual rpm points like you can do with advanced tuning software. Not sure how the tuning points work on the Xcal. But yes you can retune as much as you want and use the Predator to read/clear codes and adjust for gears or tire size changes.
So with a Predator, can you advance your timing on the car? So you wont need a Timing Adjuster then? Also, does the Diablo Pred also like a superchip in the fact tha tyou can add hp to your car? Or would I have to buy a Diablo or SCT Superchip and then use the Diablo Pred to tune the car once the chip was in? the SCT X-2 says that it wont give any hp gains, it is just a hand held tuner. Is the PRed the same? or what?
The Predator will come with a performance tune already installed on the device. Do not use a timing adjuster with the performance tune. This tune should add power to your car when installed. You can then tweak the timing and air/fuel as needed. I believe the old X-cal technically did not come with a tune installed, but when you ordered it the dealer would install a tune based on your specs.
So your saying if I buy the pred...DONT buy a Timing Adj then? Because there will just be a conflict? How exactly does the Pred come with a performance tune? So I DONT need a superchip if I buy the pred then?
The timing adjuster changes the timing by mechanically moving the crank trigger pickup that the computer uses to determine engine position and calculate timing. The tuners adjust the timing electronically inside the computer. You can use the two of them together if you know what you are doing, but there is no need to. If you can tune the computer to adjust timing tyhen you don't need to adjust it with the mechanical timing adjuster. The only advantage to the timing adjuster is that 1) it is cheaoper than a tuner, 2) you don't have to know anything about tuning with computers to use it.
The Predator and XCal 2 tuners both eliminate the need for a timing adjuster and a chip. They can do the same things a chip does without leaving visible evidence on the PCM. The predator comes pre-loaded with a "generic" performance tune designed for all Ford Mustangs in certain year ranges with minimal modifications.
I am getting Predator custom tunes via e-mail for $75, and have taken the car to a dyno each time after loading updates. A dyno shop can do the same custom tuning on the spot if they have CMR or SCT software. I had lean A/F ratios running from the mid 14's to the low 15's at WOT with my factory tune, and the custom tune addressed that completely. I never had a dyno run with the standard Predator tune, however in my case it was probably running as lean or leaner than the factory tune was.
I would go sct as you can upgrade to the pro racer package if you ever need to really tune a car. supercharger, cams, heads, etc the pro racer package and a wideband o2 and you are your own tunning station. then agian if you are not going to really mod you car a ton the predator is okay. I just like the fact that SCT offers a complete stand alone solution. once you have it no more money needs to be spent. you can tune for any variable.
He's right about that. If you're very knowledgeable about tuning your own car and maybe are into serious racing, the SCT Pro Racer Package is the way to go. Since my car is a daily driver I don't necessarily need it, but I have gone part way there and installed a wideband 02 datalogger/gauge setup.
With the Predator, you can also get DiabloSport's ChipMaster Revolution package and do all out professional level tuning, similar to the SCT Pro Racer Package. Either way, you're looking at something around $800 and hours and hours of research to really use it. For most daily driven Mustang owners, who like to go to the track on some weekends, the Predator or Xcal2 will fit well.
Well I would like to do 3.73 gears, 70mm Accufab Plenum and VT Stage 2 Cams sometime in the near future. Cams maybe in like Decemenber. And I think I will probably go with the Predator since my car is a DD and will only go to the track like 2-3 times this summer. Are you saying that I can call Diablo and have them custom load a tune into the predator designed for my car for like an additional $75? So I will have the Predator come with the Factory Tune, Their light modification tune, AND the custom tune I bought for $75? AND one slot for an additional tune of my own? Or am I misinturpretting that? Because the Pred comes with the Factory HP tune, their custom light modded tune and one custom tune slot of your own, right?
No, Diablo charges $120 I think, but any CMR dealer can do custom tuning. The Predator as you buy it will come loaded only with their performance tune. The factory tune will be copied from your car to the Predator the first time you use it. You can then download this factory tune to your computer and e-mail to Diablo or a Diablo CMR (Chipmaster Revolution) dealer for customizing, or have a dyno tuner with CMR software do it in person. Along with your factory tune, a dyno session indicating your baseline numbers along with some parameters datalogged by the Predator while on the dyno is used by the tuner to develop your custom tune.
