Low end torque...

[Turdle]

Another thing your dad will want to hear--

3 programs means this is possible

economy tune-
performance (high octane )tune

and a valet-or theft control tune-allowing a pre determined top speed--

 

[rocket 5979]

Also tell your dad that most mechanics have NO idea about what kind of stuff goes into the tuning of a modern fuel injected mass air flow system vehicle these days. Gone are the days of your regular Joe Schmo garage mechanic that can rejet your carb and put a different accel pump in there and twist your distributor a bit to get things running right. Now it is all handled by some very complex computer software that takes a specialist to do it. 99.99% of mechanics (even extremely knowledgeable ones) would have no clue how to tune a modern day vehicle; let alone have the proper equipment to do it.

 

[aldive]

You may want a new tune every time you modify the truck-you might even experiment with several tunes-

So true ...

I have used well over 30 tunes in my quest for gas mileage.

 

[Jakee]

There's a selling point for you to tell your dad. Tell him to look at Aldive's achievements with gas milliage.

 

[rocket 5979]

milliage.

 

[Jakee]

hooked on phonics. - Mileage

 

[Patton]

Okay I understand this much better now. I was look at SCT X-Calibrator 2s on EBay and it looks like I can get a used one at about 2-3 hundred bucks. This is a much easier purchase. Is this a good route to go? After I get the X-Cal2 unit I'd have to buy the tunes from James, correct? I believe 3 were $115?

 

[CDW6212R]

For a used flasher the biggest thing is trust and whether the flasher is restored to its original condition. That means unlocked, with the stock tune removed from it. Buy only if you trust that the flasher is unlocked. Good luck,

 

[rocket 5979]

I think that a person should only buy a used Xcal2 if they know what they are doing, what questions to ask, and all that. My suggestion would be that you buy one new as you will have a big chance to get screwed on a deal for a used one and end up paying much more for the used one to get working correctly for your vehicle than just go with a new one.

Play it safe and buy the Xcal2 new.

 

[CDW6212R]

It is a risk issue, the same kind of mature decision we must make for the rest of our lives. You must weigh the low risk of the $400 new flasher, against the small savings possible with a used flasher. If the seller has not unlocked the device, it is not easy to send it to the manufacturer and have them unlock it, plus that isn't free.

It is a matter of trust, trust of a stranger. eBay is full of respectable sellers, as well as very bad sellers. Think about it, I look at both choices before deciding. Let your father be part of that decision too. Regards,

 

[Patton]

Hmmm I think I will get a new one. Now the issue is getting the money together... I'm one poor 18 year old.
I have a quick question about under drive pulleys... I see there is one for sale from henson performance. This would replace the crankshaft pulley correct? If I got this will I need a new belt? If so what size?
One other quick question. Would it be worth it to save even MORE money and get the SCT Livewire for ~600 dollars? What are the differences between the XCAL2 and livewire (besides the livewire having one badassssss display)?
Thanks for your help guys. I really do appreciate your time and all these answers are easy to understand for a noob like me hey I'm learning though. it's all very exciting.

 

[rocket 5979]

Hmmm I think I will get a new one. Now the issue is getting the money together... I'm one poor 18 year old.
I have a quick question about under drive pulleys... I see there is one for sale from henson performance. This would replace the crankshaft pulley correct? If I got this will I need a new belt? If so what size?
One other quick question. Would it be worth it to save even MORE money and get the SCT Livewire for ~600 dollars? What are the differences between the XCAL2 and livewire (besides the livewire having one badassssss display)?
Thanks for your help guys. I really do appreciate your time and all these answers are easy to understand for a noob like me hey I'm learning though. it's all very exciting.

Do not get the Livewire. It just offers a bunch more bells and whistles that people use once or twice right after they buy it for the "cool" factor and then after a while get tired of it and put it in their closet. The Xcal2 uses the same exact tunes that the Livewire does so there will be zero performance difference between the two devices. Livewire is not worth the money but for a very few people who actually use that extra features. 99% of people do not fit that profile.

 

[CDW6212R]

Agreed, I have the Scangauge device which is similarly handy for watching parameters while driving. I didn't keep it in my Mountaineer, but for my 99 work Explorer I like it a lot for watching water temps, gallons used, mileage etc. I shall mount it inside my glovebox soon instead of on the floor.

Get the basic flasher for performance needs.

 

[Patton]

Alright XCAL2 it is. With any luck I'll have the money by mid to late september. ahhhh I'm so excited!!
Is anyone planning on attending the Nopi Nationals Motorsport Supershow at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on the 15th of september? I think I'm going to make plans to go. I have a friend who says its ammmmmmaaaaazinnnnggg.

 

[Patton]

Okay I have a few more questions...
Firstly I see I have about 3 options...
1. Hensonperformance.com XCAL2 for $390. Does the $390 include the three tunes or are the tunes seperate?
2. Explorerexpress.com BamaChips XCAL2 $400. How does this compare with the henson performance XCAL2 and tunes?
3. Hensonperformance.com Eliminator Switch Chip $270. Cheaper alternative... but apparently problematic and a bit of a hassle. Also the fact that your stuck with the tunes you buy and have to send it in to get new ones. Am I better off getting a flasher?

My main concern is between choices #1 and #2. What are the pros and cons of each?

 

[rocket 5979]

Okay I have a few more questions...
Firstly I see I have about 3 options...
1. Hensonperformance.com XCAL2 for $390. Does the $390 include the three tunes or are the tunes seperate?
2. Explorerexpress.com BamaChips XCAL2 $400. How does this compare with the henson performance XCAL2 and tunes?
3. Hensonperformance.com Eliminator Switch Chip $270. Cheaper alternative... but apparently problematic and a bit of a hassle. Also the fact that your stuck with the tunes you buy and have to send it in to get new ones. Am I better off getting a flasher?

My main concern is between choices #1 and #2. What are the pros and cons of each?

Both #1 and #2 come with 3 tunes and the overall same package included in the price you posted. However, where Henson Performance pulls away is with James' stellar customer service and him actually caring about the Explorer performance community. Bamachips is more or less long gone. By the looks of things Doug (Bamachips) doesn't care about the Explorer community so I would stay far away from him. James is an active member of this site and it shows. I would say all of this even if I didn't have business ties with James.

 

[Jakee]

Patton – the right decision is Henson performance all the way.

 

[Patton]

Okay, between #1 and #2 its #1 all the way. What about #3 though?

 

[rocket 5979]

Okay, between #1 and #2 its #1 all the way. What about #3 though?

The eliminator chips do have their place. I will be doing the Elim chip in my 93 Ranger (OBD-1). The problem is that if you have an issue with a tune or you want a tweak to be done then you will have to send the chip off to the tuner to get it reprogrammed. With the Xcal2 all you would have to do is call James up and ask him to tweak a few things. Then he just emails you the tune and you upload it to the Xcal2 yourself and then use the Xcal2 to reprogram your X. That easy. The Xcal2 also serves as a datalogger which some of us more experienced people find very useful. And it also reads and clears diagnostic trouble codes. Once place where Elim chips come into their own is if you want quick swapping between tunes. For instance if a person was running a dry shot of nitrous on one tune and normal non-nitrous tune. All they would have to do is flip the switch attached to the chip and be on the other tune. With the Xcal2 you would have to upload another tune manually with it. I would say that 90% of people would be better served by the Xcal2 than the Eliminator chip.

 

[CDW6212R]

Agreed, the chips are fine for final vehicle combinations, where a quick change is needed, and no more modifications are going to be done.