sct x3 experiences?

[CALDWELL]

I can say that my mpg didnt get any better, but def notice some HP/TQ gains...

 

[Limited02]

I can say that my mpg didnt get any better, but def notice some HP/TQ gains...

Now's not a great time to compare that. With these winter fuel blends, I'm getting about 12.5mpg average That's down from 15.5mpg avg I was getting over the summer.

Hoping to add a CAI, put efan back on, UDP's and see if datalogging will help James fine tune my tune for better power.

 

[fatness]

ok reviving an old thread for selfish reasons....

1. hensonperformance.com for those who don't know.

2. www.sctflash.com is the mother-ship website. they have "core tunes" as well for those who find a killer deal used.

3. "cracker-jack tunes" this was the point I wanted to cover...

<sliding Soap box over & clearing throat> there is NO WAY anyone in location "a" can provide an optimized, definitely not guaranteed SAFE tune for customer in location "B" if they are separated by geography of more than about 200-300 miles. Its simply NOT possible. I live in Dallas Texas. 200-300 miles has me in houston/baytown/the Gulf the humidity, the average temp, the gas quality... ALL are different. PERIOD. 300-400 miles has me in either Colorado or Nebraska, with their own cold/hot cycles & gas situations.

My 2002 Harley F150 (5.4L supercharged, mega mods) was originally tuned in St. Louis. When I moved to Dallas, I ended up 1/2mile from a drag strip. Went out on a Friday test/tune, nearly destroyed the engine due to detonation. What gives? the tune was spot on, the A/F was beautiful!! huh? well TX isn't as generous with gas quality nor are they as humid as StL. So I live & learn.

The bottom line is what comes in the Cracker-Jack-box Tuning, it is a STARTING point. Therefore a mail order tune is NOT optimum, it is usually not very safe, depending on how geographically different the Tuner's location is VS. your usage location is. Most shops will charge you the SAME fee for the real time tune as the unit itself. So now you're double the $$ versus the 1 time get it right... until you make more mods...

Tune smart folks... Tunes for Omaha Nebraska or Niagra Falls, NY won't be optimum for Gainesville, FL, Phoenix, AZ or NZ-down under.

I know James is good... the base tune will be in the ball park... but there is LOTS left on the table NZ versus Alabama, USA.

Rob

Anyone have a rebuttal to this? I know there are at least a handful of people on here running SCT tunes by James.

I don't really have too much knowledge on the topic, but Bob's points seem to ring pretty true. I was thinking about doing an UDP, and then tune from James. This has pushed me more towards finding a local SCT dealer to work on the tune. My X is just a daily driver. No racing, large load hauling, etc.

 

[Ronin8002]

This isn't a rebuttal since I agree with 2002GreyHD150's post. Just wanted to point out that he mentioned a supercharged vehicle in his example.

I believe I remember James saying something about in cases where you're dealing with big power mods that require a very accurate tune, that situation does not lend itself to the "tune by email" approach. He recommended a dyno tune in those situations.

Most if not all of the 3rd Gen guys running his tunes are doing so on very mildly modified setups (intake/exhaust) mods. While you can easily write a tune for those setups that are on the ragged edge of being safe (or even unsafe) I suspect James keeps his tunes somewhat conservative to allow them to be safe for different climates, etc.

Sure, this would mean that it may not be a 100% dead on perfect tune for everyone. I agree with 2002GreyHD150 there.

There's only so much that an intake/exhaust/other bolt on mod will do on the 3rd Gens as far as affecting engine parameters, which I am certain that James has accounted for in writing his tunes. We're not talking about major tuning changes needing to be made here. Even the stock tune probably compensates for these types of mods to a large extent.

So yes, the only way to GUARANTEE a fully appropriate, safe tune that will result in maximum gains is to either have it tuned live on a dyno or by datalogging and emailing the logs to James to look at. But based on the reviews of members who have run his tunes on 3rd gens, I have not seen any reported issues from the tunes nor have I experienced them myself.

 

[sjr033]

No tune is going to be 100% optimum at 100% of the time. The temp changes, elevation changes and fuel changes. Keep in mind a tune is also a balance act of fuel economy, power & reliablity. For the average NA steet motor, a mail order tune is fine. For a "mega mods" supercharged motor that 2002GreyHD150 has and races, a mail order turn will come up very short of giving him the best tune. Anything short of time on the dyno with a pro tuner would. With the limited mods (bolt ons) that most people on here do, a tune from someone with experience with our truck like James, seems to be the best way to go, short of paying for dyno time and a custom tune.

 

[lynchy wa]

I agree Sjr033. If your not racing then having someone who knows explorer's is the best person to write a custom tune and James has excellent after sales service.

 

[fatness]

All of your points make sense. For the modifications and my use, it sounds like James is a safe means for operating. It does make it that much better sending him my vehicle specific read outs as well.

Thanks for talking me through this!

 

[Turdle]

Anyone have a rebuttal to this? I know there are at least a handful of people on here running SCT tunes by James.

I don't really have too much knowledge on the topic, but Bob's points seem to ring pretty true. I was thinking about doing an UDP, and then tune from James. This has pushed me more towards finding a local SCT dealer to work on the tune. My X is just a daily driver. No racing, large load hauling, etc.

You can datalog with a wideband 02 sensor to overcome this stuff. Then James will email a tune file back to correct any issues.

He has collected data from all over, with several engine configurations--BTW


However, the original post has a little truth to it. The off the shelf tune will error on the safe side so there should be no worries of engine damage. For optimum performance there is no substitute for a dyno session with your tuner.

Oh
and good luck getting James' level of service from anyone else. His shoes are pretty big.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

No tune is going to be 100% optimum at 100% of the time. The temp changes, elevation changes and fuel changes. Keep in mind a tune is also a balance act of fuel economy, power & reliablity. For the average NA steet motor, a mail order tune is fine. For a "mega mods" supercharged motor that 2002GreyHD150 has and races, a mail order turn will come up very short of giving him the best tune. Anything short of time on the dyno with a pro tuner would. With the limited mods (bolt ons) that most people on here do, a tune from someone with experience with our truck like James, seems to be the best way to go, short of paying for dyno time and a custom tune.

well said. I am absolutely sure James is giving the best possible tune that can be done safely. I don't want anyone to think I was aiming aat James in any way. Further from the truth.

I used my supercharged vehicle as an example. The overall fuel/timing maps will accommodate for reasonable changes in altitude, temp, & load. No doubt about that. Just like being able to leave here in Dallas & drive up to Denver. The basic beauty of fuel injection at its best. However as your mod levels go up, so does the need for more accurate use of those same tables.

Even better example: when the Harley was totally stock, I had owned it 3 days, I had a long road trip from St. Louis through Kansas, Nebraska, up to south & north Dakota. The truck ran HORRIBLE once I got to a certain point in Nebraska all the way until I got to Fargo, North Dakota. Dead of winter (Feb) wind chills down below -40 & winter fuel blends all added up to the truck would barely run. I had to have the Dealer tow the truck in & reflash with what they called a "high altitude/cold weather tune".& an engine block heater. LOL

On my SCT Xcal 2 in the Harley I had (3) programs winter, summer, Valet.

I am looking for a programmer for the Monty right now I want a similar set of options. Unfortunately the only AWD dyno's in the area are at import shops & they aren't familiar with our trucks.

Anyway. My overall point is still basically the same, mail order tuning from a reputable dealer (like James) will be fine for 95% of the people. There is more to be had, but requires knowledge & local tuning.

Rob

 

[lynchy wa]

Anyone running torque tunes notice better performance off road?

 

[FF00RD]

can these be fine tuned at a performance shop on a dyno?

For example if I buy a henson tuner, get him to set it up for X for example. Then after I have done a few more mods get a shop to fine tune it? so its perfect for my mods and climate conditions

 

[morziac]

can these be fine tuned at a performance shop on a dyno?

For example if I buy a henson tuner, get him to set it up for X for example. Then after I have done a few more mods get a shop to fine tune it? so its perfect for my mods and climate conditions

Yep

 

[JCUZ]

Be aware that the Oz distributors (Herrods) will NOT support an XCal bought from the US.

I had an XCal3 for my explorer (since sold), and it was great - was able to clear codes and it ran better on LPG with the tunes than without.

 

[lynchy wa]

I didn't know that JC, cheers for the info. A few people mentioned it was worth getting your mod's done first and then buying the Henson sctx3 tuner, the other option is to use the datalogging feature to have the tunes adjusted as you modify you're rig. (I have yet to use that as I'm happy with the tunes James sent me)

 

[morziac]

Be aware that the Oz distributors (Herrods) will NOT support an XCal bought from the US.

I had an XCal3 for my explorer (since sold), and it was great - was able to clear codes and it ran better on LPG with the tunes than without.

Yeh i actually just found this out myself, which sucks cos i just bought a XR8 Falcon and wanted to get another XCAL 3 to run on that , i was gonna buy one from James and then get it tuned over here butobviously i cant do that now and right now i cant afford the $1000 price tag that they have over here

 

[lynchy wa]

Is the 5.4 in the falcon the same as the motor in an f 150? Could you read the stock program and get James to write the custom tunes accordingly? Just an idea, got no clue as to whether it's possible.

 

[morziac]

Is the 5.4 in the falcon the same as the motor in an f 150? Could you read the stock program and get James to write the custom tunes accordingly? Just an idea, got no clue as to whether it's possible.

nah i dont think they r exacty the same unfortunately , plus the difference in performance between the setup in a sedan versus a truck might be a bit far apart, not a bad idea but being a falcon the guys down here obviously know them like the back of their hand so it will probably just be easier to get it sorted here when i get the cash, obviously after i get exhaust, cai and throttle body sorted out