SCT XCAL2 ..help

[MountaineerGreen]

You can plug your Xcal in and read the strategy, don't even have to pop the hood.

1 email to James is enough, he will reply. Keep in mind this is the weekend, he cannot work 24/7

Storiled: I know you are excited about all this, the shift kit and flasher and all, but you really, really need to slow down, read the answers given to you. If you go back and read this and your other thread about the shift kit, the answers to your questions are there. People who are helping you will soon tire from repeating everything they say.

 

[storlied]

Understood.

 

[aldive]

Do I still need the box code from my ECU?

Yes, you need the computer box code.

Where is it and what does it look like if I do?

You will find it on a sticker on top of the PCM mounted to the firewall.

It will be a code such HWG1 ( my code ).

 

[storlied]

Alright, James responded to my e-mail(s).

Daniel,
With my tuning I recommend min of 89 octane fuel. For example I would recommend a (89 street,89 tow,93 street) otherwise if 93 isn't available then 91 octane could be substituted. As far as needing a shift kit, I can firm your shifts and I believe you would be happy with that move. Fuel economy tunes, I don't guarantee any increases in fuel economy due to driving habits,geographical layout,vehicle state of tune,etc. Normally my customers see an average of 1mpg but please remember this is average and not guaranteed. If you would like to order tunes you can go to my website.
Thanks for the repeat business
James Henson
HensonPerformance,Inc.
hensonperformance@bham.rr.com
205-531-0598

My question is... should I forget about the shift kit if the tune can firm up the shifts anyways? Considering the transmission is electronically controlled.. will a shift kit even matter if the ecu is programmed more aggressively [with the transmission]?

As suggested by jtsmith, I'm definitely going to at least replace the fluid with Amsoil which has been known to help a lot.

 

[jonlax]

I have been tunning my own vehicles (1991 acura integra turbo and an RX-7) for a good time now. It was hard at first and i learned on a 1991 acura that i boosted with 8 psi. Using an AEM piggy back ,i learned the hardway and ended up leaning it out. I am glad you are looking into tunning the right way since the hard way can be expensive. I would go with a good oil like jtsmith said. People on here swear by amsoil and i have nothing against that but i have been running royal purple for about 6 years with out any problems on piston and wankel engines. Hell aldive gets 30 mpg+ and runs the stuff so it must be good enough. Anyway i had a shift kit on my 99 sport which felt alot better than the tune that i had done but i would save your 250 bucks that they charge for the shift kit and just try out the tune first. Take it in slowly and learn!

Jon

 

[storlied]

Yeah, I figured I would see how I like the tune first.. as far as the shifts go. And then figure out if I need/want the shift kit then. The trans-go shift kit is around 120$-160$.

I believe both Royal Purple & Amsoil make excellent products.

I was just wondering if anyone had any information that would be helpful [concerning to shift kits with tunes], thanks for the feedback.

 

[aldive]

My question is... should I forget about the shift kit if the tune can firm up the shifts anyways? .

I would stick to the tune.

 

[rocket 5979]

Stick with the tune to firm your shifts up first. The tune can be reversed but once you do the shift kit then it cannot be uninstalled if you ever get tired of it or want to return to stock to sell the vehicle.

 

[storlied]

Alright, I'm going to go with it then.

Tomorrow or Wednesday.. I'm going to get at least One performance tune.. I need to look around and see what the octane rating for premium is here. I'm wanting a 91 tune, but 90 will do.

Could anyone explain how the tow and street tunes differ? would tow be something i'd want when off-roading?

 

[Xan]

Stick with the tune to firm your shifts up first. The tune can be reversed but once you do the shift kit then it cannot be uninstalled if you ever get tired of it or want to return to stock to sell the vehicle.

Oh yeah only do things that can be taken off and returned to stock you know all about that.

Shift kits are actually way better for your Trans, the programmers push more fluid through the stock holes and put more strain on the stock accumulators and such. While the shift kit replaces springs and makes the holes larger for more flow to go through.

 

[storlied]

See now I'm stuck with this decision, because I have different people saying the exact opposite as each other... Great..
I've thought about what you just said Xan before..
Hmm... Aren't the 5.0L Trannys bullet proof? I would think it would be able to take the extra stress. But now I just don't know............arg...
I do still think I'll need to see how the transmission performs after the tune, before I figure out if I need/want the shift kit. Many others are running tunes that change how the transmission performs and no shift kit with no problems at all.

I just need to figure this all out...

 

[Xan]

See now I'm stuck with this decision, because I have different people saying the exact opposite as each other... Great..
I've thought about what you just said Xan before..
Hmm... Aren't the 5.0L Trannys bullet proof? I would think it would be able to take the extra stress. But now I just don't know............arg...
I do still think I'll need to see how the transmission performs after the tune, before I figure out if I need/want the shift kit. Many others are running tunes that change how the transmission performs and no shift kit with no problems at all.

I just need to figure this all out...

Its not bullet proof, but its tuff. You don't have to change anything on the trans with the tune, but who ever does your tune needs to know not to do it. Its not about what you need its about what you want.

 

[storlied]

James from Henson Performance knows a lot about this stuff, he had even said I would probably be better off sticking with the transmission changes he makes in the tune rather than getting the shift kit.. but hey.. it's still an option.. to get the shift kit after the tune.
I still believe it might be a good idea considering.. the tune will change my shift points, and firm up my shifts.. and the kit will make my transmission more responsive to the commands the ECU sends it.. so it'll be modded on both the software & hardware side.
I'm taking one thing at a time, and the tune is a lot less cheaper than the shift kit and labor.

This is my list of stuff, higher priority stuff at the top:
Tune
Shift Kit

TT/Shackles Lift w/alignment
15x8 rims

Clear Corner
Billet Grill

It's all about cost and function.

 

[Xan]

Well i'll tell you if you're gonna tow and then want to switch to performance and stuff i'd just stick with the tuner ones but if its just about performance i'd do a shift kit. If you're worried about resell and all that jazz then take rocket's advice.
Btw you're gonna have someone else do the shift kit? they are actualy really easy if you take your time and do it right (put the check balls in the right places) they are a cake walk.

 

[storlied]

Don't I have to drill stuff in there? I'd rather not touch anything that has to do with transmissions....
I don't tow.. I race around a lot, and do some mild off-roading. [which is why I was wondering if the tow/torque tune would be good for that? Or if the street tune would be good enough...]
The most towing I do.. is pulling people who are stuck out..

 

[storlied]

So no explanation as to what the differences between the tow/torque tune and street/race performance tune are?

 

[aldive]

Take heed in what Rocket and James are terlling you; they do indeed know what they are talking about.

 

[storlied]

I'm trying to take all the information into consideration. The fact many people have tunes that change the transmission's operation and they have no tranny problems is definitely something to keep in mind.

 

[aldive]

You need to heed advise from people who know what they are talking about.

 

[storlied]

So you're saying Xan doesn't know what he's talking about?..
Come on Aldive..
I'm trying to take all this information into consideration, n tryin to figure this all out.,. how other people's setups are workin out for em.. n now ur tryin to make me choose sides... I mentioned above James knows his stuff, and I stated what he recommended what I should do.

As far as forcing fluids through small valves n whatnot.. there's probably a threshold James won't cross to keep things from being damaged.