Hey y'all,
Im looking at getting a sct programmer for my truck (01 f150 4x4 5.4 liter) for more power and because I recently straight piped it and it obvioisly needs to be richer. In the future im going to put lt headers, x pipe and high flo cats, plus a cai on it and that will need tuningtoo. Also, im running 38s and need to fix the speedo. Now my question is what sct tuner is best for all this. I know there's the xcal3 and such, but im having trouble finding specs on them, im looking for wich one will give me the best tuning options for the cheapest price. Im pretty sure they all come with the canned tunes, but id also like it to accept custom downloaded ones. Any help?
and sorry if this is a common question, didn't see and sticky on it.

- 450f rider

 

IMHO if you're running 38s, you need to spend your money on a re-gear first.

If you don't your tuner money will be spent on a new transmission.

When you're ready for the SCT, look at the XCAL3 with custom tunes from VMP, 5Star, PHP, or Troyer Performance.

 

Stickies of interest - in my sig.

Xcal3 manual: http://www.sctflash.com/PDF/X3_SF3Manual.pdf

Specs here:

SF3 (canned - but can accept custom): http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=2&VID=

X3 ( blank - needs custom to be ordered fr0m dealer): http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=1&VID=

Recommended Dealer - VMP: http://www.vmptuning.com/store/index...parent=66&pg=1

Place order here: http://www.vmptuning.com/store/index...=226&parent=66


MGD

 

I probably should have phrased all of this differently. Sometime December I will be ordering my 8" lift, wheels, tires, intake, and tuner. BUT I'm waiting until December because I need a little more money for gears

What is the price difference between the xcal3 and sf3? sf3 seems like the best option for now, because in about a year or so I'm going to revamp the entire exhaust, so rather than get a tune now, and then another later I will just run on a canned tune for now. Does it allow for mixture adjustments by the user for mods such as exhausts and intakes, or is that only possible if I obtain a custom tune?
And thanks for the quick replies, its much appreciated.

 

EDIT: according to the VMP website, the sct xcal3 does not have generic tunes for a 01 f-150 5.4L?

 

^ You don't do 'mixture adjustments' - the custom tuner feller does. And - it's not a carb, so this is actually far more involved that turning a screw of rejetting a carb.

Exhausts need no tuning correction - unless you use certain longtubes that require O2 transport delay correction.

No 2001 support? Rilly? --> http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=2&VID=350#3. Hqave you confirmed this with their tech support? I think VMP's site is either incorrect or has not been updated in this regard ( eg - an SF3 will work on 08+ trucks now, too) - best to check directly with SCT.

Intakes (Washoobi's) *may* require MAF TF correction - also the realm of the custom tuner feller. Unless it's a Gotts mod - which requires none. In fact, it's likely you do not since a 2001 uses a venturi-style MAF - which is for the most part not affected by intake tract changes that a Washoobi would introduce. Ask yer tuner feller.

Costs - refer to my previous post. Also be aware that, either way, you will be paying extra for custom tune files if you do not order them with the unit initially ( they are included with purchase of the custom-tuned model variant ). So - you may as well get them now. If you do yer upgrade within 6 months, tune revisions are free.

Did you not read through the links I gave you? It's all explained in there.


MGD

 

Ah, mixture, yes I was thinking of carburetors. The amount of fuel being injected, apparently can be changed at WOT according to SCT. So it appears there would be no point to getting the SF3 and paying more for the custom tunes later. Might as well get the x3 and custom tune for the extra $20.

But I did think that the straight pipe would make it run lean?

 

^ No. Loud & raspy perhaps, but no leaner. There is no real, significant or effective increase in scavenging with this setup to incur additional leanness.

MGD

EDIT - Thanks to the ever-vigilant Sir Shotgunz fer pointing out the ENORMOUS Literary Gaffe ( '$' instead of '&' ). Oh, the shame !!!

 

Figured so. Just wasn't sure. With the headers hi flo cats and xpipe dual setup I will need anew tune to harness all of the available power....now just to get that done in six months.

Thanks all, appreciate it.

 

You can get all your questions answered by calling SCT or one of their vendors. As I recall, Troyer & VMP both do a pretty good job of answering questions.

 

450f-rider, PM sent.

 

actually to correct some mis information in this thread


depending on your tuner (or canned tunes) you can adjust air fuel, spark, shift points, shift firmness idle speed etc....