Not trying to be rude, but what does this have to do with tuning a 6.2?

 

I wouldn't worry about the screen freezing like that as long as it doesn't happen too often. Might be a good idea to check for updates with SCT Device Updater.

 

OK, so the Livewire still keeps freezing up. Is that going to damage the unit if it keeps it up? I went to the SCT website to see what I need to do to update it. It looks like I have to download a program on my computer, then update off of that? Looking at the firmware update, it has nothing in it that addresses my issue. Or any programming for what I have. Looks like there is a program I guess?, from a few weeks ago though that I need to download to be able to do any future updates. I'm afraid I'll lose my custom tunes, or afraid I'll screw it up, or I'll damage my programmer, or worse my truck. I'm guessing I should return my truck to stock before I attempt anything. The website said in one of the updates that I may lose my custom tunes . I sent an email to SCT and am awaiting a reply. Has anyone else had an issue with the screen freezing up? Or doing updates?

 

Not to sound like an alarmist, but it sounds like there may actually be an issue with your programmer. I would make sure the issues are well documented, and be talking with both SCT and the Tuner you bought this from. All manufactured items have a failure rate, you may have just been the lucky one.

 

The website is far from correct on displaying what updates were for what issues. The best bet is to return to stock and run the auto updater.

After that if you are still having issues, definitely get in touch with sct tech support. 866-297-6298

 

Thanks guys. Yesterday I did the update. Returned the truck to stock and brought the unit in. Went to the SCT website and downloaded the app.? I guess it's called? Went thru the process and it seemed to work OK. Took the unit out and hooked it back up. It took about 10 mins. for it to go thru its rigamaroll, then I went ahead and put the 91 performance tune back in. This time I raised my rev limiter from 6,150rpm (what it says is stock) to 6,350rpm. When she revs up, she hits the limiter pretty quick and the truck falls flat on itself. So I figured a little more RPM's may help. When I ordered my tunes I gave the tuner guy the specs on the truck, including that I have 3.73's. But there was an option to change the ratio. It was set on stock, I changed it to 3.73. Probably doesn't matter, but did it anyway . So I took her out for a ride to the post office and it seemed to be fine. Hit her from a 20mph roll and she still hit the limiter really fast, but for only a moment this time. The ghost needle on the Livewire tach tops out at about 6,000-6,100rpm. I know the tach in the truck goes past 6,200 or so, before it shifts into 2nd. gear. Would it be "Safe"? to raise the rev limiter another one or two rpm's? I'm leaving this morning on a trip to my sisters in Pasadena, MD., then out to my place in West Virginia. My Lap Top crashed. I should be able to get on line at my sisters to give an update on how the unit is acting. Thanks again guys.......

 

No it wouldn't - you are asking for torque converter ballooning. Lower the shift points to at least 400 rpm under the limiter.

 

That's pretty much what I figured. Thanks. I'll have to take another look at the options for the custom tunes. From what I remember?, and I'll need to go double check, but I don't think I have that option on the custom tunes. I don't remember seeing that. I think I can adjust the timing, rear ratio, tire diameter, engine rev limiter. But under the canned tunes, I do remember seeing a lot more options. Like neutral rev limiter, drive rev limiter, rear ratio, tire diameter, some fuel adjustments, and more. Oh, on the trip out to West Virginia and back there were no problems with the unit. I did notice that on the 91 performance tune that the gas mileage is suffering slightly. Trying to use the same driving style, meaning averaging 65 mph on the freeways, 50-55 as posted, not hitting it too often , The trip out was 17.1 mpg. It was rainy, windy and I was heading into the wind most of the time. And on the trip back it was 17.8 mpg. Mostly sunny and into the wind again but was light. I usually get 18.5-19 mpg in so-so conditions. 20 mpg or so in decent conditions. Haven't towed anymore. So update on that yet. Thanks again guys for the inputs.......

 

OK, so. I returned the truck to stock the other day because I had to take her in for a slight vibration when I hit the brakes, and have the TPMS reset (I had no luck doing it). I suspected the rotor, I was right. Once I got home, I put the unit back in and programed the 91 performance tune back in. Went out yesterday to do a few errands. Was sitting at a light and decided to go into manual mode for a little test and play . I didn't want to nail it because, well, I want the tires to last a little while . So, I just give it a little tap so as not to fry the tires out of the hole, then gave it a quick thrust to about 1/2 throttle. OMG! It thrust me so hard into the seat I barely had time to think about shifting into second Leaving it in "Drive", it has never launched that hard, or reved that fast even when I nailed it to the floor. I know in the past that she seemed to respond better if I didn't nail it directly to the floor, just to about 3/4 throttle. Then after I've built some speed tramp her down. WOW! I'm loving this......

 

Well, it's been a little over three months since I posted in here and I thought I would give a bit of an update. I took the truck in for an oil change on Tuesday. So afterwards I put the Livewire back in and programmed in the canned tune. I usually run that most of the time. I get 2mpg or so better on that tune over the 91 performance tune. So, on the canned tune, the throttle response is much better, and she revs faster. But when she hit the rev limiter, which was quick, she would fall flat on her face. Once it did shift she would pick right up again. So I raised the rev limiter to 6,350 rpm (was set at 6,150 stock), and that made a world of difference. Now she touches the limiter just enough for a slight stumble before shifting. Now she noticeably "jumps" a bit at shift and keeps climbing. So I may try another 100 rpm. We'll see. And I really don't "Run" her like that, that much any way. I don't need to. Just a quarter throttle or so and I am at 60 (or higher) mph lickity split. Which brings me to part throttle performance. Awesome. Especially when cruising. Just barely touch the throttle and speed picks up quickly. OK, now for shifting. It's firmer at all shifts, but not stiff or hard. It shifts quicker because I'm picking up speed faster, I suppose. When hitting the throttle for a little "spirited" driving, the shifts are very firm and quick, but not bone jarring. For over all daily driving this is my preferred tune over the 91 performance tune. Which is where we are now at . The 91 performance tune I received from 5-Star Tuning is just that. All Performance. This thing revs like a banshee. It pulls very hard, especially after 3,500 rpm. I never have to give her any more than quarter throttle or I would be going 100 mph . Seriously. Off idle with a light touch and shifts are fast and firm, and I'm at speed quickly. With a quick thrust on the throttle I have to Wooo up my foot fast or I'm way past 60...... . The more throttle, the firmer the shifts. Cruising, if I gently push the throttle to leisurely pick up speed it will hold gear. Any amount of pressure sends it down into the next gear. If I nail it, either at idle or on a role, the 1-2 shift is........... frame twisting, bone jarring, teeth raddling, Fun . The rest of the shifts are extremely solid. The overall shift pattern, going at a leisurely pace it holds each gear longer before it upshifts. For example, before it would shift into sixth somewhere around 40, now it will not touch sixth until 50. Down shifts are sooner and quick. I haven't towed enough yet with the tuner to give a real impression. The first two times I towed, I was one the 91 Tow tune I requested. But I was not in T/H mode. I may try that at a later date. I travel thru some mountains/hilly terrain on my way to West Virginia. The first half of the trip is relatively flat, while elevation on the last half varies to 1,800 feet or so. Final destination is at about 1,200'. I was towing about 3,600 lbs. or so. It's my Polaris Ranger HD in a 7x14 enclosed V-nose trailer. Mileage on the Tow tune was very poor, much worse than stock, which is typically 12.5-13 mpg. The best for the tow tune was 9.5 mpg. Performance on flat ground seemed OK, but didn't seem to be up to par on inclines. By the time I got to a crest after a long climb I was really pushing on the gas. But, it did seem to hold gear longer and shifted much better, and less. By the time I got to my destination my tail pipes were black. I just haven't contacted 5-Star yet, been busy with life things. I'm sure they can straighten it out. I've only towed on the canned tune once. The mileage improved. But still not as good as stock. And when on an incline it was shifting all over the place. Once it shifted into third to maintain 55-60 mph going up. So I guess I won't be using the canned tune to tow if I will be hitting any elevations. So there it is. My impressions so far with the Livewire. Except for the towing issues, I'm happy..

 

It's been a little while. Overall I've been happy with the Livewire. I keep it hooked up to the truck. I have it mounted next to the A-pillar with the suction cup. I use the gauges to keep tabs on the engine. I use the dial tach. with the ghost needles, the intake temperature, and the engine temperature. They both also display the high and low readings. When I return the truck to stock for an oil change or service, I bring it inside to do whatever updates are needed. So I do that pretty regular. But I still have a couple miner issues that I wanted to describe and see if anyone else has had them. It hasn't been as frequent of late, but the screen randomly freezes up. No warning, or sounds, or blips. And none of the buttons will work. I have to unplug the Livewire for it to reset. I've tried to notice when it happens. I can be driving, I can be sitting at a light, or under the carport in the driveway. It just doesn't give a warning. I have noticed that the Livewire is very warm when it happens, almost hot in fact. But it's always very warm as it is. So I'm wondering if it just shuts down because of the internal heat it generates? The truck sits under a carport away from direct sun light when I'm not driving it. I have the power saver set to shut down the unit if it sits idle. I have contacted support, but the response always seems to be about Updates. So I just live with it. The other thing just simply may be related to the DBW system. It happens after I ease up off the throttle after accelerating. It does it with all of my tune files. Especially the 93 Perf. and 91 Tow rev. tune. I give it a fair amount of throttle, to say about 3/4 throttle. The truck takes off, throws me back in the seat and I'm off. After I get to my desired speed, I let off the throttle to slow down. But when my foot gets back up to about 1/4 throttle or so, the truck gets a second surge of power, and it's a lot. It actually feels like I'm on the gas again and there is a lot more torque and the truck actually feels "faster". I really noticed it a week ago when I was towing my Ranger home on the 91 Tow rev. tune. If I gave it about 1/2 throttle to climb an incline it did fine, but when I let up to about 1/4 throttle it was like I had tramped down on her and was picking up speed. On the 93 Oct. tune it just feels wild. So, I was just wondering if this is just the nature of the beast with the DBW system, or if I should be contacting my Tune provider? Has anyone experienced this?

4/4/14 Update - I decided to order a couple of tunes from MPT. Good prices at the moment. I ordered a 93 Oct. performance tune, and a 91 Oct. Towing tune. Both with Street trans shifting. I'm anxious to see how these perform. Plus I want to see how they effect the throttle position feel that I've been describing. I'm guessing that it's just the nature of the beast thou. Should have the tunes the middle of next week.