AutoZone Superchips Tuner/Programmer

[Confsniper]

Hey guys, I know that this question always gets asked but here I go.
I'm looking at purchasing a tuner/programmer from AutoZone for $339. The programmer is Superchips/Power Programmer. I'm sure most will say the SCT3 from Rhinehart or JLT but that's $40 more. Plus I get an additional discount from AutoZone for military. Is the SCT3 better or easier to use? Just wondering. I will be getting a JLT Intake. :)

[kmastl]

I am satisfied with my used xcal2 with a DR tune. picked it up for 150

[fastblackmerc]

Hey guys, I know that this question always gets asked but here I go.
I'm looking at purchasing a tuner/programmer from AutoZone for $339. The programmer is Superchips/Power Programmer. I'm sure most will say the SCT3 from Rhinehart or JLT but that's $40 more. Plus I get an additional discount from AutoZone for military. Is the SCT3 better or easier to use? Just wondering. I will be getting a JLT Intake. :)

IMHO... I'd only get one from either Lidio or DR. They will come with proven tune(s). You don't know what tune(s) will be loaded on the one you get from a FLAPS if any. It would suck to spend 400 smackers and have your motor go boom!

[FordNut]

$339 down the drain...

[sailsmen]

The "box" a/k/a hardware only facilitates getting the tune a/k/a software into the cars computer. The software you are buying is generic.

It is like buying Alchoa Forged wheels with generic tires, useless but nice to look at.

Buy it from one of the vendors on this site or don't buy it at all.

[Confsniper]

Thanks guys!! Wow I'm going to buy the SCT3 it is!! So when I buy the programmer from JLT they'll have it tuned to the MM? I have a local speed shop who sells those SCT3 tuners. Is this the same tuner listed here?

[Peter]

You may want to call Lidio:
http://www.alternativeauto.com/prodserv/marauder_tune.html

[MM2004]

Thanks guys!! Wow I'm going to buy the SCT3 it is!! So when I buy the programmer from JLT they'll have it tuned to the MM? I have a local speed shop who sells those SCT3 tuners. Is this the same tuner listed here?

The XCAL3 is a good handheld tuner and recommend buying it from one of our Vendors on the site.

You will get a very safe tune that is proven over and over again for our MM's.

Also, you will receive support from our Vendors in the future as needed.

Mike.

[jstevens]

Do not buy except from Lidio or Dennis otherwise you may go boom.

[LANDY]

guys he is not going to grenade the engine by putting a base tune unless he plays with the timing or fuel.
to the OP do yourself a favor and contact a vendor from this site and you will feel a huge difference from stock to tuned.
i mean is way more pleasant and fun to drive a tune from Dennis or Lidio.

[J-MAN]

If you are interested, I've got a Superchips Max Micro Tuner #1725 that I bought and never used. $200.00 shipped USPS.

However, I would get the tuner from Lidio loaded with his tune.

[ctrlraven]

Get a tune from Lidio or DR. Anything else will have some increase in performance but both Lidio and DR have tweak the tune even more, more performance and more enjoyment. Worth the extra money.

[EMAS]

It is highly unlikely that there is any risk of making your engine go boom with a Superchips tuner and if it is listed for the MM it has a tune specifically for the MM whether pre-programed when purchased or one you download from their web site.

Personally I have a Hypertech tune on mine simply because I needed to correct for my shorter rear tires and I found one for less than half the price of a SCT, so I figured I'd give it a try since I can sell it for what I paid for it and get unlimited return to stock as well as downloads of specific vehicle tunes should I want to use it on another vehicle. I had to download the MM tune. It definitely picked up the midrange and top end and makes me believe their dyno graphs posted on their website. The only option I chose at this point was the tire size. http://www.hypertech.com/PerformanceGraphs/Ford/42000_2003_2004_Mercury_Maraud er___4_6L_4V.pdf

[SC Cheesehead]

It is highly unlikely that there is any risk of making your engine go boom with a Superchips tuner and if it is listed for the MM it has a tune specifically for the MM whether pre-programed when purchased or one you download from their web site.

Personally I have a Hypertech tune on mine simply because I needed to correct for my shorter rear tires and I found one for less than half the price of a SCT, so I figured I'd give it a try since I can sell it for what I paid for it and get unlimited return to stock as well as downloads of specific vehicle tunes should I want to use it on another vehicle. I had to download the MM tune. It definitely picked up the midrange and top end and makes me believe their dyno graphs posted on their website. The only option I chose at this point was the tire size. http://www.hypertech.com/PerformanceGraphs/Ford/42000_2003_2004_Mercury_Maraud er___4_6L_4V.pdf

Yeah, I'd buy that for sure over a tuner from Lidio or Reinhart; hypertech prolly has WAY more experience with Marauder tunes than either of those guys... :rolleyes:

[ctrlraven]

The extra spent on a tune from a vendor here is well worth it. Have a problem? Call them up and talk to them about. Have a problem with some generic tuner, you're SOL. Also at least I know DR does it but offers free adjustments to the tunes.

The SCT X3 is one of the easiest flash tuners to use. The $40 is well worth the added support you get from the tuners themselves and the tweaks to the tune they do on top of the basic performance tune.

[jstevens]

Why would you buy a generic MM tune when you can get one from people that are experts and have played with more than one or two MM's?

[justbob]

Oh, your serious OP? Well then check all above.

[Vortech347]

Being cheap with tuning is like being cheap with a brain surgeon.

Think about that one....

Been happy with the DR tunes I've had on 2 cars.

[myrodr]

i got sct3 from Lidio the car is so much more fun. I think it was great for the price. also got 4:10 from him @ same time love it all. think he can mail you the tuner ready to go

[SC Cheesehead]

i got sct3 from Lidio the car is so much more fun. I think it was great for the price. also got 4:10 from him @ same time love it all. think he can mail you the tuner ready to go

Yup, plug 'n play.

[RF Overlord]

Will the OP's car go boom with a generic tune? Prolly not...
Will a generic tune work as well as one from Lidio or Dennis? Maybe, but prolly not...

You can buy ANY tune you like from whomever you choose, but remember this: NO ONE has more experience tuning a Marauder safely than Lidio and Dennis. Maybe Scott Beer, but you have to bring your car to him...

[LANDY]

Scott Beer is really good too, but he lives in Canada.

[RF Overlord]

He moved to the Canada? I am out of touch... :rolleyes:

[Peter]

Did anyone here ever deal with Sean Hyland ?

[LANDY]

He moved to the Canada? I am out of touch... :rolleyes:
yes Sir, about a couple of years ago. i tried to get a mail order tune from him when i had the Diablo Sport tuner and it was a fail.

[Bukwheet]

Hey guys, I know that this question always gets asked but here I go.
I'm looking at purchasing a tuner/programmer from AutoZone for $339. The programmer is Superchips/Power Programmer. I'm sure most will say the SCT3 from Rhinehart or JLT but that's $40 more. Plus I get an additional discount from AutoZone for military. Is the SCT3 better or easier to use? Just wondering. I will be getting a JLT Intake. :)

I have used the Superchips tune. You're not going to have any problems with it. It works fine with any cold air intake. The custom tunes are definitely necessary if you're going with a larger mass air sensor, larger cams, ditching the cats, etc., but for basic bolt-ons, the Superchips programmer works fine.