Using an SCT Tuner

[PuntyMario]

alright so my interest in SCT tuners has driven me to ask about it finally.
whats important to know about these devices?
what are the benefits of using one on a stock engine?
is the improvement worth the 300+ price tag these things go for?
will a custom tune improve gas mileage more than the original gear hunting program?
i want to know as much as possible about them. if theres a faq for it thatd be great but id appreciate personal opinions regardless.

[whitey]

A tune is going to give you your best bang for your buck. It changes the shift schedule, torque converter lock up, timing, a few more things. I recommended buying a used UNLOCKED sct tuner, and purchasing a tune through one of the vendors here. A used sct xcal2 should be around $150, an xcal3 is for sale right now for $200....look at the for sale section. The cars gas mileage might decrease in city driving, but will stay the same with highway cruising. For instance a stock tune shifts into o/d at 36mph, the tune i have shifts into o/d at 46-47mph. Cruising at 40 will decrease my mileage from the stock tune since im still in 3rd gear pulling higher rpms. The upside is that im closer to the powerband of the motor and the car is more responsive. Now here's a kicker for you, if im cruising at 40mph, what i'll usually do to save gas is speed up to 47 mph, let it shift into o/d, then coast until 40 mph and cruise from there....my tune will downshift into 3rd at 36mph, as long as i stay above 36mph, my tranny will stay in o/d, and i can reap the benefits of stock mpg.

[justbob]

Keep in mind they get "married" to the VIN so if you buy used make double sure the previous owner returned his car to stock and it is indeed unlocked, otherwise you will be looking at an additional $150 from SCT to unlock it. Plus IIRC they are only good for 5 unlocks and need to be sent in.

But yes it is certainly worth buying even if new. At least if you ever start modding away you can get a dyno tune without the added expense of purchasing the XCAL on top of that!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[martyo]

f you are interested in a tune/tuner combo or just a tune by e-mail, let me know. I would be happy to help you.

[PuntyMario]

f you are interested in a tune/tuner combo or just a tune by e-mail, let me know. I would be happy to help you.

i have heard you are the go to guy for tunes so ill definitely do that. tuners seem to be out of my budget right now so ill have to put it off for now.

[champ1173]

f you are interested in a tune/tuner combo or just a tune by e-mail, let me know. I would be happy to help you.

This is the man you want to listen to. I got a tune from him, and it's a night and day difference! His words, not mine, but very true. It will definitely put a smile on your face. It did for me. Money well spent.