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Tuner

3K views 45 replies 11 participants last post by  Hawkstang 
#1 ·
Would there be any problem in buying a used unmarried tuner and then buying the bama tunes for life or mpt tunes?


2013 mustang v6 premium
 
#21 ·
So really getting a new one is the only option that makes sense unless you can get an unmarried tuner for $200 or less but you are still stuck with paying for tunes which will still put you around the $350-$375 range.

I just want to do something with my car in sense of a tune or performance. I know the 2.73's is what is really holding me back but a Gear install is another expense on its own and still requires a tuner in the end.

I want a tuner so I can get gears, h-pipe and shorties installed. So again a Tuner is needed first.

Thank You Volt and Strange for the clarification.
:shrug::shrug::shrug:
 
#16 ·
So if I am able to get a used unmarried tuner, I would still have to get tunes for it? I thought the tuner devices themselves come with preloaded tunes? I am probably wrong but thats what my thinking process is.

I know custom tunes you would have to do the whole emailing the data log or getting a dyno tune that would be an extra expense. But again I am probably wrong! :)

Never owned one nor have I ever done this kind of modification to a vehicle before.
 
#17 ·
The xbox example is the easiest way i can think to explain this to folks.

If you buy a new xbox, for the sake of argument, it will come with a game that you can immediately start playing.

If you buy a used Xbox, all you have is an xbox, and you have to go out and get your own games. Make sense?
 
#18 ·
some are preloaded but they need to be tunes for your engine. Even if it's got them in it for your model/engine/transmission I THINK there is some type of 4 digit strategy code that needs to match. It ain't a huge savings to buy used but there is a savings even after paying for tunes.
 
#19 ·
So really getting a new one is the only option that makes sense unless you can get an unmarried tuner for $200 or less but you are still stuck with paying for tunes which will still put you around the $350-$375 range.

I just want to do something with my car in sense of a tune or performance. I know the 2.73's is what is really holding me back but a Gear install is another expense on its own and still requires a tuner in the end.

I want a tuner so I can get gears, h-pipe and shorties installed. So again a Tuner is needed first.

Thank You Volt and Strange for the clarification.
 
#25 ·
@Hawk
See that is what I thought as well but now I am even more confused....

@Mud
Sorry MUD....:)

@Volt
Yea I see what you said but:
$200 for a tuner
$70 MPT Tune (Only one tune...)

That would be $270 right?

Add the Ghost Cam Tune $120 now thats a total of $390.

Where as if I were get the tuner straight from MPT with the Ghost Cam tune it would be $449 plus two other tunes.

No clue more confused then ever! Gotta go close my Wanted AD now...
 
#29 ·
@Hawk

See that is exactly how I understand it man! SO what I really need to look for is a tuner that a fellow 3.7 owner had and just use the preloaded tunes by SCT, MPT, Bama, Lund, etc...

Now if the tuner has "Custom" tunes that the previous owner had got from an email or a dyno tune then that is what everyone else is saying that it wont work with my car and potentially mess it up ecu wise.

My car is bone stock, performance wise. So plain jane 2.73's and Ford v6 base tune. Only thing I have coming in the mail, not really a performance item, is a aFe Dry Drop-In Filter. Which I guess could be tuned to further enhance the filter but I don't expect it to be a variable for the tuning companies.

@Volt
Why would you say that? I will be going cat-less H-Pipe as soon as I am able to get a tuner in my hands. So I don't have to worry about my cats getting all gunked up. I will NOT use the Ghost Cam tune until I get rid of the cats. I know some people have had ran the ghost came tune for months with stock cats and had no issue but I don't want to take the chances on that cause my luck is different than other people.

@Mud
Thanks for closing my Wanted Thread. "done." :)
 
#30 ·
@Hawk

1. See that is exactly how I understand it man! SO what I really need to look for is a tuner that a fellow 3.7 owner had and just use the preloaded tunes by SCT, MPT, Bama, Lund, etc...

2. Now if the tuner has "Custom" tunes that the previous owner had got from an email or a dyno tune then that is what everyone else is saying that it wont work with my car and potentially mess it up ecu wise.

3. @Volt
Why would you say that? I will be going cat-less H-Pipe as soon as I am able to get a tuner in my hands. So I don't have to worry about my cats getting all gunked up. I will NOT use the Ghost Cam tune until I get rid of the cats. I know some people have had ran the ghost came tune for months with stock cats and had no issue but I don't want to take the chances on that cause my luck is different than other people.

@Mud
Thanks for closing my Wanted Thread. "done." :)
1. Nope lol, wrong again. SCT is a company that makes tuning devices, but they also make generic maps for certain vehicles. You have the option of using the tunes that SCT has written on the device. Just those generic "off the shelf" tunes. Nothing else if you only purchase the SCT, you cannot use someone else's tune from Bama, MPT, etc. The reason i use words like "generic" and "off the shelf" is because you do not do any datalogging with SCT, you just run what is on the device.

2. I think you confused yourself with what hawk was saying. There are only 2 options here, the off the shelf SCT tunes, OR a custom tune via email or dyno with datalogging. There is no in between. You can run the basic SCT tunes on whatever car, you cannot run any other tune unless it was written specifically for your car.

3. It was nice, just ended up being a waste of money since i never actually ended up using it.
 
#31 ·
So is there anything wrong with using the "Generic, Off the Shelf" Tunes with my cars current setup? I don't make a lot of money so my plans for my car will probably take a few years to accomplish so getting the custom tunes for those things I can get with MPT for an example?

The "Generic" tunes you speak of are what the 1-2-3 steps that all the tuners come with right? Example. Option One select Octane, Option Two select Performance or Economy, etc...
 
#32 ·
Volt is spot on. What I am saying is try the SCT preloaded generic tune before you buy any custom written tunes. If your car is bone stock, SCT preloaded should make you happy.

I hooked mine up to look through the settings, you can and should choose the "restore to factory" settings BEFORE hooking up to your car. I would hook the SCT to a computer (for power) and reset it then download the updates via wifi. Then hook it up to your car.

I took some pics that I will upload if my daughter ever gets off the laptop. Lol
 
G
#37 ·
If you buy an x3, i dont think there is an option to reset it. I have an x3 and x4. For x3s, i guess you just have to make sure they are up to date and unmarried?


Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#39 ·
also, and this is part of the basic stuff:

When uploading your tune into the car. Shut off all electrical stuff and do NOT turn anything on when doing it. Do NOT try it with a weak battery and some people prefer to have a trickle charger/tender hooked up to ensure steady voltage.
 
#41 ·
@Hawk
Exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks man this is awesome! Unfortunately some unforeseen events happened and I don't have the dough for a tuner anymore. Hopefully soon, I'll bookmark this thread. Thanks again everyone.
 
#44 · (Edited)
Ebay has a few used. I recommend getting the SCT X4 as that's the latest one. I also recommend going with one of the big names for a custom tune, ie Steeda, BAMA, LUND, etc. Keep in mind you are changing your car's computer programming so if anything goes wrong, the dealer can give you issues due to your tune, regardless of whether the tune is responsible or not. When you use one of the bigger companies, they stand behind their product and can provide support if this is the case. Also, depending on what mods you have or want to add in the future, the custom tunes will be able to squeeze out more performance from those mods than a generic tune will since it is tweaked specifically for you. If cost is an issue, I'd get a used tuner (like you're trying to do) and a one time tune from one of the companies I mentioned. You can always add more tunes later if you decide to, but you'll have a little piece of mind and a little better bang for your buck. My 0.02
 
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