Debating the predator;

cryptic

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Dec 21, 2004

#1

• Dec 21, 2004

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Need a lil help, I am gong to buy a tuner but I need a little persuasion.
It it worth it ?
Wich one is best?

 

Tylerb59

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#2

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It's worth it.

As long as you plan to stick with basic bolt ons and nothing extreme the Diablo will do you just fine. You can still receive tunes over the web, you're just not able to tweak everything YOURSELF as you would be able to with the SCT.

I'd go with SCT if you plan to have some SERIOUS work done to your car. Also ask around local tuner shops what they use.

Everyone around here has switched to SCT and that is my only regret for picking up the Diablo. It works great for simple tweaking but I can't get into the nitty gritty with it.

 

jrc_03_gt

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Im in the same boat. I may go with the superchips flasher. I know a guy that has a dyno shop he does a baseline dyno pull then he will custom tune for my car making sure the air to fuel ratios and the timing are where they need to be. Plus it saves my factory tune too. I think it can store a total of 3 tunes. It cost around $400 that includes dyno time. I keep the flasher like a predator. Im not sure which way Im going to go yet.

 

cryptic

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Tuning

Thanks for the help guys, Do any of you know what software the sct comes with?

 

Tylerb59

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You really need to buy the 'Racers Package' to take advantage of the SCT, which is a lofty $795 at MD:

http://www.modulardepot.com/index.php?cPath=21_46

 

propellerhead

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Dec 21, 2004

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Both can load a dealer made custom tune.

Both promise 15-20 rwhp out of the box.

Both load the tune thru the diagnostic port.

The DiabloSport Predator comes with a semi-generic tune.

The SCT Xcalibrator can hold 3 tunes plus your factory tune.

The Predator holds the semi-generic tune plus your factory tune. A custom tune will take over the semi-generic tune.

You can tweak the Predator tune via the Predator unit.

You can tweak the Xcalibrator tune via your home computer.

The Predator can read and clear OBDII codes.

The Predator can monitor and log hundreds of EEC parameters in real-time.

The Predator has a 5 line LCD display.

The Xcalibrator has 4 LEDs that blink.

The DiabloSport Predator cost $350. Custom tunes are extra.

The SCT Xcalibrator cost $375. A custom tune is included. Extra tunes cost more.

In the end, both are tools that load a tune and the Predator has added functionality.

The true difference for high end users will be in the quality and accuracy of the tune provided by the dealer.

Entry level users (like me) will benefit more from the Predator.

 

B

BMurphy

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What about any Ford warranty issues with either programmer? Can the stock program be flashed back in should you need warranty work? Does the ECU have a counter that counts the times it's been flashed? I know that when the dealer reflashed my ECU he put a sticker with the reflash program date on it under the hood.

I still have almost 1 year left on the 3/36 warranty.

Thanks

 

cryptic

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Dec 21, 2004

#8

• Dec 21, 2004

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Predator Vs. Excalibur

DISCUSS

 

Tylerb59

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It'll void your warranty but you can revert back to the stock tune before you take your car in.

 

propellerhead

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"but what's with the but shots?"

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BMurphy said:

What about any Ford warranty issues with either programmer? Can the stock program be flashed back in should you need warranty work? Does the ECU have a counter that counts the times it's been flashed? I know that when the dealer reflashed my ECU he put a sticker with the reflash program date on it under the hood.

I still have almost 1 year left on the 3/36 warranty.

Thanks

Click to expand...

You should always reflash your factory tune back in before bringing your car to Ford. You never know when they'll flash an update on you. I don't know for sure if the dealer can tell if you've flashed your EEC with an aftermarket tuner. They would have to be looking for it with a computer to find it. I know for sure they can see if you have a chip.

 

twogts4us

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Dec 21, 2004

#11

• Dec 21, 2004

• #11

Tylerb59 said:

You really need to buy the 'Racers Package' to take advantage of the SCT, which is a lofty $795 at MD:

http://www.modulardepot.com/index.php?cPath=21_46

Click to expand...

$375 for the SCT Xcalibrator with 1 custom tune and cable from MD, and you don't need the PRP with the new Xcalibrator to make basic changes. You just need the (not yet released, but soon to be) Quicktune 2005 software from SCT - it'll be a free download from SCT. This is what I'd buy if it were my money.

 

Tylerb59

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twogts4us said:

$375 for the SCT Xcalibrator with 1 custom tune and cable from MD, and you don't need the PRP with the new Xcalibrator to make basic changes. You just need the (not yet released, but soon to be) Quicktune 2005 software from SCT - it'll be a free download from SCT. This is what I'd buy if it were my money.

Click to expand...

 

jrc_03_gt

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The thing that I dont like about the predator if you want to make adjustments with fuel and air you dont know where to begin. That is why Im leaning towards the sct excalibrator. I will have a baseline dyno pull then have a custom performance tune burned to the flasher specifically for my car.

 

twogts4us

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Dec 21, 2004

#14

• Dec 21, 2004

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jrc_03_gt said:

The thing that I dont like about the predator if you want to make adjustments with fuel and air you dont know where to begin.

Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!! And the amount of change you can make with the Predator is tiny. And even if it could make dramatic changes, you really shouldn't be doing this without the proper tools (A/F ratio meter, datalogging, dyno). The big draw to the Predator seems to be the big screen (game boy effect).

 

jrc_03_gt

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who makes the sct xcalibur?

 

J

Johnson505

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#16

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Capitol Ford in Raleigh, NC sales superchips for all there models. They offered it as an option when I bought my GT. They also offered a supercharger for my car. I guess Superchips doesn't cause warranty problems at this dealer. Jrc03gt is right about putting your stock program back before taking your car in for service.

 

M

mnbf

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Dec 22, 2004

#17

• Dec 22, 2004

• #17

...

also with the Xcal you can get it dyno tuned and have the tune put right on the xcal ... where as with the predator i dont think you can do that ... most tuners sure sct as well

 

U

UNVMATT

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Dec 22, 2004

#18

• Dec 22, 2004

• #18

SCT= SUPERCHIPS CUSTOM TUNING

 

cryptic

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Dec 22, 2004

#19

• Dec 22, 2004

• #19

Tuners;

Evey reply has givin me more than enough info, I appreciate the help fellas.
Looks like SCT won this one in my book.
One more question....Gears are coming by the end of the year, will I be able to adjust the speedo w/ the Excalibur?....How about re setting the rear o2's
for the o/r x ?\

Stangnet Rocks..Tell ur friends

 

propellerhead

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Dec 22, 2004

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jrc_03_gt said:

The thing that I dont like about the predator if you want to make adjustments with fuel and air you dont know where to begin. That is why Im leaning towards the sct excalibrator. I will have a baseline dyno pull then have a custom performance tune burned to the flasher specifically for my car.

Click to expand...

You'll be in the same situation with the Xcalibrator. You'll get an off-the-shelf tune to match the mods you specify. When it comes to tweaking the tune, where do you begin?

You can get a dyno-based tune with either tool.

PS. They've told me two months ago that the QuickTuns software will be released "next week".