• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Did I miss something?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lewbud
  • Start date Start date Nov 6, 2008
L

lewbud

New Member
May 15, 2005
15
0
0
Arlington TX
Nov 6, 2008
#1
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #1
I just bought a SCT SF3 tuner and installed the 93 octane tune. Just wondering how long this is supposed to take. It seems like from initial plug in to plug out was about 10 minutes. Didn't mess with any parameters, just followed the steps. Car seems to have better throttle response and the seat of the pants meter indicates that there is more power, although there is a slight clatter under spirited acceleration. Will be scheduling a dyno session soon, only other mods are pulleys and a cat back with x-pipe.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Nov 6, 2008
#2
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #2
Try some octane booster.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Nov 6, 2008
#3
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #3
That clattering under heavier acceleration is likely detonation, and is very unhealthy for the engine.

How long have you been running 93 octane prior to installing this tune?

I suggest removing the tune, and replicating the conditions that caused it to make the clattering noise in the first place, and see if it still does it.

If the noise goes away, there is too much timing, too little fuel, or too much timing AND too little fuel in the tune you have and it is probaly causing it to ping.
 

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
59
204
SE Texas
Nov 6, 2008
#4
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #4
Well start with the basics such as buy 93 octane from a place such as Shell rather than the cheapest gas you can find. Don't continue driving the car listening to the noise--it's not the best thing
 

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member
May 20, 2006
1,421
4
39
UCSD/La Jolla
Nov 6, 2008
#5
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #5
Call SCT! A bunch of Xcal 3's were sent out with a new faulty tune make-up. Check with them based on your order if you fall under that group.
 

scupking

Active Member
Sep 18, 2005
1,186
1
36
Enfield, CT
Nov 6, 2008
#6
  • Nov 6, 2008
  • #6
Yeah that sound is not a good sound. I had it a little with my Xcal 2 back when I got it on 93 Oct. I added 2% to the air fuel ratio and all is better, I can be as ruff as I want and she won’t ping.
 
L

lewbud

New Member
May 15, 2005
15
0
0
Arlington TX
Nov 7, 2008
#7
  • Nov 7, 2008
  • #7
Rather than answer individually, I'll try to answer in one post:

Streethorse:
Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'll keep it in mind.

BurningRubber:
This is my first tank of 93 in quite a while. I filled up prior to installing the tune, the tank wasn't completely empty (was 87). It didn't ping until after I installed the tune, will try your suggestion in the am

d98gt:
Didn't think of that, just bought the 93 at the same place I normally get gas. Will go to Shell for the next tank and see what happens.

CobraRed:
Didn't know about the faulty batch, will check with them in the am. Thanks for the heads up.

Scupking:
Will add a little when I reinstall the tune. Thought about doing that initially as I'd read that the preprogrammed tunes can run a little lean.

Thanks guys for the help. As an aside, the detonation didn't seem as noticeable on my way home from work this evening. Is it possible that it takes a few miles for the computer to "learn" the new tune? Once again, thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out. If y'all can think of anything else, let me know.
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Nov 7, 2008
#8
  • Nov 7, 2008
  • #8
It doesnt take any time for the comp. to learn the tune. It should run right as soon as you install it
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Nov 7, 2008
#9
  • Nov 7, 2008
  • #9
Im just saying to add the octane booster to your first tank of 93
in case the octane level mixed with the old gas isnt high enough yet.
That would tell you in about 5 or 10 miles later if thats the issue without
adjusting the tune.
 
L

lewbud

New Member
May 15, 2005
15
0
0
Arlington TX
Nov 7, 2008
#10
  • Nov 7, 2008
  • #10
streethorse said:
Im just saying to add the octane booster to your first tank of 93
in case the octane level mixed with the old gas isnt high enough yet.
That would tell you in about 5 or 10 miles later if thats the issue without
adjusting the tune.
Click to expand...

Streethorse,
I see what you're saying and understand, will give that a try.

Here's where I am now: Tried BurningRubber's suggestion and reverted back to stock, no detonation. Reinstalled the 93 tune+2% richer, got detonation and it seemed to have moved down the powerband under regular driving and acceleration. Tried +4 and +6, still had detonation so I reverted back to stock tune to cycle through the tank. Will try the octane booster, if that doesn't work I'll revert back to stock again and cycle through the tank (only half tank to go). Emailed tech support to see if I may have bought a defective tuner, waiting to hear back. Talked to the guys at Dallas Mustang to see if I needed to update the tuner, they said I shouldn't have to. Will print out the directions at work tonight to make this thing work with Vista and download any updates that are available. If any of you guys have any more suggestions I'd be happy to hear them. If for some reason I still can't get it to work, I'll wait til I've got the plenum, TB, CAI installed then have it tuned. Thanks for all the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
At my wits end...96 Cobra idle and other issues...
  • LuckyDSquared
  • Dec 18, 2019
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
3K
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 21, 2019
LuckyDSquared
L
S
For Sale 2003 Cobra Redfire Convertible
  • SpectorV
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
0
Views
5K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Feb 20, 2019
SpectorV
S
Fox Something Weird Happened Today...related To My Dynotune?
  • killer5.0
  • Oct 19, 2017
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
17
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 23, 2017
killer5.0
R
Engine 1992 Mustang Hesitation/Cutting-Out
  • RTW0223
  • May 2, 2018
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
14K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 26, 2025
Noobz347
T
Fox No Boost And Stumped
  • TWEECD
  • Aug 12, 2017
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2 3 4
Replies
63
Views
13K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 31, 2017
TWEECD
T
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?