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

educate me on hand held tuners....

  • Thread starter Thread starter 98COBRA281
  • Start date Start date Nov 27, 2008

98COBRA281

10 Year Member
Nov 24, 2007
1,348
30
59
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Nov 27, 2008
#1
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #1
ive been looking at sct xcals, but i dont know what one to get, ive also looked a the diablo predator, but the only guy near me that dyno tunes only uses sct, i can buy a hand held and bring it to him and he can use it to tune my car right?, and what if it used, and has a tune in it, can it be deleted? and what does it mean when they say "unlocked"?

thanks:SNSign:
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Nov 27, 2008
#2
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #2
You should double check with your tuner to make sure that he will tune it with your SCT tuner if you buy one. Most will do it that way, but there may be someone who does it differently.

If it is used, you should be able to send it off for a re-tune from a place that does mail-order tunes. I'm not 100% sure if it needs to be the origional company it was purchased from or not, though.

"Un-locked" or "Un-married" is just reffering to the tuner being un-installed from a vehicle. You can't use a tuner on your vehicle to do any tuning if the performance tune is allready loaded into another vehicle. I know that with the Diablosport's you can use it as a diagnostic tool an another vehicle, just no tuning with it.
 
I

ItsStock02

Member
Aug 18, 2008
492
4
19
Westland, MI
Nov 27, 2008
#3
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #3
you can read and delete dtc's with the xcal even if its vin locked to another car as well.
Posted via Mobile Device
 

Greenscobie86

Member
May 14, 2008
132
0
17
The Island NY
Nov 27, 2008
#4
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #4
Useful info in this thread so far...
I don't mean to hijack but.... Which handheld tuners will be able to turn off the automatic transmission functions if you do a manual trans. swap? I ask because I'm doing the swap this weekend and would like to know if I need to buy a new ECU or just disable the auto. functions with a handheld tuner...

98COBRA, hows the motor build coming along btw? I'm gonna be doing the same exact thing soon so I am following your threads closely.
 

98COBRA281

10 Year Member
Nov 24, 2007
1,348
30
59
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Nov 27, 2008
#5
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #5
Greenscobie86 said:
98COBRA, hows the motor build coming along btw? I'm gonna be doing the same exact thing soon so I am following your threads closely.
Click to expand...

very good, i have everthing i will need, except new spark plugs. it will all be going in in about 3 weeks or so, i cant wait!!!

i will post pics of the process, and a few vidoes
 

kalvick

Founding Member
Jun 29, 2001
352
8
39
Norwalk, CT
Nov 27, 2008
#6
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #6
Greenscobie86 said:
Useful info in this thread so far...
I don't mean to hijack but.... Which handheld tuners will be able to turn off the automatic transmission functions if you do a manual trans. swap? I ask because I'm doing the swap this weekend and would like to know if I need to buy a new ECU or just disable the auto. functions with a handheld tuner...

98COBRA, hows the motor build coming along btw? I'm gonna be doing the same exact thing soon so I am following your threads closely.
Click to expand...

I dont think any of those $400 or less hand held tuners will do what you want
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,390
3,536
233
Nov 27, 2008
#7
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • #7
Im really thinking of getting the Sniper setup since it can do both cars but IDK if anyone around here will dyno tune with the Sniper software. Or if mabey I can get the data log file and send it to Sniper for a custome tune.... I guess I should call them on Monday.
Bet that softwar would be able to re write for the transmition swap though
The older (95 and earlier) Mustangs used the same computer for the auto or stick and the only difference was the auto version had more initial timing in it
 
S

SilverBullet01

New Member
Nov 22, 2008
11
1
0
Nov 28, 2008
#8
  • Nov 28, 2008
  • #8
I have the Diablo Preditor tuner. I does what i need it to. You can adjust timing, wot fuel delivery, axel ratio, speed limiter, adjust for new tire sizes, and if you have an auto-you can adjust shift points, redline, idle rpm...a bunch of stuff. Very usefull, I keep two seperate tunes on my car. One for NA and another for the spray, It only takes about 5 mins to load either tune.
 

hotcobra03

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
969
4
39
poteet,tx
Nov 28, 2008
#9
  • Nov 28, 2008
  • #9
What about A/F ratio?i have a predator and heard u cant change or watch it?is this true?exsamle you put on a cai and need it tuned .does performance tune do it for you?
 
L

liv4him

New Member
Jul 1, 2005
7
0
1
Nov 29, 2008
#10
  • Nov 29, 2008
  • #10
Go get it dyno tuned....bottom line, dont waste your money on a mail order tune. I got a mail order tune and 4 months later found a shop that does dyno tunes and I got a big 1hp and 3trq from my mail order. After the shop tuned it I got like 12hp and 15trq.
 
S

SilverBullet01

New Member
Nov 22, 2008
11
1
0
Nov 29, 2008
#11
  • Nov 29, 2008
  • #11
hotcobra03 said:
What about A/F ratio?i have a predator and heard u cant change or watch it?is this true?exsamle you put on a cai and need it tuned .does performance tune do it for you?
Click to expand...


I havent seen anything about the a/f ratio on there, I'm just going to buy an a/f gage and a nitrous gage and put in on my a-pillar.
 

98COBRA281

10 Year Member
Nov 24, 2007
1,348
30
59
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Nov 29, 2008
#12
  • Nov 29, 2008
  • #12
liv4him said:
Go get it dyno tuned....bottom line, dont waste your money on a mail order tune. I got a mail order tune and 4 months later found a shop that does dyno tunes and I got a big 1hp and 3trq from my mail order. After the shop tuned it I got like 12hp and 15trq.
Click to expand...

it will be dyno tuned, but i have to get a hand held for the dyno tune....
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Nov 29, 2008
#13
  • Nov 29, 2008
  • #13
hotcobra03 said:
What about A/F ratio?i have a predator and heard u cant change or watch it?is this true?exsamle you put on a cai and need it tuned .does performance tune do it for you?
Click to expand...

If you have the cold air intake before the Predator, some places ask you to list your modificiations so they can burn you the best tune. Even so, it isn't garuntee'd that your A/F ratio will be correct.

If you put the intake on after the Predator, no... the performance tune wont do anything to help.

All the "canned" tunes do is lean the engine out and add timing.

As far as checking your A/F ratio, no the Predator can't do that. You can adjust wide open throttle fuel curves to add or subtract fuel to make adjustments though. To read the A/F ratio you need a wideband o2 setup, or you need to put the car on a dyno with a wideband setup.

For what it's worth, my car was really lean after I put the Predator tune in. I drove it like that for a while and nothing bad happened (noticably), but when I pulled the plugs to change them you could tell they were on the lean side.

I put the car on the dyno, and my A/F ratio was about 13.8 or so... Brought it down to around 13.3 which was still high, but I was out of time on the dyno. I just added some more fuel to it after that though, within reason so I am not concerned about it anymore.
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
Nov 30, 2008
#14
  • Nov 30, 2008
  • #14
LaserSVT said:
Im really thinking of getting the Sniper setup since it can do both cars but IDK if anyone around here will dyno tune with the Sniper software. Or if mabey I can get the data log file and send it to Sniper for a custome tune.... I guess I should call them on Monday.
Bet that softwar would be able to re write for the transmition swap though
The older (95 and earlier) Mustangs used the same computer for the auto or stick and the only difference was the auto version had more initial timing in it
Click to expand...

if you get the Sniper from me , I do the custom tuning for free .......
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,390
3,536
233
Nov 30, 2008
#15
  • Nov 30, 2008
  • #15
2002BLGT said:
if you get the Sniper from me , I do the custom tuning for free .......
Click to expand...
PM sent
 

Greenscobie86

Member
May 14, 2008
132
0
17
The Island NY
Dec 1, 2008
#16
  • Dec 1, 2008
  • #16
LaserSVT said:
Im really thinking of getting the Sniper setup since it can do both cars but IDK if anyone around here will dyno tune with the Sniper software. Or if mabey I can get the data log file and send it to Sniper for a custome tune.... I guess I should call them on Monday.
Bet that softwar would be able to re write for the transmition swap though
The older (95 and earlier) Mustangs used the same computer for the auto or stick and the only difference was the auto version had more initial timing in it
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies....

Just did the swap this weekend. Car drives fines except for the blinking o/d off light. I think maybe I'll just pick up a manual ECU for now and then look into the tuner route.
 

joshheat25

Member
Nov 8, 2004
871
0
16
Delaware
Dec 1, 2008
#17
  • Dec 1, 2008
  • #17
Get a price on the Xcal 3 with the tune from your tuner then ask him how much If you bring him a tuner for the tune. Either way get SCT and get it custom tuned.
 

hotcobra03

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
969
4
39
poteet,tx
Dec 2, 2008
#18
  • Dec 2, 2008
  • #18
I have a predator with basic tune.unit comes with bs manual on how to use.when reading (little black box) tuning in a mustang mag it showed scolars and stuff i know nothing about but want to know .anyone with a link to educate us on this?
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
Dec 2, 2008
#19
  • Dec 2, 2008
  • #19
hotcobra03 said:
I have a predator with basic tune.unit comes with bs manual on how to use.when reading (little black box) tuning in a mustang mag it showed scolars and stuff i know nothing about but want to know .anyone with a link to educate us on this?
Click to expand...

Tweecer Manual is a good teaching tool for learning some basic stuff ........takes lots and lots of reading , asking questions , even getting hands on with it before you will ever understand it all
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tuners come on inside
  • squeak93
  • Feb 13, 2026
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
1
Views
244
SVT Tech Forum Feb 20, 2026
squeak93
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
671
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
873
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
716
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 95 GT/Saleen Supercharged 331 install
  • from6to8
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
871
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
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?