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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

SCT 3 livewire OR DiabloSport Tuner

  • Thread starter Thread starter whyask
  • Start date Start date Oct 21, 2007

whyask

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
735
1
0
Sacramento
Oct 21, 2007
#1
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #1
Since im ordering a new driveshaft, and ive been in need of a tuner for a LONNNGGG time, what is the easiest tuner to use, and by that i mean user friendly.? Is there a big differnce...PRO's and Con's

thanks guys!
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
3
48
Bastrop,TX
Oct 21, 2007
#2
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #2
Never been a fan of Diablo and always loved SCT products. Id go with livewire because of all the datalogging features....you will forget all about user friendly when you really start modding...then you want as much data and options as you can get.
 

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
59
204
SE Texas
Oct 21, 2007
#3
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #3
I have the Diablo and found a problem rather quickly which is holding me back. All of the local shops prefer using the SCT

Selling my predator today for $240 then picking me up a xcal2 just so I can get me a custom tune while at the dyno.
 

whyask

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
735
1
0
Sacramento
Oct 21, 2007
#4
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #4
now whats the diff. between the livewire 2 and livewire 3...???
 

Don 95Vert

Founding Member
Oct 1, 1999
1,091
1
39
Delaware, OH
Oct 21, 2007
#5
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #5
It isn't Livewire 2 & 3. The Livewire is the $500+ unit that sits on your dash after a flash and displays all the information. The Xcalibrator 2 and X3 are probably what you mean - they are both $379 - well from me they are - the Xcal 2 is older VERY relaible. The new X3 has more memory and a bigger screen. They both hold 3 tunes and allow datalogging and reading clearing DTC's.

Don
 

whyask

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
735
1
0
Sacramento
Oct 21, 2007
#6
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #6
OH ok well then it was the two you stated as above then.........how do you like the SCT is it an easy product to use, im a computer programer, so understanding the basics behind it should be no problem, now with the data logging can you transfer that to laptop to record your gains and or losses..???
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Oct 21, 2007
#7
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #7
Get a livewire, or Xcal 2/3. DiabloSport just doesn't have the support (as in tuners using it), and they don't have a DIY tuning solution like SCT does with the pro racer package - so that sucks if you ever wanna do your own tuning.
 

ScortLX

Founding Member
Mar 20, 2001
261
0
16
Parker, Colorado
Oct 21, 2007
#8
  • Oct 21, 2007
  • #8
I didn't want to do any tuning myself (don't need a pro-racer package) and ALL of the tuners in my area used Diablo, not SCT. It really depends on your tuners in the area. I got a sweet deal on a Diablo off of Craiglist and bought a lifetime tune from my local tuner for a total of $275. All of the people I know use Diablo (in Colorado). SCT has a great product and they are definitely the favorite on these boards though.
 

Don 95Vert

Founding Member
Oct 1, 1999
1,091
1
39
Delaware, OH
Oct 22, 2007
#9
  • Oct 22, 2007
  • #9
I'm a dealer for BOTH SCT and Diablo. They BOTH do a great job. I sell a lot more SCT units than Diablo though because people prefer them. I'd go for either the X3 or the XCal 2 with both the tunes will be the same. The Xcal 2 is older, but more 'mature' and has a proven track record. The X3 is the newest flasher, does everything the XCal 2 does, but has more memory for logging time and a bigger display.

Either unit can do on-device tune adjustments - just really easy basic things and we prevent try to you from making changes that will get you into trouble. Either unit can do on-device datalogging that you can transfer to a PC. But pass through logging is a LOT better - i.e. you hook the XCal 2 or X3 up to a laptop and use the free program LiveLink to log with. Works really terrific. We use it to tune cars daily.

BTW: Not to spam, but I DO have a DiabloSport Predator (model 7146) demo model for 98-04 GTs, Cobras and Machs that has never been installed in a vehicle that I can make a super deal on - not with custom programming though just canned tunes. It also offers datalogging, tuning changes and DTC code reading. Email me at don@lasotaracing.com if anyone is interested...
Don

whyask said:
OH ok well then it was the two you stated as above then.........how do you like the SCT is it an easy product to use, im a computer programer, so understanding the basics behind it should be no problem, now with the data logging can you transfer that to laptop to record your gains and or losses..???
Click to expand...
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
0
0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Oct 22, 2007
#10
  • Oct 22, 2007
  • #10
If you're a "set and forget" guy, the Predator is pretty much that. Install the tune and enjoy. It's pretty mature and stable and is your 'plug and play' device. If you're the type that wants to tinker with it, you might like the Xcal better. The interface is more crude and most of its features work as advertised. It's more like an engineer's tool.
 

Poisoned Pony

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2000
286
0
17
Citrus Heights, CA
Oct 23, 2007
#11
  • Oct 23, 2007
  • #11
d98gt said:
I have the Diablo and found a problem rather quickly which is holding me back. All of the local shops prefer using the SCT

Selling my predator today for $240 then picking me up a xcal2 just so I can get me a custom tune while at the dyno.
Click to expand...

I'm starting to run into the same problem as you. I have the Predator for my GT and a couple tuners in the San Antonio area who use the Predator, but I'm getting set to move back to Northern California where everybody uses SCT
 

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
59
204
SE Texas
Oct 23, 2007
#12
  • Oct 23, 2007
  • #12
Definitely sucks

I should have researched a little more before I purchased the predator, however I picked it up for $180 and ended up selling it for $240
 
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