Tuner Questions

[Adverse2Change]

I'm trying to decide on the SCT xCalibrator2 vs. the DiabloSport Predator vs. nothing. I haven't dug too deep into looking at pricing (SCT is ~$60 more expensive). I do like the cigarette lighter bezel switch that you can buy for the SCT to change tunes on the fly, so I am leaning towards it, but anyway on to the questions:

1. How "quality" are the pre-programmed tunes that will come with the tuners? Dyno tuning isn't cheap so I don't want to have to get a dyno tune anytime soon.
2. It is my plan to typically just run on 87 octane, with an occasional tank of 91 every now and again... is the tuner going to do much for my performance on these octanes
3. What does the tuner switch connect to? And can you get something similar for the Predator?
4. I'm no where near sold on buying one of these, but considering my current modifications it seems like the next logical step. What would you recommend getting instead of a tuner (other than gears! no gears for me right now)?

Thanks for the answers and opinions! I'm getting a little bonus so I've been debating on whether to spend it on a tuner, a GTech Pro RR, or maybe some cheapo 16" rims.... decisions decisions

 

[02ponypackage]

why buy 16s ? i just sold mine for the same price as i got my 17x9 95 Cobra Rs..........Get the tuner and get a Gtech if you dont have any mods yet....if your cars modded already all its gona do is tell you what a 60$ dyno would...use the 1/4 at the track and not the street...safer and fun......who needs turning stats on the street ?

 

[Adverse2Change]

16" because they're cheaper, tires for them are cheaper, and they weigh less. See the theme

 

[02ponypackage]

yeah maybe so but my 16x7s at the track sucked nuts...even with good tires...a posi trac would help and so would bigger tires and wheels.....well some sacrifices have to be made when you buy parts so more $ for tires is one...benefits better trac at the track and on the wet roads......better looks.....and better feel as well...just my opinion.......Im trying to get my car looking good but at the same time doing performance sooner or later other things have to change....domino affect

 

[02ponypackage]

<a href="http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcfn0151hs6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/52/dcfn0151hs6.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[02ponypackage]

the 95's cobra r's I just got my cross drilled slotted rotors in about a hr ago will install sunday along with my 2000CobraR hood coming monday which I'll post more pics....it wont be painted yet tho

 

[pony ride]

I got m SCT x-cal V2 from Justin at VMPTuning.com, and I'm very happy with it. I decided on the SCT over the Predator because I read quite a lot of negative feedback about the Predator on other Mustang forums. Remember, not all places that sell tuners provide preprogrammed tunes already loaded, and not all preprogrammed tunes are the same depending on where you buy them from. Justin is known in the Mustang world as a tuning expert.

 

[Adverse2Change]

AmericanMuscle.com sells the tuner for $30 less than VMP. I've had some previous dealings with them in the past and never had any problems. I'm just debating who will provide the better tunes.

 

[02ponypackage]

last time i heard he would price match it

 

[Give Me TP]

Justin/VMPTuning come highly recommended on several sites for SCT tunes. The Diablo Predator can be used to do the same thing however, because the quality of the tune is all that really matters (there are several excellent Diablo CMR tuners out there); the flash tuner is just the means used to download it. Adverse, if your car is an automatic, a flash tuner would definately be worthwhile, and even more so when you decide to change the rear gear ratio.

 

[Adverse2Change]

Finally found out why there was a price difference. VMP Tuning gives you 3 tunes while AM only comes with 1, and they charge about $15 for each extra tune.

I ordered the xcal from Justin last week, but haven't had a chance to use it yet.