Any SCT 1-2-3 directions

[Frank Zabski]

All:



I bought my sct tuner from Torrie about a month or so ago and I am just getting around to installing it. I've become very nervous for some reason. Nor generally in my nature but...so, is there an reference material here (did a quick search here already) and nothing seemed to pop out. I have an 08 Sport trac, V8. I've seen to become more nervous the more I read the directions!



Seems to be straight forward. Keep the key out of the ignition (disconnect the battery?), plug the tuner into the port, pick the tune I want, let it load, then start the truck up????

 

[user 66791]

uh it's pretty easy...the unit walks you through everything. It's rally not complicated at all!



1. Just plug the unit it

2. navigate to the tunes you want

3. the unit will tell you to turn the ignition key on but not the engine

4. follow the prompts on the screen

5. When it is complete turn the key off, unplug the unit. then start the engine and that is it.



Torris is very responsive so if you have any question just email him. No need to be nervous at all. No you do not disconnect the battery!

 

[Frank Zabski]

Thanks Heyward for the quick response. So start with key out of ignition correct?

 

[Kevin Lang]

So start with key out of ignition correct?

I'd start with the key in the ignition; it's what I did.



Once the XCal is jacked into the OBDII port, and you've selected your tune, the tuner will tell you to turn the key to the "Battery" position (Like what Heyward said), but it will time out if you take too long.



I got it to play on my 2nd try, and it was ridiculously easy. Watch the progress bar on the XCal go, unplug the thing, pack it up, and drive.



(Note that there may be some quirks on the first test drive, though I believe that was a Gen I thing, and you have a Gen II ST.)

 

[MikeSondra Grossen]

The key can be in the ignition, and it will prompt you to turn the key (but not turn engine over)



I would also recommend turning off radio, lights, etc.

 

[Art Garcia]

ive read and seen a lot of post of the SCT tuner.

i hear its one of the greatest things you could do to your vehicle, in this situation your ST.

im not so knowledge on it so i would like to know what can be tuned by it.

navigate to the tunes you want

what would these be?



how beneficial is it?



is there any side effects down the road?

 

[Frank Zabski]

best to talk to this guy



Mr. Torrie R. McPhail - Owner

Fast Parts Network

Unleashed Tuning

Ford/GM/DCX SCT Custom Calibrator

OEM Ford Parts Specialist



In a nutshell (and I am FAR from an expert) it changes the way the stock engine settings run (with new ones - aka "tunes) for your engine.better performace, better gas mileage, better trans shifts, etc.



There are many tunes but I think 87 octane performance, towing, 89, 93 octane, etc. are some of the more popular tunes.



Pretty sure you can get crazy with this is you know what you are doing.

 

[Carey Frennier]

My personal favorite was his 93 aggressive + 2 degrees extra timing (ontop of reg 93 perf tune). Made a big difference.

 

[Carey Frennier]

To begin, it doesn't matter if the key is in or out. The device prompts you every step. Just do NOT select strategy tune. Select custom tune and pick one of them. The device tells you what to do.



If you're feeling uneasy in the process....check out YouTube. Search xcal3 mustang GT. Same exact process.

 

[kevinbakon]

I believe SCT's website actually has some step-by-step tutorials that may additionally help . . .

I couldn't find it right away, but here's a link to their knowledge base where I know they at least cover updating your devices firmware, backing up your stock tune, loading custom tunes, etc.

Hope it helps!

 

[EddieS'04]

Used to be able to download the mannual, from SCT. PDF format.

 

[Torrie McPhail]

http://www.sctflash.com/PDF/X3_SF3Manual.pdf

 

[Frank Zabski]

Thanks guys.