SCT iTSX tuner

[Falcon_LS]

My iTSX finally arrived and my SCT Certified tuner's putting custom tune files together at the moment. I had to connect it up and pull the PCM strategy code before he could start. The custom tune will be covering the following modifications to my Grand Marquis:

- 80 mm MAF sensor (stock is 70 mm)
- 25.6 lb/hr Injectors (stock is 19 lb/hr)
- 180 °F thermostat (stock is 192 °F)
- One range colder plugs
- EGR delete

I will be deleting the EGR just before I upload the custom tune, but in the meantime I'm customizing tunes that are already preloaded into the system for my particular application.

This is basically what it is:

You pair it with your iPad, iPhone or Android device through Bluetooth and you're set to go. You can alter the tune, monitor real-time data, read/clear DTC codes and test performance (acceleration, braking, quarter mile, etc.).

Here are a few screen shots of the programming section. The unit automatically identifies your vehicle, loads preloaded tunes, and gives you the option to edit them before uploading to the PCM:

I've been told not to mess with the timing and A/F, and at the moment my settings are as follows:

Octane: 87 AKI
Rear O2s: Off (N/A because I don't have them)
EGR: Off (physically still in place)
Traction Control: Off (also N/A)
Rev limit Drv: 6,200 rpm
Rev limit neu: 6,200 rpm
Low speed fan: 202 degrees F
High speed fan: 212 degrees F

I have yet to test drive the vehicle, but it certainly was interesting.

 

[jsnyder49090]

how much and why you deleting the egr to keep the intake cooler? I heard it does nothing

 

[Falcon_LS]

It's $469 plus shipping. The EGR thread is here.

 

[Colt45ws]

I would stick with a rev limit max of 6k.
I tried the canned tune that came with my SCT SF3 and wasnt happy with it at all. I drove it a mile, pulled over and put the factory tune back on.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Wonder if it's the same one here. What didn't you like about the tune?

 

[gathermewool]

Is there any way to data log; to record knock, fuel trims, timing, and AFR's? If not, then I'd send it back. When you say the tuner you're using is certified, what does that mean? How is he able to send you a tune if he doesn't have any logs to base the tune on?

 

[Colt45ws]

The shift schedule was retarded. It shifted way too high at any throttle position. Further, when it called for OD it used a ridiculous shift pressure. It would smack into OD really hard. I mean it felt like someone was under the car and smacked the trans with a sledgehammer.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Is there any way to data log; to record knock, fuel trims, timing, and AFR's? If not, then I'd send it back. When you say the tuner you're using is certified, what does that mean? How is he able to send you a tune if he doesn't have any logs to base the tune on?


It can log anything. By certified I mean he's certified by Superchips Custom Tuning (SCT). He's also got 10 years of experience under his belt tuning Crown Vics and its Lincoln/Mercury variants.

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
The shift schedule was retarded. It shifted way too high at any throttle position. Further, when it called for OD it used a ridiculous shift pressure. It would smack into OD really hard. I mean it felt like someone was under the car and smacked the trans with a sledgehammer.


Ouch! Did you alter anything at all?

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Is there any way to data log; to record knock, fuel trims, timing, and AFR's? If not, then I'd send it back. When you say the tuner you're using is certified, what does that mean? How is he able to send you a tune if he doesn't have any logs to base the tune on?


It can log anything. By certified I mean he's certified by Superchips Custom Tuning (SCT). He's also got 10 years of experience under his belt tuning Crown Vics and its Lincoln/Mercury variants.

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
The shift schedule was retarded. It shifted way too high at any throttle position. Further, when it called for OD it used a ridiculous shift pressure. It would smack into OD really hard. I mean it felt like someone was under the car and smacked the trans with a sledgehammer.


Ouch! Did you alter anything at all?

It wouldnt let me alter anything important. So I just unloaded it until I got the BOC tune.
The reason why is they took a Mustang tune and toyed with it so the engine wouldnt ping instead of making a new tune from the ground up for Panthers. Basically, SCT was lazy.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Well, I tried their preloaded tune yesterday and ended up reverting back to stock. The issues were:

- It held first gear way too long, and if you went up to 2,500 rpm and released the gas, it would shift with a bang.
- The rear end would break loose during WOT shifts, not exactly my cup of tea and I want my tires to last.
- The engine pinged like CRAZY, despite having selected 87 octane and running 91 in the tank.

Highway driving was noticeably enjoyable, but the above forced me to revert back to Ford's tune (SGA2 catch code).

I'm just waiting for my RJM Injection Tech EGR cap and block off to arrive before I upload my custom tune for the above mods.

 

[mechtech2]

Tuning is a great way to unlock HP and usually gas economy.
Too bad the standard tunes they gave you were so lousy.

BTW, what is your CR? 9/1 and below 87 octane. 9.5/1 89-90, and 9.5-10.5 92.
Why?
I saw a car show with an engineer from a chip mfr talking about this.
There is only so much available. Sure, you could glean a few more HP with high octane in a low comp engine, but it isn't worth the costs.
Selects an octane tune for your compression ration and go from there - pay the price only if you need to.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Well, I tried their preloaded tune yesterday and ended up reverting back to stock. The issues were:

- It held first gear way too long, and if you went up to 2,500 rpm and released the gas, it would shift with a bang.
- The rear end would break loose during WOT shifts, not exactly my cup of tea and I want my tires to last.
- The engine pinged like CRAZY, despite having selected 87 octane and running 91 in the tank.

Highway driving was noticeably enjoyable, but the above forced me to revert back to Ford's tune (SGA2 catch code).

I'm just waiting for my RJM Injection Tech EGR cap and block off to arrive before I upload my custom tune for the above mods.

Can't you upload the tune with the EGR stuff still on there? I mean it won't do anything and just sit there, but at least you can run the tune?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Tuning is a great way to unlock HP and usually gas economy.
Too bad the standard tunes they gave you were so lousy.

BTW, what is your CR? 9/1 and below 87 octane. 9.5/1 89-90, and 9.5-10.5 92.
Why?
I saw a car show with an engineer from a chip mfr talking about this.
There is only so much available. Sure, you could glean a few more HP with high octane in a low comp engine, but it isn't worth the costs.
Selects an octane tune for your compression ration and go from there - pay the price only if you need to.


Thanks! I seem to remember the compression ratio being 9.4:1.

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Can't you upload the tune with the EGR stuff still on there? I mean it won't do anything and just sit there, but at least you can run the tune?


I suppose I can, as soon as the tune is emailed to me. Let me check the status on that.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Canned tunes only can do so much. They really require tweaking to give the best performance. Even the same vehicle can require different settings.

If you can't log it and send it back and forth a few times with your Tuning Professional, then you don't want it.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Canned tunes only can do so much. They really require tweaking to give the best performance. Even the same vehicle can require different settings.

If you can't log it and send it back and forth a few times with your Tuning Professional, then you don't want it.


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