Does the tuner just connect to the car and make adjustment? Do I still need to buy a Superchip or Diablo chip to go with the tuner ?

 

It is a stand-alone device that plugs into the cars computer and reprograms it. You wont need (or want) any other chip.

 

Do you need a different chip for say, a manual XLS and an auto XLT. Does anyone have any idea how much they cost, and how much added horsepower do they give?

 

A. It plugs into the diagnostic port located under the driver's side dash. Follow the on screen instructions and then unplug it.
B. No need for a chip... it won't work with a chip installed.

Cost ---
Tuner: http://www.motorhaven.com/customer/p...cat=274&page=1

Diablo chip:
http://www.motorhaven.com/customer/p...&cat=37&page=1

Superchips Custom Tuning chip:
http://www.motorhaven.com/customer/p...cat=274&page=1

 

Thanks, that's answered a few burning questions I've had for a while!

 

What you have to remember is that it is easy for a dealer to void a warranty for having a chip. With a SCT Tuner or Predator that plugs into the diagnostic port it is much harder to trace. With a chip, all the dealer needs to look for is the conformal coating scratched off of the computer I/O port (where the chip plugs in).

Also, I've had problems with chips being loose or not making perfect contact and causing some temporary problems (not starting, irradic idle, etc.). This happened especially when it is cold out.

 

Conformal coating is easy to take care of. Instead of scrubing it off which leaves evidence you can clean it with acetone. The coating comes off but it doesn't look like it was taken off... just looks like it was never there at all.

 

The conformal coating is on every processor I/O port. That is the first thing the dealers look for when trying to void the warranty. Normally they would only look if there was a major issue such as a blown motor or something.

 

I didn't say the conformal coating isn't there on every processor (which by the way, isn't true... older PCM's use a white grease). Letg me try again:

When you clean the connector with the included Scotch-Brite pad it leave scrape marks on the connector. That is usually the give-away. Acetone wipes it off clean and leaves the connector shiny... and it doesn't look much different then it does with conformal. You can pick up conformal-like coating at electronics shops. Connector with conformal and no scrapes equals stock.

 

When you alter the programming of the PCM with a tuner it still leaves that information that it has been altered, so it can be traced.

 

No, the tuner keeps a copy of the original program in itself. The tuner allows you to restore the original program and it then clears and codes in the computer.

 

What I was getting at is that the they can still tell thru the PCM if any of the programming has ever been altered. I know that the tuner holds the original programing so that it can be re-installed. I had a SCT for my 97 Powerstroke. But service techs tell me that they can tell if it had a tuner on it, even if the stock programming has been re-installed.

 

The service techs are wrong and they are trying to scare you. The only thing what will show up is a P1000 code, which means the vehicle needs more time to complete its diagnostic cycle. The same code can happen by disconnecting the battery.

 

I have no idea why they would try to scare me......but I am no computer wiz so I can't really dispute what is told to me.

 

They are trying to scare you because some people load poorly done tunes into radically modified vehicles and cause headaches for dealers. If you extensively modify your vehicle: you are your own warranty station.