SCT Livewire questions

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 17, 2010 | 07:12 AM

skono

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 59

Likes: 0

SCT Livewire questions

I was reading a thread from when the livewire first came out and it sounded like they had some problems with it. I'm assuming they are resolved? With the livewire , I don't need any extra gauges. Correct? Or maybe just exhaust temp.. Is there a decent way to mount it? Would love to see some pics. It looks kind of plain jane compare to other programmers.

Oct 17, 2010 | 08:10 AM

tex25025

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 10,626

Likes: 7

From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by skono

Actually some of those issues still haven't been resolved. It seems to be 50/50 on getting a good one. Some also start out as good, but end up showing problems later.

Mainly those problems tend to be screen freezing. Won't turn on or off. Then it would work for a bit and then it'll act up again. I would suggest getting the tried and true X3 and then get a standalone digital gauge(DashDAQ, Insight, Scan Gauge etc).

Oct 17, 2010 | 08:18 AM

skono

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 59

Likes: 0

Thanks Tex. But where do you put the X3 after its plugged in? I've never seen one in person. Do they do the same except for monitoring?

Oct 17, 2010 | 08:44 AM

tex25025

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 10,626

Likes: 7

From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by skono

Thanks Tex. But where do you put the X3 after its plugged in? I've never seen one in person. Do they do the same except for monitoring?

After you have uploaded the program you(or at least I would) put it in the glove box or somewhere safe, but close. Within the truck at least.

Now the X3 does have limited datalogging capabilities, so it can monitor, but not to the extent that you are wanting to do. I have only done that once with the xCal 2 and that was for tuning purposes.

Oct 17, 2010 | 09:19 AM

skono

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 59

Likes: 0

I was just looking at them and from what I understand I can save the factory setting and load which ever tune I want (Econ, Tow,Extreme,) . I would probably never use extreme. Then restore it to factory if needed. I has seen some guys post that Econ. is a waste. Is a custom tune the best way to go?

Oct 17, 2010 | 09:31 AM

tex25025

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 10,626

Likes: 7

From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by skono

Yes, custom tuning is the best for our trucks as a whole. Just go with a tune writer that has a good rep. There are hacks out there and that will sour you on the idea of custom tuning if you deal with one of those.

As to if Econ tune is a waste or not, that'll depend on what your goals are. If you want to maximize economy, then I would actually work on improving driving habits before I would go with performance tuning. Now some people claim that they have had better MPG improvements with higher HP tunes versus Economy tunes. Maybe, maybe not. Too many factors involved that it makes it hard to say that tuning alone was responsible for the MPG improvement.

However, if you are wanting just a little bit of a bump in HP/TQ, but more tweaking on the tranny shifting etc, then the Econ tune might be the best thing for you. It depends on what your goals are. That's the beauty of custom tuning. To further illustrate that, there has been a group of people, albeit very very very small minority group, that has actually detuned their trucks from the factory HP/TQ output.

Lots of options.