I'm buying an SCT tuner and going to install Gearhead tunes on my '05 Super Duty. I found good pricing on SF3 for $337 and Livewire for $449.
My question, what is the advantage of the Livewire? Is it worth it? I have been told to save my money and buy a set of gauges, in lieu of investing in the Livewire... However, since I don't have gauges yet..... I am under the impression that Livewire will display information and warn of impending overheating, etc...
Can you pros out there offer me some input on this please? I'm ready to order now, but just want to order the right choice once, rather than making a mistake and needing to order twice.
Is the Livewire worth the extra $112? I do not have gauges at this time. If it would be much better to with the SF3, and then get a set of gauges when I can afford them, how much would it cost for a decent set of gauges, and are they really much better than the use of Livewire for monitoring?

Recommendations please. Thanks, Tim

 

i dont like the livewire being that it is bulky. get yourself the sf3 and the edge insight off of ebay. its 399 i think but shows you everything you need except fuel pressure and edge is working to get that on there soon from what i hear. thats the best bet IMO

 

Thanks, I'll look into that.
What I was thinking is going with the Live Wire as a temporary guage set up to be able to monitor as much as I can until I can afford a more quality engine monitoring system. In the interim, the Live Wire would still serve as everything the SF3 does, but might double as a gauge set until the funding is available for better gauges. Does that make sense? The Live Wire is only a little over 100 bucks more than SF3. The Live Wire I'm looking at is suppose to come with EGT kit too.
Do you think this might be an OK way to go, for now?

 

The source I found the SCT tuners at also has the Edge Insight for $299. Oh, decisions, decisions. Is the Insight a much better monitor than the Live Wire, as a monitor? Enough to choke down the additional 2 hunnard bucks to go with both SF3 and Insight?

 

My vote would be for the Insight before it would be for the LiveWire. SCT has had some problems with the LiveWire and I just don't think they are going to get it totally fixed especially with the TSX being out there.

I would do the Insight(get the pyro gauge), get an X3 and call it a day.

 

yea get the insight. cooler design and looks much better along with monitors better. where did you find it for 299?

 

rdunagan,
Actually, the insight is listed on the website as $254. But that was the base line model with numeric values. The cool color screen option lists there at $299. The touch screen model is $399. Then you have to buy the thermocoupler for another $79 on whichever model you buy, if wanting EGT. I have attached a link to their site below. This is also where I found some good pricing on SCT.
Let me know what you think. I was really hoping to piece together my components one at a time, eventually working toward the exhaust. I'd really like to get my CEL to ignore the EGR, at least at this point as when I am towing I have no warning of when something is going wrong since the CEL is always on for the low flow egr. Can I just use the SCT for now, without gauges, or is that asking for trouble. I NEED GUIDANCE. Thanks.

Truck Customizers - Search Results

 

you can use the sct without gauges but i wouldnt while towing. you can get away with it for a bit if you dont slam the throttle down at all. before you go hog wild to see what it will do i would have gauges. but if we are talking say about a 2-4 week spand without gauges id say your fine just dont push it to much longer

 

Another option is the ScanGauge II. You can find it for $200 and it will display up to 4 gauges.

 

Talked to Matt a couple of hours ago. He said that the Unlimited Tow mode is actually equivalent to stock tune, except it turns off the EGR CEL.
Thanks though, I think gauges are a must, in my near future.

 

Thank you. I'll look into that one.

 

Like so many things, this all depends. Yes, he could be safe for 2-4 weeks running without gauges, however, think of this. The 6.0 is a truck that needs meticulous attention in stock form and here the OP is proposing on changing stock parameters without anything to look at those changes. There could actually be something going on right now that could be a sign of trouble, a small temp spike might be the only indication and nothing to catch it. Add a tuner to the mix and it might not just be a temp spike, but since it happened after putting the tuner on there, the tuner might get the blame for it.

I mention just the small temp spike specifically because that's what my TFT was doing after I did all the mods to my truck and that was the only indication that my tranny wasn't taking the 500+HP to well is that it was getting up to towing temps in the dead of winter going 14 miles roundtrip unloaded. RPMs weren't all over the place and the tranny wasn't slipping, it was just the temp spike.

Fuel PSI gauge is another one that is needed, in my opinion, on a stock truck, but for sure on a modified one even if it's just slightly modified with a tuner. Either find an OBD-II monitor that allows for the analog input of Fuel PSI (like they do for a pyro gauge) or get a traditional analog gauge for that one sensor reading.

 

You can get the SGII for less than $160 if you shop a little. It's basic and will tell you everything but fuel pressure and EGT's. There's a huge thread with it's capabilities listed. Best bang for the $$$ IMHO. It will display 4 gauges but it has capacity for 24 extra programmable in addition to what it comes preprogrammed with.

 

the advantage of using a stand alone tuner is you can remove it from your truck
because is someone gets their hands on you tuner you are screwed
you are at least paying the dealer for a relfash and all those tunes you bought are useless on another tuner

 

tex i do i agree! i was just saying if the OP was really getting the urge to get one just giving him advice that he should get gauges quickly!