SCT Tuner
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Spencer, MA
SCT Tuner
I know there has been lots of discussions about tuners and what not, I just hope my thread isn't a complete repeat. My question is I'm going to be purchasing a tuner and have heard SCT is the best for the Super Duty's with a gas motors. I know a lot of people are running the X3's but I'm looking at the Livewire which still has the capability of running 3 custom tunes and it also has gauges. Does anybody have experience with this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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I know there has been lots of discussions about tuners and what not, I just hope my thread isn't a complete repeat. My question is I'm going to be purchasing a tuner and have heard SCT is the best for the Super Duty's with a gas motors. I know a lot of people are running the X3's but I'm looking at the Livewire which still has the capability of running 3 custom tunes and it also has gauges. Does anybody have experience with this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
many people run custom tuned sct's. they are the most common in 6.0s. the custom tuning ability is really nice because it tunes the tranny and u can get whatever u want changed. the livewire is a good tuner and the gauges are a plus. on a gasser, they arent necessarily needed, but they would be better than whats on the dash.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 930
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From: Los Angeles
many people run custom tuned sct's. they are the most common in 6.0s. the custom tuning ability is really nice because it tunes the tranny and u can get whatever u want changed. the livewire is a good tuner and the gauges are a plus. on a gasser, they arent necessarily needed, but they would be better than whats on the dash.
isnt there a pretty big diffrenece in price as well?
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
5 Star Tuning sells the X3 with 3 custom tunes for $415.00 and the Livewire with 3 custom tunes for $509.00.
X3:
X3 Power Flash Device Ford 5.4L V8 F-E-Series/ Excursion - 5 Star Tuning
Livewire:
Livewire Handheld Flash Programmer - 5 Star Tuning
Is it worth $94.00 for the Livewire guages... it is to me.
X3:
X3 Power Flash Device Ford 5.4L V8 F-E-Series/ Excursion - 5 Star Tuning
Livewire:
Livewire Handheld Flash Programmer - 5 Star Tuning
Is it worth $94.00 for the Livewire guages... it is to me.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
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From: Spencer, MA
I understand being a gasser I don't really need the gauges but for me it's knowing what everything is doing and for only a little more I think it helps. Thanks for the opinions though.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I prefer the X3 because it leaves no hardware on the truck. The Livewire isn't huge but its a chunk that you have to stick somewhere and if you want to be able to see it while driving it should be close to your line of sight. Plus its just another thing in the truck for someone to steal.
I would buy the X3 and a Scangauge II.
I would buy the X3 and a Scangauge II.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
I have a Livewire for my V10.
First off, the hardware (brand or model of tuner) is nowhere near as important as the software! The software is what you need to shop for. I am very, very pleased with the custom tunes that Mike creates for the SCT's.
The Livewire vs X3: The one negative about my Livewire is that it has to be manually turned back on each time the truck is started. So not very ideal for use as a gage set. I usually leave it in glove box and plug it in only when towing or being nosy.
The major positive is being able to plug it in and monitor details to optimize a tune. I had a few issues with detonation (likely due to my frankenmotor) and being able to describe what was happening and exactly when, which helped Mike fix it. Knowing the specific rpm, throttle setting, and spark timing when pinging occurs is helpful.
First off, the hardware (brand or model of tuner) is nowhere near as important as the software! The software is what you need to shop for. I am very, very pleased with the custom tunes that Mike creates for the SCT's.
The Livewire vs X3: The one negative about my Livewire is that it has to be manually turned back on each time the truck is started. So not very ideal for use as a gage set. I usually leave it in glove box and plug it in only when towing or being nosy.
The major positive is being able to plug it in and monitor details to optimize a tune. I had a few issues with detonation (likely due to my frankenmotor) and being able to describe what was happening and exactly when, which helped Mike fix it. Knowing the specific rpm, throttle setting, and spark timing when pinging occurs is helpful.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Los Angeles
I have a Livewire for my V10.
First off, the hardware (brand or model of tuner) is nowhere near as important as the software! The software is what you need to shop for. I am very, very pleased with the custom tunes that Mike creates for the SCT's.
The Livewire vs X3: The one negative about my Livewire is that it has to be manually turned back on each time the truck is started. So not very ideal for use as a gage set. I usually leave it in glove box and plug it in only when towing or being nosy.
The major positive is being able to plug it in and monitor details to optimize a tune. I had a few issues with detonation (likely due to my frankenmotor) and being able to describe what was happening and exactly when, which helped Mike fix it. Knowing the specific rpm, throttle setting, and spark timing when pinging occurs is helpful.
First off, the hardware (brand or model of tuner) is nowhere near as important as the software! The software is what you need to shop for. I am very, very pleased with the custom tunes that Mike creates for the SCT's.
The Livewire vs X3: The one negative about my Livewire is that it has to be manually turned back on each time the truck is started. So not very ideal for use as a gage set. I usually leave it in glove box and plug it in only when towing or being nosy.
The major positive is being able to plug it in and monitor details to optimize a tune. I had a few issues with detonation (likely due to my frankenmotor) and being able to describe what was happening and exactly when, which helped Mike fix it. Knowing the specific rpm, throttle setting, and spark timing when pinging occurs is helpful.
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You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
I prefer the X3 because it leaves no hardware on the truck. The Livewire isn't huge but its a chunk that you have to stick somewhere and if you want to be able to see it while driving it should be close to your line of sight. Plus its just another thing in the truck for someone to steal.
I would buy the X3 and a Scangauge II.
I would buy the X3 and a Scangauge II.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
Couldn't agree more! I have the X3 and it's easy to swap tunes. Typically I'll load the tow tune to pull my TH, then when i get to where I'm going re-load the performance tune. Takes all of 2 or 3 minutes.
I like the fact that I can unplug it and throw it in the glove box until I need it again.
I like the fact that I can unplug it and throw it in the glove box until I need it again.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Couldn't agree more! I have the X3 and it's easy to swap tunes. Typically I'll load the tow tune to pull my TH, then when i get to where I'm going re-load the performance tune. Takes all of 2 or 3 minutes.
I like the fact that I can unplug it and throw it in the glove box until I need it again.
I like the fact that I can unplug it and throw it in the glove box until I need it again.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
The major positive is being able to plug it in and monitor details to optimize a tune. I had a few issues with detonation (likely due to my frankenmotor) and being able to describe what was happening and exactly when, which helped Mike fix it. Knowing the specific rpm, throttle setting, and spark timing when pinging occurs is helpful.
This is my Scangauge mounted on the mirror with an MGT Blendmount. Just need an oil pressure gauge yet.
There are also mounts available for the Livewire, even some pillar mounts. The pillar is already a blind spot for me so I couldn't deal with that.
SCT Livewire Mounts - Pmtdiesel.com
New User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mulino, OR
So for those that have the X3 (I'm looking at the SF3 in particular), how does it handle the codes when the EGR is blocked off? The info on their web site says it'll "read/clear" codes. Would I have to clear the code each time I start the truck?
