Because I don't know enough about the subject, chip/tuner selection is confusing. I tried to educate myself, and feel bad about this huge post. I'm hoping you guys can clear the water for me. The manufactures and dealers web sites are not helping (probably my stupidity). I know some of these questions are very elementary but I just can't find it spelled out.... It'd be nice to have a chart with all features indicated for every chip/tuner available.

Truck info:

• 99 SD V10
• Have a Flowmaster to duals out the back
• Have put on 33" tires
• Will be changing gears from 3.73 to 4.10
• Will be installing ebay headers ('cuz I like the bling)
• Will be installing a true y-pipe
• Will be fabricating a true cowl induction system ('cuz I can)

Must have:

• Price less than $400
• Ability to read/clear OBDII codes
• At least 3 selectable tunes (1. That won't decrease gas milage 2. Towing 3. For best 1/4 mile times)
• Shift point adjustments (by user - at no additional cost)
• Firmer shifts (by user - at no additional cost)
• Speedo correction for tires and gears (by user - at no additional cost)

Questions:

1. Is the Superchips 1725 manufactured by the same company as the SCT Flash 9415A(B) and the SCT XCalibrator 2(is the P/N 9400?)
2. What are the major differences between the above?
3. Will they all work on my truck?
4. Will the SCT Xcal2 do everything the 1725 will do plus more? If so, why is the Xcal2 cheaper?
5. I have a full blown windows computer built into my truck and would really like to get some real time data displayed on the monitor, will the LiveLink software do this? Will this cost extra?
6. Should I consider the Diablo products or the Hypertech? If so why?
7. With any of the options, how do you switch between tunes? Is it necessary to reboot (restart) the engine, or can you do it at a traffic light?

I think a dyno is almost required to be able to safely write programs, so that's not a requirement - although if the general opinion is that you don't need one - I might want to try to play around with it. I think this will put me into only one option but I'd like to be sure.

 

1. No. Superchips and SCT are two completely different companies.

2. The 1725 is a plug and play tuner, works with all vehicles its listed for. 9415 is also plug and play, plus it does data logging and can be updated via the web. The 9400 is the same as the 9415 but it is custom programmed for the one specific vehicle.

3. Superchips 1725 - no (this model is for Ford cars. You need a 1715.). 9415 - no, supports 2004-2006 V10 only. 9400 - yes.

4. Yes. Its not cheaper, not after our instant rebate on Superchips products.

5. Yes, and not it doesn't cost extra.

6. Diablo doesn't work with the V10.

7. You plug it in and load in a different tune. I suppose you could do it at a traffic light if you don't mind turning off the engine and annoying everyone because it takes several minutes.

 

OK. Let me try and summarize.

SCT Xcalibrator2 - 9400 $379.00 (from MotorHaven)
Satisfies all my requirements.
Data logging capabilities
Dealer provides me 3 programs for my truck
Offers Quicktune 2005 Custom Tuning included (optional programming cable required, sold separately)
Updates via web

Superchips 1715 $318.99 (from MotorHaven)
Satisfies all my requirements.
No Data logging capabilities
Plug and play - no dealers programs neessary

Hypertech part unknown
Thier web site indicates they don't make a chip/tuner, but has a dyno sheet for it????

Neither (9400/1715) offer program switch without a restart (no big deal).

More questions:
Will both the 1715 and the 9400 sastify my "must have" list?
How much is the optional programming cable for the 9400?
How much are additional tunes (say after I add headers and cowl induction)?
Are the quantity of OBDII codes read by the 1715 and the 9400 similar?
Can you summarize what addition benefits the 9400 has over the 1715?
Are the 9400 Updates via the web to the 'operating system' or to add custom programs.

Thanks.

 

And there is a SCT X-Calibrator2 group buy going on this week....$379....not a chance. Im talking a bonafied 7 day FTE GROUP BUY! Gas engines, diesel engines, cars or trucks...if got a blue oval and was made on or after 1996.....You need to look in the VENDORS SPECIALS SECTION!

 

I'll answer your questions despite the interruption from another vendor (who knows there are guidelines for how we must operate here).

1. Both tuners will meet you must haves, except tire size/speedo calibration. It can't be done with any tuner on the market for the V10. You need to use a Superlift Truspeed for that.

2. The 9400 comes with a cable to interface to your truck's computer. The cable to interface the 9400 to a PC is a standard USB cable. Most people have spares (they come with practically every peripheral these days). You can also pick them up at Walmark, Radio Shack, etc., for probably less than 5 or 6 bucks. If you need one just tell us when ordering and we'll throw one in for free.

3. Custom programming is included for free with all our Xcal2 tuners. If you need a couple extra that's no problem. Cowl induction won't require tuning changes, headers will if they are long tune headers.

4. Yes.

5. The 9400 support web updates, custom tuning and datalogging. The 1715 doesn't.

6. The 9400 web updates are to the tuner itself, not the tunes. Tunes are supplied by individual dealers, provided they are capable of actually writing tunes. Be careful, many folks who give cut throat pricing below SCT MAP pricing don't know how to custom tune.