I bought an SCT X3 for my '02 F250 5.4L with 87 Economy, 91 Performance, and 93 Performance tunes from 5 Star and got it and the custom tunes on Friday. I installed the X3/LW Update software on my Windows XP computer then saved the custom tunes. When I tried to load the tunes into the X3/LW software, I got a message saying "Failed to read data". I think this is because I did not install the drivers first, but when I try both of the methods suggested on SCT's website (both automatic and the manual way) I get the message that "The hardware was not installed because the wizard cannot find the necessary hardware". What can I do to fix this and upload my tunes? I tried calling both SCT and 5 Star but neither is available, which is understandable because it is sunday. I really want to try out these tunes and even filled up with 93 octance in anticipation!

 

I have been down this road, I ended up having to call SCT and have them remotely connect to my PC and do all the necessary stuff. When you call make sure you have time to stay on the phone as its not a fast process, and dont call them near the end of the day as they will tell you to call back the next day earlier so they will have time.

 

you can also try sending mike from 5 star a PM. you just might catch him tonight.

 

Best to e-mail Mike, I never call him. Last year we were going back and forth with e-mails on Thanksgiving day. He checks his e-mails regularly regardless of day.

Are you using "Liveload" to try and upload the tunes? "Livelink" is for datalogging and not for uploading tunes.

 

I had a simular problem and called Mike and he walked me through the procedure. When you purchase from Mike he is there to help you get installed and runninng.

 

Emailed Mike last night and followed his suggestions this morning and it all worked wonderfully. I had to uninstall and then reinstall the Updater software, then open it, and then plug the tuner into a different USB port on the back of the computer, and finally allow the device wizard to install the drivers. I've only run the 91 Performance tune so far, but it really woke the truck up! I can't wait to see how the 93 Performance is!

 

post back when you've tried all the tunes. i have the x2 and i'm curious about the difference between the two.

 

Well I can let you know about the 91 Performance, as I've gotten a good bit of seat time with it tonight. First thing I noticed was the truck pulled alot harder off the line, and I can break my big ol' 35's loose much easier now. Around town, when getting on it, the truck feels ballsier overall, and on the highway it stays in lockup almost 100% of the time, which is good in my opinion. Passing is easier on the truck because I don't get 2 downshifts and like stock; when stock it would downshift to 2nd to pass and rev to like 5K, which I did not like. Now, it downshifts to 3rd and is nice and smooth and powerful. I also adjusted the 1st-2nd gear shift firmness +5%, which made an additional improvement when accelerating from a slow roll IMO. I tried +10%, but it seemed to be too much and made my belt slip a bit when the truck shifted. I'm keeping a log of what adjustments work and what I do/don't like so I can further tune the truck to my liking.

I have also gained 2 MPG apprx., going from 10.1 before the tune to 11.9 after the tune, and this is with a heavy foot. I can only imagine the mileage gains I could get with the 87 Economy tune and a lighter foot.

I played around with the datalogging capabilities a little bit tonight too, it seems useful, although I don't yet understand what it all means and how to interpret it on LiveLink.

I filled up w/ 93 octane tonight, and I've got a quarter tank left of 91 to burn off before I switch over to the 93 Performance tune tomorrow afternoon. I'll be sure to post back then. Thus far, this was one of the best investments I've made in the truck to date and I highly recommend it and Mike's tunes for anyone with a 5.4L Super Duty who is looking to wake it up, gaining power and MPG. Like SCT says... More Power, Less Fuel!

 

enduro.
what gears do you have in the truck?
Desert 4x4

 

3.73 right now, trying to save $$ for 4.56's but regearing is so expensive!

 

Ok thanks I am running 4.10 w/35 bfg's and was debating going to 4.56 or 4.88's

 

I too was stuck between 4.56's or 4.88's, or even 5.13's but I decided 4.56's because I do alot of highway driving.