Quick question about Star tuner
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New User
Joined: Sep 2009
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Quick question about Star tuner
Talked to Mike earlier today about our '10 V10. Don't know when he gets to do any work! He picked up the phone 2nd ring and answered a few questions that I suppose he's answered many thousands of times. So now as soon as the slush that's falling out of the sky clears I'll be getting the PCM number and calling him back.
Now the question that I forgot to ask Mike, how easy is it to switch between tunes? Is it "flip a switch" or do you have to plug back into the PCM to do it?
Thanks!
Now the question that I forgot to ask Mike, how easy is it to switch between tunes? Is it "flip a switch" or do you have to plug back into the PCM to do it?
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
The pcm has to be reflashed through the OBD-2 port. Switch chips are made as well as some that allow changing the tune on the fly, don't have first hand experience with either. I'm a fan of the Xcal2 or Xcal3 and thats what I use myself.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 76
From: South Carolina
Talked to Mike earlier today about our '10 V10. Don't know when he gets to do any work! He picked up the phone 2nd ring and answered a few questions that I suppose he's answered many thousands of times. So now as soon as the slush that's falling out of the sky clears I'll be getting the PCM number and calling him back.
Now the question that I forgot to ask Mike, how easy is it to switch between tunes? Is it "flip a switch" or do you have to plug back into the PCM to do it?
Thanks!
Now the question that I forgot to ask Mike, how easy is it to switch between tunes? Is it "flip a switch" or do you have to plug back into the PCM to do it?
Thanks!
As dkf mentioned your truck would have to be flashed through the OBDII port. The X3 on a 2010 truck like yours would take approx 3-5 mins to reflash very easy to do.
talk to you soon and thank you for the opportunity!!!
Mike
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
GO MIKE!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
THinking more about it, I think it's that the switch chip needs the key to be off. On the diesel, you can do it "on the fly". But I'm not sure about that.
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
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From: Texas
Don't know if its true or not.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
From what I heard the flip chips are geared more towards the older 90s vehicles where it was more common to plug a chip directly into the pcm. Some tuners plug inline somehow and more or less trick the pcm. No expert on either thats just what I gathered. I have always been under the impression reflashing the pcm is the best and safest method of loading the tune and tricking the pcm no matter what method used is a big no no.
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Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
There is a "diagnostic port" on the older OBD-II PCMs (and, I think, the precursor EEC-V or -IV's) where you can plug in what amounts to a memory chip that replaces what the PCM has internally. This memory can store a custom tune. Had a Superchips like that for my '96 t-bird. Pretty easy to put a multi-bank memory in there and use a switch to switch between them.
That "diagnostic port" is there on my '01 PCM and I'm sure later ones, so it's still possible to plug in a "chip", but having FLASH RAM in the PCM, it's easier to just plug in a tuner and upload a new tune.
That "diagnostic port" is there on my '01 PCM and I'm sure later ones, so it's still possible to plug in a "chip", but having FLASH RAM in the PCM, it's easier to just plug in a tuner and upload a new tune.
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 8
From: Texas
But one of the big things about a switch chip is that you can change tunes on the fly.
Say you have it on 1, which is tow tune.
You need to winch something on to your trailer and 3 is high Idle.
You back up to the truck you are going to winch on, set the brakes and flip it to 3. After you are done loading you flip it to 1 and drive off.
That saves 10 minutes.
Say you have it on 1, which is tow tune.
You need to winch something on to your trailer and 3 is high Idle.
You back up to the truck you are going to winch on, set the brakes and flip it to 3. After you are done loading you flip it to 1 and drive off.
That saves 10 minutes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
We used switch chips in our sand rails on a few different gas motors, LS1, LS7, Cadillac Northstar, and 1 high strung Subaru. Didn't have to shut the car off or anything, flip the switch and more HP. Unfortunately I'm unsure of the mechanics/electrics behind it as it was assembled by a custom engine shop in So Cal.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
But one of the big things about a switch chip is that you can change tunes on the fly.
Say you have it on 1, which is tow tune.
You need to winch something on to your trailer and 3 is high Idle.
You back up to the truck you are going to winch on, set the brakes and flip it to 3. After you are done loading you flip it to 1 and drive off.
That saves 10 minutes.
Say you have it on 1, which is tow tune.
You need to winch something on to your trailer and 3 is high Idle.
You back up to the truck you are going to winch on, set the brakes and flip it to 3. After you are done loading you flip it to 1 and drive off.
That saves 10 minutes.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
So basically, there's no way to put a switch "chip" onto a 2005-up SD like you did with the older models with the EEC PCM.
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
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From: Richmond BC
ther is one thing i have often wondered about with getting a 5star tuner. and thats why do you need to provide the PCM number from teh truck ?
if your reflashing the pcm with something different why do you need to the original tune ? or is it just to give you something to revert back to ?
just curious is all.
if your reflashing the pcm with something different why do you need to the original tune ? or is it just to give you something to revert back to ?
just curious is all.