Best tuning software for 1996 Mustang GT

PWNY · Dec 8, 2020

I'm tired of getting "canned tunes" and looking to get tuning software so I can tune my mustang myself. Which is the most user friendly? I have an xcal 2 so it would kinda make sense to get the SCT Advantage 3 tuning software. Has anyone used this software? Any input is appreciated.

ttocs · Dec 8, 2020

what is your experience in tuning?

apsmith49921 · Dec 8, 2020

Are you referring to canned tunes as mail order stuff? For the price of the sct software you can have a dyno tune done.

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PWNY · Dec 9, 2020

apsmith49921 said:
Are you referring to canned tunes as mail order stuff? For the price of the sct software you can have a dyno tune done

Yes, the mail order tunes. I have gotten several tunes from Bama tunes (americanmuscle.com) and they work but one tune will ping if I get on it before it's warm, another tune is way rich and another is lean. I want to get into tuning and have been doing some research and there are alot of options.

ttocs said:
what is your experience in tuning?

I've been a mechanic for 11 years so I know a thing or too and want to be able to tweak things on my mustang. It's got pi heads, edelbrock intake, 94mm throttle body, egr delete, and long tubes. Want to make it run they way it should and want to know what's in the tune.

ttocs · Dec 9, 2020

94mm tb?

PWNY · Dec 9, 2020

ttocs said:
94mm tb?

Correct. It is ridiculously huge but my friend had it and it works on the edelbrock intake elbow. Needless to say the throttle is very touchy! lol

lwarrior1016 · Dec 9, 2020

Is it auto or stick? Do you have emissions to worry about?

If you’re any good with wiring, you could get a microsquirt setup for under or around $400.

ttocs · Dec 9, 2020

There are a number of systems that can do it and in my opinion the difference between them is how they treat you after you get it. Holley has good tech support both on their forum, facebook as well as with a tech support # to call. I have heard the megasquirt is a good system but you are a little more on your own to figure it out.

lwarrior1016 · Dec 9, 2020

Microsquirt is about as simple as it gets, and there is a lot of support for it. It’s a really good option for the price. Holley it good, but it’s expensive.

apsmith49921 · Dec 9, 2020

Megasquirt does have a pnp kit in the works for 96 to 98 cars now. Call them and its possible you can snag one

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tvsn95 · Dec 10, 2020

96 is OBD2
you can get a Mongoose and reflash the stock ECU.
get in touch with Pops Racing for 100% support and advice
http://www.popsracing.com/

PWNY · Dec 10, 2020

I don't really want to rewire the engine harness to make megasquirt. I would like to use the stock computer if possible.

tvsn95 said:
96 is OBD2
you can get a Mongoose and reflash the stock ECU.
get in touch with Pops Racing for 100% support and advice
http://www.popsracing.com/

I'll check these guys out. Thanks

ttocs · Dec 10, 2020

I think when you said "software" we assumed you mean on a pc and an offboard ecu. If you are not wanting to do that then your options are pretty limited.

lwarrior1016 · Dec 10, 2020

Well, like apsmith said, DiyAutoTune is working on a plug and play megasquirt.

PWNY · Dec 10, 2020

lwarrior1016 said:
Is it auto or stick? Do you have emissions to worry about?

If you’re any good with wiring, you could get a microsquirt setup for under or around $400.

Manual trans. No issue with emissions. Cats and egr have been removed long time ago

tvsn95 · Dec 12, 2020

Like I said, Get with Pops racing. Adam will hold your hand ( to a point) and tell you what you need, then either tune it for you or get you started " down the rabbit hole" LOL
I will tell you that if you don't have a GOOD wideband FIRST you are flying blind . so get that installed and learn what the info it gives means.
and yeah , you do it with a laptop
Have fun, I have been tuning for years on these early ECU's

PWNY · Dec 14, 2020

tvsn95 said:
Like I said, Get with Pops racing. Adam will hold your hand ( to a point) and tell you what you need, then either tune it for you or get you started " down the rabbit hole" LOL
I will tell you that if you don't have a GOOD wideband FIRST you are flying blind . so get that installed and learn what the info it gives means.
and yeah , you do it with a laptop
Have fun, I have been tuning for years on these early ECU's

I have a wideband in the car and with those Bama tunes, I don't like what I see. What program do you use for tuning?

ttocs · Dec 14, 2020

yes bama sucks. I found out the hard way as well.

2002BLGT · Dec 17, 2020

PWNY said:
I have a wideband in the car and with those Bama tunes, I don't like what I see. What program do you use for tuning?

If you want a better option than Bama but still use what you have let me know and I can fix you up

Frank.JD.Perez · Dec 17, 2020

94mm seems like its too much. do you run a carb style manifold? ive got the vic jr manifold too, but use a 72 or 75mm tb. will knows for certain. he and josef also do a lot of tuning stuff on their own cars so theyre probably a good resource