SCT X3

Grnstang · Sep 2, 2009

Hey all...I recently got one of the SCT X3 tuners with some custom tunes from JMS Chip and I was just wondering, does anyone here have any experience with these? I mean, I re-programmed the computer and later took her out for a test drive and it was ok, but to be honest I really didn't feel that much increase in power. Off the line it accelerates alot better and seems to have a little more throughout the rpm range, but they were telling me I'd definately feel the power and said I would gain around 20hp. Anyone else here experience this??? I mean, I'm not saying I'm not happy with it, but really, I was expecting a little more seat of the pants gain.

duff daddy · Sep 2, 2009

I love my xcal 3 but i would never use a canned tune. i would go and get your car tuned with their software and then with the xcal you can mess with it for some user settings ie timing and rev limiter and depeding on the year you can even set a "2 step"

Grnstang · Sep 3, 2009

Yeah. I would love to do that, but the only problem is I'm from Fargo, ND and there are no tuners around here. The closest tuner would be in Minneapolis. I guess I'll just have to do a roadtrip sometime. So if I bring the tuner with, they will be able to dynotune the car and load the tunes onto the Xcal right? I'm not quite sure how that works...

DropTopPony · Sep 3, 2009

20hp is a bit optimistic for a canned tune and the minimal mods you have done but hey how else will they convince someone to buy a tuner when they don't really need it!

NXcoupe · Sep 4, 2009

What he said. Yeah, for your car gaining hp is more in getting your a/f ratio spot on and that's nearly impossible to do without a dynotune. I tune a lot of cars, including Luke that owns the old red 98 GT from Modular Misfits. NPI cars don't really gain more than 6 to 10 hp unless they are freakish. The programmer is very powerful and in the right hands can open up a lot of potential. Especially if you are going to do more mods in the future.

duff daddy · Sep 4, 2009

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeeeeep

Grnstang · Sep 7, 2009

Ok, so do you guys think it was even worth it for me to get the tuner. I eventually plan on a few more mods like heads and intake manifold, so was this just a waste of cash, or will it help when I do the heads and manifold? It definately does seem like the cars pulls a little harder and throttle response is definately imporoved.

NXcoupe · Sep 8, 2009

No, don't get me wrong, like I said in my other post, you will be able to capitolize on any future mods with it, but only if you get it custom tuned. canned tunes suck. They just used the SCT base tune and sent it out. I at least use our dyno tunes with similar or the exact same mods, so you can be closer than a canned tune. Price isn't always the best way to shop for parts, imho. Especially on programmers and engines. Other stuff is what it is, not matter who you get it from, but if you are buying something that requires a skill, forget about price, go with what works.

Willis_98GT · Sep 9, 2009

NXcoupe said:
No, don't get me wrong, like I said in my other post, you will be able to capitolize on any future mods with it, but only if you get it custom tuned. canned tunes suck. They just used the SCT base tune and sent it out. I at least use our dyno tunes with similar or the exact same mods, so you can be closer than a canned tune. Price isn't always the best way to shop for parts, imho. Especially on programmers and engines. Other stuff is what it is, not matter who you get it from, but if you are buying something that requires a skill, forget about price, go with what works.

couldnt have said it any better, the tuner will enhance everything you want to do in the future.