Sniper Tuners

[MMClan]

I saw this post about Sniper software, so I figured I would chime in.

I have a 2003 Ford Lightning. I pulled the trigger and bought the Sniper commando package. I have never tuned a vehicle in my life, ever.

This software was so damn easy, I was amazed. It made a perfect safe tune for my truck on the first shot.
I then wanted to tweak a few thing's out, so like I said not being a tuner, I had not a clue what to do. I went on the sniper forums, posted up some questions and in a few mintues I had a response from multiple people. The tech support is second to none.

I think its a great product, and have been extremely happy with my results. On my safe tune I just ran a new personal best of 12.3 in the 1/4 mile. So I can't wait to see what my new race tune will do.

I have to give mad props to Willie @ Dirtydirtyracing for taking a ton of his own time to even call me up and explain how certain things work in the commando software. Commando is equal to SCt Pro racer package. The delta forces is the drop down menu driven software which anyone could use.

hope this helps.

 

[9psi 98]

All of this info definitely helps. I'll be purchasing a Sniper Commando whenever my honeymoon is paid for...... Come on tax return.... :wall:

 

[voidfinger]

wow i never seen this tread. Subcribed lol. I like the idea of tuning your own car... only thing is i want a dyno tune type deal ya know.

 

[jfor441]

wow i never seen this tread. Subcribed lol. I like the idea of tuning your own car... only thing is i want a dyno tune type deal ya know.

So you buy the software then pay 150 bucks an hour on a dyno or you can go find you an empty parking lot and street tune your car.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I paid 100 an hour, just to have them hoook it up and go away, lol, but still, a wideband and the street would be just as good. They were still over 500 bucks when I did mine though.

 

[voidfinger]

Yea i would like to learn how to tune my own car, i'm just scared that i'm gonna f it up... I'm at peace with my holly and 4 foot flat head screw driver but computer tuning is something i want to get into but i don't want to kill it ya know.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Go back to stock is always an option if you get it to far out of whack. I had to a few times, and start over.

 

[voidfinger]

Go back to stock is always an option if you get it to far out of whack. I had to a few times, and start over.

Yea I guess. With the do it yourself tuners can you do things like modifiy the t/c lockout and things like that or is it just Af/ratio and timing?

I'm just sweating it b/c i don't know much about the 2v in terms of where timing is "too much" and what not... :dunno: o well gotta learn right.

 

[DropTopPony]

here is a comparison of both
SCT PRP (full ECM control) $849 SCT Pro racer manual $75 dollars extra
SCT Xcal2 $379 you have to wait for your tune from your dealer

This thread has some great info on both systems, but since I'm most familiar with SCT, I'd like to clarify a couple of things. First is the price - dunno what the average is but $849 seems a tad high - we sell the XCal2/X3 version with software with an XCal 2 or X3 AND with our Pro Racer Training Video for $728 + shipping. Since I created the Pro Racer Training video we are basically the only ones who give this for free. We DO sell the training video seperate for $49 if you got your PRP from someone else. It covers both Advantage 2.9 and 3.0 - there is over 10 hours of video on it. Teaches you to use the software (using the software), how to tune EEC IVs, EEC V's, troubleshooting, etc. by showing setup of the file, datalogging and making changes.

The CHIP version of the PRP does cost a lot more - mainly because you have to buy a chip and a chip burner. But it does offer self tuneability for 88-95 Mustangs.

If you already have an Xcal 2 or X3 and want to add the PRP software, that's $349 + shipping and we give a discount on the training videos if you get it from us.

I have heard good things about Sniper and we may soon become dealers for them. I do know tuning concepts and the names of the parameters are similar - so the video MAY also help Sniper tuners as well. I do know that the names of parameters in DiabloSport Revolution are almost exactly the same as SCT (and Ford) use. So I assume Sniper is the same.

We NEVER make people wait for thier tunes as long as they can supply the PCM code to us - we load the tunes into the XCal 2 or X3 and send backups on CD as well. The only way someone would have to wait would be if they do not have their PCM code or have a later model that may have been reflashed by the Ford dealer and in that case they'd have to get the XCal, use it to read the "strategy" email it to me and I'd get the tunes emailed back to them quickly. But this normally is not an issue.

The SCT PRP Manual is OK - not great - it has lots of good info in it, but it also has a lot of outdated info in it as well as older SCT hardware in it. I feel qualified to say this, since I wrote it. It needs updating really badly, but I don't do things like that for SCT anymore, so It's up to them to update it. That's kind of why I did the videos, they are much more comprehensive and concentrate on pure tuning.

No need to argue about any of this because lots of choices are really a good thing for the tuning community!

Hope this helps!

Don

This is why i am so fond of SCT, Don is my dealer and you can PM him something at 2AM and he will magically reply in no time....thats why i send him as much business as a i can...

Oh and i didn't even know you were a member here Don....now i won't have to PM you on Stangnet when i need something.

 

[voidfinger]

o hell... 49 messages from Bob insues. lol you gonna have to extend his inbox so you can send him more lol.

 

[2002BLGT]

Oh and just so people know they can get Sniper Commando for 88-95 cars , with chip and chip burner is only $699 as well

 

[jfor441]

I like that you can use the sniper software with 2 vehicles :thumb:

 

[Jrgunn5150]

You can buy bullets and use it with more if you want

 

[jfor441]

I would only be interested in using it on my car and my pops truck.

 

[96 blue moon]

WOW! This is a interesting topic that has been posted. So far great info. on the SCT and the Sniper. Hey Don, do you mind if I email you to ask you a few questions due to having some problems with tuning my X cal?

 

[Don@LRT]

email away - [email protected]

 

[jfor441]

I have a question regarding the Sniper tuning software. If I purchase it, how do you get the tune from the laptop to the car's computer? Is there a handheld or chip that has to be used? or do you download the tune straight to the car computer from the laptop? Silly question I know but I am getting closer to getting my car done and I will need to either take it to a tuner or do it myself. I really want to learn to do it myself.

 

[voidfinger]

i'm not sure what my brother had on his old drag car but it was a lap top and a cord ran from the lap top to the obd port... or computer "i think" in his case since he has an obd1 car

 

[jfor441]

i'm not sure what my brother had on his old drag car but it was a lap top and a cord ran from the lap top to the obd port... or computer "i think" in his case since he has an obd1 car

Kind of what I was thinking.

 

[xsoutherngun89x]

accordin to sniper site from what i can tell its just a cord from the laptop to the port, thats one of the seeling points on the site at least, but i :dunno: never seen it used or used it