MyGt03

Ordering a SCT SF3/X3 hand-held tuner for my 03GT on AmericanMuscle.com. After reading some reviews on AM.com, Im wondering if the SCT Mustang 4-Bank Eliminator Chip, would work better for my application. So looking for some help/advise.

First off, my plan. Pretty sure car will never see forced air or juice. For my custom tune, I was going with 91 octane, tell them my exhaust upgrade, and purchase a JLT CIA along with tuner. Have never bought a tuner and honestly have no idea how custom tunes are done. If I did anything else to engine, it would be a set of stage 2 cams and 3.73 gears. To be installed at a later date.

Second, my thinking. Im no drag racer and will never take my car to a track. Do I really need a hand-held? Would I get all my moneys worth out of a hand-held? The 4-bank chip says switch between 5 custom tunes on the fly. If I know for sure what will be done to engine, I could set 1st for stock, 2nd for 91 octane - exhaust - CIA, 3rd, etc..., and like the last 5th tune set for what I plan to do in future (gears/cams + CIA/exhaust). Just wouldn't select until mods are equipped on car. Would this work and would anybody advise/dis-advise doing this?

Last, stupid question. Reading a recent thread hear on MF where someone asked about the difference in CIA's. Some people were saying forget the CIA and just buy a K&N Filter. I also remember reading somewhere else (not here) where "stock Mustang airbox is a snorkel design and is already sucking cold air from fenderwell." So my question is, when ordering a custom tune, if I have a K&N filter, can I tell SCT, or whoever, its a CIA? Save the cash and buy something else?

Thanks for any info....

MU71L4710N

before you do anything call your l ocal dyno shops and see what they prefer. if they use diablo or whatever you will have to buy a new tuner to save your tune on.

second, i'd get the tuner, theres too much you can do just to get a little chip.

zero2005

i personally got a chip (diablosport) yes, definately find the shop you are going to, call them and ask what they use.

i got my chip free with the tune, and i dont figure i'll be changing much. another reason is my tuner is trying to switch from diablosport to SCT, so why get the diablosport tuner, if he's gunna switch... might get the SCT tuner if/when he changes over.

but - if your not gunna be on the dyno much/if at all - get the tuner. at the very least, you have a scanner for codes and can clear them. IF you get your SCT from american muscle, they have "free lifetime tunes" im not exactly sure how it works, but from my basic understanding is that if you ever buy a part for your car after the "initial" tune that you set up with them, you can give em a call and tell them what you got, and they'll send ya a new tune for it. not exactly the best tune, but it'll be something, and somethings better than nothing.

oh and, i think the SCT handheld holds 3 or so tunes? diablosport holds 5 i think?