I'm new to the forums...I've had my 05 GT mustang for a year, I've got it the way I want, and I am going to get it tuned. My question is this, what kind of tuner should I get....the performance shop has told me that Hypertech works really well with mustangs, but I keep reading about Bama and Breenspeed. Can anyone tell me the difference and what I should expect with each one?

Thanks.

 

Hypertech doesn't work. Look into a sct xcal 2 or 3 or a diablo predator. Most tuners use the sct. Brenspeed and bama are also very good custom tuners. As far as price. It would probably be best to order from them and get the three custom tunes included with the cost of the new tuner. Brenspeed pretty much writes you one tune, but switched among three octane levels. Doug has a race, torque, and performance tune. Torque tune would be best for low end power and stop and go daily driving. Performance seems to be more of an all around tune.

Are you looking into also adding an intake?

 

I already added a K and N CAI.

 

what mods you got so far? i would recommend SCT, bc it's the most popular, so if you need help plenty others will have 1st hand info.

 

Can I order it myself then plug it into the port and go from there, or is there a chip that has to be installed?

 

A"Tuner" like the XCal2 is just a little hand held computer with a cable. The cable plugs into the OBD port right below your steering wheel. There is no "Chip" to buy or install. The "Tunes" are the software programs that are stored on the "Tuner" and one is downloaded to your car thru the OBD port. You can buy an XCal2 or other Tuner from any old performance shop and it will probably come with some very generic (read - not so good) Tunes. You could then contact Brenspeed or Bama and tell them your current mods and they could email you 3 tunes for a price, which you would then load onto your Tuner from your Computer. Or, the better option, just call Brenspeed or Bama and get the package from them: Tuner + 3 Tunes.

 

Best bet would be to order from either brenspeed or bama. Just order the tuner with the 3 tunes for 379. It is possible to go a little cheaper route if you can find a good quality used tuner and order a single tune file. 50 for bama, 75 brenspeed. For most though, it's not worth the hassle finding a quality used tuner that's unlocked and adding tunes at cost.

 

In my opinion, the best bet would be a custom dyno tune, but the Bama and Brenspeed tunes are great as well. Either way, you will need to get yourself a handheld tuner. I use a Diablosport Predator tuner and love it but, from what I have heard, the SCT XCal is better for automatics. There are a few more handheld tuners out there but buyer beware. I do not think that Hypertech offers anything for the 05-08 stangs. I would question your shop if that is what they are recommending. Doesn't sound like the know the new Mustang that well. Also, hate to say it but lose the K&N and go with something like the Steeda or JLT. You'll get far better gains with one of those. Good luck.