So I have a 2005 Mustang GT and I just purchased a Ford Racing CAI. I have JBA headers (came with the car), borla exhaust and Tremec short shifter. I know I have get a tune or programmer as I put the CAI in, which should I get and why? Keep in mind, this is my daily driver. Thanks for your help.

 

i have an SCT X3 and my tune is from Bama, and I love it!

there are also plenty of threads about tuners and what not, and i didnt know tremec made a short throw shifter...

 

Sorry, I'm trying to educate myself on this stuff. So you have the SCT X3 programmer, and a tune from Bama. I can't tune it with the programmer alone? Sorry, I don't know this stuff.

 

i have a diablo predator tuner for an 05-06gt for sale. let me know if you want it.

 

The Xcal SCT's and Diablo Predators are the most popular on the forum. Both do the same job of storing and loading the custom and stock tunes and both allow you to change a few parameters. But you can't just buy a tuner and expect to get performance gains. The custom tunes are written by those licensed by the software and it involves a lot more than just timing. Contact Brenspeed's tech guys and they'll go over it all with you.

I suggest you wait until you have tunes to go with the CAI and headers before you install them. You'll be throwing CEL's if you don't. Are the headers LT's or shorties? If they're LT's with the cats gone AND you're not throwing a CEL, I'd be a little concerned if the previous owner had a tune on it. THAT could run you into some problems. Again, explainable by the tech guys.

 

Thanks Nuke, I have shorty's. No codes are thrown. I'm also looking into a local shop tuning it. What do you guys think?

 

Even with a dyno tune, you'll need a handheld. Which one depends on the shop doing your tuning. Find out what they support.

 

Dont waste the money on a (dyno) tune for your bolt on mods. Unless you get cams or get FI it's pointless. Just use a really good canned tune from Bama, Brenspeed, or VMP for your combo and call it done.

BTW you need a tune(r) for 95% of the mods on the S197.

Tuner = Hardware like SCT, Diabloe, etc
Tune = software or program like canned tune or Dyno Tune.

Can't do the Tune without the Tuner but you can own a tuner and not have a tune.

 

Here is how it all works in a nut shell for ya. Buy yourself a good tuner like Xcal SCT's or a Diablo Predator. Most shops support one or both of these but with bolt on's you can get a tune from BamaChips, Brenspeed or VMP for whatever type of bolt on's you have. When you go to place the order for the tuner you will be able to tell them what bolt on's you have and they will program in a tune or tunes to support them.

When you plug in your tuner the first time and turn it on it will down load your stock tune in to the tuner and it will save it. Once thats done you will be able to upload your new "custom" tune to your car. Its very easy to do you just have to follow that on screen commands. Things you will need to know: What CAI you have, What type of exhaust mods do you have, What gears do you have, what size tires do you have, and is it a stardard or and auto trans car. You will also have to know what your PCM code is which the tuner calls a "Strategie code" which can be found on your PCM under you hood.