Sct

[simplicity05]

Flasher (xcal2/3) vs Ford Multiprogram Switch Chip

Which way is better to go?

[Onespeed]

SCT... end-user adjustable and custom tunes available from SCT tuners/dealers.

[simplicity05]

They're both SCT lol

http://www.sctflash.com/Chip.php

vs

http://www.sctflash.com/X3.php

[DOUGIESTYL]

I have the SCT 6600 Eliminator "switch chip" on my 98.
When I swap my mods to my "new" S/R I'll be getting Xcal. The Xcal is more expensive, but you get what you pay for! -More

[Sir William]

IMO Xcal!!!

[simplicity05]

What are the benefits of the xcal vs the chip then? SCT doesn't really tell you anything on the site.

[Sir William]

You can datalog on the X-cal, plus the X-cal flashes the pcm which IMO is always better than sticking a chip on the ECU.... I have never heard of issues with the X-cal where as I've heard of bad connections with the * bank chips.....

But again, both are good.... it's personal choice

[Stretch]

Further to what Sir William has already provided ..... (you can decide your own pros/cons) .....

Chip;
- you need to have the chip burned. Unless you get a CHIPper/Burner device you'll need to either take your chip somewhere or mail it.
- communication errors aplenty. Don't get me started!
- on the ZX2 it's not so bad, BUT, on some vehicles getting to the EEC can be a real head-ache (and hand-ache, and back-ache etc)
- you can run/switch multiple tunes, even on-the-fly .....
- switch chip's switch is extra $$$
- no need for a clunky hand unit to lug around or worry about

Flasher;
- "direct" flashing of the EEC
- less prone to communications errors (but email isn't perfect!)
- datalogging capability
- ability to have/flash three tunes .....
- need to stop/shut down car to flash
- neat hand unit toy to play with and impress the girls
- unit can provide a BASIC means of tuning on it's own with no extra tunes

There's more, but those would be the major ones I believe.

I have both. I prefer the XCal2 because there's less chance of a communication error and it's easier to flash the EEC than it is to content with getting to the EEC and playing with a chip.

[simplicity05]

Sounds like xcal it is. You can get it tuned for either HP or fuel economy right?

[pissdrunx16]

yes you can tell them to make/load a economy tune... and a couple performance ones :) it also can read check engine lites/codes.... and clear them!!

[simplicity05]

Prolly do a 87 octane econ tune, 93 econ, 93 performance tune. 87 only for if I'm so piss poor that's all I can stick in there lol. I've been there, recently too. Sucks.

You can also have them retune the files as you add mods to the car, right?

[ZX2R]

I've heard of issues with the xcal and 98-early 99's.

[simplicity05]

Such as?

[ZX2R]

Tunes not running properly, and nobody knowing how to tune for them.

[pissdrunx16]

Posted via Mobile Device. Mine is a 99 got mine from adreneline auto (eBay store) the dude is awesome told me to call him If have any problems or questuons and tunes run perfect on my car!!!

[Sir William]

Tunes not running properly, and nobody knowing how to tune for them.


The issue with the early zx2's and SCT X-Cal are not an issue of them not running properly or knowing how to tune them. It is an issue with datalogging.

In my case I have an early production 98 with the MTA4 PCM. When ford programmed the strategy they programmed it using small letters instead of capital letters. I was unable to datalog the DMR's and was forced to use the slower method of dataloging the PID's.

I informed SCT of the issue and they gave me a special file that I have to start every tune with when I use the Pro Racer Package and make a tune for the car... No biggie.

[mechtech]

A mid grade or high octane performance tune may very well give you better gas economy, depending on how you drive it. This is what I would expect.

[DOUGIESTYL]

The issue with the early zx2's and SCT X-Cal are not an issue of them not running properly or knowing how to tune them. It is an issue with datalogging.

In my case I have an early production 98 with the MTA4 PCM. When ford programmed the strategy they programmed it using small letters instead of capital letters. I was unable to datalog the DMR's and was forced to use the slower method of dataloging the PID's.

I informed SCT of the issue and they gave me a special file that I have to start every tune with when I use the Pro Racer Package and make a tune for the car... No biggie.
I was told by the TWO dynotuners that flashed my SCT chip that what they had to do was copy/ paste all the custom tune values onto a stock tune. WTF? Could I be pushin more?
We had a dedicated thread about this OTOS (on the old site)

[Sir William]

I was told by the TWO dynotuners that flashed my SCT chip that what they had to do was copy/ paste all the custom tune values onto a stock tune. WTF? Could I be pushin more?
We had a dedicated thread about this OTOS (on the old site)


No. Well not if they did it right

They didn't have to do it that way, I have shared parts of a tune before by giving someone "Values" that were created.

I always start out a new tune by copying "values" onto a base (stock) tune