SCT tuner

[ETC13]

Anyone using one of these? After reading the strategy code for the custom tune SCT is saying not supported and I need to have Ford upgrade the PCM. This is on a 2018 Exp Max.

Anyone else run into such?

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[joethefordguy]

i have an SCT tuner. i just bought it. at this point, i have to say it is a waste of time and money. it does nothing useful.

 

[ETC13]

Will assume you are running into the same issue with it saying unsupported vehicle or something of the sort.

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[MxRacer965]

i have an SCT tuner. i just bought it. at this point, i have to say it is a waste of time and money. it does nothing useful.

You need a custom tune. The included tunes with any tuner seem like they are junk. 5 Star seems to be quite popular.

 

[ETC13]

On my end yeah bought the SCT from 5 star with custom tunes and they are the ones telling me that SCT is saying I need to go to Ford and have them update the PCM.

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[TheDoug]

I just ordered the sct x4 tuner from 5 star... I plugged in and got the code but haven't got the tune yet to try.

Is this happening when you try and flash or when you first plug in?

 

[ETC13]

I just ordered the sct x4 tuner from 5 star... I plugged in and got the code but haven't got the tune yet to try.

Is this happening when you try and flash or when you first plug in?

I sent them the code and then they came back with unsupported and need the PCM updated. However, I saw such also when I try to use the included SCT tune for the Expedition.

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[ETC13]

I just ordered the sct x4 tuner from 5 star... I plugged in and got the code but haven't got the tune yet to try.

Is this happening when you try and flash or when you first plug in?

Mind sharing what your strategy code is to see if they are the same? Mine is listed as:

JL1A-14C204-ACB

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[MxRacer965]

Hmmmm...I was considering the SCT from 5 star as well. Wonder if I’d have any issues...2019 Platinum.

 

[ETC13]

Hmmmm...I was considering the SCT from 5 star as well. Wonder if I’d have any issues...2019 Platinum.

The one thing that I am curious is if after a PCM update if the transmission has a smoother shift. I did find a TSB for the F-150s that addresses harsh shifts via a PCM update.

If a PCM update is available for the Expedition it will be strange that the same TSB isn't for the Expedition seeing they are the same engine and transmission that the TSB is for on the F-150.

I do plan to take mine to Ford to see about a PCM update being available or not. Seeing SCM is saying take it to them for such must mean such exist.

But then again you 2019+ guys might be ok as you might already have the PCM update and what SCM built the base tunes against.

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[MxRacer965]

Just ordered from 5 star. I passed on the Black Friday pricing last year and they didn’t have the SCT tuner then, just the HP Tuner. I’ll give it a try and see what happens I guess.

 

[TheDoug]

Mind sharing what your strategy code is to see if they are the same? Mine is listed as:

JL1A-14C204-ACB

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Sorry for delay...

My code is JL1A-14C204-XD

 

[ETC13]

Sorry for delay...

My code is JL1A-14C204-XD

Please let me know if 5 star is able to hand you tunes without issue. Clearly your PCM is running a newer version then my 2018 is.

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[TheDoug]

Please let me know if 5 star is able to hand you tunes without issue. Clearly your PCM is running a newer version then my 2018 is.

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Will do, they told me 3 to 6 days so maybe by Tuesday or Wednesday I will have it.

 

[joethefordguy]

You need a custom tune. The included tunes with any tuner seem like they are junk. 5 Star seems to be quite popular.

you assume too much.
the problems aren't in the actual performance improvement. it's not what i was hoping for, but it is real... it's just not worth 650 bucks.

the problems are that the interface was coded by chipmunks, the available "gauges" are mostly useless, and it is nearly impossible to make changes from one of the included tunes to another because of the OS's wildly inconsistent behavior, and there is no documentation of what does what. I assume the chipmunk programmers have documentation for what they coded, but they don't let us see it so people like me could understand the usefulness of "%fuel flow reload" or WTF they chose. The intake air temperature is interesting, but I'm not sure how useful that is to me in my daily driving. Now, if it would show engine vacuum, or electrical system amps, that would be useful.

PS if you have an email for a tuner - a person who codes custom tunes - I'd appreciate having it myself. I have been unable to get a response from anyone who writes custom tunes. I keep finding names or sites on forums, etc., but when I reach out, no one ever responds.
I'm hoping for an email that a tuner/programmer has actually responded to in recent history, not just one copied from a brochure or a web site. I have plenty of those that are of no use.

thanks for your time.
jg

 

[bryz_expy]

I used Unleashed Tuning for my 2018 F150. Torrie seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.

[email protected]

 

[Thurston C Munn]

I bought the SCT X4 for my 2017 EL. Set it for 91 octane and it works great. Definitely more power and MPG has remained good as well. Would have set for 93 octane but it's just not readily available in our area.

 

[LokiWolf]

If you don't think $650 is worth the return in performance, then you are using the wrong company/person for your tuning.

On a modern Fords the HPTuner based solutions have proven to be superior. The RTD requires a laptop, but the logging it is capable of is FAR better than ANYTHING SCT can do.

You need a good tuner, that knows this Motor and Trans, contact Adam@ZFG, use the below linked form.

https://www.tunedbyzfgracing.com/contact-us

He tunes my Explorer ST, and the Expedition. They are the 4th and 5th vehicle of mine he has tuned.

Also, the 18/19's have the same PCM/BCM module configurations, but can have different strategies depending on build date, model, and options. The 2020's ARE NOT the same. The have different modules and PCM. Strategies are completely different. This is why FORSCAN programming for them is different.

 

[TheDoug]

Please let me know if 5 star is able to hand you tunes without issue. Clearly your PCM is running a newer version then my 2018 is.

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Well I got the tune but it wont flash... I think the x4 I got is fubard...

Keep you posted

 

[ETC13]

If you don't think $650 is worth the return in performance, then you are using the wrong company/person for your tuning.

On a modern Fords the HPTuner based solutions have proven to be superior. The RTD requires a laptop, but the logging it is capable of is FAR better than ANYTHING SCT can do.

You need a good tuner, that knows this Motor and Trans, contact Adam@ZFG, use the below linked form.

https://www.tunedbyzfgracing.com/contact-us

He tunes my Explorer ST, and the Expedition. They are the 4th and 5th vehicle of mine he has tuned.

Also, the 18/19's have the same PCM/BCM module configurations, but can have different strategies depending on build date, model, and options. The 2020's ARE NOT the same. The have different modules and PCM. Strategies are completely different. This is why FORSCAN programming for them is different.

@LokiWolf any actual details on why the HPTuner would be better than the SCT. Such as what data points it would capture that the SCT wouldn't in a datalog?

I see a bunch of various tuner companies offering their custom tunes on both. Seems strange they would do such if their tunes are going to be less effective on one device vs the other.

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