Recommendations for a SCT Tuner & Vendor

[Jbrown1238]

I am just about ready to purchase a new SCT Tuner and I am looking for opinions on which model to buy and who to buy from. I have looked at the tried and true SCT SF3 and the newer SCT X4. Any opinions on which of the two work better for the 2001 Explorer 5.0/ 1999 Ranger swap. T5, no cats, 114 LSA, Torque Monster headers, upstream O2 sensors, stock mass air, etc.

I am also looking for a vendor that will assist with adjusting custom tunes and dialing in data over time based on data logging from real world street driving and not so much dyno time. Thoughts?

 

[RangerSVT]

My SCT tuning software is in the mail, should have it in the next day or so. I'd go with the X4, the sf3 is an older unit. James Hansen is a great dealer and works well with email data logs...

SVT

 

[Jbrown1238]

My SCT tuning software is in the mail, should have it in the next day or so. I'd go with the X4, the sf3 is an older unit. James Hansen is a great dealer and works well with email data logs...

SVT

I see his name come up a lot. Can you be more specific with the advantages of the X4? Pros/Cons?

 

[RangerSVT]

The X4 has a larger storage for large file tunes (like the 5.0 coyote), and has other additions I'm not 100% familiar with. But the sf3, X2, and X3 are obsolete and are no longer sold. Any X3 you get will be NOS or used...

SVT

 

[ascentpro]

Just bought my x4 here:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/331270848521

Got a great deal! Then bought a tune from Henson! Works awesome! Running a 1999 explorer 5.0 computer with a zf5. I was having issues with it missing under load at certain rpms and CEL. But no more!

 

[Jbrown1238]

Just bought my x4 here:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/331270848521

Got a great deal! Then bought a tune from Henson! Works awesome! Running a 1999 explorer 5.0 computer with a zf5. I was having issues with it missing under load at certain rpms and CEL. But no more!

If you don't mind me asking, how much approximately does it cost for a tune if you buy the tuner from another source?

 

[RangerSVT]

If you buy the tuner from Henson, custom tunes are included. Bought separately custom tunes are usually about $150...

SVT

 

[ascentpro]

Henson wanted to sell me an X4 for 400 not including any tunes. Tunes from him are 75 for one or 195 for 3. I bought that one on ebay and a tune from Henson for around 410 total. Those are the cheapest you're going to find I think.

 

[ascentpro]

That one on ebay I linked were left over from an event, new in box but 65 dollars cheaper than anyone else.

 

[Jbrown1238]

That one on ebay I linked were left over from an event, new in box but 65 dollars cheaper than anyone else.

Thank you. I did check it out and will probably go that route. Do you (and RangerSVT) feel it would be beneficial for me to purchase the three tune package from Henson and not the single tune option? I wanted a tune to get the truck started based on performance upgrades and at least one more tune as driving data becomes available with the modified set up. I think the first tune will probably be close enough to start with, at least one more will probably be needed for final adjustments.

 

[ascentpro]

If you know that you're going to be purchasing 3 tunes it will save you money in the long run.