[bumpnzx3]

I purchased an NX Proton Plus kit, GenX-2, remote bottle opener, and a wide band. I am planning to use the 75hp pills- maybe 100hp, but I'm not sure that's a good idea.

I have an SCT Xcal3 that I purchased from Randy. Naturally, I won't be using the NA tune that he programmed before sending it to me. When I am planning to use the nitrous should I flash it back to stock, then modify the spark table in the 4k-8k range (can I save that as a tune file for future use, rather than having to monkey around with the settings again)? Maybe drop to a heat range on the plugs (how will the colder plugs affect off-nitrous performance)?

 

[Blivit]

I purchased an NX Proton Plus kit, GenX-2, remote bottle opener, and a wide band. I am planning to use the 75hp pills- maybe 100hp, but I'm not sure that's a good idea.

I have an SCT Xcal3 that I purchased from Randy. Naturally, I won't be using the NA tune that he programmed before sending it to me. When I am planning to use the nitrous should I flash it back to stock, then modify the spark table in the 4k-8k range (can I save that as a tune file for future use, rather than having to monkey around with the settings again)? Maybe drop to a heat range on the plugs (how will the colder plugs affect off-nitrous performance)?

You will need a new custom tune file; specifically for nitrous. There will be a lot more done in that NA tune than just spark changes. Even if you adjust the options you have no way of knowing what it is set to in the NA file.

 

[bumpnzx3]

I am sure if you are doing a large nitrous setup- there could be a lot involved in a tune. However, a stock car, with strong internals, using small shot of nitrous doesn't "have" to have any kind of tuning to be safe. However, a little bit of a timing retard could be beneficial. There isn't anything that needs to be done to the fuel tables because a wet kit supplies the added fuel that it needs.

I don't want this to turn into another one of those "a tune is needed vs a tune isn't needed" or "nitrous is safe vs. no it's not safe" etc...... threads.

I was simply asking what the best way to modify/save changes with an SCT Xcal3. I am planning to read through the manual for the SCT before I do anything- but I thought I would ask here also. I haven't used the SCT any more than flashing the tune that Randy sent me.

 

[Blivit]

I am sure if you are doing a large nitrous setup- there's a lot involved in a tune. However, a stock car adding a small shot of nitrous doesn't have to have any kind of tuning to be safe. However, a little bit of a timing retard could be beneficial. There isn't anything that needs to be done to the fuel tables because a wet kit supplies the added fuel that it needs.

I don't want this to turn into another one of those "a tune is needed vs a tune isn't needed" or "nitrous is safe vs. no it's not safe" etc...... threads.

I was simply asking what the best way to modify/save changes with an SCT Xcal3. I am planning to read through the manual for the SCT before I do anything- but I thought I would ask here also. I haven't used the SCT any more than flashing the tune that Randy sent me.

If you flash your car with your current NA tune, it has more than just spark changes. It also has more than just the borderline knock table changed. Even if you adjust the options spark will still be HIGHER than stock which is something you definitely do not want with nitrous. The options only allow for small adjustments and also only adjust one portion of the tune.

Either return the car to stock and run like that or get a new tune for nitrous are your 2 safest options.

 

[bumpnzx3]

Re-read my first post. I already said that the car would be flashed back to stock. I am fully aware of the fact that the NA tunes have more than just spark changed.

I was asking if the spark changes I make when I am starting with the factory Ford tune, can be saved to it's own file in order to make it easier to swap back and forth between nitrous and non-nitrous tunes.

 

[Blivit]

Re-read my first post. I already said that the car would be flashed back to stock. I am fully aware of the fact that the NA tunes have more than just spark changed.

I was asking if the spark changes I make when I am starting with the factory Ford tune, can be saved to it's own file in order to make it easier to swap back and forth between nitrous and non-nitrous tunes.

I know exactly what you are asking. I do work for SCT and know how these things work.

How can you start with the factory ford tune? You have a performance tune, and can only flash your vehicle with that UNLESS you have a SECOND file on the device that is a stock tune.

If you return your vehicle to stock then go to flash it again and adjust the options you are flashing it with your custom NA tune with options adjusted...not a stock tune.

 

[bumpnzx3]

It's my understanding that the Xcal 3 will allow you to go back to the factory Ford specs (while saving the tune that Randy sent to be reloaded at a later date). Once I do that - I was asking if the user-adjustable feature on the Xcal3 would allow you to make spark changes to the stock tune and save them under a new file/tune name.

 

[Blivit]

It's my understanding that the Xcal 3 will allow you to go back to the factory Ford specs (while saving the tune that Randy sent to be reloaded at a later date). Once I do that - I was asking if the user-adjustable feature on the Xcal3 would allow you to make spark changes to the stock tune and save them under a new file/tune name.

Yes the device allows you to go back to stock.

Once you go back to stock, the car is stock and you cannot modify that.

You can flash it only with a preloaded tune or a custom tune (which you have.) You can only modify that preloaded tune or custom tune.

 

[bumpnzx3]

So, that means I need to find someone that will send me a tune with the factory specs and edit that- if I'm set on editing the spark tables (the 4k-8k bracket/range).

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[Blivit]

So, that means I need to find someone that will send me a tune with the factory specs and edit that- if I'm set on editing the spark tables (the 4k-8k bracket/range).

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Yes that is correct.

 

[bumpnzx3]

Do you, or anyone else reading this thread, know where I might find a stock tune file?

 

[COSVT03]

Pro Racer Package

For nitrous you should be able to run your NA tune with -2 degrees of ignition timing removed across the RPM band per 50lb shot of nitrous - THIS WILL HAVE TO BE VERIFIED ON THE DYNO! (Some areas may required more or less timing - the areas that need less are the dangerous ones.)

This is only a "standard" but not exact and does not mean 100% safe. The only way to know for sure is to get it on the Dyno and tune it.

 

[bumpnzx3]

NA tune? As in the one Randy sent, but with timing removed? If so, can those changes be saved as a new tune? Meaning- could I take it somewhere with Randy's tune loaded, remove some timing, test, remove, test, etc- then save those changes under a new tune name, and still have the tune Randy sent?

 

[Blivit]

NA tune? As in the one Randy sent, but with timing removed? If so, can those changes be saved as a new tune? Meaning- could I take it somewhere with Randy's tune loaded, remove some timing, test, remove, test, etc- then save those changes under a new tune name, and still have the tune Randy sent?

No. You're really not getting it.

The only way to adjust spark or timing on your vehicle is by modifying the factory calibration, or programming within the processor which requires reflashing the processor with those changes. Think of it like this. When your car is stock it has a stock "tune" in it. There is no way to change that, period, end of story without reflashing the car.

Adjusting options, in your case in Randy's tune file, modifies values Randy has set up then flashes the processor with the total changes. The stock "tune" is saved to the device so that you can always return the vehicle to stock...but you cannot modify that file on the device.

For you to adjust timing on your stock tune, you need to have a second file loaded to your device (which will have to come from an SCT dealer) that will be a stock file with options enabled. You can then adjust the options removing timing then flash the car with that file. There is no way around that.

Keep in mind though, that an SCT dealer MAY charge you for this second file. Now before you say that isn't fair and that it is a stock file it is actually an SCT file with options. That SCT dealer still has to create it from software that they paid for and email it to you all of which take time.

 

[bumpnzx3]

You are correct- I don't get it. I called an SCT dealer (not FSW) prior to ordering from FSW. I told them my eventual plans for a small nitrous setup. I asked if the Xcal3 allowed me to save a copy of the stock tune as a starting point to modify- I was told I could.

I then ordered the Xcal3 from FSW and never re-asked that question. I decided that FSW had been around the longest, so that would be my best bet for a canned mail order tune.

I then found out from you, that what I was told was incorrect. That's fine- I have no problem with that. It's what I get for not asking the question from who I actually ordered from or asking SCT directly.

You told me I could modify a custom file, assuming the options were open. That makes sense- although I haven't looked to see what options are open in the Randy/FSW file. COSVT said the same thing- he said I could modify the FSW tune (if the options were left open) and verify/check my changes on a dyno and/or datalogging. I understood that when you straightened me out two days ago as well as when COSVT posted today.

My question to COSVT and you (assuming you were reading this thread) was this: Assuming I can make timing changes to the FSW file, can those changes be saved as a new file? Ultimately what I would like to be able to do is to have two files with the option of either flashing a nitrous file OR flashing the file that FSW included on my Xcal3 before shipping it to me. For example: I have a resume with several bits of information that is saved on my computer (FSW file). I find a job that I would like to apply for. I edit my original resume to talor it to the job, but save it under a different file name (Nitrous file) so I still have my original (FSW file) to go back to at a later date. I don't want to have to e

If that is possible with my setup- I will go that route. If I would be better off to pay SCT or an SCT dealer for a stock file with options enabled- that's fine also. I would just like to be able to run the bottle safely and I would also like to have the FSW file available for the times that I am not planning on using the nitrous- without having to go through the hassle of changing parameters back and forth prior to flashing each time.

Sorry if I am being dense. Turning a wrench is no problem for me. Tuning, on the other hand, is something I know nothing about. I know how timing, fuel, etc, affect the engine- but I don't know how the tuners/files actually work. I just thought something like a bit of a timing change would be about as easy as it was when a ditributor cap was used. Apparently, I could be greatly mistaken.

 

[Blivit]

My question to COSVT and you (assuming you were reading this thread) was this: Assuming I can make timing changes to the FSW file, can those changes be saved as a new file? Ultimately what I would like to be able to do is to have two files with the option of either flashing a nitrous file OR flashing the file that FSW included on my Xcal3 before shipping it to me. For example: I have a resume with several bits of information that is saved on my computer (FSW file). I find a job that I would like to apply for. I edit my original resume to talor it to the job, but save it under a different file name (Nitrous file) so I still have my original (FSW file) to go back to at a later date. I don't want to have to e

No, you cannot save those changes as a new file. Putting a new (second file) file on your device that is a stock file with options enabled will do everything above though. The X3 has 3 different tune slots plus the stock upload. Randy's tune would be one slot, your new stock file with options enabled would be in a second slot and you would still have a 3rd slot open for a different file if you need it. You can then switch between your tune files by flashing the processor with whatever file you choose. So, not running nitrous flash Randy's NA tune...running nitrous flash file #2 and retard the timing...done with nitrous, go back to Randy's tune....

It is unfortunate that an SCT dealer told you that you could modify the stock file; that is definitely incorrect.

 

[bumpnzx3]

It is unfortunate, but that's the way it is. Many salesmen are honest, while others tell you whatever you want to hear in order to make a sale. It happens everywhere- not just in the automotive world.

Either way, I would have purchased this SCT product anyway. So, it's not like I purchased it solely to edit the factory file that I thought I could get from my car. No big deal.

Can I purchase the stock file from you/SCT or is that a transaction that would take place through one of the dealers?

 

[Blivit]

It is unfortunate, but that's the way it is. Many salesmen are honest, while others tell you whatever you want to hear in order to make a sale. It happens everywhere- not just in the automotive world.

Either way, I would have purchased this SCT product anyway. So, it's not like I purchased it solely to edit the factory file that I thought I could get from my car. No big deal.

Can I purchase the stock file from you/SCT or is that a transaction that would take place through one of the dealers?

Normally it's done through our dealers. Check your PM's tomorrow.

 

[COSVT03]

Wow - All around. You guys are all reading the post and NOT paying attention to what you are reading.

You have 2 files on your Xcal right now.
1. The Factory Tune - This tune is what was on your SVT when you bought it. It CAN NOT be changed in any way. The only thing that can be done with this file is to have it reloaded to bring your SVT back to the FACTORY tune.
2. You have your FSW N/A Tune - This tune is locked by FSW and is only able to be edited by FSW - I am unsure if FSW is willing to remotely tune your car - for Nitrous.

Now your option is to buy another file - From a Dealer (Local or Not)
Buy the Pro Racer Package - This gives you the software needed to build your OWN files, and can be VERY dangerous if you do not know what you are doing.

 

[bumpnzx3]

I know- I understand all of that now. Mike/Blivit and I got it worked out. He pointed me in the right direction.

At this point in time, the PRP is not a good choice for me. Tuning is not, and never will be, my forte. My current setup, along with another tune file, is all that I will need.