Questions about SCT... - Diesel Forum

KYmxracer52 · 08-10-2009, 08:37 PM

I have been tossing around the idea of getting an SCT tuner. Problem is, I'm still pretty ignorant on how it all works with the custom tunes and strategies. The way I take it now, is you can't use a tune, from say a buddy, unless its written for your strategy? What exactly is the 'strategy'? How much normally do custom tunes cost to get them made? If you buy the programmer from a dealer, will they work with you on tweaking the tunes until they are to your liking, without repeated payment? Just trying to get all the facts down before I shell out the cash for a new setup.

KYmxracer52 · 08-12-2009, 09:23 AM

So no one knows anything about the SCT?

Texascadillac42 · 08-12-2009, 06:29 PM

The SCT tuner becomes locked to a specific truck because the factory programming is stored on the SCT. Once you reload the factory tune, you can use the tuner on a different truck, assuming you have the same strategy.

The strategy is just a code of numbers and letters relating to the specific stock program on your truck.

For SCT tuners, the ONLY outfit worth dealing with is Innovative Diesel Performance Eric has some awesome programs, and his prices are very fair. $65-80 per tune depending on what you get.

KYmxracer52 · 08-12-2009, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the reply.

lubbockguy1979 · 08-13-2009, 01:21 PM

Sct is starting to lock tunes to the device serial. This means no swaping tunes with buddies if they have the same strategy. As far as the sct devices go you can buy it from who ever you choose. You also can have any sct dealer customise a tune for your truck. Most dealers will allow you to dial in the tune to you specifications. Some tuners charge more than others for the tunes. Innovative diesel, river city diesel (rcd), brian truck shop (bts), dfuser,& elite diesel are a few vendors that offer custom tunes. There are also a few places that are resell tuners and tunes for innovative like first coast diesel performance and stealth automotive. The tuner will lock its self to you truck when you tune it as said before. To unmarry it from another truck you will have to use the software to do that and use it on another vehicle. You only have 5 unlocks so swaping between vehicles will use the unlocks up because the sct does not have a memory for the unlocks. So say you install it on your truck, then pull it off and tune a buddies truck then remove it and put it on you truck after that you will have used 3 unlocks. The sct is well worth the $$ though and custom tunes do really wake up the 6.0. Just be sure to have some sort of a monitor to watch your temps.

Matt@SCT · 08-13-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubbockguy1979

Sct is starting to lock tunes to the device serial. This means no swaping tunes with buddies if they have the same strategy. As far as the sct devices go you can buy it from who ever you choose. You also can have any sct dealer customise a tune for your truck. Most dealers will allow you to dial in the tune to you specifications. Some tuners charge more than others for the tunes. Innovative diesel, river city diesel (rcd), brian truck shop (bts), dfuser,& elite diesel are a few vendors that offer custom tunes. There are also a few places that are resell tuners and tunes for innovative like first coast diesel performance and stealth automotive. The tuner will lock its self to you truck when you tune it as said before. To unmarry it from another truck you will have to use the software to do that and use it on another vehicle. You only have 5 unlocks so swaping between vehicles will use the unlocks up because the sct does not have a memory for the unlocks. So say you install it on your truck, then pull it off and tune a buddies truck then remove it and put it on you truck after that you will have used 3 unlocks. The sct is well worth the $$ though and custom tunes do really wake up the 6.0. Just be sure to have some sort of a monitor to watch your temps.

You got that done to a T.

CIIWelding · 08-13-2009, 02:51 PM

From what I understand, the SCT tunes control both the engine and auto transmission. So, there must be tunes for manual trasmissions also? I would like for give me some better towing performance especially on the low end.

Matt@SCT · 08-13-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CIIWelding

From what I understand, the SCT tunes control both the engine and auto transmission. So, there must be tunes for manual trasmissions also? I would like for give me some better towing performance especially on the low end.

You can get a Custom tune for the Manual vehicle plus for the automatics as well.

KYmxracer52 · 08-13-2009, 08:08 PM

Thanks guy!

I bought a used SCT from a member on another site. Is there anything special I need to do when I get it before using it on my truck? I've just got to get some tunes made for me now. Hard to choose....

Matt@SCT · 08-14-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KYmxracer52

Thanks guy!

I bought a used SCT from a member on another site. Is there anything special I need to do when I get it before using it on my truck? I've just got to get some tunes made for me now. Hard to choose....

I would make sure the device is not Vin locked. You can find that under device info on that device and make sure it is up to date on the firmware and tune revision.

lubbockguy1979 · 08-14-2009, 11:58 AM

When you hook it up to the vehicle the menu will have a status and if I recall correctly a unlocked unit will say stock and a vin locked unit will say aftemarket. As far as buying a used unit the main issues to worry about are being locked (vin locked) and the amount of unlocks avalible.

lubbockguy1979 · 08-14-2009, 12:05 PM

The sct with custom tuning is one of the best because yes you can get tuning specific for a manual, you can even get trans only tuning to help keep a module tunefrom frying the tranny. (I do not personally reccomend stacking chips even for trans only tuning. That is from personal exp but it is avalible)

KYmxracer52 · 08-15-2009, 12:30 AM

The guy I bought it from is an upstanding member on another forum, and he said it has 4 unlocks left. Only used on his truck.

lubbockguy1979 · 08-16-2009, 08:56 PM

if you search there are spartan free tune archives that will get you some tunes cheap till you decide to buy