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iTrader: (1)

It shouldn't matter where you buy the actual tuner from as long as it has a serial number on it. I bought mine off of CL locally and had awesome support through SCT and even got retunes. If its a defective unit, SCT should and probably will replace it.

Especially if you can get the tuner cheaper from somewhere else, like i did. Jump on it and just get custom tunes afterwards. I know for tuner and custom tune it was still cheaper than buying a used tuner only from Franchi

the best engines

got the sct from 5 star with their custom maps ( 87 Eco & performance tow map) .
The economy tune was a little better than stock but their performance tune woke my stock 2010 5.4 up in a big smile on my face way! Also I was constantly putting tow haul on around town to stop the truck from lugging (because 3:31 gearing ) - now the performance tune eliminated that altogether with the correct low speed shift points. The only down side is the miles dropped to 10.5 from 13 ( city). You won't be disappointed - also you can use the programmer as a code reader on most cars.

matt_m

I emailed Mike at 5 Star and he's recommending an 87 performance/tow tune on an X4. Looks like the X4 has more bells and whistles and being pretty new I'd assume it will remain a supported product longer. Only $20 more so maybe that's the way to go.

I've got "analysis paralysis" on this whole thing but I need to just take a deep breath and make a decision.

MGD

Hi.

That, right there, is yer best bet.

Go for it. Remember - you get to pick 5 custom tunes ( included in the price). Make sure you have a nice selection and a nice octane spread - having an 87 and 89 octane 2-point spread is useless.

Instead of a compromise tow/perf tune, I'd recommend dedicated MAX tow and max perf-specific calibrations, in both low & high octane.I don't like compromise tunes - that's what the fekkin' factory calibration is.

Don't bother with econo tuning - not worth it. Good perf tuning with conservative driving practices will net you the best econ without the compromises of a aggressive econ tune. VMP explained it well enough.

good luck
MGD

jwanck11

I hear ya on the paralysis by analysis. The good news is that once you get the programmer, it really is not that expensive to try different tunes.

Too funny to see all of these guys pushing tuners and tunes at you. Frankly, who knows whether any of the crap tossed out is what you are really looking for. So, let's start there:

What are you looking for with a tune? It seems tow is not really needed? Are you looking for all out performance, a really sweet DD that just "wakes up the truck", a blend of better MPG with a little added performance? Etc.

I was once exactly where you are......

MGD

As was I, over 12 years ago ... lol.

Thing is, with 5 included tunes ( and 10 slots total), you really don't want to just specify perf only, or econ only, or .... - kinda limiting, IMHO. As I did discover, one of my MAX tow tunes turned out to be MY favourite 'DD' tune. You may find something similar. And I've got over a dozen different ones. So - why limit yerself? Don't know 'till you try. And the fewer tunes you need to pay for later, the better. They ain;t exactly free after yer purchase.

Discuss with Mike - don't listen to us - we know jack

BTW, OP - no one's 'pushing' anything on you - that's plain horse****. This is a fekkin' DISCUSSION forum - we are all only offering opinions -some of us from actual experience. I believe most sane and cogent folks have already safely assumed that the end decision is entirely up to you.

Besides - I left all of my innernet-connected mind-control gear in the truck.

good luck

MGD

matt_m

I think this is exactly where I am. This is a family vehicle and will be going on long trips. I don't "commute" per se but make a daily 10 mile round trip to pick my daughter up from a community bus stop for her private school. It seems to me that the trans needs tuning as much as the engine.

Towing...I occasionally borrow a trailer to haul a compact tractor or mower (doing the latter tonight in fact) to take it over to the dealer or my parents' house to do some work for them. Maybe 10 miles round trip. But I don't own a trailer anymore and the wife and I have vowed to never buy another POS camper and that's about all they make today.

jwanck11

Thanks! This is very helpful info. I'm sorry if I'm repeating something you all ready know, but the most important thing to remember is:

You CANNOT run a higher octane tune than the gas that is in your tank. You CAN run a higher octane gas than the tune.

With the custom tunes, it is a good idea anyway to run a higher octane gas than tune - especially in the winter.

Here are a couple of thoughts for you:

I agree that the stock trans mapping and engine equally need to be addressed. Given your very short runs, I would stay away from something overly aggressive. There are 87Street tunes offered from the custom tuners that will give you a significant difference in both shifting performance and trans mapping and yet be tame enough, too.

The deal with towing really is being careful about the cat/egt (exhaust gas temps) temps.... if they get too high, you can cook the cats - and that is a bad thing. Custom tunes turn up the boost amongst other variable changes. The boost however is the primary factor in increasing the heat. With the additional load, the boost comes on more and more often. The weight you are talking about is so minimal, I cannot imagine an 87Street tune would put you at risk, but I would absolutely ask the tuner you go with.

Loading different tunes can be a pain in the butt if for instance you are in a hurry to tow and you have a perf tune in the truck. Once you get used to it however, the 5-7 mins it takes to go from tune to tune becomes no big deal.

Tuners can be a hot topic on the forum - and I am sensing that is the case in this thread. The reasons why are silly of course, but there you go. It is what it is. I will PM you my thoughts.

I hope this is at all helpful.

matt_m

Thanks, this all has been very helpful. The compact tractor is actually fairly heavy with the loader and implements, and will get heavier when I get the tires loaded as planned but still its not like I'm hauling it cross country.

We will take it on extended trips part way across the country but not towing, just people and luggage. I haul lumber and machinery from time to time, and we live somewhat rural so I drive longer distances "to town." We bought a 4wd truck because the roads "out here" can be pretty bad in winter.

BTW, no boost on a 5.4L.

matt_m

OK, I ordered the X4 from 5-Star with all three 87 octane tunes (economy, performance/tow, and perfromance/tow with 5th lockout) and the economy and performance/tow in 93. That should give me some things to play with as well.