Xcal2 Is A Dirty Word

[stang]

Ok I`m a little pissed, The way this xcal2 thing has been marketed and the secrecy and bullsh*t that has been going on around it.

They have been out for ages, Expensive Daewoo has been using it for ages, us ford enthusiast have to use a four led crappy black box.

People are trying to find out who to buy them from,somepeople are told there not available other people have them.

Like everyone else people want to know what a good price for them is as rrp is $1200+ which is total busllsh*t.

I have seen a link on google where someone mention he payed $895 in australia.

The people who have bought them have been very smug about not mentioning prices.

The dealers are obviously trying to clear out the crap as the old unit is selling for as little as $695

This is a forum where the knowledge is meant to be shared yet frankly I`m a a little disapointed.

If I bought one tomorrow for a good price I would be the first to let people know on the forum.

End Rant.

yours sincerely

Pete.

[SavageF6]

Dont get an xcal2 just yet, hang on a bit. VCM Suite (Aussie version of HP Tuners) will be out for Fords this year, and you get the software with that as well (full tuning software that is). Also heard of another option coming at some point. $1200 for xcal2 considering the upcoming alternatives is a large ask, ESPECIALLY if you have the original flash tuner.

Edited 01/05/07 01:33 PM by Spruce

[Fat-Tony]

Dont get an xcal2 just yet, hang on a bit. VCM Suite (Aussie version of HP Tuners) will be out for Fords this year, and you get the software with that as well (full tuning software that is).

Its my understanding that VCM Suite will only be bringing it out for E and A series Falcon's...Leaving us B series owners in the

[SavageF6]

1st of heard of that. I've emailed VCM myself and there was no mention of it only being E and A series. Seems a bit strange when the ford flashers (both original and xcal2) work on A series and B series with the same hardware.

Why they'd go to the trouble of doing all that work only to limit themselves to pre-B is beyond me.

Edited 01/05/07 02:33 PM by Spruce

[CV PERFORMANCE]

Dont get an xcal2 just yet, hang on a bit. VCM Suite (Aussie version of HP Tuners) will be out for Fords this year, and you get the software with that as well (full tuning software that is). Also heard of another option coming at some point. $1200 for xcal2 considering the upcoming alternatives is a large ask, ESPECIALLY if you have the original flash tuner.

This has been coming for 2 years now so I would hold your breath

X-Cal2 is basicaly and Edit with a logger and at this stage is'nt showing good value for money

CV PERFORMANCE

[Paul@eliteauto]

I agree.

Also you have no flexibilty without a box.

HP tuners charge minimum $895 for 1 tune. Once its in you cant change it unless you go back to the tuner.

I would much prefer the flasher box any day. Its a much better system by a long shot.

Hard flash a tune back to standard when you cant to go back to the dealer.

Think long and hard about that.

Cheers Paul

Edited 01/05/07 11:35 PM by Dagabond

[RAPHOON]

I thought that the Xcal2 allows the user (not tuner) the ability to up/download tunes into it from a PC/laptop?

[DBOSS]

No it does'nt

[F6 RAPID]

I thought that the Xcal2 allows the user (not tuner) the ability to up/download tunes into it from a PC/laptop?

From what I have been told, it is up to the tuner to give you x amount of adjustability over certain parameters in your custom tune, eg ignition and fuel. This can then be accessed using the xcal or via the free software provided. To my knowledge, Simon B has it working over in WA already.

Hopefully, I will be able to provide a little feedback very shortly after I try it.

Paul, you will be on hand to witness as it will be on your dyno my friend!

Edited 02/05/07 01:49 AM by F6 RAPID

[SavageF6]

I agree.

Also you have no flexibilty without a box.

HP tuners charge minimum $895 for 1 tune. Once its in you cant change it unless you go back to the tuner.

I would much prefer the flasher box any day. Its a much better system by a long shot.

Hard flash a tune back to standard when you cant to go back to the dealer.

Think long and hard about that.

Cheers Paul

Hang on a sec, the $895 for one tune sounds like LS1 Edit in the old days, not VCM Suite.

VCM themselves (ie not the tuners) charge end user customers $1190 for the VCM Suite Pro, which includes the MPVI pro dongle, software CD (the tuning software!), OBD and USB cables, as well as 8 credits. With the GM cars, each LS1 VIN uses up 2 credits (so you could tune 4), and each LS2/L76 VIN uses up 4 credits (so you could tune yours and a mate). that's just from the starter package. The dongle also incorporates Black Box data logging (hardware logging without a laptop).

A customer could basically purchase said software and tune loader for use on their own vehicle, and could either go a DIY tune (for the brave), or get a custom tune done. Even then, using the software that they own, they can still load whatever tune they want (but are of course limited to loading the tunes into specific VINs only).

Sure, a customer could go to a tuner and just get a tune put in without owning VCM (and thus the ability to change the tune), but as you say, that offers little flexibility by comparison.

I see a hell of a lot of value in $1190 with having the tuning software in my hands as well as the tune loading software compared to xcal2.

As an aside, the VCM Suite site states thus (albeit for GM cars, but note the PCM reading and editing capability!!):

The VCM Flash utility allows the user to read the VCM/PCM flash memory and save it to a binary file. All files are unencrypted allowing an advanced user complete freedom to view and modify the binary image in any suitable hex editor. VCM Flash allows a valid calibration to be written to the VCM/PCM and also incorporates automatic VCM/PCM recovery capabilities for ultimate protection against any reflashing problems that may be encountered.

The VCM Editor utility is a comprehensive VCM/PCM parameter editor. The VCM Editor allows modification of the saved binary image. The VCM Editor allows all parameters such as Spark, Fuel, RPM Limits, FAN Temps, Transmission Shift points and pressures, Speedometer settings and many, many more. The editor provides an easy to use graphical interface and many powerful table manipulation capabilities such as copying, scaling and shifting to name a few. The VCM Editor will then save a valid binary image ready to be reflashed to the VCM/PCM using the VCM Flash utility.

The VCM Scanner utility is a fully featured OBDII scanning and diagnostic tool. It allows viewing, charting and logging of diagnostic data in real time via the vehicle OBDII diagnostic data port. It also allows viewing of vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) and other vehicle information. No editor package can be considered complete without comprehensive scan tool capabilities. Upgrades are optional.

These components combine to make VCM Suite the most feature rich, powerful and comprehensive VCM/PCM reprogramming and diagnostics package available on the market today. In addition, our attractive make/model/year based licensing structure makes VCM Suite a clear leader in value for money.

Edited 02/05/07 03:02 AM by Spruce