Purchasing Advantage 3 Software

[turbotrana]

Having recently purchased a tuned G6e turbo, its time for me to learn the Advantage 3 software.

I have tuned cars with programmable fuel injection for 20 years so the tuning requirements is not a problem. However learning the software is.

The car has a good performance tune from a reputable workshop but I think the fuel economy is a bit poor. For starters I will be pulling out the Nizpro injectors for some EV14 550cc that I have sitting in my garage. I dont need anything bigger as I just want 500 HPATW. I really just want to tune the car for fuel economy and just maxing out the power that the 550cc injector will give(I have all the upslope and downslope and other specs from Bosch for this injector).

My question is who is the best person to buy the Advantage 3 software from (I guess maybe Herrod but are they helpful) and are their any forums where you can go to help for.

I would of thought that there would be a checklist of things to go thru to change when setting up a performance tune. Is there a checklist or tuning guide for the Advantage software.

Any help appreciated.

[Ralph Wiggum]

You cannot buy it unless you have a registered business. Shop front and Dyno.

That's from the horses mouth when I tried to purchase last year. Direct import from the us wont work as SCT have it locked down tight on what processor codes will work with what software. No Aus licensed, no Aus processor codes.

You also cannot tune the ZF with SCT unless you completed the required training (at your cost)

[45T-XR]

^^^As above, I tried also to no evaill.

Ralph and Toads here got me onto Hp tuners. The also offer a Beginners and Advance course, I went down for the Beginners course last week. It doesnt teach you how to tune but I had mechanic background and just needed to learn the software, sounds perfect for you aswell!! As yet you cant tune the ZF but I was assured on the course that they are working on it! They dont like being number 2 to SCT for tuing fords and its only a matter of time.

[JVK]

HP is good value for the dollars and the updates on software are free not like SCT. The guys above are also very helpful with information for the people tunning their own cars.

If you have a background in tunning you will pick up HP fairly quick.

[IH8TOADS]

Get HP you will be a wizard in no time :-)

[turbotrana]

Thanks for the replies.

Next question, who is the best to buy HP tuner from. Are there any forums discussing this tuning software for Fords that anyone knows of?

[Ralph Wiggum]

http://www.hptuners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18

[turbotrana]

Thanks, been reading that forum for the last 2 hrs. Aftermarket engine management systems like EMS, Link etc that I am used to seem simple compared to the SCT/ HP stuff where you cant live tune. What a pain. THe autotune function on the EMS 8860 would basically do the tune for you if you knew how to get the most out of it.

[supercharged88]

Hi turbotrana,

I am in the same boat as you.

I have both SCT Advantage 3 and HP, but I am also from a live tuning full standalone background.

I tried to source tutorial manuals etc and ask questions on forums and come up with a big fat zero.

I was told by both suppliers of Advantage 3 and HP that because of my back ground with tuning standalone live tuning ECU's such as Autronic,ViPEC,Motec etc that I would pick it up easily.

Given the relavent information, I am sure we both would.

However to obtain the relavent information will cost, training courses.

Firstly, an intruductory course and then secondly an advanced course,plus air fares,plus accomadation,etc,etc.

After paying alot of money for the Advantage software and dealer kit with Purple dongle, it sure was disappointing to be told there were no manuals etc to get you underway.

Just more cost and downtime.

My daughter wears the Purple dongle as a necklace sometimes.

I tell her to be careful, as that necklace is worth thousands of dollars.

[turbotrana]

Thanks for that great info. I gathered from reading the Hptuners forum that it seems just "too hard". There isn't enought online support and going to a $695 seminar is not a solution in this day and age. My time is money and I am simply not going to waste my time attending a seminar in another state, pay for airfairs, accomodation and taxis to listen to a seminar that may only be 20% relevant and return home when I could listen to a video in the comfort of my own home and fast forward any bits that I dont need to listen to.

If HP Tuners wants to be number one then they need to provide detailed online manuals, tuning videos and improved software to get their sales up. If HP Tuners and for that matter SCT want to make it "too hard", waste my time by doing stuff inefficiently and try and bleed whatever they can out of their customers then I just wont spend my cash.

If anyone has any HP Tuner manuals you will be doing the company a favour by putting a copy online.

I will now go and start installing my newly bought Power Controlled Solutions transmission controller that I am installing in my BTR 4sp ED Turbo. At least it comes with a installation manual and online support.