Purchasing Advantage 3 Software

[LazyBrennan]

So are HP tunes the same as a xcal 3? Just cant do a zf tune or is there more to it?

Sorry for the noob question.

Edited 31/03/12 11:31 AM by LazyBrennan

[ratter]

The tuning software is just a tool to allow access to certain factory ECU paremeters.

[45T-XR]

Like Mick said, there is no hard and fast rule on how to tune these cars, And even If you go to a course they wont teach you how to tune, think of it as a liability concern that would hold the host company responsible.

Now I cant speak for SCT but Hp has very good customer service and online support with the forum that Luke posted the link for. Yes on the most part HP seems to be dedicated to GM but They are getting there as they dont like to be second best to anyone. The updates come a little slower for Ford due to to their dedication to GM but they are also in the process of adding dodge so that takes man power. I did the beginners course last weekend like I said, it cost $1k fully catered which I thought was ok. But making the contacts and meeting the guys that support the product I value alot higher. And it seems to be a bit of an unwritten law that If you take the time to go to their course they put you to towards the top of the pile when it comes to dealing with customers. Herrod seem to have a monopoly on the SCT stuff, I even asked them if I attended one of their courses prior, could I purchase the software and the answer was still no. That pretty much settled it for me, plus Hp is heaps cheaper and like JVK said the updates are free. The more people jump that jump on board the HP wagon, the more we all benefit, as it adds more weight for them to justify developing the ford stuff further but after dodge is added hopefully the ford updates come thick and fast!!!

[EvilDaifu]

Makes me wonder why they don't just do a 3 State road trip - I do that for work. Rather than make the customers come to us - we go to them! Different setup though - customers don't pay to see us - we are trying to get them interested in using my company's product But that said - I think if there was enough interest - they ought to come to you?

[LazyBrennan]

  On 31/03/2012 at 10:13 PM, ratter said:

The tuning software is just a tool to allow access to certain factory ECU paremeters.

So can HP do just as much as xcal 3 ( obviously not the ZF )

The xcal 3 can store 3 different tunes aswell hey? I guess HP cant?

[ratter]

No it can not do as much, but most will find it acceptable to get a result.

SCT has a better slection of strategies that it covers and a wider range of parameters. Many people will be able to access what they need to with HP.

HP do not use a flash box so only 1 tune would be available unless you had the software yourself and carried your laptop and hardware with you.

[turbotrana]

Correct me if I am wrong but I dont really see alot of tuning going on with either SCT or HP Tuner. It seems to me its just a bit of tweeking here and there to stop it going into boost cut and to get the fuel ratios just about right but nothing very specific. Its seems like a very hit and miss affair.

And then the amount of time spent uploading and downloading there is more mucking around with the software then there is actual "tuning" on the dyno. So what really is it that you "so called" professional tuners are actually doing. I have always really wondered, but now reading the HP forums I am wondering a bit more.

When tuning aftermarket EMSs with live tuning, you are tuning the air fuel ratio and timing advance for every load point with direct input. If you want something you get it. With Hp Tuners at least if you alter something you may or may not get the desired result.

[ratter]

Some peole are happy just to achieve a dyno number and leave it as that. WOT stuff is easy, pretty much anybody can do that.

These systems are more advanced than pretty much any of the aftermarket items. You can get your desired result but may have to adjust several areas to get it

[IH8TOADS]

If you know how ford engineered the PCM you most definately get what you ask for. The PCM uses a fairly unique airflow model which is very different to what most are used to with aftermarket systems.

Ford got the calibrations good to start with so it has taken alot of he hard work out. There's kinda two ways to tune this PCM 1) Dumb it down and simply get the car driving nice; or 2) tune it like the ford engineers would but suited for more power.

No right or wrong way and both will have the car driving nice and making good power. A lot of workshops simply can't spend two or three days tuning a car as the customer simply won't want to fork out that much cash in labour....so most do fairly simple tunes as this is what the 'market' is asking for. Pay your tuner double the amount and I'm sure you will get a better tune! There's a lot of talented tuners that know this PCM well but no one will pay them the amount that's required to do a full 'ford engineering' spec tune. The flashing process alone sucks up time pretty quickly! So without being rude, I think we have to blame the PCM, it's lengthy flashing process and the tightar$e nature of Aussie consumers!! Be nice to the tuners hahaha!

Trana I would recommend getting the HP software given you obviously enjoy this stuff and have the necessary skills. If you hate it you can always sell it!

[turbotrana]

Has anyone tried to attach a Wideband Innovate lc-1 to the X3 so that you can datalog the airfuel ratio. Or for that matter attached any wideband to the X3 so that a/f ratio can be data logged.

I did speak to Herrod, but they have not done a LC-1 and dont know much about them. I have a Innovate Doco that shows how to attach a LC-1 to the Xcal2. Just really want to know if someone has been successful with the LC-1 to X3. Cant find much info on the net about this. I thought this connection was a no-brainer.

The chap I spoke to at Herrod also mentioned that I wont get as much power out the Hp Tuner due to the limited tuning abilities of it. My response was that we dont have much choice but to use it considering you only supply to businesses with a dyno. He went thru why they wont sell and see where they are coming from. One reason was that they are worried that bad backyard tuners who stuff engines will damage the reputation of the Herrod name. Fair enough, but I can think of many ways around this.