SCT .vs. HP Tuners .vs. Diablo .vs. EFI Live?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Meister@Torq · 10-06-2009, 03:23 PM

Just checking in to see what everyone here uses, what they prefer to use and why. The obvious benefits of Diablo and SCT are that you have a handheld device that can store multiple programs as well as return the PCM back to stock if you ever need to (taking it into the dealer, etc)

SCT's new GM software is easily on par if not better than HPT and EFI Live and the SCT flash tool is equal to or greater than Diablo.

Discuss.....

Meister@Torq · 10-07-2009, 01:48 PM

42 views and not one response??

POWERFREAK · 10-07-2009, 01:56 PM

this stuff is mostly over my head...but the guy that tuned my car prefers EFI Live.

My preference is to let a pro deal with it...rather than get a "canned tune" in a handheld tuner. If I need to go back to stock, that's not a problem.

2Tightwads · 10-07-2009, 03:50 PM

SCT/Diablo are in my opinion the best for Ford/Dodge/Chrysler applications. Hp Tuners/EFI Live are the best for GM. The handhelds don't hold a candle to the pro suites software. Not even close. The options you mentioned above are shared among all of them really, (i.e. stock tune swapable). I recommend Hp Tuners over any of the other mentioned. Ask around and I think you will see more Pro Tuner Shops are using it over the others you mentioned...atleast for GM applications.

JANNETTYRACING · 10-07-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meister@Torq

42 views and not one response??

I responded somehow it didn't post though

FYI, the Dealers can tell if you car has been reprogrammed, when and how many times, so don't be fooled.

I use HP Tuners and Diablo for GM.

I use SCT and Diablo for Ford and Chrysler.

I am fine with any of them.

99-LS1-SS · 10-07-2009, 03:55 PM

I'm learning HP Tuners right now. It's a steep learning curve though.

Mod007 · 10-07-2009, 04:03 PM

Diablo for me because you can store as many as 5 tunes one for the street one for the track and the others..... I don't know but it's good to know their there.

99-LS1-SS · 10-07-2009, 04:06 PM

Is Diablo software as or more versatile than HP Tuners?

Meister@Torq · 10-07-2009, 11:00 PM

I am asking for a good reason and I think there is a lot of misleading info or misconception here. Firstly, using a handheld does not mean you can not get a custom tune and use those on a handheld.

I am a "pro tuner" and I am one of SCTs oldest tuners, and beta testers. I have always used EFI live and HP tuners for my GM calibrations because it used to be far superior to anything available.....until SCT re-released their GM software for the newer PCM GM vehicles that includes just as many parameters if not more than the other including on par or superior datalogging. Now you have a software capable of EVERYTHING hptuners and efi can do PLUS you get to put those tunes onto a handheld (these are not canned tunes). The handheld can hold 3 tune files and you can go back to stock.

The main question is to a consumer...would you use/want SCT if your "pro tuner" suggests it or is it too new or untested to compete with the likes of HPT or EFI Live.....what about paying extra to get the handheld that can hold 3 custom tunes plus the stock tune??

Meister@Torq · 10-07-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

I responded somehow it didn't post though

FYI, the Dealers can tell if you car has been reprogrammed, when and how many times, so don't be fooled.

I use HP Tuners and Diablo for GM.

I use SCT and Diablo for Ford and Chrysler.

I am fine with any of them.

Not sure I ever asked about dealers being able to detect if the car was tuned but I appreciate the post. I use Diablo for DCX, SCT for Ford, I used to use EFI Live and HPT for GM but leaning towards SCT for our new Camaro

2010 SSRS · 10-07-2009, 11:05 PM

I want to buy a Tuner, but I have to learn more about how many upgrades it will let me do.

Meister@Torq · 10-08-2009, 07:51 AM

When you say upgrades, please clarify. A device like the SCT Xcalibrator can be locked to a vehicle and unlocked up to 5 times, hold up to 3 tunes at 1 time (you can have many more saved to your computer and changed between them). In terms of upgrades, a custom tune on a handheld is no different than a custom tune using a direct flash like HPT, etc so the upgrades would not be limited

JANNETTYRACING · 10-08-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meister@Torq

Not sure I ever asked about dealers being able to detect if the car was tuned but I appreciate the post. I use Diablo for DCX, SCT for Ford, I used to use EFI Live and HPT for GM but leaning towards SCT for our new Camaro

Sorry that part was for Powerfreak.

2Tightwads · 10-08-2009, 09:53 AM

Hp Tuners FTW I promise you. Just FYI, My small format laptop holds a hell of alot more tunes than (3) at a time. I also can scan without the laptop even connected for multiple runs 30min. at a time if needed, store/save the data inside my Hp Tuners VCM hardware, and upload to my laptop at a later date for viewing.

10-06-2009, 03:23 PM	#1
Meister@Torq Drives: 2001 Crown Vic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 974	SCT .vs. HP Tuners .vs. Diablo .vs. EFI Live?? Just checking in to see what everyone here uses, what they prefer to use and why. The obvious benefits of Diablo and SCT are that you have a handheld device that can store multiple programs as well as return the PCM back to stock if you ever need to (taking it into the dealer, etc) SCT's new GM software is easily on par if not better than HPT and EFI Live and the SCT flash tool is equal to or greater than Diablo. Discuss.....

10-07-2009, 01:56 PM	#3
POWERFREAK I.AM. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS/A6 cammed-n-whippled Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NY Posts: 2,637	this stuff is mostly over my head...but the guy that tuned my car prefers EFI Live. My preference is to let a pro deal with it...rather than get a "canned tune" in a handheld tuner. If I need to go back to stock, that's not a problem. __________________ https://FeelingCreativeBlog.com

10-07-2009, 03:55 PM	#6
99-LS1-SS Waiting... Drives: 2009 G8 GXP M6 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jamestown NC Posts: 275	I'm learning HP Tuners right now. It's a steep learning curve though. __________________ SOLD 2009 Maverick Silver G8 GXP M6 Engine Mods: TVS 2300 Magnacharger 6.5lbs, ARH 1 7/8" long tubes with catted x-pipe Roto-Fab Intake, Custom Fuel System, Tuned by Me Drivetrain Mods: Stage 4 Monster Clutch, GForce 300M Race Axles Suspension Mods: Pedders/Wretched basic drag pack - BMR trailing arms and toe rods Misc Mods: Jamesbiz Catch can - GRRRR8 Heater hose relo kit

10-07-2009, 04:03 PM	#7
Mod007 Drives: Camaro SS/RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin TX, Posts: 475	Diablo for me because you can store as many as 5 tunes one for the street one for the track and the others..... I don't know but it's good to know their there. __________________ Camaro SS/RS Corsa Catback

10-07-2009, 04:06 PM	#8
99-LS1-SS Waiting... Drives: 2009 G8 GXP M6 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jamestown NC Posts: 275	Is Diablo software as or more versatile than HP Tuners? __________________ SOLD 2009 Maverick Silver G8 GXP M6 Engine Mods: TVS 2300 Magnacharger 6.5lbs, ARH 1 7/8" long tubes with catted x-pipe Roto-Fab Intake, Custom Fuel System, Tuned by Me Drivetrain Mods: Stage 4 Monster Clutch, GForce 300M Race Axles Suspension Mods: Pedders/Wretched basic drag pack - BMR trailing arms and toe rods Misc Mods: Jamesbiz Catch can - GRRRR8 Heater hose relo kit

10-07-2009, 01:48 PM	#2
Meister@Torq Drives: 2001 Crown Vic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 974	42 views and not one response??

10-07-2009, 03:50 PM	#4
2Tightwads Banned Drives: 2002 LS1 swapped into a 1994 Z Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 386	SCT/Diablo are in my opinion the best for Ford/Dodge/Chrysler applications. Hp Tuners/EFI Live are the best for GM. The handhelds don't hold a candle to the pro suites software. Not even close. The options you mentioned above are shared among all of them really, (i.e. stock tune swapable). I recommend Hp Tuners over any of the other mentioned. Ask around and I think you will see more Pro Tuner Shops are using it over the others you mentioned...atleast for GM applications.

10-07-2009, 11:00 PM	#9
Meister@Torq Drives: 2001 Crown Vic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 974	I am asking for a good reason and I think there is a lot of misleading info or misconception here. Firstly, using a handheld does not mean you can not get a custom tune and use those on a handheld. I am a "pro tuner" and I am one of SCTs oldest tuners, and beta testers. I have always used EFI live and HP tuners for my GM calibrations because it used to be far superior to anything available.....until SCT re-released their GM software for the newer PCM GM vehicles that includes just as many parameters if not more than the other including on par or superior datalogging. Now you have a software capable of EVERYTHING hptuners and efi can do PLUS you get to put those tunes onto a handheld (these are not canned tunes). The handheld can hold 3 tune files and you can go back to stock. The main question is to a consumer...would you use/want SCT if your "pro tuner" suggests it or is it too new or untested to compete with the likes of HPT or EFI Live.....what about paying extra to get the handheld that can hold 3 custom tunes plus the stock tune??

10-07-2009, 11:05 PM	#11
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,186 View My Garage	I want to buy a Tuner, but I have to learn more about how many upgrades it will let me do.

10-08-2009, 07:51 AM	#12
Meister@Torq Drives: 2001 Crown Vic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 974	When you say upgrades, please clarify. A device like the SCT Xcalibrator can be locked to a vehicle and unlocked up to 5 times, hold up to 3 tunes at 1 time (you can have many more saved to your computer and changed between them). In terms of upgrades, a custom tune on a handheld is no different than a custom tune using a direct flash like HPT, etc so the upgrades would not be limited

10-08-2009, 09:53 AM	#14
2Tightwads Banned Drives: 2002 LS1 swapped into a 1994 Z Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 386	Hp Tuners FTW I promise you. Just FYI, My small format laptop holds a hell of alot more tunes than (3) at a time. I also can scan without the laptop even connected for multiple runs 30min. at a time if needed, store/save the data inside my Hp Tuners VCM hardware, and upload to my laptop at a later date for viewing.

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