Trying to view my tune

[SSawdusty]

Just bought the sct advantage 3 tuning software. To start the learning curve of tweaking my car. Right now all I want to do is just look at my existing tune and compare it to the stock one. Just so I can look at the two, see the changes and learn from there. I can open the stock file but not my email one, it seems to be encrypted or something, even has a different file extension. So my first of many questions in this learning curve is how can I see what changes have been made to my car. Or do you have to start right from scratch and build my own tune......this could and will be disastrous for a newbie.

[Rhino79]

Some tuners lock their tunes and they may only be viewed and modified by that individual. Some do not. I personally never understood locking them, I don't have anything to hide....lol. I don't believe Ted locks his tunes though, I may be wrong.

Ted is the gentleman you need to contact.

[SSawdusty]

The software converts the .sul file to a .mtu file and then you can make changes. The tune I got from Ted is in .cef format and this is encrypted. I found that out by calling SCT. They said I need to contact Ted and see if he will provide a unlocked version.

[SSawdusty]

Well contacted Ted and after several emails this is what he said.....

CEF files can not be unlocked or Opened even by Me.

CEF stands for Customer Export File.

The Dealer format is MTU and I don't send those to anyone, as I am not
in the business of Teaching.

Sorry!


So correct me if I'm wrong, if I say buy a gear set from someone else or wish to change my rev limiter or anything else and want to make changes however small. I have to get Ted to change the tune. Kind of a captive audience, isn't it?

Is there anyone else out there who remote tunes using SCT and doesn't lock there tune or did I waste my money on the advantage software?
PM me with a price.

[thahemp]

Hehe. That is his prerogative i guess.

I know Rhino79 and Matt@FSP don't lock their tunes. I think your choices there are EFI Live and HPTuners. I don't know any other vendors here that use SCT, so unfortunately, if opening his tune was your plan behind getting SCT tuning software, you wasted your money.

I am making the hop over to HPTuners here pretty soon. SCT handhelds haven't been doing so well lately in the classified section.

[MikeOD]

After the tune is in the car are you able to read it out in a normal format that you can view? If not then I'd see if you can return the software...you'd have a better experience trying to learn if you had HPTuners or EFILive.

[Iam Broke]

I prefer HPTuners but that's what I learned 5 years ago for about the same reason as you. Trifecta didn't even let you look at the tune, let alone change a bit or two.

[TriGun]

Simply flash the file to the ECM. And read it again from the ECM.

And Ted don't lock his tunes. Simply, the file extension (.cef) cannot be read by the software because it is used to program the SCT flash device.

[TriGun]

I think you cannot read it again using SCT handheld. As I remember SCT handhelds require to flash the original tune before reading again from the ECM. But you can do it by two SCT handhelds. One to flash the tune, and another unlocked handheld to read it as original tune.

[SSawdusty]

Originally Posted by TriGun

I think you cannot read it again using SCT handheld. As I remember SCT handhelds require to flash the original tune before reading again from the ECM. But you can do it by two SCT handhelds. One to flash the tune, and another unlocked handheld to read it as original tune.

That would mean getting another hand help. Not going to happen. Ted has has the files but as stated does not give them out. If I would have known this I would have gone another route. learning about my car was the intention right from the start. I just took the wrong path. I guess thats a lesson on doing a bit more research before buying.

[TriGun]

I recommend HPTuners. It has very easy interface and their forum is very helpful.

EFI Live user interface is not friendly as HPTuners but has more options for engine tuning although it lacks some tables for transmission tuning.

Maybe I will be interested to buy the software from you just to help you to invest in another software. But I need to know first if the software license can be transferred.

[thahemp]

I would think so. It's a hardware dongle, so as long as you get that dongle you would be set. That's a good idea. I would switch and try a new software if i knew the guy was going to learn to tune his own car because of it.

I think i'd even be interested in buying it.

[mandra]

Great thread full of information. I know where I am not getting my tune from. I was thinking of doing it myself anyway. Now off to buy a book or video from someone who is a "teacher".

Never understood these custom tunes are they making max power at 90 degrees at sea level and max power at 60 degrees with a 2000 DA?

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by mandra

Great thread full of information. I know where I am not getting my tune from. I was thinking of doing it myself anyway. Now off to buy a book or video from someone who is a "teacher".

Never understood these custom tunes are they making max power at 90 degrees at sea level and max power at 60 degrees with a 2000 DA?

If you're wanting a tune from someone so that you can analyze it as a learning tool, then ask them if the tune is locked up front before you dive in to the tune of $650+. 99.9% of people buying tunes don't buy them as a learning experience. As long as the car runs right, they're happy. In all fairness... Jannetty isn't in the business of teaching people how to tune. I think you'll find that neither are the rest of the guys on here. They are all willing to help, but not a single one of these guys here is going to hold your hand from start to finish.

How is a dyno tune any different when it's done at 90 degrees at sea level VS. 60 degrees in the mountains? This has nothing to do with whether the tune was remote or on a dyno or the street by Jannetty or FSP or anyone.