"Scratch" on ECU? and Tuner Selection

[1996GT46]

I think I posted this in the wrong section the first time.

I just recently bought a new 2010 Mustang GT. Already compiling a list of upgrades/mods for it. Got some 3.89 richmond gears coming. Plan on Full exhaust, wheels, tires, and cold air intake in the near future.

I need to get a programmer to change the axle ratio for the speedo. Looking at getting the SCT SF3 tuner. It's Xcal3 so I can use it in the future with other mods.

Anyone have any feedback on the SF3 tuner/programmer?

Also, do the computers in the mustang leave a scratch when the stock program is changed, like on the dodge's? In other words, will Ford be able to tell that it was modified if they plug in there scan tool?

Any feedback/help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anthony05]

Yes, the Ford police can see if the program was altered if they look for it. SCT or Diablosport are the tuners of choice. I suggest you go with a tuner that a local shop supports. (reputable shop) Don't let just anybody mess with this car's program. They are way too advanced for anyone, but an experienced tune expert.

Federal law states that Ford has to show that any given modification ''may have'' caused a warranty failure...meaning they still have to replace a faulty window motor or leaky weatherstrip and so on.

[1996GT46]

Ok, Thanks for the help! I will look into what the local dyno tune shops are using. Thanks again.

[Justin00V6Auto]

Originally Posted by Anthony05

Yes, the Ford police can see if the program was altered if they look for it. SCT or Diablosport are the tuners of choice. I suggest you go with a tuner that a local shop supports. (reputable shop) Don't let just anybody mess with this car's program. They are way too advanced for anyone, but an experienced tune expert.

Federal law states that Ford has to show that any given modification ''may have'' caused a warranty failure...meaning they still have to replace a faulty window motor or leaky weatherstrip and so on.

How can the ford police tell? I work with a local ford dealer to do their tuning on modified vehicles, and they have called to ask me before if I can tell if a tune is in a vehicle, i assume they called me because they were not able to tell themselves. The only way Ford dealer can tell is if they send the PCM back to the manufacturer and they read it out, and if you flashed your pcm back to stock with your handheld tuner before taking the car in they would not be able to tell anything.

[Justin00V6Auto]

Originally Posted by 1996GT46

I think I posted this in the wrong section the first time.

I just recently bought a new 2010 Mustang GT. Already compiling a list of upgrades/mods for it. Got some 3.89 richmond gears coming. Plan on Full exhaust, wheels, tires, and cold air intake in the near future.

I need to get a programmer to change the axle ratio for the speedo. Looking at getting the SCT SF3 tuner. It's Xcal3 so I can use it in the future with other mods.

Anyone have any feedback on the SF3 tuner/programmer?

Also, do the computers in the mustang leave a scratch when the stock program is changed, like on the dodge's? In other words, will Ford be able to tell that it was modified if they plug in there scan tool?

Any feedback/help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

For a few more bucks you can get a custom SCT X3 tuner rather than the pre-loaded SF3 tuner, you may want to look into going that route.

[NastyStang113]

Get the Xcal3 from VMP Tuning. The custom tuning is going to be so much better than the tunes that come preloaded on the SF3!! Also, there is no way Ford can tell if you reflashed the vehicle. The only thing that they can see is that if you haven't completed a drive cycle which, Code P1000, which would also pull up if you disconnected the battery or it died. It's completely different than the diesels where they can tell if a tune was loaded. Don't worry about that. If they ask just say you don't know but your battery died.

[Anthony05]

Originally Posted by Justin00V6Auto

How can the ford police tell? I work with a local ford dealer to do their tuning on modified vehicles, and they have called to ask me before if I can tell if a tune is in a vehicle, i assume they called me because they were not able to tell themselves. The only way Ford dealer can tell is if they send the PCM back to the manufacturer and they read it out, and if you flashed your pcm back to stock with your handheld tuner before taking the car in they would not be able to tell anything.

Just because your local Ford techs are in need of schooling is their problem. I'm well aware of how the ''Ford Police'' can tell if the file has been manipulated. If you return a car with any engine damage you can bet Ford will at least attempt to get around the warranty claim and like you said, the pcm will be sent out for inspection for water marks left by custom tuning. 7 second Don Burton happens to be a buddy who I'm lucky to have as a Ford technician and is the only Ford tech I've ever known that has been willing to step into ''no man's land'' with some of the projects I've gotten myself into where other dealers have said ''no way, we can't help with that...you are out of your mind and should never have gone this far with your car''.

Point is, when Ford wants to know if the file has been manipulated they can always tell. It's the higher ups that don't want to spend the warranty cash, not the average tech that you may be dealing with. The techs follow orders directly from non wrenchers when a big claim comes down the pike.

[NastyStang113]

Originally Posted by Anthony05

Just because your local Ford techs are in need of schooling is their problem. I'm well aware of how the ''Ford Police'' can tell if the file has been manipulated. If you return a car with any engine damage you can bet Ford will at least attempt to get around the warranty claim and like you said, the pcm will be sent out for inspection for water marks left by custom tuning. 7 second Don Burton happens to be a buddy who I'm lucky to have as a Ford technician and is the only Ford tech I've ever known that has been willing to step into ''no man's land'' with some of the projects I've gotten myself into where other dealers have said ''no way, we can't help with that...you are out of your mind and should never have gone this far with your car''.

Point is, when Ford wants to know if the file has been manipulated they can always tell. It's the higher ups that don't want to spend the warranty cash, not the average tech that you may be dealing with. The techs follow orders directly from non wrenchers when a big claim comes down the pike.

Didn't Justin just say that? The Ford techs at the dealer level cannot tell. So why would they need schooling? It has to be shipped to Ford. The only time that Ford is going to take the time to mail a PCM out is if they suspect something fishy going on. I'm speaking from experience here. I had a 2004 F150 that had have the engine replaced and Ford didn't bother send out the PCM to check to see if it was tuned or what not.

[Anthony05]

They called and asked him didn't they? Well, they need schooling right? My point is that Ford won't ever try to see if you have tuned a vehicle unless they have an extreme warranty claim. I don't think Justin needs you to bust balls for him, he's plenty capable of handling this conversation. When I suggested the Ford police can tell in my first post I definitely wasn't calling any low level tech ''the ford police''. Let's just leave it at that.

[1996GT46]

Thanks for all the help guys. The local reputable tune/dyno shop (HPP) uses SCT, so I am going to go that route.

As for the Ford Police, being that this motor is nothing new (been around for a while), I think as long as I stick with a safe tune and don't go too radical with it, I shouldn't have any problems.

I was thinking of the SF3 so I can DIY. If I have to take it back to ford for warranty work, I want to be able to load the stock tune back on myself without having to take it to a shop to have it done.