Buying a used SCT X3

[villestrip]

So I will be purchasing a used X3 tomorrow. I have made sure it is unmarried and unlocked. So do I just plug it in to my truck when I get it or do I need to update the software on the X3 first on SCT's website? I am really excited to get this on the truck.

I'm thinking either Looney or SRL. I have read a million threads about these tunes. I think I am going to go with Looney only cause people seem to say the shifting is nice. I have gauges and a coolant filter and will be changing my coolant over this week to ELC. I have stock head bolts cause the dealer would not put ARP's in when I had them redone. Hope everything goes good.

[TheFordman87]

Congrats on getting the sct I ordered mine friday and cuz the weekend I won't get it until tuesday. But from what I have read even from the sct website brand new or used you need to plug it into your computer and make sure that it is up to date. and you need to make sure you save your stock file before you ever do any update just incase.

[TheFordman87]

oh yeah and you can save your stock file to your computer but you won't be able to view it of corse but you will have it incase anything ever happens

[Lilpooh]

Which X-3? Original that holds canned and custom tunes, or the newer style that holds just custom tunes.

If its the original style, I recommend updating the device first. This way you will have the latest firmware and tune revision.

If its the newer style, your gonna need custom tunes written for your truck and PCM strategy. I also recommend updating the device first.

The person you bought it from, does he have the same year truck or same PCM strategy? The '03-'04 truck strategies won't work on the '05-'07 truck PCM, and vise versa. If you have the same group year (03-04) or (05-07), some of the strategies will work with-in the same group year. IDK what strategies for the group year can be interchangeable.

[villestrip]

Originally Posted by Lilpooh

Which X-3? Original that holds canned and custom tunes, or the newer style that holds just custom tunes.

If its the original style, I recommend updating the device first. This way you will have the latest firmware and tune revision.

If its the newer style, your gonna need custom tunes written for your truck and PCM strategy. I also recommend updating the device first.

The person you bought it from, does he have the same year truck or same PCM strategy? The '03-'04 truck strategies won't work on the '05-'07 truck PCM, and vise versa. If you have the same group year (03-04) or (05-07), some of the strategies will work with-in the same group year. IDK what strategies for the group year can be interchangeable.

Thanks for the help. I actually have read all of your threads bout these things and have found them very helpful. It is the newer one with the XP serial number. His strategy does not match mine and he had it on an 04 and I have an 06. My strategy is VXCF9H7. I knew going into it that I would have to buy tunes so that's why when I was buying used I didn't want to spend more than $180. I figured $100 for tunes and I'd still be ahead than buying new.
As far as tunes I know you have a lot of them. Do you run the Looney and SRL unstudded by chance? If so of the 2 which do you feel is the better tune for a daily driver and has the best trans manners? Also which do you recommend for tunes for towing?
Thanks for all of the help.

[Lilpooh]

I'm studded. As far as what tunes are the best, tunes in my truck and driving style may not react the same in your truck. It's also a matter of personal preference. Some guys like a tow tune for daily driving, some prefer race tunes.


As for me, I prefer the race tunes for daily driving. The each race tunes I got, have their own personality. One has early TC lock up, others have late TC lock up. I like all my tunes and switch them around every couple of months.

I tow with a heavy foot, and have tried Matt's and Eric's tow tunes. The power was just not enough for me. I prefer Vivian's Tow/Agg when towing. But please keep in mind, others may prefer Matt's or Eric's over Vivian, it's a matter of personal preference.

IMO, you can't go wrong with any of the well known tune writers, if there is something you don't like about the tune, have them tweak it to your liking.