Octane and Tuner Question
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V6 Member
Joined: September 9, 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Monaco
Octane and Tuner Question
Hi all, my question is two-fold.
1 -- On delivery day, I remember the dealer literally freaking out when telling me that the car runs ONLY with 87 gas (?!) Sounded like higher grade would blow everything up or something. Back then I was like "whatever" but now I'm wondering what's the real consequence of filling the tank with 91 or 93 as far as out-of-the-station performance and long-term engine health WITHOUT a tune. Anyone?
2 -- I am quite ready to drop a C&L Street under the hood but looks like everybody on this forum swears by the Xcal 2 tuner. Is the Predator bad or is it just another "taste" thing like fighting to know which one of the C&L or the JLT is better?
I appreciate your contributions. Enjoy your Stangs this weekend!
1 -- On delivery day, I remember the dealer literally freaking out when telling me that the car runs ONLY with 87 gas (?!) Sounded like higher grade would blow everything up or something. Back then I was like "whatever" but now I'm wondering what's the real consequence of filling the tank with 91 or 93 as far as out-of-the-station performance and long-term engine health WITHOUT a tune. Anyone?
2 -- I am quite ready to drop a C&L Street under the hood but looks like everybody on this forum swears by the Xcal 2 tuner. Is the Predator bad or is it just another "taste" thing like fighting to know which one of the C&L or the JLT is better?
I appreciate your contributions. Enjoy your Stangs this weekend!
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 8, 2005
Posts: 12,395
Likes: 29
From: Medina county, OH
Hi all, my question is two-fold.
1 -- On delivery day, I remember the dealer literally freaking out when telling me that the car runs ONLY with 87 gas (?!) Sounded like higher grade would blow everything up or something. Back then I was like "whatever" but now I'm wondering what's the real consequence of filling the tank with 91 or 93 as far as out-of-the-station performance and long-term engine health WITHOUT a tune. Anyone?
2 -- I am quite ready to drop a C&L Street under the hood but looks like everybody on this forum swears by the Xcal 2 tuner. Is the Predator bad or is it just another "taste" thing like fighting to know which one of the C&L or the JLT is better?
I appreciate your contributions. Enjoy your Stangs this weekend!
1 -- On delivery day, I remember the dealer literally freaking out when telling me that the car runs ONLY with 87 gas (?!) Sounded like higher grade would blow everything up or something. Back then I was like "whatever" but now I'm wondering what's the real consequence of filling the tank with 91 or 93 as far as out-of-the-station performance and long-term engine health WITHOUT a tune. Anyone?
2 -- I am quite ready to drop a C&L Street under the hood but looks like everybody on this forum swears by the Xcal 2 tuner. Is the Predator bad or is it just another "taste" thing like fighting to know which one of the C&L or the JLT is better?
I appreciate your contributions. Enjoy your Stangs this weekend!
1) Running the higher octane fuel without a tune won't hurt anything at all... although it may actually slightly hurt your performance but I doubt you'll notice.
2) My opinion regarding the biggest difference between the SCT X2 and the Predator is mainly the people doing the tunes. Until recently there haven't been alot of "good" tuners using/selling the Predators. Doug at Bamachips is a great tuner and recently started using them..... he's the only dude I would recommend buying a Predator from. The SCT X2 on the other hand, is more popular and shops like Brenspeed, Bamachips, Tillman, JDM, etc etc etc. all sell and support them.
Whatever you do, buy your cai & tuner combo from a reputable shop like I mentioned above, not some discounter like RPMoutlet or some place like that..... trust me, you'll want good support for your tuner.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: January 4, 2006
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 32
1) Running the higher octane fuel without a tune won't hurt anything at all... although it may actually slightly hurt your performance but I doubt you'll notice.
2) My opinion regarding the biggest difference between the SCT X2 and the Predator is mainly the people doing the tunes. Until recently there haven't been alot of "good" tuners using/selling the Predators. Doug at Bamachips is a great tuner and recently started using them..... he's the only dude I would recommend buying a Predator from. The SCT X2 on the other hand, is more popular and shops like Brenspeed, Bamachips, Tillman, JDM, etc etc etc. all sell and support them.
Whatever you do, buy your cai & tuner combo from a reputable shop like I mentioned above, not some discounter like RPMoutlet or some place like that..... trust me, you'll want good support for your tuner.
2) My opinion regarding the biggest difference between the SCT X2 and the Predator is mainly the people doing the tunes. Until recently there haven't been alot of "good" tuners using/selling the Predators. Doug at Bamachips is a great tuner and recently started using them..... he's the only dude I would recommend buying a Predator from. The SCT X2 on the other hand, is more popular and shops like Brenspeed, Bamachips, Tillman, JDM, etc etc etc. all sell and support them.
Whatever you do, buy your cai & tuner combo from a reputable shop like I mentioned above, not some discounter like RPMoutlet or some place like that..... trust me, you'll want good support for your tuner.
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 10, 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
I asked the same question while I was getting my car dyno tuned yesterday:
The tuners give you tunes for 87,91, 93 octanes. So they are obviously different tunes with different specifications. Adding timing or whatever.
So if the car is stock and off the lot it is supposed to be driven using 87. If people put 93 in that same car, the car doesn't know what fuel it has...will this hurt the car? We all have done it and the cars run ok, but....
The tuners give you tunes for 87,91, 93 octanes. So they are obviously different tunes with different specifications. Adding timing or whatever.
So if the car is stock and off the lot it is supposed to be driven using 87. If people put 93 in that same car, the car doesn't know what fuel it has...will this hurt the car? We all have done it and the cars run ok, but....
Former Vendor
Joined: January 11, 2007
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 0
From: Aston, PA
Other than higher test gas burning a little cleaner, it doesn't do much without the added spark and air from the intake.
All of the top tuners will tell you that the SCT is nicer (functionality-wise) than the Diablosport. Especially the tuners who have worked with SCT and Diablosport, and know the advantage. I haven't worked with Diablo very much, and prefer the SCT Advantage III software, not that there's anything wrong with diablo.
I would reccommend the C&L Racer intake. That's my personal favorite, and the car will run GREAT with it. We can tune for 87 89 91 92 93 94 and race octane fuels.
There are so many options out there. I can just reccomend you stick with the following proven setups:
CAI:
C&L, JLT II, WMS, Steeda
Tuner:
TILLMAN
, Bamachips, Brenspeed, JDM
When you purchase the CAI and Tuner in a package, you save alot of money, and it's nice to get it all done in one shot. Especially because the tune is neccessary for the intake in order for the vehicle to operate properly.
You can choose 3 different maps to be loaded into your XCal2 especially tuned for your vehicle, so it's a great time to mix it up. I usually reccommend an 87 octane map incase you're somewhere where you can't get ahold of 93 fuel. I reccomend a 93 octane all-out in your face race map for the best performance, and usually a 93 octane performance map for daily driving. However, there are some that daily drive with the 93 race maps and will settle for nothing less. to them!!
Anyway, even if we don't make the sale I'd be more than happy to help you with your purchasing or installation. Feel free to give us a call or shoot us over a PM. We, as well as the other shops mentioned, keep the intake and tuners in stock. We usually ship same or next business day. I have a few references if you need them, as well.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN'T MAKE A WRONG CHOICE IF YOU FOLLOW THE ADVICE THAT EVERYONE MENTIONED IN THIS THREAD.
CR
Tillman Speed
610-497-3711
All of the top tuners will tell you that the SCT is nicer (functionality-wise) than the Diablosport. Especially the tuners who have worked with SCT and Diablosport, and know the advantage. I haven't worked with Diablo very much, and prefer the SCT Advantage III software, not that there's anything wrong with diablo.
I would reccommend the C&L Racer intake. That's my personal favorite, and the car will run GREAT with it. We can tune for 87 89 91 92 93 94 and race octane fuels.
There are so many options out there. I can just reccomend you stick with the following proven setups:
CAI:
C&L, JLT II, WMS, Steeda
Tuner:
TILLMAN
, Bamachips, Brenspeed, JDMWhen you purchase the CAI and Tuner in a package, you save alot of money, and it's nice to get it all done in one shot. Especially because the tune is neccessary for the intake in order for the vehicle to operate properly.
You can choose 3 different maps to be loaded into your XCal2 especially tuned for your vehicle, so it's a great time to mix it up. I usually reccommend an 87 octane map incase you're somewhere where you can't get ahold of 93 fuel. I reccomend a 93 octane all-out in your face race map for the best performance, and usually a 93 octane performance map for daily driving. However, there are some that daily drive with the 93 race maps and will settle for nothing less.
to them!!Anyway, even if we don't make the sale I'd be more than happy to help you with your purchasing or installation. Feel free to give us a call or shoot us over a PM. We, as well as the other shops mentioned, keep the intake and tuners in stock. We usually ship same or next business day. I have a few references if you need them, as well.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN'T MAKE A WRONG CHOICE IF YOU FOLLOW THE ADVICE THAT EVERYONE MENTIONED IN THIS THREAD.
CR
Tillman Speed
610-497-3711
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