SCT vs COBB vs LMS??

[EricRN]

Background, I have an X4 tuner and have a tune by Unleashed. I have had SCT tuners in the past specifically with a 2012 V6 and a 2013 Focus ST. The ST had a tune by Unleashed and the V6 had a tune by BAMA. Also, I have had a AP on a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 that I liked. My question to you, will the LMS be the best performer based on their knowledge of tuning the ecoboost previous to the Mustang? Lead me in the right direction

Also, I have the Airaid Race intake and a Semi Catback system.

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[DanFish]

Background, I have an X4 tuner and have a tune by Unleashed. I have had SCT tuners in the past specifically with a 2012 V6 and a 2013 Focus ST. The ST had a tune by Unleashed and the V6 had a tune by BAMA. Also, I have had a AP on a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 that I liked. My question to you, will the LMS be the best performer based on their knowledge of tuning the ecoboost previous to the Mustang? Lead me in the right direction

Also, I have the Airaid Race intake and a Semi Catback system.

I think Livernois will have the fastest car with just their tune. COBBs tune is very conservative but is a improvement over stock.

I have a COBB stage 1 tune right but I think I might get a tune from Livernois and see if I can use my AP to monitor stuff

 

[Voodoo Mamba]

3 different tuners, 3 different ways each company tunes. There's already been several threads about them. You're going to get sooo many different responses and opinions. I went with Bama because I've had alot of success with previous tunes from them. Their CS and support is second to none. And, if I made be so bold to say, the numbers they put down (IMHO) are realistic. Some tuners advertise crazy gains.

The only real answer to this is a real "Shootout" between all the the tuners from a non-biased company using a standardized Dyno (Dynojet). Then you can see what's really going on.

Background, I have an X4 tuner and have a tune by Unleashed. I have had SCT tuners in the past specifically with a 2012 V6 and a 2013 Focus ST. The ST had a tune by Unleashed and the V6 had a tune by BAMA. Also, I have had a AP on a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 that I liked. My question to you, will the LMS be the best performer based on their knowledge of tuning the ecoboost previous to the Mustang? Lead me in the right direction

Also, I have the Airaid Race intake and a Semi Catback system.

 

[LeonBorden]

We need motoiq in on the Ecoboost platform to get us some answers for sure.
That said, at bolt on power levels this is all fine, but if you plan on upgrading turbos and going for big power in the future it may be better to go with who a nearby tuner uses, as a custom dyno tune is always always better than an off the shelf tune, be it custom or not.

 

[wireless]

^ agreed.

I didn't go with LMS, simply because I can't take it to a tuner here and have them dyno tune it

 

[EricRN]

Reading everything I have about the SCT, I don't think all the parameters are there for it to tune. I feel as if they are leaving a lot on the table...

 

[Voodoo Mamba]

Interesting...I'd like to see AM/Bama chime in here and get their take on this subject.

Reading everything I have about the SCT, I don't think all the parameters are there for it to tune. I feel as if they are leaving a lot on the table...

 

[EricRN]

Me too! What are you doing today? I have a few hours to kill and wouldn't mind checking your ride out.

 

[JJ@WMS]

Reading everything I have about the SCT, I don't think all the parameters are there for it to tune. I feel as if they are leaving a lot on the table...

Thats not entirely true. Its a rumor that has been spread by others with agendas wanting to push/sell their own products.

We were the first to tune an EB Mustang using SCT's software and our results were very good. We ran into the fueling issue once we were over 25psi for extended periods but thats not a software issue, its a hardware/mechanical issue. We had no problem controlling boost, timing, fueling or any of the other parameters available to us. Our best 12.7 came with intake, tune and OR Downpipe on DR's at full weight which is right about where everyone else is no matter what tuning platform. The cars limitations are its fuel system, not the tuning or the tuning software.

We will be back at it very soon with a host of upgrades to showcase what a normal, bolt on, daily driven real car can do.

JJ

 

[Juben]

I have the Cobb AP. I chose the AP over other tuning devices on the market because it's the most robust package, in my opinion. As mentioned above, I've also read that SCT has left a lot on the table as far as tuning capabilities go with their software. I've used the X3/X4s before, so that's not to say that good tunes can't be had with them, but rather I feel that you can get a more well-rounded tune with the AP. With the AP, you can also datalog (you can with the SCT too), monitor your cars vital statistics, and more. With the Livernois box, you can basically just clear codes and flash new tunes. That's somewhat limited to me for a $600 tuning device. I'm hesitant to even say anything in regards to LMS becuase it always seems to ignite a flame war with people, but keep in mind, these are my opinions and my reasons for my tuning decision. I also like the fact that you can get custom dyno tunes or e-tunes for either the Cobb or SCT from a variety of tuners whereas you can't with LMS. Well, you can get a dyno tune with them, but you'd have to drive to their shop. For most, that isn't feasible. If I was going to purchase a tuning device, it'd be in this order: Cobb > SCT > LMS.

Disclaimer (again): All of the above mentioned devices are great devices and it's great to have them available for the platform. I listed my reasons above to show my personal reasons for my choice to stay with Cobb.

 

[EcoSwag1990]

LMS just told me that they can send a tune for the bolt ons I have so I was under the impression that can send you revised etunes just like other tuners

 

[EricRN]

They told me this is possible also

 

[dragonacc]

LMS just told me that they can send a tune for the bolt ons I have so I was under the impression that can send you revised etunes just like other tuners

Yeah, they can send you a revised tune for bolt-ons. But it's just an OTS tune. Their tuner doesn't datalog so at best they are making an educated guess (possibly a very good one, but without logs how do they know?) on how the tune should be adjusted.

 

[Juben]

They developed a tune for a stock car and then cars with varying levels of modifications. This would still be considered a custom canned (off-the-shelf) tune.

With an e-tune, you record datalogs, send your tuner those datalogs, and then they individually adjust your tune based on your specific car. An e-tune is like a dyno tune except it's done on the road by datalogs.

The custom canned tunes that LMS offers is more of a global custom file that can be ran on a different variety of cars in different scenarios. For instance, you might have great quality gas at your local stations whereas mine might be mediocre. Now, with better gas, your car might be able to run 10° of ignition timing advance. Mine might only be able to 5° advance. So, with LMS knowing this, they might only set the tune to a max of 5° advance on the timing to make it safe for me, you, and everyone else because it'll be operating under a wider set of variables.

With the e-tune, your tune will be tailored to your car in your environment with your quality gas, etc. With a canned (OTS) tune (whether custom or from the tuning device manufacturer), they'll usually be a bit more conservative tunes to be safe for everyone to use. With a more conservative tune, you might be leaving a little hp/tq on the table whereas with a tailored e-tune you can maximize your tune to perform the best that your car can. If your fine with having a safe, more conservative tune then an canned (OTS) style tune will work just great. However, if you want every last bit of horsepower and torque available, then an e-tune or dyno tune will be your best bet.

You can do e-tunes and dyno tunes with a variety of tuners for the Cobb and SCT hardware. You can do dyno tunes at LMS with their hardware.

 

[15svo]

Keep in mind lms tune was a race gas tune not available to the public so for them to say there the fastest is right but wrong at the same time being that tune will not be realised. I feel to end this giant debate on who is the best there needs to be 3 cars with bolt ones downpipe, intercooler, cai,full cat back and tune 1 car by each tuner cobb with pro tune, sct by unleashed and lms all customers cars with tunes available to the public. I will offer my car for the cobb side and will travel to Mir from Minnesota to be part of this long going battle.

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