How affective are programmers on these little trucks? I got a 7.3 power stroke and you chip it and its like a different motor. I got the 3.0 ranger and it is in need or a little help and I do not want to spend cash on a exhaust because i want it quiet but i wold like a little more pep, nothing major and a lil better mpg's. What would you guys recommend? who makes a good programmer that's ok on a stock trani?

 

SCT X-Cal with custom tune files is your best bet for the ranger. obviously you shouldnt expect the gains that you would from the 7.3 but it def makes a difference. if you have an auto trans thats where youll notice the best increase. i have a the 4.0 not the 3.0 but i experienced better MPG's as well as a but more pep and the trans tuning made all the difference, no more slush box shifting. doug at bamachips or fred at rogue performace are both great sources for custom tunes.

 

So one chip can do eco tune and trans?

how much they run also?

 

its a programmer, you get 3 tunes of your choosing. i have 87 octane mileage tune, 87 octane towing and 91 octane performance tune. i payed around $400 for mine with the custom tunes. there are chips out there but dont waste your money on them. custom tunes is where its at!

 

Ok so I should get a SCT-Xcal? Safe on the trans correct?

 

yep your trans will be fine

 

So programmers are just for you Auto guys right?

 

Can someone do me a huge favor and get me SCT's part number of this xcal version? I cant find the part number and thats what I need to order it through a buddy of mine

 

I looked on the SCT site and others and it does not say ranger anywhere, only mustangs...am i using the same chip? And also do i want the flash device? is it the same things because there all "flash devices"???

 

BamaChips Custom Xcalibrator 3 Tuner [BAMA-X3] - $399.00 : Jusnes Modified, The Art of E-commerce is what you're looking for

 

Whats the part number on that though i cant find it

 

Anyone?

 

I think the whole point of getting the Xcal programmer is to 1. help out the guys trying to sell the hard to find Ranger parts, and 2. you get it custom tuned by one of the guys 01 Ranger_4x4 mentioned.

If you get it through this other source its going to be pointless without a custom tune..and these guys who we are recommending know how to get your tune right from the start.

Support the sellers local to the forum!

Just my .02 though..

 

ahhh....what?

 

[threadjack]
anyone ever use one of these on a 3rd gen OBD-2 2.3L?

everyone i see gets them for 3 and 4.0's

would i see noticeable gains in mileage/performance?

[/threadjack]

 

Lol I figured that would make no sense..I didn't mean to sound like I was on my high horse or something..I was just trying to give my opinion.

I'll try to word it differently..

In My Eyes..which doesn't mean much..haha..

The advantage to getting an SCT Xcal programmer tuned by Doug at BamaChips or the folks at Rogue Performance..is that you get a custom tune that has been proven to work. And if it doesn't, their customer service is wonderful.

The reason why I was saying this..was because the OP was asking for a part # to get it through someone else, and I was trying to say that the downside to that is that it won't be tuned by either guys that have been mentioned, and therefore, he won't get the guranteed service of good tuning.

Hopefully that makes more sense..I wasn't trying to advertise or anything lol...its been a long day..

 

lol now it all makes sense.

 

So you cant just buy a programmer with settings that coem on it stock? Its gotta be custom stuff people make?

 

I think thats the difference between the programmers and the chips. The programmers have 3 custom tunes loaded on by programmers who know what settings to put in for what application.

I know thats how my SCT tuner is, it has three programs loaded on it for my motor/rear end/tire size etc.

 

Just to let everyone know, I ordered from Bama on Nov. 4. I had lost contact with Doug for a while and was able to get my money back through my bank. About a week and a half ago he emailed me (and all his customers) letting me know Paypal had put a hold on his account and he could no longer fill any orders. Unfortunately, Doug is out of business or so I was told through that email. Whether or not he has updated his site, I do not know. Just wanted to let everyone know. I have been in contact with Don @ Lasota Racing and he seems like a really great guy. A few people on here have used him with great success. Just FYI.

 

I got my pro racer package from Don @ Lasota Racing and can also confirm he is a great guy. To the OP, you might might to get two 93 octane tunes and one 87 tune. What I have noticed is that the extra mileage I get from the 93 tunes easily makes up for the higher gas price, plus you get more power.

 

Well its not really for power, yet it would be nice, i plan to run 87 also...My buddy got headstuds in his 6.0 PS so he is getting a new chip for his truck and gave me his superchips cortex for this week to try out and if i want it its only $150...I think I should take the deal..not much power diff. but the shifts feel real nice now

 

I ran into a problem with Doug as well. I worked with Fred at Rogue Performance and he was great! I had a couple issues with my SCT 3, but we worked through them. Great customer service! The email turn around was great! I got an 89 torque, 93 performance and a 93 torque. I have only used the 89 torque, but it a big difference over the stock ford 87 tune. I can't wait to try the 93 torque when I pull my open trailer with with two sportbikes up to deals gap.

 

I'm pretty sure it won't work even if it was for the same spec ranger as yours. Remember readingthat they're locked onto the original vehicle and you have to send them to get unlocked, don't quote me on that though.

 

on the topic of chips/tuners... i have a friend with an 06 sport, 2wd, auto 4.0L, with the 4.10 torsen (he paid a lot of money to have this combo)

he said he put a chip in, got wicked power out of it, but dropped to 9mpg, so took the chip back out