SFT Tuning

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Patrity

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Just wanted to give a shout out to these gents and to spread some information.

Seems a few people here see pedal commander or other box tunes as a viable option for inexpensive tuning. I'd steer people away from these for a multitude of reasons. Overfueling is NOT tuning properly.

I purchased the SFT OBDII tunes on Father's day sale for $720. (They are $900 regularly)

The set up was a breeze, no popping the hood, no removing the ECM. All you have to do is wait on your two modules, one for the transmission, one for the ECU.
You then copy your original tune, send it to SFT and usually within 24hrs they send you back the tuned files. The owner of SFT, Jimmy is also super easy to work with and very responsive to issues.
Switching between the tunes is simple. If I have a warranty issue, it takes all of five minutes to go back to my truck and put the stock tune back on.

Now the transmission tune is not required but I highly recommend it. The transmission feel very smooth now and there is no more hard downshifts when you get on the pedal and drop into 2nd/3rd.


GDE is also a viable option and arguably more reputable but I went with SFT simply for the convenience of being able to tune via the OBDII port, and not swapping an ecm.

The main difference I hear between the tunes is the GDE has more top end performance while SFT has more low end, getting you up and going off the line quicker (not that anyone should really be racing these trucks lol)

I just wanted to post my thoughts here and again, steer people away from the box tunes. The Heavy Duty market has learned it's lesson with box tunes and it's no different on these trucks.
 

Kapt

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I looked at their site. How do you do it?
 

crash68

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The main difference I hear between the tunes is the GDE has more top end performance while SFT has more low end, getting you up and going off the line quicker (not that anyone should really be racing these trucks lol)
You failed to mention there is a lot more research and development that has gone into GDE tune. GDE has a lot more miles logged on their tunes in real world testing pushing these EcoD motors, so you can drive with confidence that the tune isn't going to operate the components in unsafe conditions. GDE has taken their test truck to Davis Dam not to mention all of the customer owned trucks which a surprising number are well into the 100K mile range all tuned(there are several over 200K and even 300K miles.
 

tidefan1967

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Why would you mention the Pedal Commander as it has absolutely nothing to do with tuning. A Pedal Commander is a great way to "feel" like your getting a little bit more power without worrying about the warranty and nothing more.
 

JohnnyMac

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The fact that they stuff this engine in Masaratis (Ghibli & Quadraporte) leads me to believe that the "over fueling" argument doesn't really apply like it would to an HD. I'm guessing folks that buy Masaratis aren't buying them to drive like a truck.
 

woofie2

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I just wanted to post my thoughts here and again, steer people away from the box tunes. The Heavy Duty market has learned it's lesson with box tunes and it's no different on these trucks.
Tuning boxes do not advance timing, adjust maps based on load or fix shifting issues in a transmission. They give more fuel and boost, and make smoke. Black smoke on a diesel is unburnt fuel, and wasted MPGs.

I also got the SFT tune on Fathers day(ECM and TCM, 20% off sale was hard to pass, they seem to run it on holidays), still haven't loaded it as I need to get the cyber security bypass cable installed, and I am waiting for my first oil change.

Reasons I went with SFT:
I can load it myself! or unload it if needed
Their software is MPG minded, not just raw power and smoke.

I had rocketchip software on my Jetta TDI, loved it, Rocketchip helped my MPG (when not racing SCCA Solo) their software was based on the European car maps, which gave a boost to the American cars.

Soon there will be an I am Sofa King Tuned post from myself. and a few reports.
 

John Jensen

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I'm SFT tuned and agree with all that Parity (and woofie2) says it is. The SFT tune has an automatic "up idle" when starting a cold engine - very nice. Also, the owner, Jimmy, is very knowledgable and helpful. He has helped buyers, step by step through the install, who were intimidated by their computer. I might add that his tune updates are free.

To Kapt who has twice asked, "I looked at their site. How do you do it?". On the SFT web site select "Setup", it's all there. Also good info in the "FAQ"
 
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Patrity

Patrity

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Why would you mention the Pedal Commander as it has absolutely nothing to do with tuning. A Pedal Commander is a great way to "feel" like your getting a little bit more power without worrying about the warranty and nothing more.

Because time and time again people recommend them. They should not even be an option. The EGR design is bad enough on our trucks, so let's just go ahead and over-fuel them as well.
 

tidefan1967

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Because time and time again people recommend them. They should not even be an option. The EGR design is bad enough on our trucks, so let's just go ahead and over-fuel them as well.
The Pedal Commander has nothing to do with fueling or tuning and is not even remotely considered as such it just increases the throttle input to be a little faster and nothing more. For some one looking to preserve their warranty it is the only option. Any kind of tune with or without the extra PCM can void your warranty quite easily if the dealer want's to push the issue and there's no way to hide it. Now if you're out of warranty I would absolutely delete it. Again the Pedal commander is not a tuner in any way whatsoever.
 

Waynehead05

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I'm still loving my SFT ECM and Trans tune. FUnny how people like to bash the company because they have an issue with Jimmy's marketing. Simple truth is he's taking market share, and his results haven't been dis-proven from what his customers have been reporting.
 

woofie2

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I'm still loving my SFT ECM and Trans tune. FUnny how people like to bash the company because they have an issue with Jimmy's marketing. Simple truth is he's taking market share, and his results haven't been dis-proven from what his customers have been reporting.
I know, and he is around reading the internet, on a facebook post he got an idea, now released that he can copy information needed to clone your spare ECU at home.
(still need to install my tune, gotta get a working laptop or get the truck in the house.)
 

John Jensen

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Woofie,
Here's one for you. It's a slow one but like new and cheap.

Dell Inspiron Red Computer, 11.6", 2-in-1, #3185,
Service Tag 5WZX7L2
512GB Hard Drive
4GB of DDR4 Memory
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
11" Touch Screen
7th Generation AMD Processor
5 Core, 1.8Ghz, 2048 Cache
Wireless - Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n - Bluetooth 4.0
11.4" width x 7.9" depth x .82" height
Ports:
1 HDMI
1 Micro SD-Card
1 Headset
1 USB 3.1
2 USB 2.0
1 Security-cable slot (for Noble locks)
Factory Warranty expires 9/2/2019
Includes Logitech Red Mouse
Deluxe Nylon Canvas Case
Spare power/charger cord.
As new, Perfect condition
Used less than an hour as a "backup" computer.
$395.00 invested.
Currently on the web for $3-350.00.
There are cheaper ones but not with the 512GB
hard drive or Windows 10 Pro.
Selling because I bought a larger, higher capacity
backup computer.
$200.00 plus shipping
 

woofie2

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Woofie,
Here's one for you. It's a slow one but like new and cheap.

Dell Inspiron Red Computer, 11.6", 2-in-1, #3185,
Service Tag 5WZX7L2
512GB Hard Drive
4GB of DDR4 Memory
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
11" Touch Screen
7th Generation AMD Processor
5 Core, 1.8Ghz, 2048 Cache
Wireless - Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n - Bluetooth 4.0
11.4" width x 7.9" depth x .82" height
Ports:
1 HDMI
1 Micro SD-Card
1 Headset
1 USB 3.1
2 USB 2.0
1 Security-cable slot (for Noble locks)
Factory Warranty expires 9/2/2019
Includes Logitech Red Mouse
Deluxe Nylon Canvas Case
Spare power/charger cord.
As new, Perfect condition
Used less than an hour as a "backup" computer.
$395.00 invested.
Currently on the web for $3-350.00.
There are cheaper ones but not with the 512GB
hard drive or Windows 10 Pro.
Selling because I bought a larger, higher capacity
backup computer.
$200.00 plus shipping

(oh I have 4-5 computers and laptops laying around that can do it, just have to cobble one into working condition, likely will have a computer in the garage in the new house)
Better yet, I SFT updated their software to run both ECU and TCM from the remote box, (just need a windows computer to transmit and upload files) not a computer in the truck.
 

LeeS

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2015
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I absolutely love my Stage 1 SFT ECU and transmission tunes. Jimmy was really great on helping me through a hiccup on my end and is very fast at responding to your questions. My truck is just so much fun to drive now. Zero and I mean zero turbo lag, super smooth shifting, engine braking, better MPG's and no more EGR to worry about. I have no problem recommending SFT as an alternative to GDE and being able to load your own tunes through the OBD was the reason for me going with SFT
 

John Jensen

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Some have asked for an update on my tune comparisons. Here it is:

Note the important comment
* Return SFT tune to stock b/4 dlr flash or tuner will lockup ($150.00 to unlock)
 

Attachments

  • GDE & SFT Comparison.pdf
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woofie2

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2017
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3.0 v6
Some have asked for an update on my tune comparisons. Here it is:

Note the important comment
* Return SFT tune to stock b/4 dlr flash or tuner will lockup ($150.00 to unlock)
Now if we could just gather the claimed "power gains" and some documented dyno plots to see how well the gains stack
 
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