SFT Changes

[John Jensen]

I have been using SFT tunes since they started, however, they have made changes that are causing me to shop for a new tuner. I am posting this to alert SFT owners on the four forums where I'm a member.

1 -SFT stopped including the ability to go into cruise control below the stock tune's MPH point. They said, "We have stopped offering this feature, it causes too many issues". While disappointed I only used that feature to test if the SFT tune was in place. I can live with this change.

2-After the W58 (Tone Wheel) recall, SFT's updated tune gave me bad DEF messages and an engine light when I installed distilled water. SFT sent me a correcting tune, however, the DEF gauge no longer worked and the DEF pump no longer operated. I complained and SFT said, "We have stopped offering this feature, it causes to many issues". I want the DEF system to pump the water, and I want to know the level of fluid in the tank, like it did before the W58 updated tune. I can't live with this change. So I asked SFT to send a new tune with the DEF system operating. SFT replied, "We don't feel comfortable providing this feature anymore." So I am now shopping for a new tuner.

3-I have since noticed my exhaust manifold temps (EGT1 sensor) are higher when under load, specifically running empty, 70mph on a mountain freeway. EGT1 temp was rocking between 1000 and 1265 degrees.

4-When I asked SFT if they would buy back my tuner, they said, "We don't buy back handheld devices or transfer ownership." That change makes me a fool for telling SFT owners SFT did do transfers and how to go about it.

This is not to bash SFT, it is merely to share my experience with SFT owners.
I can no longer recommend SFT. I'm shopping.

 

[John Jensen]

An update on this SFT corrected tune

The manifold exhaust temp (EGT1 sensor) can easily climb to 1025 degrees local driving. Not doing any WOT just rolling up the speed it will hit that in a long block (and the truck coolant was just barely up to temp).

It could be my imagination, but it seems to hold each gear longer and the engine sounds like it wants to shift. Doesn't want to go into 8th gear, wants to stay in 6th or 7th.

Definitely different from the before W58 tune (and the defective after W58 tune.)

It's causing me to really want to change tuners. Sent them all a request on 12/20, haven't heard a word from any of them. Hard to decide what tuner when they don't respond.

So far, MRT and HDDS have been suggested, and I was to stay clear of Randy of EcodieselUSA. Except for GPUtah, He has had good results with Randy's tune and reports it gets the best mileage by 2mpg. And GDE says that MRT uses optimal remap, so it could be similar to SFT. It all makes it very tough to decide.