"Modern" Tuning Solutions

[jon_0_3]

I have an 04 Mach 1 with a supercharger swap. Car is currently running on a SCT Tune from VMP. I am located in WI and we are running into some odd issues with poor start up as well as the car dying while pulling up to stop signs and stop lights. Does not happen all of the time but enough to be annoying.

Reading around it seems some people have moved to MS3Pro or Holley Terminators as solutions. With that being said is there one that is preferred over the other or should I just stick with SCT and try to find a tuner more local who can assist me?

 

[Murderedsvt]

I would make sure there’s no mechanical issues and get a retune I wouldn’t go ms3 just yet.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

If it was previously tuned, ran fine, and now has issues you need to find the gremlin that has appeared

 

[01yellercobra]

Chances are it's just a couple tweaks away from being ok. Have you talked to VMP about it? If the car isn't too crazy and you're not looking for things like flex fuel the stock ECU is pretty capable. Especially since it sounds like you're already 99% there.

But to expand a little on your other question I'll give you my thoughts that no one really asked for...

Everyone is going to prefer whatever they're running. Kind of like blowers. They went with either what they know, or have the support they like for it. I have MS3 in my car. The main reason for me was that it can run the stock dash. Now, it's not 100% perfect, but it works well enough to keep me happy. If you don't care about the stock dash then that is a wash. But something I wanted to mention. The MS3 really is a plug and play with these cars and has good support. I also like that the MS3 can run a MAF. I know a lot of people don't care about that, but for how I use my car, I wanted to have it.

From what I've seen the Holley is mostly plug and play in these cars. But you would need an extra piece to run the stock dash ($$$) and another module to run the stock COPs ($$$$). The Holley doesn't have the provision for a MAF, but chances are that doesn't bother most people. To be honest, while I don't have as much experience with Holley as I do with MS3, I'm not really into it. But that's personal preference over everything else.

Like I said, I'm sure no one cares, but figured I'd post in case someone else searched.

 

[robvas]

Assuming the car ran fine at one point, and these are new/recent issues, it's easier to fix whats wrong than get a re-tune (which you'll still have to fix whatever issues it has) or buy a standalone ECU and get a tune.

That said...I would find a local (or somewhat local, or really good remote) tuner who you can trust. And just use whatever he wants to run.

 

[jon_0_3]

Part of my issue is the inability to find anyone local to tune the car. I am located in south eastern WI. Places that tune around me really only tune Holley of HP systems. When I have asked some of these places they have told me they dont tune via SCT. Remote tuning with VMP has worked for the most part but we ran into the inability to resolve the cold start or the staling. The hardest part with stalling is I need to run a constant data log while driving cause I never know when it will happen.

 

[01yellercobra]

Is this a new set up? Are you still on the stock throttlebody? What is it doing with the cold start?

I've datalogged for a couple hours trying to find one problem in the past.

 

[jon_0_3]

No new set up. Stock throttle body. Car will never start on first try, I will crank it for 3 to 5 seconds then key all the way off back on let it crank for 3 more seconds and then it will turn over.

 

[01yellercobra]

What fuel system are you running? Have you checked the TPS? For the stalling it's probably just a dashpot adjustment. That seems to get a lot of people.

 

[jon_0_3]

I am running a VMP Boost a pump hooked up to the stock Mach 1 fueling system.

 

[01yellercobra]

And no PPRV delete? I'm assuming this is a low boost set up. You need to check your fuel pressure when you first key on. Make sure it comes up quick.

Just for S&G, how hard is it to bypass the BAP?

 

[jon_0_3]

No PPRV delete, running stock cobra pulleys.

To bypass the BAP i think i just need to unwire it. I might just be able to pull the power wire to "turn it off"

 

[01yellercobra]

I think if you turn it off it'll kill the power to the pumps. I would still log fuel pressure. See what it's doing at start up. Does the pump sound like it's priming?

 

[cj428mach]

Is this an eaton swap? Id think you could more or less flash on a stock cobra tune and be there.

You could always try 04sleeper or Malcolmv8. I know Malcolm is a perfectionist and wants everything right. Not saying Kevin isn't but I just know Malcolm is OCD, lol. Id personally try my hardest to stay stock pcm if its a mild setup.

@01yellercobra
Didn't the MS3 have some quirks like speedometer issues, reverse enable?

If you didnt go ford pcm, id still go MS3 before any other aftermarket setup.

 

[jon_0_3]

I think if you turn it off it'll kill the power to the pumps. I would still log fuel pressure. See what it's doing at start up. Does the pump sound like it's priming?

I will need to go back and look at how it is wired up.

 

[01yellercobra]

@01yellercobra
Didn't the MS3 have some quirks like speedometer issues, reverse enable?

If you didnt go ford pcm, id still go MS3 before any other aftermarket setup.

It did in the beginning. They were fixed early on. I haven't heard of anyone having issues with them recently.

My personal preference is MS3.