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XcalII software help

KAOS_3.0

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
2,997
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SE / CLT,NC / ATL,GA
ok, so I registered my Xcal at SCT, downloaded the windows driver, and I'm downloading live link 3 right now.

if I can get my hands on a wide band this should be enough to tune my 3l, right? or will I still need the pro racer software?

I'm also sort of going to need somebody to hold my hand a little with this process since I'm a complete noob to this.

thanks
 
how do you plan to tune it?

you need a tuner to create a tune or you will need the PRP to do it yourself ....


and this was answered in the other thread ..... sure you can use someone elses tune but chances are it isn't going to be close enough to be correct for your car.
 
so what is tom talkin about on the NPG site when he's talking about using livelink to make the tunes?

so I definitely need to find PR?

how much adjustment does livelink give me?
 
Tom's saying that he'll make you a tune, save it to a file, email it to you... then you take the file, put it on your xcal2, flash your ecu with it.

For the adjustments, you specify the changes, and it will alter the tune (with those changes) as it's flashing

You can adjust the primary & secondary fans, a/f, axle, tires, neutral/gear idle, neutral/gear rev limit, spark (limited).... um and some other items like those. By no means can you fine tune the car with the xcal2.... but it does help with emergency changes until you can get the tune fixed. The adjustments are dumbed and vague... but still useful.
 
ahh, ok, so I need a base tune of some sort in order to make changes to it with live link 3?

could I use live link on the stock SE tune and at least get into a running state that wont be so lean it burns valves?

also, does anybody have a tune for a straight 3l they might be willing to share?

thanks for clearing this stuff up for me guys
 
ahh, ok, so I need a base tune of some sort in order to make changes to it with live link 3?

could I use live link on the stock SE tune and at least get into a running state that wont be so lean it burns valves?

also, does anybody have a tune for a straight 3l they might be willing to share?

thanks for clearing this stuff up for me guys


no you need a base tune to start. then you data log and have your tuner tweak the tune. the xcal2 can only make limited adjustments and isn't for tuning in itself. its a flash device to tune the pcm.


again if you want to tune it yourself you need PRP. also the SE pcm isn't going to run so lean its going to burn a valve. it will be fine until you can get a tune ....
 
ok, but I should be able to use the Xcal to upload a tune if somebody would shoots me one over the web right? and from there I could dial it in?
 
ok, but I should be able to use the Xcal to upload a tune if somebody would shoots me one over the web right? and from there I could dial it in?


the xcal2 is used to upload the tune to the pcm. to tweak it you either need PRP to do it yourself or you need your tuner to do it.

the way NPG does this is they have you datalog the car and send it to them. they will then tweak the tune and email you an new one. then you place it on your xcal2 and upload it to the pcm and repeat until its good.
 
so the Xcal is basically worthless without PRP? I've read all over it lets you set a few parameters within a small plus minus window


not completely. its used to flash the pcm and you can read cels with it. you can not tune the car with it but you can tweak a few simple parameters if needed. but they are not enough to tune the car.


like we have been saying you get a tune from your tuner and then use the xcal2 to flash the pcm.
 
ok man, but basically I do need the software right?

unless somebody would like to share their tune with me. I have a full 02 swap with a cold air and single exit flowmaster exhaust. all else is stock.
 
ok man, but basically I do need the software right?

unless somebody would like to share their tune with me. I have a full 02 swap with a cold air and single exit flowmaster exhaust. all else is stock.


if you want to do a complete tune yourself then yes you will need PRP.

I doubt anyone is going to share there tune, besides no two cars are the same, therefore the tune isn't going to be the same. ...
 
ok, thanks. just a few silly questions that may or maynot be dumb.

are all tunes compatible withe the Xcal? Ie, if I find a person willing to share a tune that has a different flash tool, could I use it?

also, what all vehicles could I use a tune from. I'm under the thinking that any tune for a 3l duratec on a EEC-V pcm will work, correct? like say, if a taurus guy tuned out his AUTO for a MTXswap, that tune would also be pretty close, right?

or what about a tune from a 5spd lincoln ls V6? would that work?

and I'm certain a cougar tune would be good. how about an Xtype? is the Xtype still EEC-V, or is it a newer PCM?

thanks for all the help
 
alright, so it has to be a tune for a contour/mystique/cougar?


no. its a tune specific the pcm in your car. each pcm has its own code which calls out its calibration or software level. the tune is made specifically based on that pcm code .... you can't just go around throwing any tune into your pcm ....


there is no cheap way around this .... :rolleyes:
 
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