- Dec 9, 2005
- 40
Last night I finally got my hands on an SCT Livewire Flasher. Though I have 100 on order I was only able to procure a few last night. Ryan at SCT personally demonstrated the device on my 06 F250 6.0L. I thought it would just be like an X-cal2 with a bigger screen, but I do have to say I am impressed.
On my dash at night, backlight not visible:
SCT engineered the device totally in house, this sped up the development process significantly. They can now add new features and correct hardware problems much quicker (like adding firmware support for new vehicles that come out).
Like the X-Cal2, the device uses a standard USB cable to interface with a computer, that’s it, no serial cable, no power supply required. It’s a mini-usb connection this time, a cable is included in the box, or err plastic clamshell.
There is an optional suction cup double jointed windshield mount that retails for $25. I am looking into some custom mounting options as I post this.
The Livewire has a myriad of features, I'll try to cover a few in this post.
There are two analog inputs that can be displayed on the device and datalogged on the device. You can also datalog the analog inputs with a laptop and the Live Link software. You can monitor EGT, A/F, boost, raw 0-5v, or just about anything else. External sensors are required to do this. I'm offering my customers an Innovate Motorsports LC-1 wideband with their LW purchase for a discounted price. Dynojet is coming out with a new WideBand Commander Version 2, I'll offer those at a similar price point once available. For boost monitoring I recommend picking up a "GM 3 bar map sensor" off ebay. If you wish to datalog EGT you will have to pick up a probe and converter box. EGT probes put out a very low voltage, you'll need a box to convert that signal to 0-5v, FJO makes something to do this. SCT is also working on an EGT box. If you can figure out the transfer function on the autometer electronic fuel pressure guage sensor you can datalog that too, for the 98 and older guys that can not do it through the OBD2 port. The LW uses a big firewire connector for the analog input. Right now you'll have to grab a firewire cable and cut one end off, SCT is working on supply cables that are firewire on one end and ready to splice on the other. The cables will be made with heavier gauge wire to make hookup easier. Wiring any analog input is relatively simple, the sensor we are dealing with have a ground, 5v power requirement (supplied by LW) and 0-5v output that runs back into the LW.
The Livewire has the ability to hold 3 custom tunes and save the stock tune, just like the X-Cal2. These tunes will be programmed into the unit by the SCT dealer that you buy the LW from. Now the Livewire does come with some basic pre-loaded tunes, but they do not cover all vehicles and combinations.
Under the Device Settings menu you can turn the power LED off, adjust screen contrast, or adjust screen brightness. I would recommend turning up the brightness to 100 and setting the contrast around 25. This may change a little from one batch of units to the next.
The Performance Data menu is very extensive. This is where you can play with the 0-60 time feature, the LW incorporates a G-tech type device but relies on more accurate OBD2 information rather than just an accelerometer. While not scientific, it can be fun to play around with. I found out my 06 6.0 4x4 would go 0-60mph in 6-7 seconds, depending upon wheel spin on launch. I don't get to race this truck at the track much as I am usually towing with it, but it has gone 14.3 @ 92 at the track. I have not had a chance to test the LW's ability to measure estimated 1/4mi time. I did play around with the HP and TQ measurement feature. Enter the vehicle weight and then give it your best run. Things like wheel spin and violent shifts can skew the #s though, I had this happen a few times.
This is what I most often ended up with:
I actually had the truck on my Dynojet earlier today and made 397rwhp SAE, so when you get a good run the LW can be pretty close.
The Peformance Data menu also has the section that allows you to turn the shift LED on, and set the RPM. In the future I would like SCT to add the ability to set a certain RPM based on MPH range, basically a gear dependant shift light.
The Performance Monitor section is also under the Performance data menu. This is the screen that we've all become so accustomed to seeing in ads:
You can configure the screen to display up to 6 items, both OBD2 parameters and analog inputs. If you rotate the wheel it will change which parameter is in the upper left block (the largest block).
Next in the Peformance data section is the alert feature. The alert LED will illuminate when a certain parameter is exceeded for a certain amount of time. I would like to see SCT add a few more alert criteria (like RPM or pedal position) for this to be even more useful.
There is a Data Capture menu where on-device logging can be set up. There are a few preset parameter files, but your tuner may request logging of certain items. These parameter files (.DLF) are configured using SCT's Live Link software and then loaded onto the Livewire device. Some may say, why is this extra step needed? SCT gives you access to so many OBD2 parameters, both generic and Ford specific, that the database is around 50mb in size. It would just take up too much memory on the LW. The number of log files that you can save is huge compared to the X2, since the LW has so much more on board memory.
The LW has a section where you can read trouble codes, clear them, and read the vehicles strategy (another version of the PCM, computer or catch "code"). I talked with SCT about possibly adding some extensive descriptions for the different trouble codes, you can fit much more on the LW screen compared to the X2.
Just like the X-Cal2, the Livewire firmware can be updated in the field when new fixes and features are released.
I'm often asked by my customers, "Will I get a better tune with the Livewire?". The answer is absolutely not, the SCT Chip, X-Cal1, X-Cal2, and LW all contain the same programming. It's up to the SCT dealer that you buy from to put a good tune in the Livewire. I sell my custom programmed Livewires for $599 each with 6 months of tuning support. Edit:due to a change in SCT rules I have had to remove my trade in program. We will still try to serve our customers in the best possible way. Please visit my website www.vmptuning.com
On my dash at night, backlight not visible:
SCT engineered the device totally in house, this sped up the development process significantly. They can now add new features and correct hardware problems much quicker (like adding firmware support for new vehicles that come out).
Like the X-Cal2, the device uses a standard USB cable to interface with a computer, that’s it, no serial cable, no power supply required. It’s a mini-usb connection this time, a cable is included in the box, or err plastic clamshell.
There is an optional suction cup double jointed windshield mount that retails for $25. I am looking into some custom mounting options as I post this.
The Livewire has a myriad of features, I'll try to cover a few in this post.
There are two analog inputs that can be displayed on the device and datalogged on the device. You can also datalog the analog inputs with a laptop and the Live Link software. You can monitor EGT, A/F, boost, raw 0-5v, or just about anything else. External sensors are required to do this. I'm offering my customers an Innovate Motorsports LC-1 wideband with their LW purchase for a discounted price. Dynojet is coming out with a new WideBand Commander Version 2, I'll offer those at a similar price point once available. For boost monitoring I recommend picking up a "GM 3 bar map sensor" off ebay. If you wish to datalog EGT you will have to pick up a probe and converter box. EGT probes put out a very low voltage, you'll need a box to convert that signal to 0-5v, FJO makes something to do this. SCT is also working on an EGT box. If you can figure out the transfer function on the autometer electronic fuel pressure guage sensor you can datalog that too, for the 98 and older guys that can not do it through the OBD2 port. The LW uses a big firewire connector for the analog input. Right now you'll have to grab a firewire cable and cut one end off, SCT is working on supply cables that are firewire on one end and ready to splice on the other. The cables will be made with heavier gauge wire to make hookup easier. Wiring any analog input is relatively simple, the sensor we are dealing with have a ground, 5v power requirement (supplied by LW) and 0-5v output that runs back into the LW.
The Livewire has the ability to hold 3 custom tunes and save the stock tune, just like the X-Cal2. These tunes will be programmed into the unit by the SCT dealer that you buy the LW from. Now the Livewire does come with some basic pre-loaded tunes, but they do not cover all vehicles and combinations.
Under the Device Settings menu you can turn the power LED off, adjust screen contrast, or adjust screen brightness. I would recommend turning up the brightness to 100 and setting the contrast around 25. This may change a little from one batch of units to the next.
The Performance Data menu is very extensive. This is where you can play with the 0-60 time feature, the LW incorporates a G-tech type device but relies on more accurate OBD2 information rather than just an accelerometer. While not scientific, it can be fun to play around with. I found out my 06 6.0 4x4 would go 0-60mph in 6-7 seconds, depending upon wheel spin on launch. I don't get to race this truck at the track much as I am usually towing with it, but it has gone 14.3 @ 92 at the track. I have not had a chance to test the LW's ability to measure estimated 1/4mi time. I did play around with the HP and TQ measurement feature. Enter the vehicle weight and then give it your best run. Things like wheel spin and violent shifts can skew the #s though, I had this happen a few times.
This is what I most often ended up with:
I actually had the truck on my Dynojet earlier today and made 397rwhp SAE, so when you get a good run the LW can be pretty close.
The Peformance Data menu also has the section that allows you to turn the shift LED on, and set the RPM. In the future I would like SCT to add the ability to set a certain RPM based on MPH range, basically a gear dependant shift light.
The Performance Monitor section is also under the Performance data menu. This is the screen that we've all become so accustomed to seeing in ads:
You can configure the screen to display up to 6 items, both OBD2 parameters and analog inputs. If you rotate the wheel it will change which parameter is in the upper left block (the largest block).
Next in the Peformance data section is the alert feature. The alert LED will illuminate when a certain parameter is exceeded for a certain amount of time. I would like to see SCT add a few more alert criteria (like RPM or pedal position) for this to be even more useful.
There is a Data Capture menu where on-device logging can be set up. There are a few preset parameter files, but your tuner may request logging of certain items. These parameter files (.DLF) are configured using SCT's Live Link software and then loaded onto the Livewire device. Some may say, why is this extra step needed? SCT gives you access to so many OBD2 parameters, both generic and Ford specific, that the database is around 50mb in size. It would just take up too much memory on the LW. The number of log files that you can save is huge compared to the X2, since the LW has so much more on board memory.
The LW has a section where you can read trouble codes, clear them, and read the vehicles strategy (another version of the PCM, computer or catch "code"). I talked with SCT about possibly adding some extensive descriptions for the different trouble codes, you can fit much more on the LW screen compared to the X2.
Just like the X-Cal2, the Livewire firmware can be updated in the field when new fixes and features are released.
I'm often asked by my customers, "Will I get a better tune with the Livewire?". The answer is absolutely not, the SCT Chip, X-Cal1, X-Cal2, and LW all contain the same programming. It's up to the SCT dealer that you buy from to put a good tune in the Livewire. I sell my custom programmed Livewires for $599 each with 6 months of tuning support. Edit:due to a change in SCT rules I have had to remove my trade in program. We will still try to serve our customers in the best possible way. Please visit my website www.vmptuning.com
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