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Topic: SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question (Read 3347 times) previous topic - next topic

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Hey guys,

Has anyone used one of these from American Muscle/Bama Tunes?  I purchased one for the bird, gave them my build specs and installed it.  They give you three tunes,  87 octane, 91 octane (performance tune) and a 93 octane (racing tune) -- they also let you select your stock tune.  I'm not sure what all they do but timing changes are definitely part of it.    All three tunes cause my check engine light to eventually turn on -- it doesn't happen with the stock tune. 
The codes are 34, 41 and 91.  34 is something with the EGR but 41 and 91 are passenger and driver lean conditions.  I called Bama but they don't think it's related to their tunes lol.  It does seem like there is a bit more power when I run with their tunes (definitely idle RPM is increased) but I don't want to drive with the check engine light on.  Any ideas what might be happening or did I just waste $260? 

Thanks
'88 Bird 5.0, TW 170s, HO cam, Scorpion rockers, Explorer intake 70mm TB/EGR, MAF conversion, 24# injectors, 8.8 3.73 disc rear end swap, console swap, leather seats, 11" front discs, 15-1 rack, TC springs all around, x-pipe, BBK headers,  welded sub-frame, unlocked digital speedo.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #1 –
The way most chips work is by tricking the computer into thinking it has more or less air and gas so it will over compensate for it. An actual tune would reflash the computer and change the way it operates. Sounds like your "tune" is really just a computer interference chip.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #2 –
this one connects to the J3 port in the stock A9P or A9L.  Apparently any tuning service can flash it with new custom tunes.  I'm just wondering why it would cause a lean condition.  Here's the promo link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-RlrvvQfr0  Lots of really good reviews.
'88 Bird 5.0, TW 170s, HO cam, Scorpion rockers, Explorer intake 70mm TB/EGR, MAF conversion, 24# injectors, 8.8 3.73 disc rear end swap, console swap, leather seats, 11" front discs, 15-1 rack, TC springs all around, x-pipe, BBK headers,  welded sub-frame, unlocked digital speedo.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #3 –
Remove the chip and run the car. If you get the codes with no chip then you can rule out the chip as a cause.

If you're not happy with the tune you can have it re-tuned locally as you already have a SCT chip. Any shop with a SCT tuner can adjust it.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #4 –
Right.  The selection includes the stock tune.  No issues when that is selected.
'88 Bird 5.0, TW 170s, HO cam, Scorpion rockers, Explorer intake 70mm TB/EGR, MAF conversion, 24# injectors, 8.8 3.73 disc rear end swap, console swap, leather seats, 11" front discs, 15-1 rack, TC springs all around, x-pipe, BBK headers,  welded sub-frame, unlocked digital speedo.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #5 –
Update on this issue.  I order a couple of new Bosch O2 sensors from Amazon and the problem is gone.  The only thing I notice now is that mileage drops when using any of the tunes.  Not totally sure of the performance gains -- my AOD has been slipping a lot lately and that probably needs to be addressed before I can realize the performance changes.  Goodie,  another 2K to rebuild the AOD.
'88 Bird 5.0, TW 170s, HO cam, Scorpion rockers, Explorer intake 70mm TB/EGR, MAF conversion, 24# injectors, 8.8 3.73 disc rear end swap, console swap, leather seats, 11" front discs, 15-1 rack, TC springs all around, x-pipe, BBK headers,  welded sub-frame, unlocked digital speedo.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #6 –
Or throw a t-5 at it. I did my swap for $400 total including a $150 Craigslist t-5.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Haystack;454515
Or throw a t-5 at it. I did my swap for $400 total including a $150 Craigslist t-5.

X2.... I would go T5 before putting that kind of $$ in an AOD... I'm slowly collecting parts to do that 1 day. " Big Plans...Low Budget" lol
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: ISTLCRUZ;454516
X2.... I would go T5 before putting that kind of $$ in an AOD... I'm slowly collecting parts to do that 1 day. " Big Plans...Low Budget" lol




I've toyed with that idea as well.  Like you said it looks like a big task to assemble all the parts and the 'full kits' they have on ebay are pretty darn expensive.
'88 Bird 5.0, TW 170s, HO cam, Scorpion rockers, Explorer intake 70mm TB/EGR, MAF conversion, 24# injectors, 8.8 3.73 disc rear end swap, console swap, leather seats, 11" front discs, 15-1 rack, TC springs all around, x-pipe, BBK headers,  welded sub-frame, unlocked digital speedo.

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #9 –
I used a sn-95 3.8 v-6 and a f-150 flywheel. If I had to do it again, it would take me about 4 hours I figure and sn-95 v-6 transmissions are all over the pick and pulls.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

SCT 4 bank eliminator chip question

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Haystack;454609
I used a sn-95 3.8 v-6 and a f-150 flywheel. If I had to do it again, it would take me about 4 hours I figure and sn-95 v-6 transmissions are all over the pick and pulls.


Haystack, what year V6 transmission will work? Seems I read that 94-96 were different than 97+ ?
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D