Our friends at SCT Performance recently released a video on flash tuning basics.  This isn’t a video that goes into deep theory on the functionality of flash tuning, rather than about the bare fundamentals of how it works. Below, we will give you a brief overview and then you can watch the video for more at the end.

Flash tuning is easily described as reprogramming the vehicle’s ECU with optimized parameters.  In essence,  the vehicle still monitors all the same functions before and after a flash tune, but changing the values of these parameters is what adjusts the tune within the ECU.  With an aftermarket tune, SCT modifies the ignition timing curve, fuel values, and other parameters to increase power while often decreasing fuel consumption.

The SCT tuner plugs right into the OBDII port, which is usually located beneath the dashboard

SCT offers tunes for many supported applications.  So for our example in this video you will see a stock 2011 Mustang.  The SCT tuner will identify automatically what vehicle you are tuning and give you options on the fuel you plan to run from 87, 89, 91, and 93 octane.  The better gas you use, the more aggressive – but safe – the tune will be.  Typically a tuner will slightly lean out your air/fuel ratio mixture and add a few degrees of timing.  This can actually lead to better fuel economy as well as an easy gain in horsepower.

If you want to install additional performance parts, SCT also has a wide selection of custom tuners that can make a tune specific to your car, and in a lot of circumstances they won’t even need your vehicle to tune it.  Many of these companies install popular parts on shop vehicles and optimize a tune for that specific part.  Since all the 2011 Mustang computers work the same, they can transfer that tune onto you for a fraction of the cost.

Loading in your SCT tune is simple.  Plug the tuner into the OBD II port under the dash, follow the prompts for fuel and modification type and you are done.  The canned tunes (and some custom tunes) give you the ability to adjust additional perimeters like tire size, idle RPM, ignition timing, rev limiter and so on.  If you ever need to take your vehicle in for service, don’t worry as the SCT tuner will store your vehicle’s stock tune and can be easily returned back.

Check out the video below for everything you need to know about flash tuning with SCT!

There is really no other cleaner and easier way to gain power on a late-model vehicle as what a flash tuner can give you.  It allows a person of any skill level to optimize the tune on their vehicle depending on how they drive.  Even if you install a myriad of performance parts and need a custom-tailored tune built, a simple windows computer can load this new tune final onto your tuning device.  This way you always have the ability to maximize the power potential of all the parts installed on your vehicle.

SCT works with companies that produce performance parts for your vehicle's performance in order to optimize tunes for your requirements.