SCT Optional Parameters

When ordering an SCT flasher from FSWERKS, you first order your primary performance program. This is a single file that is programmed to your specifications. One restriction is that a single program flasher should not and will not be programmed for low octane or ultra-high octane race gas, as much of the performance gain comes from the timing associated with the use of 91, 93, and 94 octane fuel. Once you've placed an order for the SCT flasher and created its specifications to meet your needs, you should double check everything to make sure that it's accurate and what you want it to be.

Once that's done, you can choose to buy additional programs for only $50 each, up to 2 additional COMPLETE programs on X3 flashers and 9 additional COMPLETE programs on LiveWire TS flashers. Programs and options should not be confused for one another. A program is a COMPLETE tune file while an option is a specification or “tweak” within a program, such as raised idle or increased fuel pressure. You can have just one option or several options in a program and it’s still only $50 for the entire additional program. It’s NOT $50 for each option within a program. Once you get into the additional programs, you can add more octane options and a race gas option.

 

• 100 octane option
  
• Aggressive shifting at wide open throttle
• Alternator disabled at wide-open throttle
• Custom idle
• Custom rev limit
• Custom shift light setting at wide-open throttle
• Drag Launch 
• Early fan activation
• EGR system disabled
• Increased fuel pressure
• Rear oxygen sensor disabled for race header

100 octane option
If you often take your car to the track and fill up there with 100 octane, then the base program (usually tuned for 91-94 octane) will not give you the timing advance you need. It will help a little bit, but if you want to run race fuel, you should advance the timing even further to take advantage of the higher octane. If you specify this option on one of your programs, NEVER use it unless you have completely emptied your tank and added race fuel, as it will cause detonation with even 94 octane gas. Please note that you may only select this option on multiple program flashers.

Aggressive shifting at wide open throttle
This option is for automatic transmissions only. The ECU controls the shift points of the transmission, and it just so happens that the FSWerks / SCT programming can alter these shift points. The car is always thinking about fuel economy, so the factory shift points are configured for gas mileage and nothing more. When you floor it, the FSWerks / SCT programming will shift in such a way to stay in the optimal power band, shifting when it's appropriate for performance, rather than fuel economy. In addition to changing the shift points, the programming also creates firmer, sportier shifts due to increased transmission fluid pressure. With this option shifting at part-throttle will remain at its factory setting.

Alternator disabled at wide-open throttle
This temporarily puts the car's entire electrical system in the hands of the car's battery. When the alternator is supplying power to the system, it becomes harder for the belt to turn it. By cutting off the load to the alternator, it becomes more like an idler pulley than an accessory. There's still some friction and momentum load from the bearings and armatures inside, but it's a noticeable difference versus the mechanical and magnetic load of the energized coils. To those who are concerned about their In-Car-Entertainment setup AND performance, you can simply place this as an option on a "strictly performance" program, and turn off all your ICE equipment to reduce the load on the battery.

Custom idle
Specify the idle RPM you desire in the notes field for each program where you choose this option. If you have aggressive cams, increasing the idle can help alleviate the shaking and bucking that the car does at idle. If you have an underdrive pulley, increasing the idle RPM can help keep the accessories running at their normal idle speed, which keeps headlights and instrument clusters from flickering occasionally. And if you have poly engine mounts installed this can reduce some of the vibration.

Custom rev limit
Specify the rev limit you want in the notes field for each program where you choose this option. Our default performance programs come with a 7200 RPM or 7600 RPM rev limit depending on model, but this can easily be raised or lowered. Be careful not to make this number too high, or you could be picking up pieces of your engine off the pavement. Also, keep in mind that without some serious modifications, you will actually lose performance and spend less time in the optimum power band by shifting too far up.

Custom shift light setting at wide-open throttle
This is an excellent option that turns the otherwise annoying “up arrow” on your instrument cluster into a useful shift light indicator. Normally it comes on to tell you when to shift for best fuel economy, however, we can command the light to come on at a specific engine RPM. For example, the factory setting on a Zetec Focus commands the light to come on at 5000 RPMs at wide open throttle as well as anywhere in between at part throttle, but we set it to illuminate only at your indicated RPM at wide open throttle.