Viper Specialty $399 SCT tune review

[Twister]

My vehicle is a 2003 srt10 viper.33K miles

my modifications are.

no cats
Kn filters
titanium exhaust
arrow raceing roller rockers

My Birthday was two weeks ago and money is tight this year so i couldnt spend as much as I would have liked to...So I decided a Tune would be the best bet for performance VS money.

I saw the sct tuner was available from several differant big name vendors...the cheapest of them all based on my search was viper Specialty.

But why was it so much cheaper? I talked to Dan of Viper Specialty and he explained to me what his Viper Specialty tune consisted of. From everything I gathered his mail order sct tune gave everything the other big name vendors did..Just at a lower price...

Dan was very quick in responding to my personal messages ( I had 20 plus questions) and as well called me by phone when I requested for more personal assistance in awnswering my questions..

very satisfied...

The product arrived today and I had the sct tune installed in 5-10 minutes..

WOW!!!!!!

My first impression was that the car idles so much smoother..

my second observation was the the car no longer bucks in first gear..The car is just much more smooth so to speak.

I mean VERY noticably smoother car should have come like this from the factory..

I tested the skip shift and it was eliminated...YES!!!!!

My check engine light from eliminateing the cats is gone and as well the exhaust note is even smoother and more exotic sounding..


Naturally I got on it and in second gear at 40 mph I spun the tires on accident for about 3 seconds..Never done that before...did a second gear blast and third gear blast with a big smile on my face..

SUSPECT I DO MORE POWER MAKES (YODA)

I SPENT 2600.00$ ON A AEM FOR MY 99 RT10 AND WASNT AS IMPRESSED AS I AM RIGHT NOW WITH THE VIPER SPECIALTY SCT TUNE!!!!!!



HERES MY 4 BEST TIMES FROM PREVIOUS MODS PERSONAL TIMING EQUIPMENT..SAME LOCATION



( kn filters and roller rockers) 459/492


11.97 @ 121.3
12.05 @ 122.2
12.08 @ 121.4
12.08 @ 118.9


( kn filters and roller rockers plus rear cat/muffler delete) ???rwhp???rwt.


11.88@ 122.3
11.92 @ 121.7
11.92 @ 121.5
11.95 @121.9

(KN filters and roller rockers plus rear and pre cat delete plus titanium exhaust)


12.2 at 120.4
12.3 at 119.5
12.4 at 120.4
12.5 at 120.4

those were mt best of 30 runs on two seperate outings in the past month..The car was throwing a code from removeing all 4 cats and seemed to not be as quick as it used to be



ILL GET THE SCT RESULTS IN ABOUT 2 HOURS



TRIED TO GET SOME RESULTS BUT ON MY WARM UP RUN THE CAR VIOLENTLY SPUN THROUGH FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AND THE CLUTCH FELL TO THE FLOOR. GUESS THE ADDED POWER IS THE STRAW THAT BROKE MY SNAKES BACK...CALLING THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW AND WILL HAVE THIS RESOLVED ASAP AND GET SOME RESULTS

 

[plumcrazy]

good news and info

and we all know its NOTHING till its PROVEN on a track and hotlapped

 

[Twister]

yea man....Just dynoes...Well you probally wont brake stuff on emm...

Last time the clutch went to the floor like this in the srt is was slave????Been a while but pretty sure.Hopefully the dealership can whip it back into shape.

Ok that was distasteful and I apologize if anyone takes it the wrong way. But it's 2 in the morning and my clutch went out on my first pass with my new mod..So cut me some slack.

 

[Herc]

I didn't think you could pick up much hp/tq with just a tune on a n/a engine. What do they advertise?

Herc

 

[dragon rider]

Sorry to hear that you broke last night. I agree Herc those extra ponies probably didn't cause the failure. It was just it's time.

 

[Twister]

I didn't think you could pick up much hp/tq with just a tune on a n/a engine. What do they advertise?

Herc

Dragon rider has a srt and he picked up 25 rwhp peak and 35-40 rwhp under the curve with the sct

Ill dyno mine after the clutch is good...Feels like it has A LOT more power but then again my car was just beggin for a tune with the mods I had

 

[Twister]

Sorry to hear that you broke last night. I agree Herc those extra ponies probably didn't cause the failure. It was just it's time.

Im sure your right...Maybe I just need to add fluid..ill check in the morning...But the power steering is broke and I add fluid and it is empty in a day so Ill still go to the dealership tomorrow..

Honestly if my cousin with the cammed c6Z06 hadnt trapped 123 mph and ran 11.9 at my spot with the same timeing equipment after only 4-5 passes I wouldnt be so motivated..But Im on a mission..I want those 123's!!!!!

 

[Sneaky Pete]

SUSPECT I DO MORE POWER MAKES (YODA)

I SPENT 2600.00$ ON A AEM FOR MY 99 RT10 AND WASNT AS IMPRESSED AS I AM RIGHT NOW WITH THE VIPER SPECIALTY SCT TUNE!!!!!!

This is a canned tune. If overall it works good for you, excellent, that's what it's designed to do! But to say you're more impressed with it than an AEM is just asinine. They are two totally different products meant to do two different things!

Although the AEM comes with a base tune, it is NOT configured as shipped with a perfect tune for your car, nor is it supposed to be. The tune they give you is nothing more than a base tune to begin with. It's impossible for any universal canned tune to be perfect out of the box for all applications. The AEM allows the EMS to be completely tuned for that single application, your tune in a box doesn't.

The AEM is a complete EMS, and completely customizable. The AEM is capable of FAR more than your canned tune is, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE AVAILABLE PARAMETERS TO GET THE OPTIMAL RESULTS! IT'S NOT MEANT FOR AMAUTURES TO BE MESSING WITH! If you can't spell, routinely complete proper sentences, lack the most basic grammar and punctuation skills, there's a really good chance you shouldn't be messing with an AEM to begin with.

 

[01ACR/VIPER]

This is a canned tune. If overall it works good for you, excellent, that's what it's designed to do! But to say you're more impressed with it than an AEM is just asinine. They are two totally different products meant to do two different things!

Although the AEM comes with a base tune, it is NOT configured as shipped with a perfect tune for your car, nor is it supposed to be. The tune they give you is nothing more than a base tune to begin with. It's impossible for any universal canned tune to be perfect out of the box for all applications. The AEM allows the EMS to be completely tuned for that single application, your tune in a box doesn't.

The AEM is a complete EMS, and completely customizable. The AEM is capable of FAR more than your canned tune is, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE AVAILABLE PARAMETERS TO GET THE OPTIMAL RESULTS! IT'S NOT MEANT FOR AMAUTURES TO BE MESSING WITH! If you can't spell, routinely complete proper sentences, lack the most basic grammar and punctuation skills, there's a really good chance you shouldn't be messing with an AEM to begin with.

The SCT is TOTALLY customizable as well,with the software.

I can`t make big words eether.

 

[Viper Specialty]

yea man....Just dynoes...Well you probally wont brake stuff on emm...

Last time the clutch went to the floor like this in the srt is was slave????Been a while but pretty sure.Hopefully the dealership can whip it back into shape.

Ok that was distasteful and I apologize if anyone takes it the wrong way. But it's 2 in the morning and my clutch went out on my first pass with my new mod..So cut me some slack.

Certainly sounds like it was just time on the clutch- it would also explain why you cannot get the times you used to get. Likely the master or slave, disc may also be cooked as well. Clutch fluid on the floor or not? did it totally go out like the linkage disconnected, or just like it has no fluid in it? [Spring return on the pedal...?] I have seen master linkage pop off the pedals a few time from work mater linkage rod and/or bad bushings.

PS- As always, if after you track or dyno the car w/AFR, you decide the program needs editing, that is of course done at no charge. I can e-mail you a new one based on the original with any changes you require.

 

[Viper Specialty]

This is a canned tune. If overall it works good for you, excellent, that's what it's designed to do! But to say you're more impressed with it than an AEM is just asinine. They are two totally different products meant to do two different things!

Although the AEM comes with a base tune, it is NOT configured as shipped with a perfect tune for your car, nor is it supposed to be. The tune they give you is nothing more than a base tune to begin with. It's impossible for any universal canned tune to be perfect out of the box for all applications. The AEM allows the EMS to be completely tuned for that single application, your tune in a box doesn't.

The AEM is a complete EMS, and completely customizable. The AEM is capable of FAR more than your canned tune is, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE AVAILABLE PARAMETERS TO GET THE OPTIMAL RESULTS! IT'S NOT MEANT FOR AMAUTURES TO BE MESSING WITH! If you can't spell, routinely complete proper sentences, lack the most basic grammar and punctuation skills, there's a really good chance you shouldn't be messing with an AEM to begin with.

While I would agree with you in THEORY regarding canned tunes and the fact that they are never going to be 100% for more than a car or two out there as all cars are different, you are off point regarding the capabilities of the AEM vs. the SCT. I tune both. I have seen a couple cars that could NOT be straightened out with an AEM, however the SCT ironically was caable of sorting the cars out, due to a slight difference in how it processes O2 inputs. It is quite possible to be more impressed with a seamless working SCT flash than a bulky overinstalled and underdelivering AEM system.

The factory ECU tunable with Laptop software via SCT [which Twister had the option to purchase] has almost all the same features as an AEM, with the only main exceptions being wideband capability and boost control. The factory ECU is technically a "standalone computer" by nature, and one that is MUCH more reliable than the AEM at that- it is just one tailored to controlling an N/A Viper engine.

The only computer systems that actually hold true to what you are saying are Pectel and Motec, and the AEM is not in the same league as those ECUs, and it shouldn't be, since they cost 3-5x as much as an AEM. Dont think I am talking down AEM. They have their place in the market as a reasonably priced system for boosted cars. However, IMHO, they are closer to the SCT on the scale of things than the top tier systems that our market has to choose from.

 

[VIPER R]

Do they make a Paxton tune?

 

[Viper Specialty]

Do they make a Paxton tune?

We will work with you to make a Paxton tune, but they are not available in "Boxed" form, as S/C engines are much more sensitive to damage from a bad tune, bad gas, etc.

We can send you a "boxed" tune with all the generic changes we make, but we wont edit AFR and Timing unless you supply a Dyno sheet first with AFR, or make specific requests for fuel or timing changes. That is not to say that Gen-3's especially cannot benefit from even the generic version, there are a few things that are NOT boost friendly in the Gen-3 stock program which can and should simply be changed or turned off in ANY case.

 

[Jroc]

So for me to buy the SCT and have my tuner able to tune. What exactly do I need to buy?

The handheld, software, and flasher?

 

[Viper Specialty]

So for me to buy the SCT and have my tuner able to tune. What exactly do I need to buy?

The handheld, software, and flasher?

Box Tunes Order: https://www.viperspecialtyperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=98

Tune Yourself: https://www.viperspecialtyperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=170

 

[Nixon's SRT]

I have the Mopar ECU. Does this tune improve on the mopar tune?

 

[Viper Specialty]

I have the Mopar ECU. Does this tune improve on the mopar tune?

Yes it will. The Mopar tune has a few changes, but thats about it.

 

[Twister]

in reguards to the aem vrs sct tune

Like I said. I spent TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS on my AEM and picked up 5 peak rwhp and 20-30 rwhp under the curve on my bolt on 1999 Viper.The AEM was a surprise birthday present. it was in preperation of me getting a ROE SUPERCHARGER..The AEM had some issues with the grounding wire wich caused the rpm's to jump around on their own and the car would sometimes loose the tune for seconds or minutes...



THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I PAID $399 FOR THIS PRODUCT..AND SO FAR AM VERY IMPRESSED.

Trust me I have no loyaties to anyone. If the sct starts giveing me problems or my 1/4 mile testing reveals the car is slower than before ect. YOU GUYS WILL HERE ABOUT IT

 

[plumcrazy]

Dan, remind me...what can the SCT do for a boosted car ? other than the obvious skip shift, cell lights etc...

does it work well with nitrous ? can it be used as a WOT, RPM switch ? I doubt it but figured id ask.

 

[Herc]

Yes it will. The Mopar tune has a few changes, but thats about it.

Gen 4?

Herc

 

[dragon rider]

Worked great for me. My stock computer was very rich 11.2 from 4500 to 6k. Now its at about 12.7 from 4k to 6k. Timing was advance a little. I'm happy with the results. Overall nice power gains. But gaines will be a reflection of how good or bad the car was tuned from the factory.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Dan, remind me...what can the SCT do for a boosted car ? other than the obvious skip shift, cell lights etc...

does it work well with nitrous ? can it be used as a WOT, RPM switch ? I doubt it but figured id ask.

Other than the obvious and basic stuff, you can change the base fuel maps for cars with different head/cam profiles, change the WOT AFR and base timing to better flow with your boosted platform, scale injectors into the PCM so that you dont need a VEC-2/3 doing it externally, correct injector offset problems, etc.

Yes, it can be used with Nitrous, but no, it cannot add features to the PCM that were not part of its programming from the beginning.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Gen 4?

Herc

Sorry Herc, there are no other options for the Gen-4 at this time except Mopar ECU, Motec, and Pectel.

 

[Twister]

update


went and pumped the clutch some this morning and she seemed to regain full strength...

Was headed to the dealership when I realized that I still had the sct tune loaded on the car..DOH!!!!

So I drove back home and loaded the stock tune back into the car and put the sct tuner in my closet ( dont want the dealership seeing that)...

Now keep in mind that I had just drove the car 2 miles on the way to the dealership and then back home with the sct tune loaded..

I loaded the stock tune back in and BAM...Car started bucking in first gear and a lil in second gear and the stupid skip shift was as evil as ever and the car idled more rugged and the exhaust sounded horrible...NONTHING WAS WRONG...

But that is just how good this tune is...I cannot recommend this product enough..Even if you dont want power or the skip shift dosent bother you...Just the improved 1st gear low speed cruising with no bucking and surging is worth the price...And it advertises better gas milage..But I have no idea on that..

Driving it back to back like that has left no doubt what so ever in my mind...I didnt want to say thanks till I did more testing...But man i cant resist..

Thanks a lot Dan....Seriously great job and better than I expected.


I got the car to the dealership and they are checking the clutch/slave ect. as well as the power steering ( been giving me a lil trouble)

Hopefully up and ready soon for some 1/4 mile testing...Dyno as well...

heres my baby all sad on that stock tune at the dealership...

 

[Herc]

Hope they don't check your ecu, took my Ram in last year with a blown inter-cooler, the 05 half year
plastic one, and they would not cover it because they said they knew I had a program in the truck
because the ecu only had 15 miles on it. Good luck.

Herc

 

[Viper Specialty]

Hope they don't check your ecu, took my Ram in last year with a blown inter-cooler, the 05 half year
plastic one, and they would not cover it because they said they knew I had a program in the truck
because the ecu only had 15 miles on it. Good luck.

Herc

I would RAISE HELL over that one. Tell them to prove it. Better yet, ask them to plug in to ANY other car in shop, and I bet before you fill one hands worth of fingers, you will find at least one other car that has the mileage completely wrong. Those counters in the PCM's are all over the damn place half the time.

 

[Twister]

Im probally good because my origional pcm malfunctioned 6 months ago and I had to get this new one after rain had somehow damaged it..

Id just say oh oh looks like it's messin up again....

 

[Twister]

update

car has a major power steering leak...new parts ordered under warranty..Dealership said nothing about mileage on pcm or the sct tune....Find out more monday..Hopefully testing the sct soon

 

[Canyon707]

I can't imagine a warranty issue with the steering. Has nothing to do with a tune. I found most dealers want the work anyway and won't say a thing about anything. Hard times for a lot of dealerships.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

I would RAISE HELL over that one. Tell them to prove it. Better yet, ask them to plug in to ANY other car in shop, and I bet before you fill one hands worth of fingers, you will find at least one other car that has the mileage completely wrong. Those counters in the PCM's are all over the damn place half the time.

If a vehicle comes in and it says the ECU was reset X amount of miles ago, they can ask who?
Why?
When?

If not performed by a dealer or Tech, and no proof of this and why, warranty can be denied.

Some dealers look the other way, some don't. With the way warranty work is paid, I wouldn't look the other way either. Flat rate ***** enough with allotted time, warranty is that much worse.