There are a few guys that have both, hopefully a couple will chime in with some replys for you.

 

Re: DiabloSport vs SCT

Diablosport and SCT.... Those are two companies with a wide variety of products. I assume you're trying to compare the Diablosport Predator and the SCT Xcalibrator2. I've used both so I'll try to share my thoughts...

Diablosport Predator:

+ Better user interface. Everything is right there on the device. 4 arrow buttons, an Enter button and an ESC button. Five lines of text. Backlit screen.

+ Stable and mature product. It's been out for many years so the bugs have been worked out except for a few.

+ You can set Traction Control to default to OFF and you can still turn it ON with the factory switch.

+ WOT shift points are adjusted by RPM.

- Does not let you adjust part throttle shift points or converter lock/unlock points (auto trans only).

- No upgrade path. The full blown CMR package is for dealers, not high end users.

SCT Xcalibrator:

+ Holds 3 tunes on the device. Great for nitrous users. You can switch tunes at the track in under a minute. Almost like having a flip chip.

+ Allows adjusting part throttle shift points and converter lock/unlock points (auto trans only).

+ Can easily upgrade to a single user Pro Racer Package for full blown tuning by the user

+ Has PC-based and on-device tuning capabilities. However, tunes edited on your PC can only be edited on the PC and tunes edited on the device can only be edited on the device. You can't edit a tune at home then go to the track and tweak it again with the device.

- Screen has 2 lines of text and the device has 4 buttons. No backlight. Can't see shit at night.

- Still quite a few bugs. Some features aren't fully operational yet.

- Lets you permanently disable Traction Control but you can't turn it back on without reflashing.

- WOT shift points are set by MPH. Same thing in the end but it takes getting used to.

I switched from the Predator to the Xcalibrator2 mainly because of the part throttle and converter adjustments. It also sets me up for getting the pro-level kit later. I think the Predator is great for novice users if that's all you need. Plug it in, tweak a few things, flash it and you're done. You get decent datalogging capability and an OBD-II code reader. If you think you might get deeper into tuning or have a need to tune an auto trans, I'd recommend the Xcalibrator2. The learning curve might be steeper but it's the only one out there that can tune an auto trans and you'll have a better upgrade path.

The price difference between the two is negligible. A used Predator can be found for around $250 but don't expect any support from Diablosport directly. It's not an issue since this forum is the best Predator support forum out there. Support for the Xcalibrator2 is out there too. SCTFlash.com is probably you're best bet. A used Xcalibrator2 can be found too but it gets a little tricky. There are two kinds actually and you have to know which one you're buying. The 9415 SF can be used on just about any Ford OBD-II car. It has canned tunes for a wide variety of Ford vehicles. The 9400 needs tunes from a dealer made specific to your car. Buying a used 9400 means you still need to buy tunes from a dealer. Either tuner needs to be uninstalled by the previous owner before you can install it in your car. If you buy used, make sure the seller does this.

After typing all this, I reread your post and realized you already purchased the Predator. I think it's a great tool. Have fun with it and quit shopping for it after you've made a purchase. You'll just piss yourself off. Scan through all the threads in this subforum. There's lots of good Predator info here. If you have more questions, post up.

 

PS. These discussions on the Predator and Xcalibrator2 usually draw a lot of arguments. Keep in mind that you are comparing the sub-$400 end-user tools, the Predator and the Xcalibrator2. Sometimes die-hard SCT fans will point out the features of the PRP, which is an $700+ pro-level tool. Not an end-user tool. This often confuses the issue so be aware.

 

Wow..thank you for such a detailed explanation! I did not think anyone would bother to help. I am very new to the tuning thing and have read many of the forums over the past year. Even after reading all the various posts it is still hard to figure out what to do first. I am hopefully getthing the Diablo Sport on Monday and will see how easy it is to use. I do have an auto trans in the 02 GT so when you said that if you have an auto trans the SCT might be a better option? Should I return the Diablo Sport? My future upgrades are not that extensive...I am planning on putting in 4:10 gears (if I can find someone in the Baltimore MD area that is reasonable) and the typical bolt on stuff over the next few years. Hopfully the Diablo Sport can grow with the changes I plan on making. I did purchase it from a Diablo Sport dealer with a dyno but I dont think I will need a custom tune for quite some time.

Does anyone else have any opinions on this?

 

+ Has PC-based and on-device tuning capabilities. However, tunes edited on your PC can only be edited on the PC and tunes edited on the device can only be edited on the device. You can't edit a tune at home then go to the track and tweak it again with the device

asbolutly untrue
you can program a custom tune then when at the track remove or add timeing if the tune left that feature unlocked..

I do it all the time with my xcall2

the real only drawback operation wise is the xcal does NOT allow you to pul the tune OFF the xcall then edit it on the computer ..

where as with a predator you can take a tune off the hand held then tweak it.

 

I do have an auto trans in the 02 GT so when you said that if you have an auto trans the SCT might be a better option?

The stock programming feels like it shifts into the next gear too early. I wanted it to hold the gears longer before shifting. I switched from a Predator to an Xcalibrator2 because I wanted to adjust my part throttle shift points on my own. You do have other options. You can purchase a custom tune from a Diablosport dealer and ask for a modified shift schedule. It may take a few revisions of the tune to get the shift points tweaked to your liking so if you go this route, choose a dealer that will work with you on this.

asbolutly untrue
you can program a custom tune then when at the track remove or add timeing if the tune left that feature unlocked..

I do it all the time with my xcall2

Are you saying if I bought an Xcalibrator2 today and downloaded Extreme Tune, I can edit my tune on my PC then edit the same tune on the device? If this feature is already available with the Extreme Tune software, can you show me where?

 

Just to add something... The Predators are only good for a few different years of vehicles. Such as the 05-06 mustang or 99-04 mustang. You cannot use a Predator from one specific appication to tune another or to read/clear codes. Some have the ability to read/clear codes like the 03-04 cobra predator will work on the 99-04 cars I think. Then you look at the Xcal2 and it will work on pretty much any OBDII Ford car.

The Predator is good for all of the on device stuff. Easy to use the unit and big screen. The Xcal2 starts to offer more when used with a laptop. In the end both units can do most of the same stuff. If you are getting the Predator I wouldn't get rid of it right away. See how you like it.

00Roush

 

Any of the EEC series Predators will check/clear the codes on EEC-V based vehicles, likewise with CAN based Predators.

 

asbolutly untrue
you can program a custom tune then when at the track remove or add timeing if the tune left that feature unlocked..

I do it all the time with my xcall2

Are you saying if I bought an Xcalibrator2 today and downloaded Extreme Tune, I can edit my tune on my PC then edit the same tune on the device? If this feature is already available with the Extreme Tune software, can you show me where?

Well? Has this been made available with Extreme Tune yet? Or are you mixing in the professional level tool into an end user tool discussion?

 

It can be done in Live Load.

 

I know I can edit an XTR on my computer and load it Extreme Tune. Or I can take an LL3 and load it with LiveLoad and edit it on the device. Is there more to this now?

 

Any of the EEC series Predators will check/clear the codes on EEC-V based vehicles, likewise with CAN based Predators.

Sorry I am not familiar with what EEC series came in what car. Are the 96-04 mustangs a EEC-V?

How about datalogging?? Will a Predator that can check/clear codes datalog on the same vehicle?

00Roush

 

I've used my Predator that I had for my 04 Mustang to read and clear codes on my 96 Ranger.

 

If anyone knows how to edit an XTR tune on your PC then edit the same tune on the device, post up links or instructions. So far, this capability does not exist with the end user SCT tools.

 

Well it isn't really something that should be discussed in this forum as it is for diablosport support. I do believe you can get the file converted by the guys at SCT. Post up your question in the SCT support forum on here and Justin will probably be able to help.

I guess I stand corrected about the Predators only being good for a few years. I guess it has to do with the type of processor used. I had my problem when I tried using a 2005 Mustang Predator for a 2000 Mustang. Completely different pcm.

00Roush

 

Sorry I am not familiar with what EEC series came in what car. Are the 96-04 mustangs a EEC-V?

How about datalogging?? Will a Predator that can check/clear codes datalog on the same vehicle?

00Roush

Yes you can datalog on other eecv vehicles, just be sure to do a live table reset first so it will pick up all the available parameters.

 

Well it isn't really something that should be discussed in this forum as it is for diablosport support. I do believe you can get the file converted by the guys at SCT. Post up your question in the SCT support forum on here and Justin will probably be able to help.

I have looked on SCT support forums and I don't believe this capability exists. Two posts above seem to say it does. In this comparison of the Diablosport Predator and the SCT Xcalibrator2, accurate and up to date information is critical. If you can indeed edit a tune on your PC then edit the same tune while it's on the device, then let's point that out in this thread and I'll correct my post. Or we can just let any readers go on their own hunt. :shrug:

 

Well what I think you have to do is use your current xtr file and change it using extreme tune. Then go on the SCT forum and request a file change to LL3. Then you can use the live load software to upload the tune to the xcal2. From there you should have the ability to modify the tune on the device. The only thing is that you cannot get that tune back off the device.

I will say that I have not tried this but according to what information is on the SCT forums this is how it is done. I use the Pro Racer software to do all of my modifications to the tune so I don't really need the other stuff.

00Roush

 

That was why I posted Post #4.

 

Well I got the Performance Tune Installed last week but when I installed it I did not the three different tunes like is shown on the Diablo Sport Website. I was under the impression that I could choose between a 87, 91 or 93 octane tune but I did not see those options. Did I miss something? I had 87 octane in the tank and did not want to risk pinging because it said I had to use 93 so I uninstalled the performance tune. I only drive it on weekends so I have not burned through the tank of 87 yet. Where the three tunes that were supposed to come with it???

 

The Mustang Predator only has the 93 octane tune, you can run 87 octane by removing around 20% timing.

 

Both diablosport and SCT are fine but I prefer most the diablosport.. and uhmm since this has been so long, just wondering how things are going now after choosing the diablosport, for sure you're happy and made the right choice..

 

Wow, 4+ year gap on this one. Nice....

At any rate, I have the same question. I have a 2000 GT auto and would like to get a handheld. I have a Predator for our 2008 Dodge Charger Hemi and LOVED it. What a difference it made.

Since much of this post is so old, WHAT HAS BEEN CHANGED OR UPGRADED ON THE PREDATOR U7146? I think that's a question worth asking.

-

 

The U7146 is all different, it has all new tunes, new params, and it has 87, 91 and 93 octane tunes now

 

Cool! Thanks Mike

Can you still have the traction control default to OFF? How about part throttle shift changes?

Also, on the Charger, it had a Cold Air Intake option for each octane cal (89 regular, 89 CAI, 91 reg, 91 CAI.....). Does the Mustang version have this as well? Does the cold air intake change the cal that much? Is it just adding a couple % more fuel?

Thanks for any update!