| Power programmers. Performance tuners. Call them | | | | A lot of people rant and rave about the SCT livewire. |
| what you will. I lay out the strengths and weaknesses | | | | Why? This hand held programmer comes with three |
| of Jet Chips and SCT tuners. | | | | built in tunes for economy, economy while towing, and |
| What the heck is a power programmer? Power | | | | all out performance. This unit loads its program into the |
| programmers are little devices that you plug into you | | | | truck through the trucks diagnostic port. The Livewire |
| car's computer that alter your vehicle's factory | | | | also offers the ability to check and clear trouble codes |
| settings, allowing for more power, better mpg, and | | | | as well as calibrate the speedometer for larger tires. |
| overall improved performance. Where's the downfall | | | | SCT has tuners for most new vehicles; both diesel |
| you ask? Beats me! | | | | and gas. The SCT livewire also comes with a screen |
| There are many types of hand held diesel | | | | about three times larger than the competitions. |
| programmers out there, the ones we are going to talk | | | | Best SCT Claims: |
| about today are the Jet Chips' performance | | | | -Gain up to 33HP/35ft-lbs torque for gas; 120HP |
| programmer and the SCT livewire power tuner. They | | | | 240ft-lbs torque for diesel (varies by vehicle) |
| both have similar functions and power increases - and | | | | -Maximum Fuel Economy Tune delivers fuel mileage |
| a few unique features to each. I will summarize the top | | | | gains of up to 2 MPG, depending on your driving style |
| selling points from each product's manufacturer. | | | | -Smoothes throttle response and increases |
| Let's take a look at the Jet Chips. First of all, tuners are | | | | performance across the entire power band |
| excellent additions because you can easily transfer | | | | -Livewire also holds up to 3 custom-tune files for |
| them from vehicle to vehicle. That means you won't | | | | heavily-modified vehicles |
| have to purchase another performance programmer | | | | -Preloaded tuning means you can enjoy your Livewire |
| when you upgrade to a new ride. Also, there is a free | | | | right out of the box |
| extreme program available on the company website | | | | -Includes a built-in, high-intensity yellow LED shift light |
| that adds additional options for off-roading. On some | | | | -Real-time instrumentation records and displays MPG, |
| trucks the extreme program adds up to 23 extra | | | | horsepower, torque, quarter-mile and 0-60 times |
| horsepower! The more modifications you have, the | | | | -Easily return your vehicle to the factory tune for |
| more gains you will see from your Jet Chips | | | | scheduled dealer maintenance |
| programmer. | | | | -The Livewire does not void your vehicle's |
| Top Jet Chips Claims: | | | | manufacturer warranty |
| -Ability to modify air/fuel ratios, ignition, shift points, shift | | | | Overall, I recommend the SCT Livewire. It will probably |
| firmness, top speed limiter, and rev limiter specs | | | | run you almost $200 more, but it's worth every penny |
| -Gas vehicles gain between 22 and 29 horsepower | | | | in opinion. You will be saving money ever time you fill |
| and up to 40 lbs. of torque, depending on engine size | | | | up at the pump. You can avoid expensive mechanic |
| -Duramax LZ7 engine gains up to 100 horsepower and | | | | costs every time the "Check Engine" light comes on. |
| 170 lbs. of torque; Duramax LLY gains up to 95 | | | | And your truck or car will be more fun to drive. Who |
| horsepower and 175 lbs. of torque | | | | doesn't want more power? |
| -The Jet Performance Programmer can calibrate your | | | | If you are looking for added performance, but don't |
| speedometer or let you read and clear diagnostic | | | | want to empty your piggy band, go with the Jet Chips |
| trouble codes | | | | tuner. If you want optimum power and options, go with |
| -The Jet Performance Programmer installs in minutes | | | | the SCT livewire. |
| and takes less than 20 seconds to begin tuning | | | | |