HP TUNERS VS SCT:

A COMPARISON FOR 

PERFORMANCE ENTHUSIASTS

INTRODUCTION

This article was written in September of 2024. Things change over time so keep this in mind.

We offer several brands of hardware to get your tune. We believe in transparency, and we think informed customers are happy customers, in fact that is the motivation for this article. We tell our customers to think of HP Tuners vs SCT like Android phones vs iPhones. They mostly do the same thing, but there are important differences between the brands that might matter to you. Do you want to tune multiple vehicles with one device? HP Tuners is made for that. Are you looking for a device that doesn’t need a laptop and can hold multiple tunes for one vehicle? SCT is the way.

We don’t really care which device you buy; in fact, we sell all parts to you below the minimum advertised price or MAP (what is MAP) when you bundle them with a tune service. We are an authorized SCT dealer and HP Tuners distributor which means we are not allowed to advertise products from either company for less than MAP. We can tell you the cost in order from lowest to highest for our SCT and HP Tuners products is X4, BDX, Livewire (Ford only), and MPVI3 (includes 2 credits worth $100 towards vehicle license). Just add products to your shopping cart to see the real price (yea we know that’s dumb, but these are their rules not ours).

HOW DO TUNING DEVICES WORK

The basics are the same, you plug a device into your vehicle’s diagnostic port and upload or “reflash” the tune a computer for the engine and/or transmission of the vehicle. The tune is a modified version of the factory program. Typical changes to add power, performance, and fuel economy are to increase ignition timing, boost, adjust air/fuel ratios, and make the transmission shift firmer and faster. The device will be used to make a backup of the stock tune file, then erase the factory programming, and finally re-write the modified tune program back onto the vehicle computer.

But before we get too deep into it, let us answer the most important question first. Which device gives the most power? It’s a trick question. We can create identical tunes, optimized to your specific vehicle with your specific modifications with either device, so don’t worry about that part. Read on to understand more about the differences and then pick the best system for you.

FORD, GM, MOPAR - WHAT TUNER DO I USE?

These days the lines are blurred; SCT and HP Tuners support vehicles from many different brands. Don’t worry, we only offer compatible devices for each vehicle we have services for. There are some advantages for one brand over another depending on the vehicle manufacturer.

In general, SCT is linked to Ford, and they will likely be first to market with the newest Ford vehicles (like the 2024 Mustang GT). The SCT devices allow you to remove “features” that most performance minded vehicle owners find annoying like TPMS monitoring and auto start/stop.

HP Tuners has strong ties to GM, and they are typically first to market with the newest GM vehicles (like the C8 Corvette). The HP Tuners VCM scanner software will allow you to command a specific gear for most GM automatic transmissions, relink the VATS system, perform a crank relearn, or temporarily override the idle speed, and some other “advanced” features.

Both companies have flirted with Dodge. We would say that SCT was leading the way on anything before 2014, but then they dropped the ball. In fact, SCT does not support any 2015 or newer Dodge. HP Tuners is what most people use to tune any Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram made after 2015. The VCM scanner program will allow you to adjust the differential gear ratio on most Mopar vehicles.

THE TOOLS OF TUNING - HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND DATALOGGING

The tuning process will be the same no matter what vehicle you have or Tuner brand you choose. You will use a “suite” or combination of device hardware and windows software. This suite is used to load tune files from your device to your vehicle, and to send us datalogs about the engine and transmission operation. You can download and install the software to datalog and transfer tune files for SCT and HP Tuners at no charge.

Side note: if you don’t want (or have) a windows computer to get your custom tune then the SCT BDX is the product for you. These devices use WiFi to send tune files and datalogs directly to us through the cloud. No windows laptop is required. 

 

AN OVERVIEW - SCT VS HP TUNERS

We think it is important to understand the business strategy for the different tuning device manufacturers to make the best decision for your needs. The TLDR is that if you’re only tuning one vehicle and want the lowest price you can skip the rest of this article and just buy the SCT X4. If you want to tune more than one vehicle we would recommend the HP Tuners MPVI3.

HP Tuners wants to sell their hardware once (called an MPVI3) and their software (in the form of vehicle licenses) many times over. It’s relatively expensive and complicated for one vehicle, but it quickly makes sense if you want to tune 2 or more vehicles in your driveway. Each time you tune another vehicle you will have to buy a license for that vehicle from HP Tuners. The thumb rule is that 2015 and older vehicles are $100 to license and 2016 and newer are $200 to license. There are certainly exceptions, and newer vehicles like the 2022.5-2024 Silverado with the 5.3 or 6.2 will cost you $1,100 in HP Tuners licenses and unlock services just to get started (all that and no tune!).

HP Tuners does not offer any ready-made or preloaded tune files for any vehicle. Each tuner shop or individual must use their knowledge and expertise to edit the tune file and develop tune options for each model of vehicle. The MPVI3 device requires a windows laptop to load the tune files and record datalogs. You can connect extra sensors like EGT or Wideband O2 sensors to the MPVI3 device as long as you buy the add-on Prolink cable ($50).

In contrast, The SCT company does not sell vehicle licenses. Their business model is to sell one of their hardware devices for each vehicle that is tuned. They do not actively market their tune editing software to end-users, but it is available (called ProRacer) and you can buy it from us. SCT has developed tune files for each vehicle and preloads them on their devices. All the SCT devices lock to one specific vehicle. This means if you want to tune 3 vehicles you need 3 SCT devices.

SCT devices have preloaded tunes files for most vehicles from Ford, GM, and Mopar. The tunes are directly developed by SCT with options like daily, tow, street, race, 87, 89, 93, octane and more. If you have a vehicle with stock parts and are looking for a quick way to add more power the SCT devices are an excellent choice.

If you are leaning towards SCT but have a few bolt-ons (intake, exhaust) or you want or need a custom tune, we can provide that as well. We start with the preloaded SCT tune but adjust it to meet the specific mods for your vehicle and to get you more power.

SCT devices also allow you to connect extra sensors like EGT or Wideband O2 if you buy the add-on analog input cable ($12).

HARDWARE COMPARISON

The HP Tuners hardware

  • Sells one MPVI3 hardware device that is designed to be used across many different years, makes, and models of vehicles.
  • Charges a license fee for each vehicle you tune.
  • Does not have any preloaded or already made tune files.
  • Technically has standalone datalogging features but we find them to be cumbersome and don’t recommend this feature to our customers.
  • The reality is that the HP Tuners MPVI3 requires a windows laptop in the vehicle for everything (save stock tune file, flash a tune to the vehicle, record datalogs, send tunes and datalogs back and forth to us).
  • No, you don’t need to have a laptop in your vehicle all the time. You can flash a tune file, unplug the device, and go. You don’t have to drive around with anything plugged into the diagnostic port.
  • Allows for multiple tune versions but requires you to have a laptop with you in the vehicle to change the tune.


The SCT hardware

  • Includes preloaded or ready-made tune files for each vehicle. These tune files are developed by SCT themselves through a combination of dyno and street tuning.
  • We can take these base files and then customize them to your vehicle’s specific modifications.
  • You do not need a laptop in the vehicle with the SCT devices to make changes or get datalogs.
    • All SCT devices store multiple tune files (tow, street, race, 87 octane, 93 octane, etc) directly on the device.
    • All SCT devices store datalogs directly on the device.
    • All SCT devices allow you to change tunes anytime just by plugging in the device and flashing the different tune files.
  • You can flash a tune file, unplug the device, and go. You don’t have to drive around with anything plugged into the diagnostic port.
  • SCT does not charge a license fee but instead they lock or “marry” their device to one specific vehicle.
  • Yes, you can flash the vehicle back to stock and use the device on a different vehicle.
    • This is called unmarry, and you can only do it 5 times before you must pay an unlock fee.
    • So, if you’re thinking you will just switch one device between your car and truck on a regular basis, it doesn’t work that way.

SCT X4

  • All X4 devices look the same but “under the hood” there are 3 models specific to Ford (X4 7015), GM (X4 7416), or Dodge (X4 7215) vehicles.
  • The X4 is the lowest cost.
  • The X4 devices require you to take the device to a windows computer (could be laptop or desktop) to load the tune files we send you and to transfer us datalogs.
  • Think of the X4 as a “memory stick” between your car and your computer. You plug into the computer and load tunes to the device. Take the device to the vehicle and transfer the tune to the vehicle computer. Then drive the vehicle and use the device to record datalogs about the engine and transmission. Now take the device back to your computer, get the datalogs from your device to your computer, and then send the datalogs to us.


SCT BDX

  • The BDX has WiFi and doesn’t need a laptop. Receive and transfer tunes and datalogs all through a cloud connection. This might be a big deal if you don’t want to use (or don’t have) a windows laptop.
  • We’ve found that using the hotspot through your phone works well, but the home WiFi is best.
  • The BDX is more expensive (by $45) but it works universally with Ford, GM, and Dodge, so if you use it on your Mustang, but then trade it in for a Camaro, you can use the same device. Just make sure you unmarry the device from the vehicle before you trade it in.

SCT Livewire TS+

  • The Livewire TS+ programmer has a large touch screen.
  • It is only available as a programmer for Ford vehicles. You can use it on GM and Dodge, but only for monitoring gauges.
  • On Fords, it operates like the X4 in that it works like a “memory stick” and you need to take it to a windows computer to transfer tunes and datalogs.
  • The big screen is perfect to monitor things that are not usually on the factory gauges. Keep an eye on transmission temp, intake air temperature, knock sensors, commanded AFR, and more. They can also display external sensors like EGT and Wideband O2 sensors.

SOFTWARE COMPARISON

HP Tuners Software

The HP Tuners software is called VCM Suite. There are two different software programs, VCM editor which is used to modify the tune file, and VCM scanner, which is used to record datalogs about the engine and transmission. It software leans more towards the needs of professional tuner shops. If you are new to tuning, you should have realistic expectations on the time commitment and frustration associated with learning any new skill. HP Tuners is a good choice for enthusiasts who are tech savvy and want to dive in, follow along, and maybe even start tuning for themselves.

Things to know:

  • You can tune more than one vehicle with the same hardware (again, the hardware device is called an MPVI3 in HP Tuners land).
  • Each vehicle requires you to purchase a license before you can flash a tune.
  • After you license a vehicle, you can flash it an unlimited number of times.
  • You will need a Windows 10 or 11 laptop, but it doesn’t have to be powerful or expensive.
  • We have used the $149 Walmart Gateway laptop many times with no issues.
  • The need for a laptop comes with its own set of things to consider.
    • The laptop battery needs to be charged.
    • There are cords everywhere inside the vehicle.
    • For datalogging you must drive the vehicle with the laptop plugged into the diagnostic port.
    • Sometimes you need to be connected to the internet (phone as a hotspot is ok).
    • They tend to slide off the seat in “spirited” driving conditions (a good reason to use the cheap $149 Gateway laptop)
  • With great power comes great responsibility. There are no restrictions, and you have full access to everything. You will see the stock tune program, you will be able to review and see any changes your tuner makes, and you can modify the tune yourself. We don’t mean to alarm you, but it is absolutely possible for a novice to make changes that will damage the engine, transmission, or both.
  • You will need to be comfortable with computer stuff. At a minimum you should be able to download and install software, understand the windows file explorer to know where different tune files and datalog files are saved, and be able to find and attach those files to an email and/or upload them to a website (like Dropbox or Google Drive).
  • HP Tuners (the company) does not offer any ready-made or preloaded tune files. Every tune in “HP Tuners land” has been created by a third party. This isn’t good or bad, but we think it is important to understand that quality can vary.

 

SCT Software

The SCT software suite consists of a program called Device Updater (used to transfer tune files) and a program called LiveLink (used to transfer datalogs). The SCT suite is designed for users looking for convenience and performance gains without needing to dive into complex tuning software. This software is used to get files off your SCT device so you can send tunes and datalogs back and forth to us. Usually, SCT users don’t bother to look at the tune files or the changes that have been made. That is possible but adds some cost. More on that below.

The software to make changes to the tune that authorized tuner shops use (PCM Tuners is an authorized SCT Tuner) is called Advantage III. This software requires a USB security dongle to open. Most tuner shops buy unlimited license files for a particular vehicle or range of vehicles. We currently have all the licenses for SCT supported GM, Mopar, and Ford vehicles, both Gas and Diesel, through 2022. There is an end-user version of this software called ProRacer ($349 MAP Price). It also requires a USB dongle to open and use, and it is typically restricted to the operating system (called strategy) of one specific model of vehicle (such as the 2017 Mustang GT). The ProRacer software also comes with the preloaded tunes (called value files) that the SCT company developed for that particular vehicle strategy.

This is a great way to build confidence and have a guide when you are getting into tuning. You will see what changes are made to what tables, and by how much. Frequently used tune tables and settings will have short descriptions of what they do and sometimes even advice on what to change.

If you want to use SCT hardware and have preloaded ready-made tune files available, but you also want to see and edit the tune file for yourself, this is the software for you.

Lastly more vehicles strategies can be added, usually at $100 each. If you get into tuning with SCT and ProRacer, the same rules as VCM editor apply:

  • With great power comes great responsibility. There are no restrictions, and you have full access to everything. You will see the stock tune program, you will be able to review and see any changes your tuner makes, and you can modify the tune yourself. We don’t mean to alarm you, but it is absolutely possible for a novice to make changes that will damage the engine, transmission, or both.

CONCLUSION

If you’re looking for maximum control and flexibility, the HP Tuners MPVI3 is what we recommend. They support many vehicles and have a powerful software suite. However, if ease of use and preloaded performance are your top priorities, the SCT BDX provides a simpler, faster path to tuning your vehicle.

Each device has its strengths, so the right choice depends on your level of tuning expertise and how hands-on you want to be with your vehicle’s performance.