Mustang enthusiasts are always looking for ways to add more power to their Mustang. Back in the day it was a lot easier, you bolt on some parts, turn a few screws on the carburetor, you’re ready to get on the road. Today’s Mustangs are computer controlled and a lot more intimidating to some people.

The computer will allow for minor modifications, as soon as you start adding any kind of real power adders, you get the dreaded check engine light. Thankfully the aftermarket has a solution. Handheld tuners such as the SCT XCAL3, will allow you to put a performance tune on your vehicle so you can take advantage of all the performance parts available for your ‘96 and up Mustangs.

This XCalibrator 3 is going to include the custom tuning device itself, instructions on how to load it, software and a cable so you can plug it in your computer for future downloads, as well as the SCT Emblem.

When you order SCT XCalibrator 3 Tuner from us we’re going to ask you a bunch of questions before we can ship it. We need to know modifications to your car, what year the car is, what tire size, what gear ratio, as well as your computer code. Sometimes the computer code could be a little difficult to locate.

Let’s take a walk out in the shop, we’ll show you how to find it.

Well, in 2005 and newer Mustangs, the computer code is going to be located under your hood. Computers over here on the passenger side of your engine compartment, year 2011 through 2013, it’s going to be the first number at the bottom there right before the barcode. On your 2005 through 2010 model, computer code is located on a little white sticker on the bracket for the computer.

On all 2005 a newer Mustangs, the OBD-II Port is going to be under the dash. Simply follow the headlight switch down to the bottom of the dash, plug your tuner in to power it up.

On your ‘96 through 2004 Mustangs, the computer’s going to be located in the passenger side kick panel. For your ‘99 through ‘04 Mustangs, Ford tried to do us a favor by putting a small decal the computer code in the inside of the door. Unfortunately, over time, they’re usually not readable.

Removing the kick panel to access the computer really is no big deal. You’re going to start by removing the door sill plate. Put your hand underneath and lift upward. Then you can slide the kick panel out and out of the way. You may have to slide these harnesses a little bit aside and you’ll be able to see the code right there on top of the bar code.

In the ‘96 through ‘04 Mustangs, your OBD-II Port is located underneath the dash, kind of behind the radio. Right back here. You get a blue start up screen followed by the CJ logo. This is your main menu. It’s going to pull up the programmed vehicle. You’ll also have options for checking your engine with vehicle info, data logging, dealer information, device settings, device info, and back to program which what we are going to be doing so we want to hit select. Options here is going to be Custom Tune, Strategy Tune or Return to Stock. You want to make sure you use Custom Tune. All of our tuners are going to come with a Custom Tune for your vehicle. Hit Select. Performance disclaimer you have to hit Select to accept. Now when you turn your key on, not to start, just one click before; hit Select. At this point it’s matching the tuner to your vehicle, it’s going to take anywhere from a few up to maybe 30 seconds. So it matches, turn the key off, Select to continue. Our two options here are going to be either an 87 Octane tune or a 93 Octane tune. In our case this car has 93 octane so we want to select 93 and hit select to continue.

Adjust engine options. We give the option to make small changes to it based on the tune. In this case we’re just tuning for the first time, we don’t want to change anything, we’re going to select No.

This point is asking us if we want to program with the CJ 93 Octane Tune, we do, we hit Select to continue, and one more time to begin the program. Follow the instructions, turn your key On. At this point you’ll probably hear your fan come on, you might hear your fuel pump shut off and on, this is all normal. It’s currently uploading the tune. Now it’s downloading the engine part of Performance Tune. Once the tune is finished, it will tell you to turn the key Off, hit Select and you’re ready to try out your new tune.

You expect to see at least a 10 Horsepower gain on a stock Mustang. Modified Mustang is going to see much larger gains. If you’re looking to do any kind of performance work to your ‘96 and up Mustang, make sure you pick up an SCT Tuner.

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How To Install Part Number XCAL3 Onto Your Mustang.

Overall Rating: 5/5

• 5 Stars
• 5 Reviews
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