'Zack' tunes now for sale!

[Zack]

Ive been flooded with tuning requests as of late, so I feel its time to offer my services to the club.
Im really only capable of accomidating NA Marauders, since Im not a 'tuner' by trade.
What sets my tune apart from others is MY transmission settings and Torque converter values. I think Ive nailed the critical adjustments to make transmission shifting happen as quick as possible, and that equates to a faster car. Just ask ctrlraven who went 13.7's with 355 gears :eek:

Along with this, you are almost 100% guaranteed same day service and FREE adjustments down the road.

To supercharged members, I can tweak your file so long as you have it in .zcf or .mtf format.

Files will be delivered electronically to your email and will be $25.00 collected via paypal.

Should you need a tune, I will need the following:
Computer code
Gear Ratio
Tire Size
Mods

I DO NOT SELL TUNERS, sorry. Although I have a dealers license with SCT, it is only feasible to buy 20 or more units and I cant commit to such a large buy-in.

That about sums it up, I look forward to helping out :up:

EDIT: I have all computer codes from 1996-2004. I can help you with your other vehicles as well

[KillJoy]

I have Zacks Trans Tune in MY car. It is BY FAR the BEST I have used <cough>!!!

:up:

KillJoy

[merc]

For those that are setting on the fence about getting Zack’s mail order tune take a look at the facts. I have spent thousands of dollars on tunes in the last 6 years and watched the devolvement of tuning for the Marauder. For those who have followed my car you know I have been plagued with transmission issues for the last 8 months. I purchased a built transmission from Darrin (A vendor on this site) last winter. It had all the bells and whistles. After having the new engine and transmission combo tuned by a local shop we thought it was time to have some fun. 5 runs down the 1320 cost me my transmission and 1,800 dollars in repairs. I called all the Gods of tuning about the issue and asked how this could happen. It seemed that everyone was willing to look at the file but only one person fixed it. I was truly desperate and was willing to drive 10 to 15 hours to have this nightmare of a problem removed. Zack was able to quickly diagnose the problem, create a remedy, and E-mail the corrected file in less then 24 hours. Now you can’t bet that for service.

This Sunday I will be returning to the track for the first time knowing that all my transmission shifts will be positive. No more torque converter shutter, No more unlocking the converter in 2 gear, No more exaggerated line pressure setting leading to extremely hard shifts.

[sd8683]

How does one get your tune from email to the tuner, and how many tunes does an xcal3 hold?

Sean

[Bigdough]

So which tuner do I need? XCal 1, 2, 3???

[Zack]

The link to download Live Load 3 is:
http://www.sctflash.com/software/liveload131.exe

[Zack]

So which tuner do I need? XCal 1, 2, 3???

Any of the 3 will work.
Link to all software drivers/updates here:
http://www.sctflash.com/tsupdates.php

[ctrlraven]

Z-Tunez is open for business!

Zack I got my 4.10 gears, just have to figure out when to get them installed and I will be contacting you. It will be nice to run 13.7's on street tires now running with the drag radials is going to be real fun.

[rvaldez1]

I was lucky enough to get a base tune from Zack...I got the tune very fast with no hassle.

[ImpalaSlayer]

i have one of Zacks tunes ready to roll for 4.10s as soon as the shop calls me to bring my car in!

[SILVERSURFER03]

is the tune self explainatory or will i need directions for the install ...... hummm

[Joe Walsh]

Would you attempt a tune for a heavily modded N/A engine like mine?
Too many CAMmers have wasted engines AND transmissions this year and I don't want to join the club!
I have avoided drag racing mine all year because my current tune is not correct.

I feel more comfortable with a dyno tune, BUT my current dyno tune is running too lean....and idling too low...:o

(I'm bandaid-ing the lean condition by running Sunoco GT100 gas...I have an old SCT 9100 and have not bought a new tuner yet.)

[TooManyFords]

Would you attempt a tune for a heavily modded N/A engine like mine?
Too many CAMmers have wasted engines AND transmissions this year and I don't want to join the club!
I have avoided drag racing mine all year because my current tune is not correct.

I feel more comfortable with a dyno tune, BUT my current dyno tune is running too lean....and idling too low...:o

(I'm bandaid-ing the lean condition by running Sunoco GT100 gas...I have an old SCT 9100 and have not bought a new tuner yet.)

When you say it is running too lean, are you reading this on a wideband O2? If you are trying to remove a knock condition, then you should pull timing. If you haven't changed the compression of the motor from factory, then the base fuel table should be fine regardless of the mods you have. Either way, Zack should be able to fix this.

John

[Vortech347]

Good luck on things Zack:beer:

[Zack]

Would you attempt a tune for a heavily modded N/A engine like mine?
Too many CAMmers have wasted engines AND transmissions this year and I don't want to join the club!
I have avoided drag racing mine all year because my current tune is not correct.

I feel more comfortable with a dyno tune, BUT my current dyno tune is running too lean....and idling too low...:o

(I'm bandaid-ing the lean condition by running Sunoco GT100 gas...I have an old SCT 9100 and have not bought a new tuner yet.)

You have more displacement, cams, etc.
Go to a DYNO :up:

[Evasfunk]

Great guy and great tunes!!!:beer:

[Paul]

You said the existing tune file has to be in .zcf or .mtf format. What software is this? How can a tune file in .ll3 format be converted?

[CRUZTAKER]

Hi.

My name is not Zack,

But I support this message!

[Paul T. Casey]

...and I had to have the Diablo :bigcry:... All you fence sitters, re-read Merc's post.

[ctrlraven]

...and I had to have the Diablo :bigcry:... All you fence sitters, re-read Merc's post.

Never too late to change over to SCT.

[ImpalaSlayer]

what he said ^


can picked up used tuners for pretty cheap on ebay

[KillJoy]

Buy an SCT 9100 on EBay (unlocked).

I think there might be places that sell XCal2's for about $200 (no tunes), but I cannot prove this.

KillJoy

[Glenn]

Sorry Zack, I do not want to hi-jack this thread. But, I have a mint NA 4:10 tune SCT 9100 blue with original box and directions plus PC cable and power transformer for $100. I will pay shipping. If anyone is interested I could mail it to Zack and he could install your tune and mail it to you.

Glenn :burnout:

[Mike]

Hi.

My name is not Zack,

But I support this message!

So do I :bows:

[Zack]

Forgot to mention, I have all Ford computer codes from 1996-2004.
This is not just limited to Marauders :up:

[High-C]

Forgot to mention, I have all Ford computer codes from 1996-2004.
This is not just limited to Marauders :up:

I might enlist you to do some tinkering on my F-250... I would love to see if you could wake it up with better shifts etc... Just an idea...

[sd8683]

I would love to try out one of zacks tunes but not at the expense of sacraficing one of my tunes.
So how many tunes does an excal3 hold??

Sean

[Eric-Blk2004]

Sean it holds 3

I am not sure how to use it though....my Xcal is in the trunk of my beater car.

I havent touched it since DEZ did to put the tune on the car lol. I am not a mechanic for a reason!

[HiHo]

I might enlist you to do some tinkering on my F-250... I would love to see if you could wake it up with better shifts etc... Just an idea...

I had the same thoughts for my 2000 Lightning. I have a Xcal3 from Lidio. My understanding was that the tuner is good for only one car... i.e., I could not have a tune for the Marauder as well as one for the Lightning on the same Xcal. Is this correct?

[Vortech347]

Its VIN locked once you install a tune on any computer.

[Zack]

Its VIN locked once you install a tune on any computer.

..but you can return it to stock and use it on up to 4 other vehicles.

[KillJoy]

If your Tuner will provide you with your "Tunes" that you paid for, in a file format that can be put onto a HandHeld Tuner, you can store all of your "Tunes" on your PC, and slide them onto you Handheld Tuner at will. This is what I do.

This cannot be done w/ the SCT 9100 (blue), because it needs a special cable to load "Tunes" onto it with.

:up:

KillJoy

[Spectragod]

Forgot to mention, I have all Ford computer codes from 1996-2004.
This is not just limited to Marauders :up:

MMM. my E250 sucks major a$$, a tune is just what it needs....... I have a spare tuner......

[Vortech347]

I did what KillJoy does.

Yea, thats what I ment Zack, you have to have the stock tune back on the original car you put it on before using it on another car. Technicly you could have a tune for 3 cars on there but when you go from car to car you'd have to put the one you're leaving back to stock and re-program the one your getting into.

Right?

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

This cannot be done w/ the SCT 9100 (blue), because it needs a special cable to load "Tunes" onto it with.

I built this "special cable" with about $3 in parts from radio shack, and a spare 12v adapter I had kicking around. I load tunes to the 9100 and I can use extreme tune to change TC lockup, shift timing, shift firmness, gear ratio, etc. of a tune provided in XTR, which Zack did for me.

[KillJoy]

I built this "special cable" with about $3 in parts from radio shack, and a spare 12v adapter I had kicking around. I load tunes to the 9100 and I can use extreme tune to change TC lockup, shift timing, shift firmness, gear ratio, etc. of a tune provided in XTR, which Zack did for me.


Well.... quit bogarting the plans and POST THEM UP!!!

:up:

KillJoy

[Bigdough]

Any of the 3 will work.
Link to all software drivers/updates here:
http://www.sctflash.com/tsupdates.php

Badass. Im on the hunt, been dying to get a tune but couldnt spare the cash. Now I know I can get an older one and you will hook me up. Thanks man, you will be hearing from me soon. :banana2:

[Embassy]

Well.... quit bogarting the plans and POST THEM UP!!!

:up:

KillJoy


Ditto. :stupid:

[ctrlraven]

For people who don't have a SCT xcal 2 or 3 unit they are always on ebay for sale. Even if its for another vehicle you can wipe the tunes out and unlock the device via LiveLoad program by SCT. ImpalaSlayer got his unit used with 2003 MM tunes on it, dumped them and loaded his tune onto the unit and into the car with no problem.

Zack had seen one of my unhappy post after installing my 3500 stall converter and then getting an updated tune which made the car even worse to the point I didn't like driving it at all. Zack asked a few questions and a couple days later I was loving my MM again. Zack really understands how important things to do with the transmission are. That's how I was able to get a few 13.7x runs in with minimal performance mods.

Now seeing how effective my 3500 stall is with a shorter gear (3.90 effective rear gear on 255/50-16 drag radials) I am going to step up to 4.10 gears (4.43 effective rear gear on the drag radials) and try to run faster with still the least amount of mods.

Zack I can't say thank you enough for all your help.

[Zack]

Thanks for the kind words, glad to help :D

[bob6364]

Now seeing how effective my 3500 stall is with a shorter gear (3.90 effective rear gear on 255/50-16 drag radials) I am going to step up to 4.10 gears (4.43 effective rear gear on the drag radials) and try to run faster with still the least amount of mods.

Zack I can't say thank you enough for all your help.

Ok now i understand, guess that 3500 stall makes a difference,I wasn't happy when I read another car did 13.7 on 3.55's when my best was 14.5 with 4.10's and a Lidio tune all other things being equal... thats almost a sec faster!

[KillJoy]

Ok now i understand, guess that 3500 stall makes a difference


.....so does the Tune, the Tires, the Track, the Weather, and the Driver.

;)

KillJoy

[bob6364]

.....so does the Tune, the Tires, the Track, the Weather, and the Driver.

;)

KillJoy

I understand that but 8 tenths is a ton on the track,it was at Epping,NH (a fast track) weather was hot (but not too hot) and i had street tires but i was cutting pretty good lights...guess i'll have to upload his tune and try it :beer:

[Eric-Blk2004]

Drag radials make all the difference in the world thats about 3 to 5 tenths off the times.

I personally value street tire times more - since thats what I use...

[ctrlraven]

I really don't contribute my ET decrease to the drag radials themselves but because their smaller effective rear gear that helped me get into the powerband a lot faster.

With Zack's street tire tune I did 14.19 on 255/55-18 tires (effective 3.50 rear gear). Loaded up the drag radial tune and made a world of difference.

I figure now with 4.10s I will be running what I did with drag radials but on street tires (effective 4.04 rear gear).

There are so many factors, I pulled my drivers headlamp out, just above 1/4 tank of gas, low-mid 60's temps, took whatever wasn't bolted down out of the car and did not hot lap. Run once then waited 60-90 mins or longer before running again.

[Eric-Blk2004]

Yea but we both agree the traction made the difference - no point in getting into power band if there is no traction.

Drag radials make all the difference

[Zack]

If you are driving a NA Marauder (I dont care what mods you have) at the track and spin out of the gate, the track has not been prepped properly.

[Vortech347]

Agree'd. It boggled my mind the last time I went to the drag strip and hooked with 275's on my stang in 1st. I usually get a partial "squeel" when I take off in the Merc.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/500hp-Mustang-347-Drag_167524.htm

Hooking with all seasons. :)

[Vortech347]

Zach do you remove the speed limiter? I may get bored driving and have to get a little nuts on my way back.

[Paul T. Casey]

If you are driving a NA Marauder (I dont care what mods you have) at the track and spin out of the gate, the track has not been prepped properly.

For once, I tend to disagree. Street tires can easily be "spun out the gate" if you want. A quick look at all my 60 foot times will tell me when I left too hard. A bone stock Marauder will probably spin on a properly prepared track if you try to leave at say 1900 rpm.

[justbob]

I could show you a video of mine spinning the RR all the way to 3/4 track before i saw smoke and let off. This was obviously bad clutches, street tires and 55 degrees however.

[ctrlraven]

Zach do you remove the speed limiter? I may get bored driving and have to get a little nuts on my way back.

Yes it is removed.

[scruff]

rev it up and dump the clutch lol

[bob6364]

rev it up and dump the clutch lol

There are a few clutches in my
Marauder unfortunately Mercury didn't see fit to give me a pedal to control any of them :D:D

[bob6364]

I really don't contribute my ET decrease to the drag radials themselves but because their smaller effective rear gear that helped me get into the powerband a lot faster.

With Zack's street tire tune I did 14.19 on 255/55-18 tires (effective 3.50 rear gear). Loaded up the drag radial tune and made a world of difference.

I figure now with 4.10s I will be running what I did with drag radials but on street tires (effective 4.04 rear gear).

There are so many factors, I pulled my drivers headlamp out, just above 1/4 tank of gas, low-mid 60's temps, took whatever wasn't bolted down out of the car and did not hot lap. Run once then waited 60-90 mins or longer before running again.

I was going for a real world number actually so I left the spare in and actually left the headlight in i had between 1/4 and 1/2 a tank did you weight the car? I was 4360 with a 280 pound Polack behind the wheel :o

Just bought a Zack tune today so will be testing next time up at Epping.

[ctrlraven]

Most of the time I do to cause real world numbers count more. I guessimate mine around 4500 +/- with me in it.

[Zack]

There was a recent thread here:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46816
I believe it was directed at me, but I stand down if this is not the case.


Im not selling an SCT product. Im selling MY product CREATED with SCT software.
MAP pricing does not apply to sales of tunes, only physical product.

If worse comes to worst, I will sell you a document on how to water plants with a free tune as the attachment :rolleyes:

EDIT:
Picture of Liveload screen. Notice the first word..... IF

[Eric-Blk2004]

Good for you Zack!

[Paul T. Casey]

I was going for a real world number actually so I left the spare in and actually left the headlight in i had between 1/4 and 1/2 a tank did you weight the car? I was 4360 with a 280 pound Polack behind the wheel :o

Just bought a Zack tune today so will be testing next time up at Epping.

Sept. 3rd.

[martyo]

Zack: Did you ever get the pinion angle issues straightened out?

[burt ragio]

Hmm what could Zack do for my slug ?

[FordNut]

Zack: Did you ever get the pinion angle issues straightened out?

Yep, I'm very happy with my control arms.

[bob6364]

Sept. 3rd.

I don't see Sept 3 being a problem ...:beer:

[knine]

Hmm what could Zack do for my slug ?
I had a slow BLUE . I'm guessing lots. I like my tune.

[Zack]

Folks, Ive learned a lot from this short lived experience...

Sadly, its either continue to make my tunes available for a heck of a deal, or lose a great friend and some aquaintences as well.
Ill choose the friend.

For the record, I have had an SCT Dealers License for 5 years now and kept it only for my own benefit. I didnt want to sign up as another option/vendor for the club for the simple fact of letting the other vendors make the $$$ and support their families. I am not a speed shop, they are. Let them make the money.
I did, however wait these 5 years until I felt the MM aftermarket was starting to fizzle away, which it is :bigcry: I felt by doing this, the popular vendors will have moved on to other projects and no longer relied on the Marauder to support their livelyhood. One vendor has, the others have not.

So Im leaving it at this. If the handful of 'Zack Tune' customers need future support, ill be here for you.
To those who were interested.... sorry, we are closed.