Whipple Installed, Dies with any Tune Besides Stock

I finished the install on my Whipple several weeks ago, and ordered a tune update for my SCT X4 from one of the big name tuners to accompany the blower. I don't have a reputable tuner near me, so this was cheaper and more practical.

Every tune they have sent me idles very well, then immediately dies with a touch of throttle. If I stab the pedal, it will rev up then bounce back and forth ~500rpm from wherever I have the throttle. I'm not naming them until I'm sure it's not a screw up on my part, but service has been awful. I've had direct communication to an actual tuner one time, and they do not answer calls or return voicemails.

I've checked and triple checked wiring, connections, etc, on the install and can't find anything mechanically wrong. I'm using the base Whipple kit, and the only weird thing I'm doing is using 60lb injectors from my Lightning - not 60lb Whipple injectors, mind you. Here's the kicker - the stock tune runs and drives, albeit rough, without dying at all.

I'm talking to a local dyno shop that uses HPTuners, and they say they don't use SCT for glitchy issues like this. Before I spend $900 on their tune in addition to the no refund policy from the big name tuner, has anyone encountered an issue like this before or does anyone have another reputable email tuner that might be more responsive?

Given that it runs and drives on the stock tune, I'm leaning towards the tune being the issue.

PS Shout out to JJ at Woodbine Motorsports who has been tuning my Lightning at the same time and offered some help on the Raptor until he discovered he didn't have support for my ECU strategy. He was even on the horn with SCT about this issue. I bought the Whipple kit from him for a VERY good price, and he's revered in the Lightning community.

Is the SCT X4 updated to the latest firmware?

MTF said:

Is the SCT X4 updated to the latest firmware?

Click to expand...

Yep. First thing I did.

@Stricken

Whipple, JDM, Livernois all have good running tunes for the Stage 1 and Stage 2

I still haven't seen a Tune from HPTuners that runs on a Supercharged Raptor.
I would get it in writing that he can Tune it or refund the money.
There is one person that says he runs a HPTuners on his but he is NA.

MTF said:

@Stricken

Whipple, JDM, Livernois all have good running tunes for the Stage 1 and Stage 2

I still haven't seen a Tune from HPTuners that runs on a Supercharged Raptor.
I would get it in writing that he can Tune it or refund the money.
There is one person that says he runs a HPTuners on his but he is NA.

Click to expand...

I've heard bad things about the Whipple tune, JDM wouldn't tune anything but 47# or 78# injectors, and I haven't talked to Livernois. Didn't know they did custom tuning...

I have a JDM tune with 47 pound injectors and JMS boost a pump. I will get a stall out once in while during warm up rolling to a stop. IF it's running rough on stock tune almost sounds like a vacuum leak or un-metered air getting in. Should run smooth at idle and normal driving.

Stricken said:

I've heard bad things about the Whipple tune, JDM wouldn't tune anything but 47# or 78# injectors, and I haven't talked to Livernois. Didn't know they did custom tuning...

Click to expand...

I'm running the Whipple Tune, have been for 8 years, It's what Shelby runs.
So, there are thousands of Whipple Tuned Raptors out there. Never had a stall.
I know there's been a handful of people having issues but they didn't want to take the time of data logging and correcting any issues with the Tune, if in fact it was Tune related!!!

You issue does sound like something isn't right and your getting unmetered air in the system somewhere.
Or the MAF sensor is damaged or not connected solid enough.
Or a vacuum line isn't installed correctly or pinched.
I've seen the vacuum line controlling the By-pass valve can become pinched when it gets warmed upped.

Your choice of using injectors that were used in another vehicle does concern me a little.
What brand injectors are they and did you do a proper "cleaning and then lubricating" the injectors before installing them.
Whipple uses the Bosch injectors.

Spark plugs, did you gap them to 28?

Your going to have to tell me the exact mods with the Whipple and your truck.
Did you do any data logging yet?
Do you know what your Short and Long fuel trims are?

I'm running the Whipple 60 lbs. injectors, the 68mm TB, 3.250 pulley, full stock exhaust.
I'm running the Gen 2 compressor still, Whipple has a Gen 4 compressor now.
The gen 4 compressor will produce more boost at low rpm so if things aren't setup correctly any issues will be more pronounced.
Same goes for the 68mm TB, this TB makes the most power but your setup needs to be spot on or you will have issues.

By "rough" I meant not right. I takes a bit to learn the idle. On the stock tune, it revs up and slowly comes back down as it gets warm. It it's not missing - it just thinks the injectors are half the size they are. It also idles high when in gear. On the tuner's tune, it idles perfect as soon as you start it cold, but simply shuts off if you touch the throttle. There's no coughing, rev, backfire, etc, it's like the ignition is just turned off. I've sent them a datalog, but it didn't help.

I spent an hour gapping all those plugs to .028.

The injectors are Siemens. I thought something might be screwy with their impedance or something, but a couple of tuners have told me they should be fine. Also, they seem to work as you'd expect with the stock tune.

It's a Gen 4 Whipple with the Gt500 TB that comes with the kit. I already had a full SWorks exhaust prior to the install, and I didn't touch that. The only deviation from the Whipple kit is I went with a 3.25 pulley.

Something else that has crossed my mind is that this tuner doesn't usually do Whipples, but they do Roush. I'm wondering if they didn't try editing the Roush tune which I believe is encrypted, and it's coming through scrambled?

The Siemens does have a different spray pattern then the Bosch, not sure if that makes a difference.

When you say Full SWorks, does that mean headers?

My suggestion would be, before going to the Tuner shop is, give Whipple a call.
Talk to Jim, he used to work for JDM.

Yes, headers too.