Maybe this should be it's own post but it started here so I will put it here but it's basically a LMS 87 tune review.
For those who remember or care, I went back to stock tune at the end of last year due to the drastic price drop in 87 octane and the fact that 93 didn't follow as closely. (now that 87 is under $1.40 and 93 close to $2 is another story)
Most if not all of us drove the car stock at some point. Obviously, I lost a lot of the fun factor from driving on my 93 tune, but since it was winter, I didn't mind so much as conditions don't really allow for a lot of fun anyway. Anyway, I never ran the car on 87 even pre tune, so I have no comparison, but I was pleasantly surprised that most of the power stayed, and my mileage was still in the 24 mpg area. (I do a lot of Hwy miles) Tony at LMS saw my post and offered to send me an 87 tune which would allow me to put my 3bar back on the car and adjust some of the shifting characteristics on the car. I gladly accepted and reinstalled the 3 bar and updated the tune about 2 weeks ago.
Note: I realize there are a lot of variables here, including outdoor temps, winter gas chemistry, winter tires vs. eagles, butt dyno only, etc. but I wasn't able to locate anyone else on here running an 87 octane tune so I thought I would put my thoughts out there.
On the LMS 87 tune I have noticed 3 major things:
1. The car seems to run alot quieter, over 93 tune or stock. I can not figure out why that is, but it's almost silent when not under load, like Prius silent.
2. It seems to run and shift smoother than both stock or 93 tune. I can't say why, obvious the lower noise is part of this feeling, but it almost feels like I am coasting all the time (best way I can describe it). I assume the shift points are similar to the 93 tune, but due to less power, it just shifts easier???
3. Mileage is WAY worse.- than stock or 93 tune.
3a. With the 93 tune and 93 gas, I was getting 23 to 24 mpg, when driving nice.
3b. With the stock tune and 87 gas, I was still getting around 24.
3c. With the stock tune and 93 gas, I was getting 24+ (I ran this way when I first got the car Dec 2014-June 2015)
3d. With the current set up, 87 tune with 87 gas, I can not seem to get it above 20mpg, avg for the last 3 tanks was 18.7 mpg.
*All MPG measurements are based on the Ford computer calculations, I've done none on my own (Pump / ODO between fillups) But I assume it's pretty accurate.
My guess is that it's the more aggressive shift points that accounts for the majority of the loss of mileage but I can't think of what else would contribute to it. I haven't done the math yet, but I have a feeling that the increased mileage will justify me going back to the 93 tune. I may switch back when this current tank empty's to see if my mileage holds up like I remember it.
Overall: I appreciate LMS taking the time to make the 87 tune for me. It's nice to have in the programmer for situations where low quality gas might be the only thing available. The biggest benefit I believe is the ability to drop down to 87 without having to pop the hood and swap our the 3 bar and 2 bar. However, my purpose was to try to take advantage of the large spread between 87 and 93 octane, and I believe the decrease in mileage might make the 87 gas (1.34 today) less of a value than the 93 (1.95 today). Especially when you factor in the loss of power and more frequent stops at the pump. (again, I haven't actually done the math).
Anyone else's thoughts are appreciated.
