Quote from: Brucelinc on July 23, 2016, 09:38:42 AM
I am with you on the use of the 6F55. The upcoming 9 speed might be the greatest thing since sliced bread but we KNOW the 6 speed is a good transmission. My experience with Chrysler's 8 speed transmission is not that favorable. It has a tendency to not stay in top gear at the slightest little hill or even into a headwind. It keeps "hunting" for the right gear since the OD ratio is so high. The primary purpose of the 8 and 9 speed transmissions is fuel economy to meet CAFE requirements. Sometimes, that flies in the face of real world usage. Not saying the Ford/GM 9 speed would be problematic at all but we don't yet know how it will perform.
I am very interested in your experience with the 3.0. Later this year I am either ordering a Continental or MKZ with that engine but I will definitely want it tuned. Your experience and comments on how you like your MKZ with the stock 3.0 will be helpful to me.
Oh I will definitely be getting my MKZ tuned as well! Today I did go over and play with the Dealer's demo that just came in. Can tell they were already enjoying it as it racked up 70 miles already and it literally just got here. Granted its hard to gauge a car when its new, but I can say this so far on the 3.0T AWD w/Driver's Package (I would NOT get the FWD only model). I can already give you a bit of a performance demo just from testing one today. You should definitely go test out a 3.0T AWD MKZ w/Driver's Package just to get an idea if thinking on it or a Continental. I say the Continental is great especially if you will utilize rear seats for passengers a lot more.
Compared to my tuned 100 Octane running Fusion, it naturally went 0-60 far faster, absolutely no tire slip even on the all season stock tires (and I already have Pilot Super Sports ready for mine), I just hammered the throttle and it went up to 60 which had to feel between 3.X to 4.5 seconds, and I say that's damn good for a stock tune. Would have to let a dyno or drag strip do the official reveal, but "butt dyno" is impressed.
I then took it to a on ramp to the freeway, the kind that completely loop around very tightly and warn to go 20 mph or less. Well, challenge accepted and went at it at 60 mph, no brakes and begin to turn and the car just keeps going. Midway during the turn I apply more throttle, no braking, and it just gets faster and clears at 75+ mph onto the free way like a bat out of hell. Other people would think you're probably insane to take a corner at such high speed, and yet hug the turn line with no slippage. I have never felt so confident taking an curving on ramp with such extreme speed. It probably could of taken more.
Dynamic Torque Vectoring definitely allows for some confident high speed turning action, as previous Lincolns were said to be very good so DTV just adds even more refined control and high speed power. I'm probably far more amazed since I'm coming from a FWD Fusion, to not just AWD but with the dynamic torque vectoring which doesn't reduce speed at all and almost encourages to go faster around corners.
It's like a roller coaster without any jerking, just smooth planted effortless power. Of course if the weather was bad, smart driving always takes priority regardless. It's reassuring to know just how effective the system is. I did not push this car hard at all. I didn't even engage Sport Gear and Lincoln Drive Control via Sport which adjusts the suspension to a Sport stance, which I like its sporty stance just enough that it isn't slammed looking but hides enough wheel gap well. Yet no need to fear bad roads like if you go with lowering springs since its all adjustable. Comfort for when the road is really crappy, Normal for a nice balance, and Sport for when you want the optimal cornering potential on a good road.
As for the transmission itself, shifting felt much smoother and efficient especially in the early gears. It handled the torque demand quite well for a stock tune. Though its hard to fully judge until it "learns your driving style" which is the problem the 6F35 gets, it becomes lazy even if you drive spirited or aggressive, then needs a reflash to break that bad habit. I'll just put good faith in it.
I will do more in depth more of a review as soon I get my own car to tinker and inspect, but in terms of performance: This MKZ delivered big time. It's going to be one hell of a sleeper, especially if just a tune and quality fuel touches it. Yet be so refined at displaying its power.
To all the rest, thank you again for the welcomes! I'll start my vehicle thread once I get my MKZ...hopefully Monday after work.
