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Tuning with minimal upgrades

Started by lsfox86, January 09, 2017, 03:01:26 PM

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f8tlSHO

Quote from: derfdog15 on January 10, 2017, 07:00:05 PM
Quote from: lsfox86 on January 10, 2017, 05:44:31 PM
Will I be safe running the 91 tune on a daily basis without doing spark plugs, sensors, or thermostat?

I guess what I'm trying to understand is the following: by upgrading the plugs/thermostat/sensors, am I protecting my engine or am I gaining additional performance?

More than safe, you just won't be able to run as high of boost. The MAP Sensor allows for higher boost, and thus higher torque/horsepower.

Plugs, I have yet to do, my car just put down well over stock power on the dyno, has been tuned for 7k or so, no issues.

Stat, I did more to make drag racing consistent, not needed unless you want a bit more constitancy. It can help with keeping knock retard down, but is not necessary.

Since you went LME, just make sure they know your mods and they will send proper tunes accordingly. Once you want more, you can start with small upgrades and go from there.

With regards to the mentioned mods, my order of recommendation would be 3Bar (~$45), stat ($~60), plugs (~$60)

For actual power gains, best bang for the buck mod wise seems to be tune, and then downpipes.
Have you posted those numbers yet?


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2013 Non PP Unleashed 93 E20 3 Bar Tune, K&N drop in 12.491 @ 110.96 120's IAT
Now tuned by ajp...looking to go faster
E30 tune on14psi full weight including 2 child seats,race like a real street car.
12.433 @110.8 140's IAT; Mustang Dyno 332hp / 386tq

derfdog15

2015 Tuxedo Black SHO PP -(SAE corrected): 369.4/451.4 - Gone to the automotive graveyard but not forgotten

2016 F150 FX4 Sport - 3.5L V6 Ecoboost - Stock for now

2003 Redfire V6 Mustang - Building to be an 11 second car

lsfox86

#32
For daily driving, I've read that some folks like to run the 89/91 tow tunes to maximize lower end (< 1/2 throttle) performance and smooth shifting.  Can anyone speak to this?

As a tuning newbie, I want to start out with the most "set it and forget it" option, especially considering that the vehicle is, aside from exhaust, stock.  Rather than jumping around from different settings right off the bat, I'd like to get set up and just drive for a couple weeks to really get the feel for the tune. 
2015 - LMS tune - 160 thermostat - Borla cat back - K&N drop in - HID headlights/fogs - K40 radar

derfdog15

Quote from: lsfox86 on January 11, 2017, 12:33:47 AM
For daily driving, I've read that some folks like to run the 89/91 tow tunes to maximize lower end (< 1/2 throttle) performance and smooth shifting.  Can anyone speak to this?

As a tuning newbie, I want to start out with the most "set it and forget it" option, especially considering that the vehicle is, aside from exhaust, stock.  Rather than jumping around from different settings right off the bat, I'd like to get set up and just drive for a couple weeks to really get the feel for the tune.

First off, the catback really is mainly noise fluff. It will not have many if any gains.

I have no experience with tow tunes, but as LME has said, ask them questions to your hearts desire. if you want the tune to maximize low end (less than 1/2 throttle) performance and shift smooth (stock like-rather than race-like), I would ask them. Fuel will dictate how much added performance you can get, and you will have to decide what fuel you want to run. You can always run better fuel than a tune calls for (ie. 93 on a 91 tune) but CAN NOT go the other way(NEVER EVER do 91 on a 93 tune, etc.)

Hope this helps
2015 Tuxedo Black SHO PP -(SAE corrected): 369.4/451.4 - Gone to the automotive graveyard but not forgotten

2016 F150 FX4 Sport - 3.5L V6 Ecoboost - Stock for now

2003 Redfire V6 Mustang - Building to be an 11 second car

lsfox86

Heres an update:  I received my LMS tuner and set up the 91 performance tune yesterday.  As I was told to expect, the shifting is definitely more "firm" but nothing too crazy.  I took the car for a spin last night, including a little time on the highway, and I am overall happy with the performance.  It is shifting at higher RPMs and I especially noticed increased power when stepping on the gas at 60 mph.

In addition to the 91 performance tune, I also received 87 and 93 performance and 91 towing.  I decided to start with the 91 tune but am already itching to load the 93 (I am running 93 octane fuel).  How much of a difference is there between the 91 and 93 tunes?  Will I really notice it?

I also ordered a K&N drop in filter and new plugs from LMS (gapped at .030).  So the real question is, whats next?  Thank you guys for all the help up to this point - I have learned a lot.
2015 - LMS tune - 160 thermostat - Borla cat back - K&N drop in - HID headlights/fogs - K40 radar

MiWiAu

#35
LOL. I love it. :)

You were looking for some plug-and-play and already asking "what's next?". Same thing happened to me, man!

"I'm just going to put a tune on there to liven it up a little." Now I have a PRP license. :P

Next? I vote downpipes!!



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2013 XSport

derfdog15

Quote from: MiWiAu on January 20, 2017, 05:38:57 PM
LOL. I love it. :)

You were looking for some plug-and-play and already asking "what's next?". Same thing happened to me, man!

"I'm just going to put a tune on there to live it up a little." Now I have a PRP license. :P

Next? I vote downpipes!!



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Seconded, after a tune, downpipes will be the most noticeable change. After that its all supporting mods, until you upgrade the turbos.
2015 Tuxedo Black SHO PP -(SAE corrected): 369.4/451.4 - Gone to the automotive graveyard but not forgotten

2016 F150 FX4 Sport - 3.5L V6 Ecoboost - Stock for now

2003 Redfire V6 Mustang - Building to be an 11 second car

lsfox86

Quote from: MiWiAu on January 20, 2017, 05:38:57 PM
LOL. I love it. :)

You were looking for some plug-and-play and already asking "what's next?". Same thing happened to me, man!

"I'm just going to put a tune on there to live it up a little." Now I have a PRP license. :P

Next? I vote downpipes!!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup - I think I got bit by the bug. 
2015 - LMS tune - 160 thermostat - Borla cat back - K&N drop in - HID headlights/fogs - K40 radar

lsfox86

I wanted to take a second to give a little update on my now-tuned 2015 Explorer Sport.  It has been a couple weeks since I installed new plugs and a K&N drop-in filter, and up to this point I have run the LMS 91 and 93 performance tunes.  To begin, the difference between stock and the 91 tune is definitely noticeable.  The shifts are firmer and take place at higher RPMs.  The car takes off a little bit faster, and I really notice the power when stepping on the gas at highway speeds. Other than that, I did a 500-mile road trip and did actually notice about a .5 mpg difference with this tune.  Anything helps, I guess.  After first installing, it did take a couple days of driving to soften up the shifts, like several of you noted.

Concerning the 93 tune, I honestly did not notice much difference over the 91, which kind of surprised me.  93 octane fuel is very easy for me to find in FL, and my original plan was to run this 93 tune for the long run, thinking it would deliver the best performance.  However, after driving each tune for one week, I think I prefer the 91 tune.  I can't exactly put my finger on why, but the car seems to be a bit more drivable and the difference in power is negligible.  What gives?  I haven't had the chance to drive the 93 tune on the highway, but maybe thats where it would really shine.  Any thoughts on this?  Should I give the 93 another chance?

On a side note, I took the car to Ford for an oil change today (after flashing to stock the day before).  I got the opportunity to speak to the tech while he was working on it, and without being asked, he told me that he saw that it had been "chipped."  He didn't seem to care, and I didn't really push him or ask any questions.  I figured I should share that information in case anyone is under the mistaken impression that a simple flash to stock will make the tune invisible to Ford. 

2015 - LMS tune - 160 thermostat - Borla cat back - K&N drop in - HID headlights/fogs - K40 radar

SHOdded

An assumption on his part, probably seen enough people do it.  Only Ford can "unlock" specific info, AFAIK.
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

glock-coma

I think they can see only see that ecu information has recently been accessed and how many times. but many different things can cause that.  The torque app with the mx adapter, Sct x4 used as gauges, code scan at autozone, e-check, Dead battery, KAM reset. Basically anything that pulls info from the ecu via the obd2 port.
If they dig deeper I believe they can see other parameters but I'm not sure which ones.
2010 red candy metallic non PP 402B
AJPTURBO 2 BAR Tune Stock 14.1@100.3 / Tuned 12.83@107.7
K&N panel, RX OCC, Sp-534 @.30 Tint 50%F-35%R BOV bypass
1997 SHO silver frost (sold)
1990 SHO triple black 5-speed (saved my life)

FoMoCoSHO

Quote from: lsfox86 on February 09, 2017, 06:33:13 PM
I wanted to take a second to give a little update on my now-tuned 2015 Explorer Sport.  It has been a couple weeks since I installed new plugs and a K&N drop-in filter, and up to this point I have run the LMS 91 and 93 performance tunes.  To begin, the difference between stock and the 91 tune is definitely noticeable.  The shifts are firmer and take place at higher RPMs.  The car takes off a little bit faster, and I really notice the power when stepping on the gas at highway speeds. Other than that, I did a 500-mile road trip and did actually notice about a .5 mpg difference with this tune.  Anything helps, I guess.  After first installing, it did take a couple days of driving to soften up the shifts, like several of you noted.

Concerning the 93 tune, I honestly did not notice much difference over the 91, which kind of surprised me.  93 octane fuel is very easy for me to find in FL, and my original plan was to run this 93 tune for the long run, thinking it would deliver the best performance.  However, after driving each tune for one week, I think I prefer the 91 tune.  I can't exactly put my finger on why, but the car seems to be a bit more drivable and the difference in power is negligible.  What gives?  I haven't had the chance to drive the 93 tune on the highway, but maybe thats where it would really shine.  Any thoughts on this?  Should I give the 93 another chance?

On a side note, I took the car to Ford for an oil change today (after flashing to stock the day before).  I got the opportunity to speak to the tech while he was working on it, and without being asked, he told me that he saw that it had been "chipped."  He didn't seem to care, and I didn't really push him or ask any questions.  I figured I should share that information in case anyone is under the mistaken impression that a simple flash to stock will make the tune invisible to Ford.
He was fishing.

Personally, I wouldn't let anyone that used the term "chipped" within 10 feet of my vehicle.

They don't randomly plug the car into IDS for an oil change.

I would've challenged his presumption.

AJP turbo

I was actually laughing at the use of the word "chipped"...its so outdated and inaccurate today
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

MiWiAu

Quote from: AJP turbo on February 09, 2017, 11:02:44 PM
"chipped"

Maybe he was talking about the paint? Haha

Did he drop a wrench on it while he was working on it, hence "recently chipped"?


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2013 XSport

lsfox86

Any input on the LMS 91 v. 93 performance tunes?
2015 - LMS tune - 160 thermostat - Borla cat back - K&N drop in - HID headlights/fogs - K40 radar