New LMS tuned mkt, am i expecting too much?

[qak]

Hi my name is Chris, I have a new to me 2010 mkt that I basically stole lol.  Picked it up at a dealer for 6320!  I imagine because it had a little torque conv shudder but I fixed it by changing the fluid 3x and adding dr trans shudder fix. Anyway i ordered the lms tuner and waited almost a week for my tunes.  I just loaded the level 4 tune tonight and drove to get the kids, check engine light on so I called lms, they were very helpful but somewhere along the way I thought i needed a 3 bar map so I had ordered it with the kit and installed just before flashing.  Long story short that is why I got the engine light, anthony said the tunes are built with 2 bar unless I specifically tell them 3 bar.  After changing back to the 2 bar and driving it I noticed that it shifted a little more firm but nothing like I have read on here about the banging into gear!!  I actually wanted much more firm shifts but I will ask them tomorrow about that.  As far as the power......well I am not really impressed.  Now I did just get out of an 11.70 mustang but I did expect more power, I tried boosting it up and honestly I expected a little wheelspin but didnt get any.  I changed to the 4 plus tune and it ran a little better but still not quite what I expected,  so my question is am I asking too much or does it sound like I am lacking some power here?  Also will I get more power from the 3 bar or does that just come into play with the meth kit?  I will be getting the meth kit soon as long as it makes the changes in power I am expecting..........thank you for your time!

[SHOdded]

Welcome, Chris!  Hope the shudder fix lasts, because the actual fix is a new torque converter.

As to the tune, 4+ or 4X is what most people use, I think 4X mandates the use of 93 fuel, so be sure to follow the fueling recommendations.

As to the wheelspin, what RPM were you launching at?  Stock launches are best anywhere from 2200-2500 RPM, tuned launches 1800-2200 rpm on stock tires/pressures.  AWD is supposed to prevent wheelspin, that means the system is working well.  I don't think you can turn the traction controls all the way off on the 2010, that seems to be a 2013+ feature on the SHO.  May be same for the MKT but do not know.  Owner's manual will tell if so, for sure.

3 bar MAP is more about giving you more precision if you go near/over the 2 bar capabilities, including normal boost levels as well as spikes.  When you put on the 3 bar sensor, you better flash with a 3 bar tune or you will get all kinds of warning bells & chimes.  Engine will run rough/stumble because the voltage stepping is different than expected from the sensor.  Not a pleasant experience at all.

A tune + 3 bar will not put you anywhere near the times of the Mustang.  Plus you are in a much heavier vehicle, and in a Lincoln at that, meaning it is not as "brutish" as the SHO re: seat of the pants.  And the SHO is pretty refined LOL.  Now, I assume you have verified that boost levels are good, just in case the turbos are not working to full potential, undercutting the tune.

[donky4444]

On my SHO when I went from the 2 bar tune to the 3 bar my 1/4 mike time dropped by 0.4 secs. It will make a difference but not sure how much you'll feel on the old butt dyno.

[ZSHO]

Welcome there quak ! How many miles on your MKT? What's the DA ? (elevation)in your area.
Do you have any pics to share? I would make certain your vehicle is running @ it's fullest potential prior to installing a new Tune IMO.

FYI - staying on TOP of your vehicles maintenance aspect such as using high quality fresh fluids is crucial for optimum performance prior to running a Tune,especially new spark plugs preferably gapped @ Tuners Specs. 
Best of luck. Z

[AJP turbo]

On my SHO when I went from the 2 bar tune to the 3 bar my 1/4 mike time dropped by 0.4 secs. It will make a difference but not sure how much you'll feel on the old butt dyno.

I think that may have been slightly coincidental and some other factors were involved because that would be a great improvement. Because I've seen LMS 3 bar tune logs and they only target around 12.5 psi of boost  so I can't imagine the 2 bar tunes being much less than that because you would start to be near stock boost levels at that point.

I would say with a 3 bar tune you should expect 1/4 times of 12.8 to 13.8 I know that's a wide range but that's what I've seen from tunes from myself to LMS and basically every other vendor...SO many factors involved in producing good 1/4 mile times.

There is really very little need for a 3 bar map sensor. I haven't non meth LMS 3 bar tunes target more than 13 psi...I think 187 kpa is the normal target for them. And they use throttle control for boost spikes on WOT upshifts so the boost is controlled very well...The stock 2 bar MAP sensor can read about 206 kpa or a little over 15 psi.

If you happen to spike to say 16 psi on a 2 bar map sensor on a tune that was targeting 12.75 psi you might barely touch 16 psi and it would be very brief....If that happens the short term fuel trims would add the necessary fuel to maintain air fuel ratio's...It's not ideal but the ECU would easily handle that so really the only reason for the 3 bar is to handle proper fueling for boost spikes.

What were you expecting with your tune?...Without a dyno or 1/4 mile times it's hard to really say where you are at...But if you are running anything in the 12's or even real low 13's I'm not sure you would have grounds to be disappointed with just a tune

The turbos are only about 38mm so regardless of what you do that will always be the problem for making horsepower.

Yes that thing is a beast I was thinking MKS until I read the post again.

[glock-coma]

That  MKT is a beast size wise so times really won't be apples to apples.

[qak]

Shodded, thank you for the insight.  Yes this thing seems really heavy at least compared to my brothers mks!  I launched around 1800, I forgot to mention that my car has 255 tires instead of 245s, i will change to the factory size soon and this might be my problem for lack of wheelspin.   I have not verified the boost levels but will try this weekend.

Donkey4444, thanks, I think I will go ahead and ask lms for my 3 bar tunes just because i already bought the sensor anyway.


ZSHO, I think my altitude is around 700 here in kansas.  My mileage is 132k and I have changed the trans fluid 3x and the ptu twice.  I think that i got lucky that its a lincoln and didnt seem to be beat on like some sho's so the while the ptu fluid was black at least it still flowed, just very slowly and had a silvery appearance.  I changed it with royal purple and will change it again in the next couple of weeks to try and help her along. 

AJPTurbo, thanks, it really is a beast but i love this car so far!  I will just have to get a baseline then see what the tune changes make at the track or maybe a torque app.

Glock-coma, yes i have noticed how heavy this thing is lol.  It is more nimble feeling after the tune though.



So thank you guys so much for the insight and the replies.  I do want to add the meth injection soon and the required tunes to match.  I love my turbo cars whether it be a diesel truck or a car and LOVE power!!!  Im an old gear head from the 80s growing up and always had big block chevelles and buicks etc.  This car is so fun but I know it has much more in her, just safely lol.   As far as my torque converter.......how will i know if its my conv slipping or my transmission?  does the torque app show trans slippage or conv slippage?   Can lms add more line pressure to help with that?  I dont mind rebuilding the trans if I have to since im in the car so cheap but would rather wait if I could.  I dont have any pics of the car I can add here but I will try to add some soon.  Thanks for the help!

[qak]

Found a link for my car still on craigslist.  This was their buy it now price but I got them down to 6320!!


https://kansascity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2010-lincln-mkt-ecoboost/6307015415.html

[qak]

Just got back from a drive with the torque app.  If its to be believed, I dont think its anywhere near where it should be in terms of power. 
accel....  .75
boost......14
0 to 60....6.4s
1/4 mile.....15.1 @95.1mph
1/8th mile.....9.8 @77.1

Now this is figuring the weight at 4200 pounds for the app and I might be wrong on that figure?? It does seem much quicker than factory but IDK to me it seems lacking a bit.  Maybe I will be happier with meth and the required tunes.  However I am very happy with the car in general, especially with the price.  Please let me know what you think of the numbers and If I am totally off base with my expectations.  I am happy with LMS and the smoothness of the tune, I just want more hahaha

[glock-coma]

I think curb weight should be
4,702 to 4,885 lbs
Depending on how it's equipped.

[limited02]

You're much heavier than 4200 because my '12 MKS is 4617 with me in it (I'm 170).  Request a 3-bar tune and then request the Stage 4+X 93 and let her rip.  That's my DD tune and recently ran a 13.3 in terrible conditions.  The car will spin first and chirp second pretty hard (also running 255's).  All the 91 tunes are noticeable over stock and the 93 tunes are even more noticeable. 

Where in KS?  I'm in Gardner, KS.

[qak]

Im in topeka ks

[limited02]

Dang!  I was at Heartland Park drags a few weeks ago.  Plan to go again sometime in the spring and I'll reach out.

[qak]

cool, what did your car run? 

[limited02]

Ran several 13.3's. Here's one of the runs:
https://youtu.be/a10dMmxuicU