Hi all! Just moved to Houston from NYC last month, and needed a car... I picked up a 2013 MKS Ecoboost, so far, so good. I was initially looking for a SHO (Occasionally have buyers remorse ),  but ended up getting the lincoln. Must less conspicuous for sure.

This is my first American car actually, and so far so good. I have mostly played with mid 80s corollas in the past, so this is a big change.

Picked up the basic kit form Livernois, and looking forward to having some fun. Still awaiting tunes... I have the muffler on, so thats cool.

I would attach a pic, but i am sure you can imagine, black with stock rims lol. But on that topic, I was shocked at how good the Tuxedo Black looks... needs full sunlight for sure. I was initially turned off by black in general, as it can be sort of cliche (black paint/black tint/chrome rims), but it is actually pretty and swayed me....

Anyways, Hello All! Glad to find an active group of people talking car stuff!

Welcome aboard, and congrats, shakotan!  The MKS crowd is growing steadily and that is GOOD!  Definitely post pics, we never get tired of ogling   Plenty of EB owners in TX, but TX is a HUGE state LOL.  Anyways, I see you have the mods train rolling already, so enjoy, and keep us updated as the project continues!

Howdy and Welcome aboard shakotan and pics are a must in these parts so due post some pics of that Tuxedo Black Beauty MKS,thanks for joining.  Z 
How many miles on her partner ?
Any type of warranty?

all right another mks , welcome .

Welcome fellow MKS owner!

Thanks for all the greetings!

Its got 65k miles, I picked up a warranty from the car dealer, since it was relatively cheap, probably gonna turn out to be a waste... probably got upsold lol

I picked up a used jms boostmax on craigslist, I assume it works fine, seemed to run stronger stock..i (i know, doesnt make sense, since its just a boost controller afaict), i pulled that off, and ordered the tuner from LMS (still waiting on tunes, will double check I sent email correctly). It now sits on a shelf in the garage.

For the tunes, should I have specified a specific tuning level? Or is saying 93 octane, etc... enough? Wasn't sure the options tbh.

mods planned/in progress -  muffler(done)/aircleaner(K&N),3bar Map (in the mail), and tune. Fairly standard turbo tune i think.

And as an aside, I have never messed with a slipjointed muffler before (I have had mufflers where can was slip, but not in the middle.). I got a muffler from LMS, its a corsa, it was a beast to put on. Kept slipping apart under the car, and i needed to take it out to fit back together, as it wasnt a smooth fit, had to stretch it with a wrench inbetween the X-pipe. I am used to all flanges/bolts... I will NOT do this style again. Sounds pretty good though, and lets face it, that was the primary feature i was looking for I Am also paranoid that once I drop the car, i will hook the muffler on something and literally rip it off.

Quote from: shakotan on March 03, 2017, 12:09:41 AM
Thanks for all the greetings!

Its got 65k miles, I picked up a warranty from the car dealer, since it was relatively cheap, probably gonna turn out to be a waste... probably got upsold lol

I picked up a used jms boostmax on craigslist, I assume it works fine, seemed to run stronger stock..i (i know, doesnt make sense, since its just a boost controller afaict), i pulled that off, and ordered the tuner from LMS (still waiting on tunes, will double check I sent email correctly). It now sits on a shelf in the garage.

For the tunes, should I have specified a specific tuning level? Or is saying 93 octane, etc... enough? Wasn't sure the options tbh.

mods planned/in progress -  muffler(done)/aircleaner(K&N),3bar Map (in the mail), and tune. Fairly standard turbo tune i think.

And as an aside, I have never messed with a slipjointed muffler before (I have had mufflers where can was slip, but not in the middle.). I got a muffler from LMS, its a corsa, it was a beast to put on. Kept slipping apart under the car, and i needed to take it out to fit back together, as it wasnt a smooth fit, had to stretch it with a wrench inbetween the X-pipe. I am used to all flanges/bolts... I will NOT do this style again. Sounds pretty good though, and lets face it, that was the primary feature i was looking for I Am also paranoid that once I drop the car, i will hook the muffler on something and literally rip it off.

I would preferably email LMS at the (first option).
tuning@livernoismotorsports.com  or info@livernoismotorsports.com   . Z

Would add a 160F Thermostat to give you max tuning options.  Downpipes, it's a mixed bag.  You need them to max out intake/exhaust potential, but then emissions raises its' ugly head.  If there is no visual inspection (like CA's CARB sticker thingy), you could do ok with reverting to 2bar MAP & stock tune.  Advise catted though, and to keep OEM units.

shakotan you got mail.  Z  BTW for future reference if you do not receive a reply within 24-48 hours to please contact LMS directly at 313-561-5500.  Z

Sure enough, LMS reached out to me, got the tunes, I will let you know impressions! Still no pics... i'll work on that. LMS guys seem very cool so far!

I'll probably go for the 160f thermo, easy enough install. dealing with fluids is a pain tho

thanks for advice all!

So i put the tune on, car immediately felt better (psychological? or is throttle actually changed?)

so, good news, my gas mileage went up, I am getting like 24mpg now, was getting 20. Based on driving about 65miles, mostly highway.

I went drive around and get a feel for it, and I ended up at the drag strip, first time drag racing for real. Had a lot of fun. And I left the traction control on... Didn't even think about it till I was headed back...

Anyways, its an 1/8th mile track, my best time was 8.8459@79.13.

Ill wash the car tomorrow and post a pic.