Lund Flex Tune First Impressions on 93

[michail71]

I didn't want to pollute my judgment and see what other's noticed but I figured I'd provide some initial feedback.

I got my nGauge today and loaded up the Flex tune with about half a tank of 93 octane left. No CAI as of yet.

The install process seemed quite a bit longer than the 11 minutes the flash process mentioned. Most of it seemed to be copying the stock setup to the flash card. It probably took close to 30 minutes total. Let the car learn and it settled on 9.8% alcohol.

So far I haven't been able to take any advantage of the ethanol capabilities but I already like what the Flex is doing with the 93 octane. I have no idea if any of this is just placebo.

1. The car feels torque-ier mid range. So much so I couldn't open up the throttle much more.
2. The car seemed quieter for the amount of power being put down, like it's not having to work as hard.
3. The A10 shifts felt more "refined/accurate". I think the up-shifts may be slightly higher? The best I could describe is the torque seem to come on without as much need for downshifts to make power.
4. Throttle response seems faster along with downshifts and less of an abrupt change of power.

Everything considered it's just a nicer driveability feeling.

So how much of all that is placebo?

Considering what the E85R tune can do I can't wait to see what that low end kick is like!

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[Zelek]

How does a Flex Fuel tune compare to a 93 octane tune? Does the Flex tune adjust to any of the extra ethanol that's in the 93 octane or is the 93 octane tune already set for that?

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the Flex Tune is getting more out of the fuel over the 93 octane. I'm highly considering flex fuel since I do have E85 around my area. I've always been interested in how it really works when it's learning.

 

[EFI]

How does a Flex Fuel tune compare to a 93 octane tune? Does the Flex tune adjust to any of the extra ethanol that's in the 93 octane or is the 93 octane tune already set for that?

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the Flex Tune is getting more out of the fuel over the 93 octane. I'm highly considering flex fuel since I do have E85 around my area. I've always been interested in how it really works when it's learning.

A flex tune is simply a tune that *has* the ability to run both fuels and everything in between instead of just one.

So a flex tune running 93 gas is pretty much the same thing as a 93 tune running 93 gas. Although with a flex tune you have the option of running higher contents of ethanol, while with a 93 tune you're basically stuck with 93.

 

[Zelek]

A flex tune is simply a tune that *has* the ability to run both fuels and everything in between instead of just one.

So a flex tune running 93 gas is pretty much the same thing as a 93 tune running 93 gas. Although with a flex tune you have the option of running higher contents of ethanol, while with a 93 tune you're basically stuck with 93.

Right, I get that, but does the Flex tune make use of that 10-15% ethanol content that's actually in the 93 octane that would put it ahead of the 93 octane tune, or do tuners actually set their 93 octane tunes around having a 10% ethanol content already?

 

[EFI]

Right, I get that, but does the Flex tune make use of that 10-15% ethanol content that's actually in the 93 octane that would put it ahead of the 93 octane tune, or do tuners actually set their 93 octane tunes around having a 10% ethanol content already?

Well for one, the flex tune is based on the ethanol content which it learns before being applied, so yes it will make use of the ~10% ethanol already in there. But as you said, most 93 tunes already account for that 10% alcohol content because 99.9% of pumps are running this type. You may be able to ask your tuner for a straight 93 tune if you know you have E0 available to you, but otherwise a 93 tune is based on E10.

 

[Zelek]

Well for one, the flex tune is based on the ethanol content which it learns before being applied, so yes it will make use of the ~10% ethanol already in there. But as you said, most 93 tunes already account for that 10% alcohol content because 99.9% of pumps are running this type. You may be able to ask your tuner for a straight 93 tune if you know you have E0 available to you, but otherwise a 93 tune is based on E10.

I'd have to drive over 30 miles to get E0 in some po-dunk town, lol. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Bluemustang]

@Zelek send me a PM for more info on the FF tune

 

[ENPhoto]

In the base HPT file, pulled from my 16GT (and any other stock ones I can find on the repository), the file infers the stoich value at 14.08 AFR.

Ford programmed the vehicles from stock to assume 10% E content in fuels.

Most info I can find on the HPTuners forums show that people are keeping the stoich value at that level that ford set and tuning the vehicles from there for regular pump gas tunes....unless they are in areas where ethanol blended gas isn't available.

That being said, I think what you are feeling is something else other in the tune that gives you a noticeable difference in power on 93. Could be anything from fuel/spark changes, tip-in management, throttle % changes on drive modes, VCT, torque management, etc.

I don't know anything about their flex fuel tunes, but the tables are available. I think that Eric Brooks from HPT released the flex capabilities in 2017? If Lund tunes from SCT, I believe it was released at the same time.

 

[michail71]

I'm definitely noticing some differences with Flex and 93 having just been stock. Where I notice it is on the low end but E85 is supposedly where low end shines. Most of what I'm noticing could just be transmission related with the A10. During upshifts the power still feels especially strong after the RPMs drop. It's just overall smoother.

I have no idea how it would compare to a 93. But Lund doesn't seem to push 91/93 tunes with their E85 & Flex offering.

Down to 80 miles range!

 

[Zelek]

I'm definitely noticing some differences with Flex and 93 having just been stock. Where I notice it is on the low end but E85 is supposedly where low end shines. Most of what I'm noticing could just be transmission related with the A10. During upshifts the power still feels especially strong after the RPMs drop. It's just overall smoother.

I have no idea how it would compare to a 93. But Lund doesn't seem to push 91/93 tunes with their E85 & Flex offering.

Down to 80 miles range!

91/93 doesn't do much for a 2018 which is why. Flex and E85 on the other hand, yes. The 15-17's get a better boost from the 93 octane tune.

 

[michail71]

91/93 doesn't do much for a 2018 which is why. Flex and E85 on the other hand, yes. The 15-17's get a better boost from the 93 octane tune.

The not much is still some nice driveability. I should be ready for a refuel on Thursday.

 

[Bluemustang]

I'm definitely noticing some differences with Flex and 93 having just been stock. Where I notice it is on the low end but E85 is supposedly where low end shines. Most of what I'm noticing could just be transmission related with the A10. During upshifts the power still feels especially strong after the RPMs drop. It's just overall smoother.

I have no idea how it would compare to a 93. But Lund doesn't seem to push 91/93 tunes with their E85 & Flex offering.

Down to 80 miles range!

Yes you will feel the engine run smoother on E85. Definitely not in your head.

 

[DarkestHour]

They jack up your throttle settings so it feels faster.

 

[AZ18yote]

One nice side effect on flex I find my cold starts are less earth shattering than 91. Of course subjective considering that's LTH+Corsa Xtremes + vibrants.

Performance though is lights out difference hence why I opted to go back to stock intake when the issues running flex on the Steeda cai were discovered.

 

[michail71]

One nice side effect on flex I find my cold starts are less earth shattering than 91. Of course subjective considering that's LTH+Corsa Xtremes + vibrants.

Performance though is lights out difference hence why I opted to go back to stock intake when the issues running flex on the Steeda cai were discovered.

My cold starts can be really bad with just an H pipe and all everything else stock! My co-workers get a kick out of the remote start from a couple hundred yards away. I get frequent requests.

Have you thought of the closed Roush or the popular JLT?

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