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To tune or not to tune (tuning by James tune)

revinto7

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Don’t threaten me with a good time :)
I am going to tune mine. Reading stuff about these engines has me just a little concerned. When I clock 15k miles or so and I’m not experiencing any of the so called issues with these motors I’ll get a canned tune.
Personally I think a tune improves reliability on modern engines. My theory is they are factory tuned to run lean as possible for emission reasons. But I am no engine builder so there is always that.
IF You think these cars are set up lean your totally wrong ! They actually run pig rich under hard throttle like 10.8 11.4. They get power out of these cars by adding timing and leaning fueling in certain areas 12.6-12.8 is where they tune NA cars like these for power and Force fed cars 11.6 11.7 are where my cars were at top rpm under load
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GreenS550

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Another graph that shows why the Bullitt suffers at low rpm and maybe even higher RPM. Our Bullitts came with the GT350 intake manifold.
 

Racerx009

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Jorden, one simple question. Can you afford to pay out of pocket for "any" repair Ford refuses to cover under warranty because of the tune? I'm not just talking about a new $5k engine but anything powertrain related. If you can go for it. If you can't, don't. I'm sure James' tunes are great but if you are the one with trouble no-one else on here is going to donate to your repair fund. Well Ok, maybe Schwerin :)
I have had several mustangs in my day and never had a real issue with putting a tune in it. Dealer did not care and he did most of my mods. I have a 17 mustang gt the 3 day I owed it. I put a tune in it from Lunds no issues did a ton of mods to the engine and suspension. I had clutch issues the service manager looked over my car and asked who did all this work. I said me of course and I told him that I went to automotive tech school in the 80s. He replaced my clutch under warranty. I Rev my car out to hell 29,000 never a issue except my throttle body going bad after the 18 manifold install. I am actually trading it in for a 19 Bullitt with Recaro seats. I am paying 46,000 and the first mod is a tune and 4.09 gears.
 

GreenS550

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I have had several mustangs in my day and never had a real issue with putting a tune in it. Dealer did not care and he did most of my mods. I have a 17 mustang gt the 3 day I owed it. I put a tune in it from Lunds no issues did a ton of mods to the engine and suspension. I had clutch issues the service manager looked over my car and asked who did all this work. I said me of course and I told him that I went to automotive tech school in the 80s. He replaced my clutch under warranty. I Rev my car out to hell 29,000 never a issue except my throttle body going bad after the 18 manifold install. I am actually trading it in for a 19 Bullitt with Recaro seats. I am paying 46,000 and the first mod is a tune and 4.09 gears.
The 4.09 gears and a tune will change the car for the better. Great choice!
 

Racerx009

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I'm waiting till my warranty is up or I'm comfortable enough that the engine is solid and nothing will happen to the engine for a long time.
I always have tuned the mustang as soon as I have purchased them. Never an issue and if so you just return it to stock. But I don't the dealership and Ford have to prove it was the tune.
 

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Racerx009

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Engines are not failing because of n/a tunes. Stop the fear porn. I had 2k worth of engine warranty work paid by Ford with zero issues. People miss (or fail to recognize) the power having a relationship with your servicing dealer. They get paid for warranty claims. Same shit over and over... Lol.
Agreed I have a great relationship with my Ford dealer after embarrassing them. They did my clutch and sent me my car with the tailpipes hanging really low. So they put it on the rack and I watched the mechanic try to push them into the groves. The service manager came over and said that's the best they can get it. I said follow me and went to the rear of the car. I called the mechanic Skippy I said loosen those bolts on the clamp. You Mr. Service manager push up when he loosens it. With the will of God the tailpipe moved into the cut out. I said no do that on the other one. I said if you ever need help with tailpipes just call me. Lol he saw all my suspension work and asked if I did it. I said yes it's so I don't have to worry about bringing my car to you guys lol.
I went to automotive tech school in the 80s and after several dealerships and gas stations. I got recruited by the FBI NYC office to work on their fleet.
 

Racerx009

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chesster51

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Well I tried to get tuned with Tuning by James but it didn't work out. I have a HP tuners Ngauge and he won't tune me because of it. I specifically bought HP version so I could be tuned by Lund and any other tuner, as opposed to buying the Lund Ngauge which I could only use with Lund. So, it looks like I will be tuning with Lund after all.
 

tcarter

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Yeah he only uses tuners that he can encrypt the file with. I understand since it's his hard work. But his tune is worth it IMHO and he will do revisions as you add stuff to the car. either way good luck enjoy the beast
 

chesster51

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Yeah he only uses tuners that he can encrypt the file with. I understand since it's his hard work. But his tune is worth it IMHO and he will do revisions as you add stuff to the car. either way good luck enjoy the beast
I asked if it was the Ngauge or the HP tuner software he has a problem with and he said it was the software. I also seen on his FB page he recently tuned a supercharged GT with HP software. I asked why he could tune that one and not mine and he said it was because it was a "one off" and not stock. By his own description the car was completely stock other than the SC. For general information I asked if mine was supercharged would he tune it and I did not get an answer to that. I completely understand him wanting to protect his intellectual property, I just wish I knew all this before hand and could have either went directly with Lund or purchased an SCT product instead of the Ngauge. I know he's good and growing, but the Ngauge is the most user friendly and seems to have options other tuners don't which makes it very popular for dash mounting and full time monitoring. Seems like there's a lot of lost opportunity there. I know he's trying to work something out with HP to allow him to encrypt, but he said they wanted too much money.
 

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Bullitt_3461

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The 4.09 gears and a tune will change the car for the better. Great choice!
When he mentions the 4.09 gearing is that transmission gears or rear end gearing?
 

GreenS550

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Rear end gear ratio.
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