2018+ 5.0 tune worth it?

[HKusp]

Wengerd also uses PCMTec software. He's the best guy on the A10's, and his customer service is top notch.

Sponsored

 

[pmor4243]

I may be one of the few who thinks this, but on an otherwise stock car, I think you are wasting your money. I've had an 18 Manual and now a 19 Auto - I drove both quite a bit stock and datalogged both more than I care to admit. The 18 I had tunned on 91 and E85, the 19 I did not touch until I supercharged it.

While not the A10, if you were curious to see performance benefits, here is an overlay I did several years ago comparing the differences between, stock/stock sport mode, 91 tune (highest we have in Utah) and E85. All done on the same day, same conditions, same road, etc.

https://datazap.me/u/pmor4243/final-tune-comparison?log=0&data=5-6-7-8

There was almost no measurable difference in performance across all of the tunes. E85 was ever so slightly faster, but it wasn't enough to justify the cost in my opinion.

On the 10 speed, you get slightly better shift characteristics, but having gone back and forth on my own car, even putting it back to stock for a bit, I still would say that the difference is pretty minimal and often overhyped.

Just my opinion. I know many claim that the tune makes it feel like a different car, just not in my experience.

That all said, Wengerd did a good job on my 19.

 

[lo-fi]

I may be one of the few who thinks this, but on an otherwise stock car, I think you are wasting your money. I've had an 18 Manual and now a 19 Auto - I drove both quite a bit stock and datalogged both more than I care to admit. The 18 I had tunned on 91 and E85, the 19 I did not touch until I supercharged it.

While not the A10, if you were curious to see performance benefits, here is an overlay I did several years ago comparing the differences between, stock/stock sport mode, 91 tune (highest we have in Utah) and E85. All done on the same day, same conditions, same road, etc.

https://datazap.me/u/pmor4243/final-tune-comparison?log=0&data=5-6-7-8

There was almost no measurable difference in performance across all of the tunes. E85 was ever so slightly faster, but it wasn't enough to justify the cost in my opinion.

On the 10 speed, you get slightly better shift characteristics, but having gone back and forth on my own car, even putting it back to stock for a bit, I still would say that the difference is pretty minimal and often overhyped.

Just my opinion. I know many claim that the tune makes it feel like a different car, just not in my experience.

That all said, Wengerd did a good job on my 19.

Excellent data and exemplifies why the butt dyno should never be brought into the discussion. Obviously one persons data logs can't be certified as the "truth", but there are definitely dyno gains and functional gains and sometimes the two don't correlate how the owner wants. On this platform I've been leaning towards doing nothing where tuning is concerned because I have no intention of going FI (I have another car that is FI) and I don't want to do cams, headers, and full exhaust as I don't feel the dollars per HP gained is ultimately worth it.

 

[pmor4243]

Excellent data and exemplifies why the butt dyno should never be brought into the discussion. Obviously one persons data logs can't be certified as the "truth", but there are definitely dyno gains and functional gains and sometimes the two don't correlate how the owner wants. On this platform I've been leaning towards doing nothing where tuning is concerned because I have no intention of going FI (I have another car that is FI) and I don't want to do cams, headers, and full exhaust as I don't feel the dollars per HP gained is ultimately worth it.

100% agree. As you mentioned, I am just a single data point.

Just wanted to share my experience/thoughts since it was a little opposite from what I typically see posted here. To your point though, and I did elude to it, there are some functional gains to be had with the 10 speed; in my mind, it all just has to do with the $ to value ratio and that is going to be different for everyone.

I should also add that I have tuned every vehicle I have owned simply because I find it fun, and will continue to do so. These cars are a lot of fun, and tuning them can give them a more personalized experience which can/should certainly add to the fun.

 

[ice445]

I may be one of the few who thinks this, but on an otherwise stock car, I think you are wasting your money. I've had an 18 Manual and now a 19 Auto - I drove both quite a bit stock and datalogged both more than I care to admit. The 18 I had tunned on 91 and E85, the 19 I did not touch until I supercharged it.

While not the A10, if you were curious to see performance benefits, here is an overlay I did several years ago comparing the differences between, stock/stock sport mode, 91 tune (highest we have in Utah) and E85. All done on the same day, same conditions, same road, etc.

https://datazap.me/u/pmor4243/final-tune-comparison?log=0&data=5-6-7-8

There was almost no measurable difference in performance across all of the tunes. E85 was ever so slightly faster, but it wasn't enough to justify the cost in my opinion.

On the 10 speed, you get slightly better shift characteristics, but having gone back and forth on my own car, even putting it back to stock for a bit, I still would say that the difference is pretty minimal and often overhyped.

Just my opinion. I know many claim that the tune makes it feel like a different car, just not in my experience.

That all said, Wengerd did a good job on my 19.

I believe it, our fuel here is straight ass. There isn't enough meat left for a tune to actually give performance until you go to really high elevation, but even then you're still way down on power, just slightly less.

Tuning is worth it for drivability reasons though. Better shift mapping on the auto and less rev hang on the manual.

 

[AWESOMO 4000]

100% agree. As you mentioned, I am just a single data point.

Just wanted to share my experience/thoughts since it was a little opposite from what I typically see posted here. To your point though, and I did elude to it, there are some functional gains to be had with the 10 speed; in my mind, it all just has to do with the $ to value ratio and that is going to be different for everyone.

I should also add that I have tuned every vehicle I have owned simply because I find it fun, and will continue to do so. These cars are a lot of fun, and tuning them can give them a more personalized experience which can/should certainly add to the fun.

At 2300ft DA on a plug and play Flex tune only, my car was trapping 118mph. Corrected to sea level or even in just not awful air on a 75° day That's 120-121mph ....5mph+ over stock with just cheap fuel and a tune.

That's internal parts replacement or a blower to get anywhere close to that kind of performance improvement.

Tuning makes a world of difference.

 

[ice445]

At 2300ft DA on a plug and play Flex tune only, my car was trapping 118mph. Corrected to sea level or even in just not awful air on a 75° day That's 120-121mph ....5mph+ over stock with just cheap fuel and a tune.

That's internal parts replacement or a blower to get anywhere close to that kind of performance improvement.

Tuning makes a world of difference.

If you have E85 available and are willing to put up with the dogshit mileage, then sure. I don't think many people will dispute the gains with e85 on these engines since it enables you to basically run at mbt all the time.

It's pump gas where there aren't as many gains performance wise, 91 especially so. The car will already knock on the stock tune. You can beef up the low and mid range a bit, but there isn't as much value is all compared to e85.

 

[AWESOMO 4000]

If you have E85 available and are willing to put up with the dogshit mileage, then sure. I don't think many people will dispute the gains with e85 on these engines since it enables you to basically run at mbt all the time.

It's pump gas where there aren't as many gains performance wise, 91 especially so. The car will already knock on the stock tune. You can beef up the low and mid range a bit, but there isn't as much value is all compared to e85.

True, not a lot to gain on 93 and it is aggressive from factory. 10R80s do get much improved shift characteristics. The knock resistance and $2 a gallon savings over 93 makes E85 worth it all day. It's not my only car and one tank usually lasts almost 2 weeks.

 

[Adam the Lighting Guy]

For those running an E85/flex tune, how long do you keep E85 in your tanks? I am considering a tune but for a car that would be my weekend vehicle. It might take me 1 month togo through a tank of fuel.

 

[RNM]

With all the praise Wengerd has received on this forum, I decided to get a 93 and e85 tune for my A10 and in my opinion, the tune is worth it if you can stomach the horrible gas mileage for the e85 tune (I get about 13mpg).

I couldn't tell a difference power wise on the 93 tune, but the improved transmission tune from Wengerd is definitely noticeable over the stock transmission tune.

 

[robvas]

For those running an E85/flex tune, how long do you keep E85 in your tanks? I am considering a tune but for a car that would be my weekend vehicle. It might take me 1 month togo through a tank of fuel.

Nothing wrong with a month. Some people keep it in the tank over the winter.

pickup some Lucas ethanol safeguard to add to the tank if you're worried

 

[Mikepol2]

For those running an E85/flex tune, how long do you keep E85 in your tanks? I am considering a tune but for a car that would be my weekend vehicle. It might take me 1 month togo through a tank of fuel.

My Livernois flex tune with E70-ish in the tank sat without being started from Dec till March with no issues.

 

[W.O.T. Stang]

Bringing this thread back from the dead. After driving a 2022 mach 1 and seeing how well refined and amazing the transmission tuning is compared to my 19, im really interested in getting it done through Wengerd. My GT is stock on 93 octane, and im only looking to improve on the stock engine tune and especially 10r80 shift strategy, so it should be pretty straightforward.

Can someone walk me through the process briefly? I havent tuned a car since SCT x4 and email tunes. the new RTD3 process is strange to me.

I see the tune for 18-20 GT is $299 and the device is $299.. so i will need both, correct?

Are there any articles or videos showing how the tune is done? Do revisions cost extra after the first tune? Is logging required?

Basically just looking for someone to tell me the steps you took to get your tune done, so i can do the same. Very excited to see the differences.

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

Wenger will tune with a SCT X4 is that's is what you choose. If you have to buy a new device, then go with HP, you can upload the tune thru an app on your phone.

 

[W.O.T. Stang]

I ended up getting the RTD3, it seems to be a lot easier to work with, especially for revisions.

How exactly does tuning revision go? say i want to tweak the shift points a little.. is it as simple as asking for the change and having it retuned and sent back to me? or do you need to purchase credits for every revision?

Obviously if you are doing major mods, i understand the need for extra time/cost, but im hoping minor tweaks are able to be done to your liking.

Im excited, and ill report back this weekend once everything arrives!

Sponsored