93 Octane Tune Questions?

[S550-GT]

Hey All!

I have a 2019 Mustang GT (10 Speed) with Corsa Extreme Catback and K&N Air filter. I am looking to tune the car but I have a few questions. I have looked through tons of threads and FB posts but wanted to get more specific answers.

I daily drive my car so as far as mods I do not plan on getting LTH or any intake manifolds or cams. I originally planned to get CAI and Tune, but it seems like general consensus is that for 2018+ to just do a drop in filter (I got K&N) instead of CAI.

It seems like Lund/PBD 93 octane would result in 15-20rwhp gain without any mods? I may try E85 just to see the hype on Gen 3 coyote cars, but don't plan on running E85 for daily.

Something that is also weighing in is that I do have SCT BDX tuner from my S197 GT, unmarried, which I believe PBD and some other use. Tuners (PBD, Ortiz, Juggernaut etc) that already support SCT devices would run me $200-300 depending on which tuner vs Lund would run me $800 which in my mind is a bit difficult to justify for "only" 15-20 hp and some drivability improvement.

Here are the questions
1)Is 93 Octane tune on a pretty much stock car worth it? Would I really notice the HP gain?Since it's 10 speed I would expect the drivability to really improve
2)Lund and PBD seem to be top tuners for our cars. It seems like Lund is overall better for drivability while PBD can squeeze a bit more HP. Is it worth the $500 difference between those 2?
3)10 Speed tune - part of the reason I have held off on tune is 10 speed. Around 8k miles I had to have the software updated due to harsh downshifts. Few months ago I had the latest TSB performed as I had harsh upshift in 3rd and 5th gear. Does a tune take care of 10 speed drivability issues? I have heard people say once tuned 10 speed are much better in terms of no gear hunting or jerkiness etc.

Thanks in advance!

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[engineermike]

For a gen3 on 93 or e85 and basic mods, I would absolutely buy hpt and diy. I can give basic instructions but very little needs to be changed.

 

[daSNAK3]

I’d use your SCT and just go with Juggernaut. If you’re so inclined to purchase a HPT, I’d check out Wengerd.

 

[AWESOMO 4000]

Don't look at just the HP gains. The torque gains from 1500-3500 are usually 20-30lbs-ft...you'll notice that more in day to day driving. That coupled with a livelier throttle and reduced torque reduction mean more than a peak hp number

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

I have no complaints with my daily driver 93 octane n/a Lund tune with few mods. Throttle response at 1500+ was very noticeable. Mine is a manual trans, but they have probably the best tuning for the 6/10 speeds.

 

[WildHorse]

100 shot of Nitrous doesn't cost that much more and you don't need a tune. Haha.

 

[K4fxd]

Mine is a manual trans, but they have probably the best tuning for the 6/10 speeds.

Have you tried every other tuners tunes?

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

Have you tried every other tuners tunes?

Why waste money when I don’t need to?

 

[RubyRedPony]

[...]general consensus is that for 2018+ to just do a drop in filter (I got K&N) instead of CAI.

Can you elaborate on this or send me a link where you came to this conclusion?
I thought that the JLT CAI is well worth it for my 2020 regarding the hp gain (with a tune). But I can certainly live without it if the numbers are close.

 

[WildHorse]

I thought that the JLT CAI is well worth it for my 2020 regarding the hp gain (with a tune).

Nope. It's not that much larger than the 18+ air intakes. Also, the ID on the JLT is very inconsistent. Comically so.

 

[GR8 V8]

I may get beat up on this post but…..I have strictly used Lund with N gauge for tuning my 15 Mustang. The first tuning was a simple tune. Tuned for 93, Flex Fuel and e85. Car ran great on all 3.

Just recently changed to an 18 manifold , 18 stock CAI, and Lu 47 injectors. And previous tunes will be updated. Needless to say, I’m not impressed with Lund. They’re having issues with getting the 93 tune correct and they’re giving me lip service. They sent me the e85 file but I haven’t loaded yet until 93 is good. I asked for the Flex Fuel tune and was told that it is no longer available. Uummm but wait…I originally had a flex fuel tune. Their response was basically too bad and purchase to purchase an additional multi tune.

This is the problem being married to one devise/one tuner. Please do your homework. Hope this helps.

 

[BlueThunder16]

Hey OP, I recently got a 93 tune from Rob Shoemaker (former PBD) through Lethal Performance. Although mine is a 16 GT with a MT, I have a similar mostly stock setup like you; a CAI and Corsa catback. Personally, the tune was worth the cost for me ($450 all in) and I don't think you'll be disappointed either if you went through with it.

I happened to score a brand new open box SCT BDX for $150 though, which is a steal. So that offset the $300 cost of the tune for me and made it worth it. However, it would have cost a lot more if I had to buy the SCT for retail though, and I'm not sure I could have justified the expense in that case.

Rob claims my tune should get me roughly 30-40 more WHP, but idk for sure since I don't have any plans to dyno it. He also never mentioned any specific torque numbers. All I know, is the car pulls a lot harder and is much more responsive. Before the tune, I didn't think the car could be more fun to drive, but I was wrong lol. I have no regrets, and I don't think you will either. Unfortunately, E85 isn't widely available near me, otherwise I'd pay for a flex tune somewhere down the line. But for now, the 93 tune is more practical for me.

Personally, since you have an unlocked SCT already, just go with one of the reputable tuners that use that device, which you already seem to have researched. Starting from scratch to go with Lund for almost $1k doesn't seem feasible for a stock car that you don't plan on modding any further. Just my 2¢.

 

[offroadkarter]

I may get beat up on this post but…..I have strictly used Lund with N gauge for tuning my 15 Mustang. The first tuning was a simple tune. Tuned for 93, Flex Fuel and e85. Car ran great on all 3.

Just recently changed to an 18 manifold , 18 stock CAI, and Lu 47 injectors. And previous tunes will be updated. Needless to say, I’m not impressed with Lund. They’re having issues with getting the 93 tune correct and they’re giving me lip service. They sent me the e85 file but I haven’t loaded yet until 93 is good. I asked for the Flex Fuel tune and was told that it is no longer available. Uummm but wait…I originally had a flex fuel tune. Their response was basically too bad and purchase to purchase an additional multi tune.

This is the problem being married to one devise/one tuner. Please do your homework. Hope this helps.

Wow, I'm glad you shared this as I'm looking to do a GT350 manifold / 18 + airbox, LU47s and headers, and I currently have a Lund Ngauge. Last thing I need is to get an updated tune file after doing all that work and have the car run worse.

 

[S550-GT]

Can you elaborate on this or send me a link where you came to this conclusion?
I thought that the JLT CAI is well worth it for my 2020 regarding the hp gain (with a tune). But I can certainly live without it if the numbers are close.

Based on lots of forums posts it seems like it is not worth it. National Speed has great videos on our cars where they show power after each mod and you can see CAI doesn't do much.

 

[WildHorse]

GT350 manifold / 18 + airbox, LU47s and headers

If you want get a diablosport Trinity platinum EX and make all those adjustments from it. Just load the standard 91/93 tune, then adjust the MAF diameter for the 18+air box, hi/low fuel percentage for the LU47, rev limit to 7800 rpm. Other things can be adjusted as well. hi/low spark timing, VCT, fan on/off limits, to much to list.

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