Bama Tunes bad rap....

[Grayghostcoyote]

primarily that was what I was looking for, safe tune. I just got the car brand new in janurary and I didnt want to start breaking shit right away since i voided the tune ...and the main reason i purchased the ford tune too ... if something happens I will install the ford tune so they cant see the bama tune lol

Sponsored

 

[Grayghostcoyote]

when I end up doing more mods like headers etc ...I will go with someone like VMP PBD or Lund ... but for now my bama tune is safe and runs great ...

 

[shogun32]

and the main reason i purchased the ford tune too ... if something happens I will install the ford tune so they cant see the bama tune lol

can you actually remove the Ford tune? Didn't someone discover they sabotaged that in the last year or so? That now you had to go to a dealer and forcibly apply the stock tune. Now if you can find a Dealer who will play ball and not charge you $400 for the privilege...

 

[Buldawg76]

can you actually remove the Ford tune? Didn't someone discover they sabotaged that in the last year or so? That now you had to go to a dealer and forcibly apply the stock tune. Now if you can find a Dealer who will play ball and not charge you $400 for the privilege...

It depends on if the OP is using the FP procal 3 tuner, then no he cannot go back to stock calibration without dealer flashing stock calibration back to PCM for a fee. His being a GT I believe he should be using the procal 4 tuner so should be able to flash at will.

However, if he is using the FP procal 4 tuner (rebranded livernois tuner) then yes, he has the ability to go from FP tune to stock at will. Also, the 19+ rangers now use the FP procal 4 tuner so they can also go from FP tune to stock at will. It's only the 18+ ecoboosts that use the FP procal 3 tuner at this time that cannot flash from FP tune to stock at will.

I am one of those duped by fords FP procal 3 for the 18+ ecoboosts removal of the ability to flash from FP to stock at will. 15-17 ecoboost have the ability just not 18+ ecoboosts.

My FP procal 3 tuner has other functions that do work as they should, so I am in negotiations with FP tech to resolve my issues.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

The FP tuner M-9603-M4C is good as far as the performance improvement and I do feel it improves the shift harshness some but then my 2020 eco premium did not have any harsh shift issues since buying in Dec 29th 2021 at 5800 miles used. So not 100% sure if it will fix any harsh downshift issues or not in a tranny that has such issues. I went with the FP tuner for warranty reasons.

I can tell you if I had known and understood what I do now I would go with a Cobb AP and deal with any warranty issues that may come from using the Cobb. here are my reasons and issues with the FP tuner.

1. My fault for not understanding the changes to the program for 18+ vehicles versus 15-17 vehicles. The program for 15-17 model years allows you to flash from stock to FP tune at will if you have the program installed on your laptop or if the dealer gives you a thumb drive with the stock PC3 calibration files on it, if not using your laptop bring thumb drive of 8+ gigs with you to have them install PC3 file on. 18+ model years FP did away with the ability for the owner to flash back to stock calibration at all, must be done by dealer flashing back to "as built " calibration for a fee. See "note" warning at bottom of web page for the M-9603-M4C tuner, that's what I did read, but not understand correctly. My bad. But in my defense the installation instruction that can be found at the very bottom of the web page under "Procal" still show how to flash from stock to FP and have not been updated for 18+ vehicles but are still based on 15-17 model year vehicle installation.

2. Since installing the tune on my car the configure function of the program that should allow you to adjust axle ratio and tire revolution per mile numbers that will need to be done if you change axle ratio or tire sizes does not work and will not even auto populate with the correct axle ratio and tire size that is on my car. I have a buddy with a 17 model year and he can flash from stock to FP at will and the axle ratio and tire rev per/mile number auto populate with the correct numbers. My speedo and odometer do read correctly. Also, in the configure function there is provision for octane adjustment if you get a bad tank of fuel to help prevent detonation and a misfire diagnostics function that also does not work in my FP program, but which the FP tech reps state should work.

I have been in contact with FP tech for over a month now (5 phone calls once per week) still with no resolution to my nonfunctioning configure function. I have been told they have sent my issue to 4 different engineers so far but no response to my issue or getting it resolved. There are only 3 FP tech reps and they are all working from home so have no actual access to engineers or other resources. The FP tech rep has stated the configure function should work but since my car runs fine and the speedo and odometer are correct, and no codes are being set he sees no real issue with the program in my vehicle. I call BS and FP tech is worthless.

At this point I feel I am just being given lip service by FP tech and will be contacting ford customer service on Tuesday if after I call FP tech one last time and am told the same lame excuse that I will send it to more engineers. I paid good money for a program that is not working as stated it should in the instructions or designed to function.

IMO, DO NOT spend your money with FP program M-9603-M4C unless you have cash to burn.

READ section with "NOTE" at bottom of info page.

2018-2021 MUSTANG ECOBOOST PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION| Part Details for M-9603-M4C | Ford Performance Parts

Procal 3 installation instructions stating how to flash from stock to FP tune with no disclamer about 18+ vehicle requiring a dealer to flash "as built " calibration for a fee and no disclaimer about the configure function not working on 18+ vehicles.

Microsoft Word - ProCal 3 User Manual 8-2-2016 (2) (ford.com)

The above instructions have not been updated since 2016. Save your coins for a product with real customer service and support.

Also, the inability to flash from stock to FP tune only affects 18+ mustang ecoboosts since 18+ GTs and 19+ Rangers use the newer procal 4 tuner which comes with FP tune software included and allows swapping from stock to FP tune at will. The procal 4 is a rebranded Livernois tuner.

2018-2021 MUSTANG GT CALIBRATION W/COLD AIR INTAKE AND THROTTLE BODY| Part Details for M-9603-M8B | Ford Performance Parts

2019-2021 RANGER ECOBOOST POWER PACK PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION| Part Details for M-9603-REB | Ford Performance Parts

BD

 

[Kahboom]

Used Bama tune for a few years. Had issues at steady throttle in the 1800-2100 RPM range. Had an PMAS intake and Boss manifold with 47LU injectors, and headers. Changed to 18 mani still same throttle issue. Swapped to boosted setup and Palm Beach Dyno tune and no issues since. Bama was ok for the price but not the best tune at least in my case.

 

[Jackson1320]

I don't know what the bad rap is coming from people about Bama tunes, I have the ford performance package for my 21 GT with the 87MM TB and GT350 CAI. I wasnt impressed with the Ford Performance tune at all ...shifting was erratic and power wasnt there ..... Since I had my SCT tune device with free tunes for life with bama performance, I contacted them about my set up with the TB and CAI ... along with my Cat back exhaust. I have to say this car rips...runs perfectly and 10x better then the Ford Performance tune. I say before people rip apart Bama not being VMP/Lund .... I'd say give them a try ... for NA Applications I think they are perfect to use .... obviously ... if youre going boost ...vmp,lund, or custom dyno tunes are going to be better ...but for basic bolt ons intake, headers, TB, exhaust shit like that ...Bama works and works well ...

they will only tune very specific setups.

 

[Grayghostcoyote]

to be honest when I get into heavier mode like injectors boost and maybe even headers I’ll be using vmp Lund or pbd….. or dyno tune by a local tuner who specializes in mustangs… he’s only 700 for a dyno tune and can use my sct scan tool to store the tunes too

 

[Mach VII]

I'm confused about the inability to flash back to stock on 18+ EcoBoost from the FRRP tune. I was able to revert mine back to stock with no difficulties when I gave my '19 Eco back to Ford.

 

[Buldawg76]

If you were using the M-9603-M4C Ford Performance Tuner package in the link below I would like to know how you were able to revert back to the stock tune from the FP tune.
Read the "Note" section in the link below. It clearly states that a dealer must return to "AS BUILT" calibration.

2018-2021 MUSTANG ECOBOOST PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION| Part Details for M-9603-M4C | Ford Performance Parts

I have been talking with FP tech line and was told by them that they removed that function from the above FP tuner kit. I have other issues with the functions for other parameters in the tuner as well.

I have no tab to restore to stock tune or the factory calibration saved on my laptop from when I downloaded the program back in May.

If I am being misinformed by FP tech please enlighten me.

BD

 

[Mach VII]

Must be something they changed after my purchase/use. I would have reverted back in June 2020.... unfortunately my windows machine died after that so I can't go back and look.

 

[Buldawg76]

Yea not sure when they removed the option but my understanding it affected all 18+ model mustangs but will ask FP tech rep today when I talk with him. Thats interesting for sure.

I got my car in Dec of 21 and bought FP tuner in Feb of 2022.

BD

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

I had a tune from Doug in 2012 on my 13 GT after he left Bama and went to C&L when I swapped to the Coyote world. Hadn’t heard anything good about Bama then, but heard good things about him. I was very pleased with the results.

 

[Grayghostcoyote]

so what's your knowledge on injectors, I am interested in going with 47lb injectors... I see the 07-2012 GT500 uses EV14 injectors same as a 18-22 mustang. Which those injectors are 47 injectors, I can get the Bosch injectors for 24$ a piece ... just wondering if it will work

 

[tomservo92]

I've been running a Bama tune for the past 6 years and no complaints.

Sponsored