Do I have a tune installed?

[2015 Black GT]

Hello, I am new to this forum and just purchased a 2015 Mustang GT with manual trans that has had the exhaust changed by previous owner. The exhaust was very loud and raspy and after checking found the car had 2 free flow magnaflow mufflers installed at mid pipe and the rear mufflers were removed so the sound was echoing off the floor board when accelerating. It also has a slight hesitation when taking off in 1st gear. I had a muffler shop install 2 Magnaflow 11225 mufflers at the rear that has fixed the sound issue but still has a slight hesitation from take off. I am wondering if the previous owner had the car tuned after changing the exhaust? Is there a way I can find out? Can I purchase a tuner living in California? They all seem to say no shipping to Cal. Thanks for any info

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[Brian V]

It might be cheaper for you to take it to a Ford dealer and have them do a diagnostics of your apparent issue .. the tech will be able to detect if there is an aftermarket tune to that affect if he or she is apprised of the possibility .. check the prices going in for any such diagnostics .. be upfront about your concerns and thoughts with the service advisor ..

 

[2015 Black GT]

Thanks for your response. That is an idea, but since the exhaust has been changed from stock I'm thinking it needs to be adjusted and it might be better if I had a way to do it myself. If I purchased one of the tuners I have seen for sale I would be able to tell if it had been changed or not right? I just don't know how to purchase one since I live in California?

 

[Lonmon]

Changes to the exhaust do not require any tune changes. Headers maybe but certainly not anything post cats. That does not mean there wasn't a tune added at some point but changing the exhaust does not create a situation where the car would develop a hesitation. I would actually buy a flash tuner and get a known good tune from Lund or other reputable tuner. This will allow you to datalog any issues and know what is in your ecu. If you are worried about the warranty then take it to Ford and see if the luck of the draw techs there can figure it out.

 

[Joe 5.0]

If the car still has OEM headers and a stock air intake, chances are it's a stock tune (NOT guaranteed). Like the above poster said, take the car to a dealer to confirm. Also, you don't need a tune when changing the catback exhaust.

I think all manuals, including my own, have a slight hesitation/clunk in 1st gear from time to time. I think that's just because of the crappy 2 piece driveshaft that we have.

Seeing that you're in California, if you want to tune your car, get in touch with Shaun from AED.
https://www.advancedenginedevelopment.com/dyno-tuning

 

[HardWork]

Thanks for your response. That is an idea, but since the exhaust has been changed from stock I'm thinking it needs to be adjusted and it might be better if I had a way to do it myself. If I purchased one of the tuners I have seen for sale I would be able to tell if it had been changed or not right? I just don't know how to purchase one since I live in California?

You can purchase a tuner device in Cali there is no restriction on that. I am not sure where you tried to purchase from. I have a N-Gauge with a tune an I am in SoCal. You get slack for some of the intakes and headers but they still ship them with a warning that it is not CARB compliant. The only tuner that does not do tunes for cars in Cali I think is VMP but I am not a 100% on that.

 

[2015 Black GT]

If the car still has OEM headers and a stock air intake, chances are it's a stock tune (NOT guaranteed). Like the above poster said, take the car to a dealer to confirm. Also, you don't need a tune when changing the catback exhaust.

I think all manuals, including my own, have a slight hesitation/clunk in 1st gear from time to time. I think that's just because of the crappy 2 piece driveshaft that we have.

Seeing that you're in California, if you want to tune your car, get in touch with Shaun from AED.
https://www.advancedenginedevelopment.com/dyno-tuning

Thank you for the info. I was not sure if changing mufflers required the car to be tuned, but am glad to get this information. Thanks

 

[2015 Black GT]

You can purchase a tuner device in Cali there is no restriction on that. I am not sure where you tried to purchase from. I have a N-Gauge with a tune an I am in SoCal. You get slack for some of the intakes and headers but they still ship them with a warning that it is not CARB compliant. The only tuner that does not do tunes for cars in Cali I think is VMP but I am not a 100% on that.

I have not actually tried to purchase a tuner yet, but when looking at some online remember some stating not for sale in California. Thanks

 

[smann]

If your throttle pedal is crazy sensitive on regular mode, most likely its tuned. The stock feel for the pedal was not that good and tune changes that like crazy.

Try lightly tapping the pedal so it just barely moves.. If your RPM is moving with the pedal slightly its most likely tuned.

 

[erikkire18]

I am also in central CA and I got a tuner with no issue, they still deliver the tuner to your house but its not "legal' to modify a car here in CA. I had LT's, CAI, and a throttle body. Luckily I never got pulled over. But now I took all that off since I don't need it anymore.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Can you get past 6,800 RPM? If so, you have an aftermarket tune.

All of these cars have hesitation if you mash the gas pedal... they aren't an LS engine.

 

[beefcake]

I would be happy to get you dialed in with a Lund custom tune.

 

[2015 Black GT]

I am also in central CA and I got a tuner with no issue, they still deliver the tuner to your house but its not "legal' to modify a car here in CA. I had LT's, CAI, and a throttle body. Luckily I never got pulled over. But now I took all that off since I don't need it anymore.

When you stated "Luckily I never got pulled over" My business is selling diagnostic software for big rigs and know that if the regen equipment is removed to get better mileage they take a chance of getting pulled over in Cal by CHP that may probe their exhaust to see if that equipment is functioning. Are you indicating that they can probe the exhaust of a car also? When a tune is added will the car still pass the smog tests?

 

[erikkire18]

When you stated "Luckily I never got pulled over" My business is selling diagnostic software for big rigs and know that if the regen equipment is removed to get better mileage they take a chance of getting pulled over in Cal by CHP that may probe their exhaust to see if that equipment is functioning. Are you indicating that they can probe the exhaust of a car also? When a tune is added will the car still pass the smog tests?

No I don't think tune effects passing smog, only if you got your check engine light on is when it won't pass. If your tuned I don't think its readable when getting smog and aside, they don't know what the tune is so they can't prove anything. I stated I was lucky because I had a CAI and longtube headers which are illegal here in CA. Tuning would be harder to detect since its the engine itself but since my CAI is in sight and my exhaust was loud due to LT's the CHP would have known my car had illegal modification. also, with LT's sometimes the check engine light is on since the air flow is different. I think as long as the check engine light is off you should be fine with smog.

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