Looking for Tuning Suggestions / Experience

[Porsche Dude]

I drive a PP2 and I do track it a lot. I see these different manufacturers and their cold air intakes and tunes claiming 24 HP and 18 lbs of torque. Has anyone here had one installed and do they provide the increase they claim? I am looking for faster throttle response and a bit of an increase in acceleration. I have an X pipe and Borla Sport Mufflers but everything else in the engine is stock. I appreciate your answers. Thanks.

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[NeedForGreen]

CAI tunes really don't yield much by themselves. The only one I've seen actually put out close to what it claims is Steeda's closed CAI. Some have seen good results with JLT, but so many factors go into CAI's. Custom tunes are going to be your best option in my opinion if there's any performance shops near you. Lots of options there. Lunds are great tunes, but way better with E85. Unfortunately that's not an option for many. It all depends on if you want to toss out the warranty or keep it as well. Ford Performance put out a warranty backed calibration tune and cai (sold out right now), but even those who got it weren't seeing much increase in power, but did see better throttle response.

 

[Porsche Dude]

CAI tunes really don't yield much by themselves. The only one I've seen actually put out close to what it claims is Steeda's closed CAI. Some have seen good results with JLT, but so many factors go into CAI's. Custom tunes are going to be your best option in my opinion if there's any performance shops near you. Lots of options there. Lunds are great tunes, but way better with E85. Unfortunately that's not an option for many. It all depends on if you want to toss out the warranty or keep it as well. Ford Performance put out a warranty backed calibration tune and cai (sold out right now), but even those who got it weren't seeing much increase in power, but did see better throttle response.

I appreciate the honesty, thank you.

 

[Bluemustang]

On the track, you will see a gain. I wouldn't do a CAI though without a tune. Lund, PBD, AED seem to be the best, most popular options for tuning. I am tuned by Lund and use a JLT.

The gains with the CAI will mostly come up top in the rpm band.

IF you have access to E-85, do yourself a favor get Lund tune and request the E85R tune also. Huge gains from E-85 on the Gen3 motor. Yuge.

 

[TopJimmyCooks]

On the track, you will see a gain. I wouldn't do a CAI though without a tune. Lund, PBD, AED seem to be the best, most popular options for tuning. I am tuned by Lund and use a JLT.

The gains with the CAI will mostly come up top in the rpm band.

IF you have access to E-85, do yourself a favor get Lund tune and request the E85R tune also. Huge gains from E-85 on the Gen3 motor. Yuge.

I see a lot of people doing the E85 tunes. My question...can you buy that fuel at the track? At the track I frequent, I don't think they have anything with >10% ethanol. If it is not available, folks might want to avoid the E85 tune? I've not even explored an E85 tune, so I might be out of line here. I have the Ford Perf Power Pack 2 and am very happy with the mid-range gains. I don't feel that I need any more power on track. Last time at VIR I was kicking the rear out if I wasn't careful with the throttle on turns 1, 3, and 17. Granted, it was scorching hot. 95 degrees. Ooof.

 

[Bluemustang]

I see a lot of people doing the E85 tunes. My question...can you buy that fuel at the track? At the track I frequent, I don't think they have anything with >10% ethanol. If it is not available, folks might want to avoid the E85 tune? I've not even explored an E85 tune, so I might be out of line here. I have the Ford Perf Power Pack 2 and am very happy with the mid-range gains. I don't feel that I need any more power on track. Last time at VIR I was kicking the rear out if I wasn't careful with the throttle on turns 1, 3, and 17. Granted, it was scorching hot. 95 degrees. Ooof.

Doubtful that you can. If there is an E-85 station nearby the track then you're golden. By no means am I saying you need an E85 tune or you're going to knock X.XX seconds off your laptimes. Just saying the gains from E85 on Gen3 engine are well known. With a CAI and tune+E85, probably looking at 30-40whp gain and improvements through rpm range. Then there's also the benefit of running slightly cooler with ethanol.

I am not sure if flex fuel tunes are available for the Gen3 yet. I have a Gen2 so I have 93, flex and E85R tunes.

 

[Porsche Dude]

CAI tunes really don't yield much by themselves. The only one I've seen actually put out close to what it claims is Steeda's closed CAI. Some have seen good results with JLT, but so many factors go into CAI's. Custom tunes are going to be your best option in my opinion if there's any performance shops near you. Lots of options there. Lunds are great tunes, but way better with E85. Unfortunately that's not an option for many. It all depends on if you want to toss out the warranty or keep it as well. Ford Performance put out a warranty backed calibration tune and cai (sold out right now), but even those who got it weren't seeing much increase in power, but did see better throttle response.

I just spoke to our local Ford racing dealer, they race a lot of cars, and they recommend the Ford Performance tune, and on their dyno they get a 42 ftlbs torque increase at 2000 rpm, and about 20 hp increase in the higher rpm range. It is a warranty tune and they use the stock air filter box with a high flow K&N filter. The issue is being able to find the tune right now. Drat.

 

[shogun32]

I have a Gen2 so I have 93, flex and E85R tunes.

do you buy your E85R by the 4x50 gallon drum pallet? If you're tracking, then of course you roll the drum onto the trailer with all the requisite race slicks and what not. Right?

 

[Bluemustang]

I just spoke to our local Ford racing dealer, they race a lot of cars, and they recommend the Ford Performance tune, and on their dyno they get a 42 ftlbs torque increase at 2000 rpm, and about 20 hp increase in the higher rpm range. It is a warranty tune and they use the stock air filter box with a high flow K&N filter. The issue is being able to find the tune right now. Drat.

I think they are being quite cheeky with those claims. The aftermarket tuners haven't been able to gain much on the Gen3 cars with tune only. Reportedly Ford's stock tune is quite a bit "hotter" than the previous Gen. Plus, there's only so much you can do on 93 octane pump gas. The tune might "allow" you to turn timing up but if the fuel won't support it without sensing knock, you don't get it. The other consideration with Ford's Power Pack tune is that it is non-upgradeable. Once you've got it, you are stuck with that configuration. Custom tunes can tweaked very easily for additional mods. So, on the one hand you have warranty... on the other hand you have flexibility for additional performance and stuff like E85 or heck even a 100 octane race gas tune if you wanted. I understand WHY folks want the Ford PP tune - the warranty. But IMHO it's just not worth it over stock. If you're modding from stock, then at least leave yourself options.

 

[Bluemustang]

do you buy your E85R by the 4x50 gallon drum pallet? If you're tracking, then of course you roll the drum onto the trailer with all the requisite race slicks and what not. Right?

Nope, I'm a slow noob who doesn't need any of that. I just fill up at any of two or three stations near me whenever I feel like it.

 

[dead_inside]

I think they are being quite cheeky with those claims. The aftermarket tuners haven't been able to gain much on the Gen3 cars with tune only. Reportedly Ford's stock tune is quite a bit "hotter" than the previous Gen. Plus, there's only so much you can do on 93 octane pump gas. The tune might "allow" you to turn timing up but if the fuel won't support it without sensing knock, you don't get it. The other consideration with Ford's Power Pack tune is that it is non-upgradeable. Once you've got it, you are stuck with that configuration. Custom tunes can tweaked very easily for additional mods. So, on the one hand you have warranty... on the other hand you have flexibility for additional performance and stuff like E85 or heck even a 100 octane race gas tune if you wanted. I understand WHY folks want the Ford PP tune - the warranty. But IMHO it's just not worth it over stock. If you're modding from stock, then at least leave yourself options.

If I have a 93 tune and see some timing being pulled due to knock caused by fuel, is there a point in additional power mods? Pardon my ignorance but if I’m already getting the most out of my available fuel then adding an intake for example wont add any power because my fuel is the choke point. Is that correct?

 

[NeedForGreen]

I just spoke to our local Ford racing dealer, they race a lot of cars, and they recommend the Ford Performance tune, and on their dyno they get a 42 ftlbs torque increase at 2000 rpm, and about 20 hp increase in the higher rpm range. It is a warranty tune and they use the stock air filter box with a high flow K&N filter. The issue is being able to find the tune right now. Drat.

I'd like to see those claims. I doubt know 1 person who got the tune get the claimed numbers.
Even someone on here got it.

 

[NeedForGreen]

I think they are being quite cheeky with those claims. The aftermarket tuners haven't been able to gain much on the Gen3 cars with tune only. Reportedly Ford's stock tune is quite a bit "hotter" than the previous Gen. Plus, there's only so much you can do on 93 octane pump gas. The tune might "allow" you to turn timing up but if the fuel won't support it without sensing knock, you don't get it. The other consideration with Ford's Power Pack tune is that it is non-upgradeable. Once you've got it, you are stuck with that configuration. Custom tunes can tweaked very easily for additional mods. So, on the one hand you have warranty... on the other hand you have flexibility for additional performance and stuff like E85 or heck even a 100 octane race gas tune if you wanted. I understand WHY folks want the Ford PP tune - the warranty. But IMHO it's just not worth it over stock. If you're modding from stock, then at least leave yourself options.

So you're saying once you have it you can't later use say a Lund tune and override it? Or are you saying you're just stuck with that 1 single tune without being able to change any of it?

 

[Bluemustang]

If I have a 93 tune and see some timing being pulled due to knock caused by fuel, is there a point in additional power mods? Pardon my ignorance but if I’m already getting the most out of my available fuel then adding an intake for example wont add any power because my fuel is the choke point. Is that correct?

The timing being pulled and how much fuel needs to be added are two separate things. Timing advance is only one parameter in terms of making power and not the end all be all. If you bring in more air, you need more fuel. More air + more fuel = more power, generally. Things like volumetric efficiency also comes into play.

 

[Bluemustang]

So you're saying once you have it you can't later use say a Lund tune and override it? Or are you saying you're just stuck with that 1 single tune without being able to change any of it?

No, you can override it. But the money for the Ford tune is gone then since it can't be transferred to another VIN. You are correct that you cannot make changes to the Ford tune, except small things like tire sizes and gear ratio. Any other real engine mods that need a revision can't be done to the Ford tune.

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