Steeda Bullitt Tune

[Elp_jc]

Ford ECU tuners need to go back to school.

My take is they need the freaking EPA off their backs .

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[tcarter]

I'm running the Steeda/James tune. I reached out to James before hand and the guy is knowledgeable and knows his stuff. He stands by is tunes and will work with you to make sure it's running right. If you YOUTUBE Bullitt Dyno you will see a few that he's done and he was responsible for helping users get over 500hp with bolt ons as well as north of 450hp out of the stock car. I think that was imgonein60

 

[GeorgeC]

Has anyone used the tune? Any comments on before vs after?

I bought a ford performance tune from steeda that's not their tune it's fords. I have it, I think the car shifts better I have the 10R80 as far as extra power I think there is some but not a lot. I does look cool as hell when you open the hood. If you are concerned about your warranty it's the way to go if your not there is a lot better ways to get more power for less money.

 

[GeorgeC]

I bought a ford performance tune from steeda that's not their tune it's fords. I have it, I think the car shifts better I have the 10R80 as far as extra power I think there is some but not a lot. I does look cool as hell when you open the hood. If you are concerned about your warranty it's the way to go if your not there is a lot better ways to get more power for less money.

OOPs my mistake steeda does their own bullitt it's not the ford tune.

 

[jwt]

Might treat myself before summer. thanks for all the responses

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Be mindful that the exhaust tone will likely change with the tune.

 

[Ontheedge]

Be mindful that the exhaust tone will likely change with the tune.

IF you ask james there is a tune that has the burble, like the stock tune in the bullitt.
I first got the standard bullitt tune from Steeda by james. I missed the burbles and pops and emailed james about it. Then he sent me a new tune with the burbles and pops.
Great service from Steeda and James

 

[tcarter]

IF you ask james there is a tune that has the burble, like the stock tune in the bullitt.
I first got the standard bullitt tune from Steeda by james. I missed the burbles and pops and emailed james about it. Then he sent me a new tune with the burbles and pops.
Great service from Steeda and James

Yup James will for sure take care of you. And I can't speak enough about his knowledge of the Coyote and what it likes. I almost had to put in PTO at work because I didn't want to get off the phone.

 

[Schwerin]

James seems to be the man. Back in the day I remember Lund as the Ford guru.

Lunds still a top dog, he's just not spending as many hours as James is specifically on the Bullitt to find out every little tiny tweak that can be best used to best optimize it.

Realistically it would likely be not a huge different between the two in numbers mail-in tunes, I just suspect that James may be a LITTLE more smooth and refined since its a setup he specializes in. While Lund specializes more in blown 5.0 and 5.2's

 

[Schwerin]

My take is they need the freaking EPA off their backs .

I have an interesting story about Ford Tuning and the EPA.

For the 1997-03 Escort ZX2 ford had MANY ECU codes that were almost all based on an initial 2-3 PMC base codes. Almost all the other MANY codes looked like ford just picked/chosed timing and fuel maps from the base code to make them. It was REALLY odd.

So in 1999 Ford put out the Escort ZX2 S/R with a custom 91+ ECU that gave the car "10%" more power. While most ZX2's would dyno about 106-110WHP the S/R would often dyno 120+. Ford also Sold this ECU via FordRacing.com for like $400.

Now Ford would regularly update ECU codes for "EPA and other reasons". EVEN THE FORD RACING CODES.

In doing so Ford was slowly updating EVERY ECU to replace all the many codes to just 1-2 identical ECU codes(No idea why they didnt do this in 1997.. but who knows). By the time Ford was done "FIXING" them for EPA/emissions, around 2004, the $400 Ford Racing ECU you bought to get a nice extra 10WHP.... was now making 100WHP... just like every other ZX2 PCM code that had been updates. On top of that the fuel ratios were made MUCH richer.

Not only had you lost the 10% power, bit you now made LESS power than the advertised 130crank HP of the base car. You also lost a lot of MPG.

So, what's sad is that every one of the rare 1999/2000 ZX2 S/R's still on the road, even though they originally came with 143HP crank... now (unless the owner specifically avoided ECU updates) MAYBE is making ~118 crank HP... Ford robbed you of 25hp. Thats a substantial number on a small and light car. The numbers were validated by a dyno on the same day of an updated and a non-updated ECU both run for 3 pulls on the same car on the same dyno/day. Car went from 123whp, to 100whp. Swapping them also made noticeable MPG changes too. the A/F ratios and timing tables were vastly different.

 

[Illinois Bullitt]

I'm interested in the Steeda/James tune for my Bullitt but how does that affect the warranty? If the transmission goes or there is some other issue, will Ford not cover anything because of the non-Ford tune?

 

[Usmc341]

I'm interested in the Steeda/James tune for my Bullitt but how does that affect the warranty? If the transmission goes or there is some other issue, will Ford not cover anything because of the non-Ford tune?

Yes they can deny any repair If it's connected with an aftermarket tune. I've heard they can tell there is was a tune even if it's put back to stock. That's not to say that your whole bumper to bumper warranty is voided. For example, say a a power window motor goes. That would still be covered because it is not part of the powertrain and not connected to the tune. Manufacturers cannot summarily void an entire warranty. They can deny a particular repair.

 

[Ron]

"Maybe this has been asked before, but does anyone have experience w/the Steeda Bullitt tune? Worth it?"

I just recently had Steeda install one of their tunes on my PP2. All I was looking for was enough to get me past the 20 HP increase of the Bullitt & Mach 1. By the time I left the Pompano Beach (FL) facility, my RWHP was +/- a couple of HP from the GT350. One note tho ... I also have a Borla S-Type cat-back exhaust (140745) & resonator (60661).

 

[Usmc341]

I just recently had Steeda install one of their tunes on my PP2. All I was looking for was enough to get me past the 20 HP increase of the Bullitt & Mach 1. By the time I left the Pompano Beach (FL) facility, my RWHP was +/- a couple of HP from the GT350. One note tho ... I also have a Borla S-Type cat-back exhaust (140745) & resonator (60661).

You're certainly fortunate to live near the facility. I'll have to settle for an email tune.

 

[Ron]

"You're certainly fortunate to live near the facility. I'll have to settle for an email tune."

Actually, I reside in the DFW area. But I did live in FL for 7+ years so have lots of friends down there. Besides, being old, senile, grouchy & retired, it doesn't take much for me to 'road trip' the Mustang.

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