Tuning last car left me debating

[Muhnopoly]

So I previously had a 17 ecoboost tuned by a reputable tuner via online revisions with the cobb AP. Not gonna say his name because I can't tell if it was my fault or his fault but after about 4 revisions I started over boosting. Started causing some knocking and other issues. Let's just say the boost should have been around 18 psi but it was pushing 26-28. All on a stock engine btw.

So I got rid of that car and now have a 20 GT with a full corsa catback and exterior visual mods. Been debating a roush SC but that's 10k+ other associated mods. Also debated on just trading in the stang for a supra but don't want to have 800$ monthly payments (give or take).

My question is if I just did a canned OTS tune for the GT would it be worth the money? Will it be reliable where I don't have to worry about parts breaking? Should I leave as stock? There isn't much I can do other then a tune or SC to gain more power. Living in Cali LTs are out of the question.

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[daSNAK3]

Cali sucks, I would leave it stock unless you want to boost it.

 

[SheepDog]

OTS tune for pump gas is not worth the cost. E85 however, will be a fairly significant bump in power. (30-40 WHP) Otherwise, save your money for Forced induction if you want dramatic results.

 

[junits15]

You'll be lucky to even feel the difference on a 91 tune with no additional hardware.


Ethanol is better value per dollar and is easily removed for your smog test.

 

[CXRs]

I am 90% sure I know which tuner you are talking about. If it's one based out of a major city in MD, then the tuner is not a great one. (Like most tuners) They focus more on marketing and new customers who have never had a modern tuned car and will sing their praises as soon as they see >7lbs more than factory, because they don't understand the correlation between boost and power. They just crank the boost early on to make a bunch of torque and make it seem fast, but they can't put up the numbers to back it up.

Don't let those guys put you off, a good tuner is worthwhile. Something I've noticed over the years is that entry level performance cars tend to have entry level tuners everywhere, regardless of how good the car is. And most of them just try to bump up the torque down low to make the car feel faster, because most owners will never put their car against a clock.

In terms of the Mustang, an OTS may make something of a difference, but not much of one on pump gas. Ford doesn't leave much meat on the bone these days. As others mentioned, e85 is likely the best choice for easy power though. If you get a custom tune, look at the tuners who are popular and advertise their track times such as Lund, PBD, etc.

 

[Cordero1]

You'll be lucky to even feel the difference on a 91 tune with no additional hardware.


Ethanol is better value per dollar and is easily removed for your smog test.

I did headers, exhaust, & intake. According to over half the people in here they add no power. So if that's the case, I'd have to disagree. I felt the 91 tune to be quiet nice on the butt dyno.

 

[junits15]

I did headers, exhaust, & intake. According to over half the people in here they add no power. So if that's the case, I'd have to disagree. I felt the 91 tune to be quiet nice on the butt dyno.

That's a different scenario, OP cannot do headers, or an intake or any mods like that because they need to pass smog. A 91 tune will get them almost nothing, and even with FBO mods a 91 tune will only have a small power increase.

The reason I say that a 91 tune isn't worth it is because in stock form on a gen 3 motor, there isn't an airflow restriction. The primary restriction is octane, even 93 will knock on a stock gen3 motor. So adding intakes, headers, and manifolds while remaining on pump gas isn't as good of a value per dollar than just going straight to ethanol.

OP can run ethanol and get 30-40hp, and maybe if they're lucky they'll gain 10hp on 91.

 

[shogun32]

Getting a quality tune for 91/93 is more about fixing the Ford tune, for drivability, clean revving, no more gasping for breath, and good throttle connection. If it adds HP it's measurement noise. The seat-o-pants thing is probably half imagined. That said, on the Ford tune the Coyote is lazy and labored. With a good tune it's lively, eager and willing, which could be construed as making more power.

 

[Muhnopoly]

I am 90% sure I know which tuner you are talking about. If it's one based out of a major city in MD, then the tuner is not a great one. (Like most tuners) They focus more on marketing and new customers who have never had a modern tuned car and will sing their praises as soon as they see >7lbs more than factory, because they don't understand the correlation between boost and power. They just crank the boost early on to make a bunch of torque and make it seem fast, but they can't put up the numbers to back it up.

Don't let those guys put you off, a good tuner is worthwhile. Something I've noticed over the years is that entry level performance cars tend to have entry level tuners everywhere, regardless of how good the car is. And most of them just try to bump up the torque down low to make the car feel faster, because most owners will never put their car against a clock.

In terms of the Mustang, an OTS may make something of a difference, but not much of one on pump gas. Ford doesn't leave much meat on the bone these days. As others mentioned, e85 is likely the best choice for easy power though. If you get a custom tune, look at the tuners who are popular and advertise their track times such as Lund, PBD, etc.

That is the exact tuner hahaha. Appreciate everyone's input. Sounds like if I really want to up the power it's gonna be e85 while I start acquiring other mods needed for running a supercharger comfortably.

 

[CXRs]

That is the exact tuner hahaha. Appreciate everyone's input. Sounds like if I really want to up the power it's gonna be e85 while I start acquiring other mods needed for running a supercharger comfortably.

Don't forget that turbos are an option! A little pricier for the smog variants, but such is life.
I'm biased as I'm planning on going turbo for the bit of extra headroom you get with the fuel system, the reduced losses, raised power ceiling on the stock longblock, and the fuel economy(don't hate, I road trip things hard and 2-4 mpg can be enough to cover date night for me and the missus when we get there). If I can keep my blinders on and resist the temptation for supercharger whine and the ability to go for headers and a 3" headerback exhaust, then it's gonna be turbo all the way.

As for the tuner, I rolled the dice when I went with him. I had him do one of my daily cars and he tried telling me that my shifting and the stock sensors were the reason that his tune couldn't outperform a stock acceleration run from 60-80(gps verified), on the same piece of road, 20 minutes back to back, in one gear. Then charged me more money to drop ship parts than the manufacturer does direct from their site.
Ending the rant, but damn that guy was incompetent.

Edit: almost forgot, the other thing that attracted me about turbos was that I am 90% sure you can get by on pump gas while you piece together your fuel system. You won't be making any records, but I mean why wait for the budget with a 400whp car when you can have 600whp

 

[stannypack]

Don't forget that turbos are an option! A little pricier for the smog variants, but such is life.
I'm biased as I'm planning on going turbo for the bit of extra headroom you get with the fuel system, the reduced losses, raised power ceiling on the stock longblock, and the fuel economy(don't hate, I road trip things hard and 2-4 mpg can be enough to cover date night for me and the missus when we get there). If I can keep my blinders on and resist the temptation for supercharger whine and the ability to go for headers and a 3" headerback exhaust, then it's gonna be turbo all the way.

As for the tuner, I rolled the dice when I went with him. I had him do one of my daily cars and he tried telling me that my shifting and the stock sensors were the reason that his tune couldn't outperform a stock acceleration run from 60-80(gps verified), on the same piece of road, 20 minutes back to back, in one gear. Then charged me more money to drop ship parts than the manufacturer does direct from their site.
Ending the rant, but damn that guy was incompetent.

Edit: almost forgot, the other thing that attracted me about turbos was that I am 90% sure you can get by on pump gas while you piece together your fuel system. You won't be making any records, but I mean why wait for the budget with a 400whp car when you can have 600whp

Are there 50 state carb legal turbos? Couldn't find any in my research

 

[Cordero1]

That's a different scenario, OP cannot do headers, or an intake or any mods like that because they need to pass smog. A 91 tune will get them almost nothing, and even with FBO mods a 91 tune will only have a small power increase.

The reason I say that a 91 tune isn't worth it is because in stock form on a gen 3 motor, there isn't an airflow restriction. The primary restriction is octane, even 93 will knock on a stock gen3 motor. So adding intakes, headers, and manifolds while remaining on pump gas isn't as good of a value per dollar than just going straight to ethanol.

OP can run ethanol and get 30-40hp, and maybe if they're lucky they'll gain 10hp on 91.

Im in the middle of getting my Korn fuel tune worked out. Hope it's as good as everyone says it is.

 

[Cordero1]

Getting a quality tune for 91/93 is more about fixing the Ford tune, for drivability, clean revving, no more gasping for breath, and good throttle connection. If it adds HP it's measurement noise. The seat-o-pants thing is probably half imagined. That said, on the Ford tune the Coyote is lazy and labored. With a good tune it's lively, eager and willing, which could be construed as making more power.

%100

Getting a quality tune for 91/93 is more about fixing the Ford tune, for drivability, clean revving, no more gasping for breath, and good throttle connection. If it adds HP it's measurement noise. The seat-o-pants thing is probably half imagined. That said, on the Ford tune the Coyote is lazy and labored. With a good tune it's lively, eager and willing, which could be construed as making more power.

That's how I felt the 1st time I got a car tuned, felt like it's probably all in my head. But this time around I was able to notice the difference right away. Livelier as you put it.

 

[CXRs]

Are there 50 state carb legal turbos? Couldn't find any in my research

Turns out I was wrong. I thought it was, but they did not make it CARB compliant, probably because CA is trying to steal from everyone they can to fuel their spending. Just came across this gem: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/hellion-inc-case-settlement
How on earth can a government agency from another state fine a company that is not principally conducting operations in their jurisdiction? That liability should fall on the consumer who purchased and installed it against their local laws, not the company that operates under another flag. Good lord do I hate the mess of a state that somehow controls life for the rest of us.

 

[junits15]

Im in the middle of getting my Korn fuel tune worked out. Hope it's as good as everyone says it is.

I like it a lot, I think you will too!

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