I just picked up a 17 EL 4x4. I had a great performance tow tune in my 5.4 F150 that I traded in (returned to stock tune first). What benefits will I get out of tuning the ecoboost expedition? It will be a daily driver for my wife but will also be towing my travel trailer now that the truck is gone. I don't want harsh shifts or to mess with my powertrain warranty but the electronic throttle improvements would be nice.
17 Ecoboost
- Thread starter coolzzy
- Start date
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Savannah Dan
Active Member
I just got tunes for my 17 Expedition. We took a 350 mile trip to south Florida last week. The trip down I was burning 87 octane with the stock tune, cruise control was set 0n 82 mph. Got 16.5 MPG.
I loaded the 89 Eco tune and filled up with 89 octane for the trip home. Set the cruise control on 82 again. I got 19.9 mpg. Pretty impressive.
With a stock tune I normally get 17.5 mpg on 89 octane gas on the interstate.
I loaded the 89 Eco tune and filled up with 89 octane for the trip home. Set the cruise control on 82 again. I got 19.9 mpg. Pretty impressive.
With a stock tune I normally get 17.5 mpg on 89 octane gas on the interstate.
FordTraveler
New Member
What does the owner's manual call for? On my other Ford it says to use "91" as a "suggested" fuel. And if you use anything other than the "suggested" and have any issues with engine, they are not covered under warranty. I hate paying for premium on such a large vehicle. I've been using 91 octane. I have been contemplating E85.
jeff kushner
Full Access Members
Did you ever do that E85 thing? I figure that since a couple of months have passed, if you did, we could all hear how that worked out for you.....???
jeff
jeff
I ran the five star 87 octane performance tow tune with ODLK (locked out 6rh gear when tow haul mode was turned on), and it was a great tune. I'd still run 89 octane when it was hot and I was towing. On the 17 expy, I'm running the 5 star 87 octane performance tow tune as well, and I run 91 octane when towing. The ecoboost likes higher octane fuel in demanding situations like towing and when it's hot. I haven't really noticed a mpg difference between 87 and 91 octane though ymmv
mquick5
Full Access Members
Are they all e85 compatible or do they have to be marked? I haven't seen anything on my that leads me to believe it is e85.
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NASCAR Mike
Full Access Members
Our Expy's are not E85 compatible. Only the 5.4 Expy's that were marked were OK.
mquick5
Full Access Members
Geargambler
Well-Known Member
I'm really interested in getting a tuning device, mostly for towing. Is it really a night and day difference in performance?
NASCAR Mike
Full Access Members
There is a night & day difference on turbo engines if you are willing to run 91 or 93 octane.
You have two choices. A tuner that reflashes your computer module or a piggyback tuner like JMS BoostMax. It intercepts the factory signal and changes it to provide more boost.
Both have pro's and cons. The Boostmax only does turbo boost and pedal effort with another chip. A tuner you can boost, pedal effort, transmission shifts, OD lockup for better MPG, turn cooling fans on sooner and much more.
The downside to a tuner is that if you blow headgaskets because of overboost, the dealer will see that the computer has been reflashed and could void your warranty.
The JMS Boostmax leaves no digital footprint of any kind. You just have to remove the module before you bring it to the dealer.
I use the Boostmax. The power increase is incredible and I average about 19MPG if I am not driving her hard.
You have two choices. A tuner that reflashes your computer module or a piggyback tuner like JMS BoostMax. It intercepts the factory signal and changes it to provide more boost.
Both have pro's and cons. The Boostmax only does turbo boost and pedal effort with another chip. A tuner you can boost, pedal effort, transmission shifts, OD lockup for better MPG, turn cooling fans on sooner and much more.
The downside to a tuner is that if you blow headgaskets because of overboost, the dealer will see that the computer has been reflashed and could void your warranty.
The JMS Boostmax leaves no digital footprint of any kind. You just have to remove the module before you bring it to the dealer.
I use the Boostmax. The power increase is incredible and I average about 19MPG if I am not driving her hard.
I'm not running an aggressive tune, in fact the ecoboost performance/tow tune from 5 star may actually have less power but is custom designed for towing. According to the rep I talked to it doesn't let the turbos get as hot or boost as much at low throttle compared to stock. This is an effort to reduce LSPI (low speed pre-ignition) which can blow up a turbo di motor (look at early veloster turbos as an example, and some focus STs). I removed my tune a few months ago because towing/camping season had ended and I notice the stock tune really let's the truck lug and use boost instead of downshifting. When tuned the truck down shifts easier with pedal input, and really limits boost unless you get into the pedal. You hear the motor a bit more because it's limiting boost and letting the motor alone do more of the low speed mundane tasks of moving the truck.
Geargambler
Well-Known Member
I appreciate the input from you two! Good info!
Mike Wolfe
Full Access Members
FYI
You can use E85 with no issues
It is about 108 octane
Injectors & fuel system has enough flow capabilities to accommodate it
I use the 5 star E30 calibration in my vehicles with E51 mix
Tremendous increase in power
Fuel mileage about 85% of that I experienced using 91 octane E10
91 & 93 octane tunes not even close to hp & torque with E30 calibration
Geargambler
Well-Known Member
I had a feeling that higher content ethanol wouldn't be an issue with a calibration in place. The 5.4 flex fuel expeditions have the ethanol sensor on them. I'm sure the ecoboost expeditions do too! Those sensors will show the exact ethanol content via voltage (you can even get a gauge to output it) as well as the temperature of the fuel via frequency.FYI
You can use E85 with no issues
It is about 108 octane
Injectors & fuel system has enough flow capabilities to accommodate it
I use the 5 star E30 calibration in my vehicles with E51 mix
Tremendous increase in power
Fuel mileage about 85% of that I experienced using 91 octane E10
91 & 93 octane tunes not even close to hp & torque with E30 calibration
Savannah Dan
Active Member
When towing I run the five star 89 octane performance tow tune. I pull a 26' Pro Line boat, about a 7K# load with trailer. It pulls really strong. I had my brother with me when we were on the way to put it in the water. It was the first time he had ridden in the Ex. I asked him what he thought about it. He said he was impressed with the smoothness, sound levels, and the acceleration. I told him to look out the back window. He said, "Holy crap! I forgot we were pulling that big ass boat!"
Geargambler
Well-Known Member
That is classic! My first time towing with this 2017 limited was with a 24 foot enclosed trailer with a 2016 mustang in it. I was delivering it to the philly auto show because the weather was crappy. It was a slow ride down, getting used to the sway control. I think I could have moved the car forward and added some tongue weight. On the way back, I literally forgot the trailer was there. I had premium fuel in it, using the tow / haul mode. Really can't wait to get a tune. I'll be calling the five star guys for sure!
Do it! I have the 93 perf tow tune on my 16 EL Platinum. 17mpg, 22psi of boost (stock is only 11-13) and the damn thing hauls ass. Haven’t had it dynoed yet but easily in the high 400s for hp and tq to the wheels
Jon Pritchard
Member
Do you need to run a 3Bar MAP sensor in these expeditions or are they standard?
I have OEM 2.5 bar MAP
If I do any more performance work, next on list in new mishimoto CAC and hot/cold side pipes I will likely move up to 3 BAR
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