Tuning the ecoboost

[Matthew Hoover]

i recently purchased my ‘18 Limited Max. It has the eco boost 375or so hp engine. To my understanding, the platinum comes with a “tuned 400 hp” engine. Is it possible to tune my 375 hp engine up to 400 hp? Has anyone done this?

 

[aggiegrad05]

Welcome, and congrats on the purchase.

There are myriad threads on here about tuning these engines. And they usually go WAY off the rails with peoples’ opinions.

My general understanding is “yes, there are tuning options” (livernois, 5 star, etc).

Good luck and I’m excited to see where this particular thread ends up when the moderators shut it down. Haha!

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Congratulations on you new purchase
I have a 2018 EXPY & a 2018 F150 3.5L ECOBOOST
Both are tuned using 5 star calibrations
Tremendous improvements over stock calibrations
Owned four gen one ecoboost 3.5L engines all tuned with Livernois calibrations
Never any mechanical issues
Always used premium fuels
Really like the potential of the ECOBOOST engines when recalibrated
Hope somebody does not jump on here & get nasty as they often seem to

 

[JExpedition07]

RAWWWWWWRRRRRR TUNING RAAAAAWWWRRRRR. Your whole truck will self destruct and void warranty as soon as you tune it, in fact the world as we know it will end. Kiss your 1st world life goodbye because your about to send us back to the stone ages.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

RAWWWWWWRRRRRR TUNING RAAAAAWWWRRRRR. Your whole truck will self destruct and void warranty as soon as you tune it, in fact the world as we know it will end. Kiss your 1st world life goodbye because your about to send us back to the stone ages.

Interesting comment
Never had any warranty denied because my vehicle was tuned
Of course never had any mechanical problems with any of my vehicles (all of which were tuned)
BTW
If for some reason you are worried about drivetrain warranty 5 star & most other reputable tuning software houses offer an extended warranty that can be purchased from them
Think it is even cheaper than the extended drivetrain warranty offered by FOMOCO

 

[Tom Lewis]

I purchased a 2018 F-150 in July, had it tuned by 5star. After Thanksgiving this year, we purchased a 2018 Expedition for my wife to drive. Just ordered a ngauge and tunes from 5star for it. I've driven tuned cars for years, hadn't had a problem yet. But then again, I'm not one to be abusive with my vehicles either.

 

[rjdelp7]

You will not notice a 25hp increase. I read years ago, you have to almost double HP, before you really feel it. The increase would be at the top end and lets face it...its an Expedition. You are not going to 'red line it' much or race. A tuner is $300+, forces the use of Premium fuel and could easily void a warranty. I installed a Jet Performance module in my 2011 5.0l Mustang. All the gains are past 3,000rpm, when horsing it. The car drives the same, maybe a bit peppier.

 

[edizzle]

tuning for FI vs NA engines are night and day. your mustang is not a good base to go by. you can absolutely feel the difference of an ecoboost motor tune. i would go as far to say almost night and day difference. now if you are tuning for just the 25hp difference of the platinum, then yes i agree, that will likely not be felt.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

tuning for FI vs NA engines are night and day. your mustang is not a good base to go by. you can absolutely feel the difference of an ecoboost motor tune. i would go as far to say almost night and day difference. now if you are tuning for just the 25hp difference of the platinum, then yes i agree, that will likely not be felt.

Engine torque from a dead stop dramatically improved with the 5 star tunes for my 2018 EXPY & 2018 F150 3.5L ECOBOOST
Both will break the tires loose from a dead stop with just moderately opening throttle
Engines in both of them pull hard to redline at wot
Transmission shifting characteristics dramatically improved (no skip shifts either)
A.S.S. system defeated
Average mileage improved about 1.5 mpg
Can't imagine anyone who has owned a previously tuned ecoboost vehicle not tuning their new vehicle as well
Have tuned all 6 of my ecoboost vehicles starting with my 2011 F150
ZERO mechanical problems with any of them
Have to believe the naysayers have never driven an tuned ECOBOOST vehicle
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

 

[Dark Z]

Engine torque from a dead stop dramatically improved with the 5 star tunes for my 2018 EXPY & 2018 F150 3.5L ECOBOOST
Both will break the tires loose from a dead stop with just moderately opening throttle
Engines in both of them pull hard to redline at wot
Transmission shifting characteristics dramatically improved (no skip shifts either)
A.S.S. system defeated
Average mileage improved about 1.5 mpg
Can't imagine anyone who has owned a previously tuned ecoboost vehicle not tuning their new vehicle as well
Have tuned all 6 of my ecoboost vehicles starting with my 2011 F150
ZERO mechanical problems with any of them
Have to believe the naysayers have never driven an tuned ECOBOOST vehicle
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Just curious if your Expy is stock with the tune? I'm thinking about adding some Air Filter and maybe some exhaust to breathe better for the tune.

 

[Garrett]

tuning for FI vs NA engines are night and day. your mustang is not a good base to go by. you can absolutely feel the difference of an ecoboost motor tune. i would go as far to say almost night and day difference. now if you are tuning for just the 25hp difference of the platinum, then yes i agree, that will likely not be felt.

So do you think a 91 tune would not help me for my platinum? I don’t want the 93 because I don’t have much of it around here, yet there is plenty of 91.

Speaking of 91 gas, I switched to it three months ago and my gas mileage (combo city highway) has actually gone down to 16.7 lol.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Just curious if your Expy is stock with the tune? I'm thinking about adding some Air Filter and maybe some exhaust to breathe better for the tune.

All stock components
I can get over 600 hp with all stock components
I see no need to replace exhaust or intake systems
Chart from 5 star with totally stock truck

 

[rjdelp7]

All stock components
I can get over 600 hp with all stock components
I see no need to replace exhaust or intake systems
Chart from 5 star with totally stock truck

balderdash...325hp boost? No.

 

[Dark Z]

All stock components
I can get over 600 hp with all stock components
I see no need to replace exhaust or intake systems
Chart from 5 star with totally stock truck

600HP is little too much tune on a stock setup IMO, I'm happy with just around 450hp tune if the car is stock. The engine should allow better breathing (in and out) if its tuning that much over stock hp, but I do agree with you on your earlier comments where anyone drove a tuned ecoboost cannot run it stock again, which is also the reason I chose Expy over other bigger SUVs in this category.

Funny story though, met a guy yesterday for some F150 parts. The guy had 3 F150 blown within a year running 5 star tunes, gotta give him credits for not quitting though, lol . I had always ran my F150 tune from MPT tuning, and too bad they didn't have any Expy tunes yet. Currently there only seem to be the Ngauge for Expy, I wish there are more options out there like the F150's market.

 

[Garrett]

Is a 91 tune worth it on a stock platinum?

 

[Garrett]

Bump

 

[edizzle]

I would have to say yes. But I would talk to your tuner.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

I would go for the JMS Boostmax. https://www.jmschip.com/turbocharger-electronic-boost-controller-bx600035v5/

I have one in my 2017 Expy. On 93 octane it adds 5 lbs of boost. If you install the adjustable knob you can adjust boost from 0 to 5psi. I have to keep the truck in 4A all the time because the rear tires break loose too easily on initial acceleration. If you are running 91 octane you can lower the adjustable knob to lower the boost to keep from detonation. I also installed one heat range colder plugs and I am getting ready to install a 170F thermostat. This will lower engine temps and keep the oil cooler. Most people don't know that our engines have an oil to lower radiator hose oil cooler.

The great thing about this is that it does not leave a digital "footprint" in the computer that it has been reflashed. If you have an issue and need to bring to the dealer, you simply unplug a few bypass clips and you are back to stock. No evidence of computer tampering.

I doubt anyone here will personally guarantee that your dealer wont void your warranty if there is an major engine issue and they see the truck has been reflashed at least two times (once to load the new tune and then again to reload the stock tune). If someone here is willing to give you that guarantee, then get it in writing. I doubt they will.

Please know that I am not anti tuner. I have a Steeda tune/ SCT X4 in my 2013 Mustang GT with 5.0. I also had a Jody Tipton economy tune SCT X3 in my 2005 Ford Excursion with 6.0 turbo. They both worked great. I was willing to take a chance on the $28k Mustang and on the Excursion once the warranty expired. I wont be taking that chance with my $65k truck - not now anyway!

 

[NASCAR Mike]

Not sure why this double posted.

 

[Garrett]

Did all of you buy a warranty with your tune?