Who is running tunes on their 3.5L EB 3rd gen?

[zablalbaz]

Hey All,

I just traded a 395hp, 2018 F150 XLT that had a 10spd transmission with "sport" mode for a 365hp 2017 Expedition Ltd with 3.5L EB and a 6spd transmission. I love the Expedition Limited interior and creature comforts in the cabin. But I miss the punch I had with my truck. So I'm looking into tunes for the Expedition to get a little of that back.

I've looked at some previous posts, but can't quite find what I am looking for. So I have some specific questions for ya'll.

How many of you are using tunes with your 3rd gen, 3.5L EB expeditions? Was it worth the expense? What tuners and tunes did you go with? Did you see any actual HP or performance gains? I'm specifically looking for experiences from folks with 1) the 3.5L EB engines and 2) tuners with tunes purchased from online stores. I'm not really interested in going to a shop. I just want plug something in and load a canned tune. Thanks in advance!

 

[502Expedition]

following!

 

[LokiWolf]

Hey @zablalbaz

There are MANY threads in the 3rd Gen area talking about tuning on these.

Also some here:

Engine & Performance

Discuss Engine mods, Chips, Filters, etc. here.

www.expeditionforum.com

I ran 5 different options on my 2015/2017.

JMS Boostmax - plug in Module
Hypertech - Canned
SCT - Canned
LMS - Slightly tweaked, but not Data logged
ZFG - Heavily logged, and adjusted for my preferences. (Used a MPVI2 from HPTuners)

4 out of the 5 were perfectly good options, and each had advantages.

JMS Boostmax - Easy install, no programming, but did nothing for the Trans. Great option for most.
Hypertech - REALLY liked this little device - Pretty sure there is a Thread around here dedicated to my impressions of it. Even at the highest power level, full towing, and it could adjust tire size and TPMS settings very easily.
SCT - Canned tunes from SCT - Absolute crap. Never again!
LMS - Excellent for the 3rd Gen Ecoboosts, but left a lot to be desired on our 2020.
ZFG - All out tune! Adam@ZFG can make a Ecoboost dance! Data logging to tweak for yours. This is what I was running on the 2017 when traded in for the 2020. And what stays loaded on the 2020 now. Shifting both in the 6 Speed and now the 10 Speed is SO MUCH better than stock.

Many here are running 5 Star. Personally not a fan, but many have been happy there.

 

[LokiWolf]

Here is a good thread discussing many options.

Expedition Ecoboost Tune

They don’t recommend using a straight performance tune while towing. Gearing and shift strategies too aggressive. You would need to purchase a performance tow tune and they can make it shift however you want. Plenty of 5 star f150s out there towing the shit outta stuff. And 5 star, unlike...

www.expeditionforum.com

 

[zablalbaz]

Hey @zablalbaz

There are MANY threads in the 3rd Gen area talking about tuning on these.

Also some here:

Engine & Performance

Discuss Engine mods, Chips, Filters, etc. here.

www.expeditionforum.com

I ran 5 different options on my 2015/2017.

JMS Boostmax - plug in Module
Hypertech - Canned
SCT - Canned
LMS - Slightly tweaked, but not Data logged
ZFG - Heavily logged, and adjusted for my preferences. (Used a MPVI2 from HPTuners)

4 out of the 5 were perfectly good options, and each had advantages.

JMS Boostmax - Easy install, no programming, but did nothing for the Trans. Great option for most.
Hypertech - REALLY liked this little device - Pretty sure there is a Thread around here dedicated to my impressions of it. Even at the highest power level, full towing, and it could adjust tire size and TPMS settings very easily.
SCT - Canned tunes from SCT - Absolute crap. Never again!
LMS - Excellent for the 3rd Gen Ecoboosts, but left a lot to be desired on our 2020.
ZFG - All out tune! Adam@ZFG can make a Ecoboost dance! Data logging to tweak for yours. This is what I was running on the 2017 when traded in for the 2020. And what stays loaded on the 2020 now. Shifting both in the 6 Speed and now the 10 Speed is SO MUCH better than stock.

Many here are running 5 Star. Personally not a fan, but many have been happy there.

Thanks! I've been getting good feedback about the 5-star 2015-2017 package from my FB group. Specifically this one:

Ford & Toyota Aftermarket Truck Parts | Stage 3 Motorsports

But I've never heard of ZFG before. Is there a specific package that you bought? I like the idea of having something that I can use in my next vehicle when I trade up. Also, I need the ability to backup/restore the original PCM config when I bring it in to the dealer. Does the ZFG tuner do that and is it easy to restore the stock config when necessary?

 

[LokiWolf]

Thanks! I've been getting good feedback about the 5-star 2015-2017 package from my FB group. Specifically this one:

Ford & Toyota Aftermarket Truck Parts | Stage 3 Motorsports

But I've never heard of ZFG before. Is there a specific package that you bought? I like the idea of having something that I can use in my next vehicle when I trade up. Also, I need the ability to backup/restore the original PCM config when I bring it in to the dealer. Does the ZFG tuner do that and is it easy to restore the stock config when necessary?

Yes, on all of that. ZFG only Supports the HPTuner family of devices. 5Star can use HPTuner, and several other tuners also, like unleashed, and BCB.

You buy credits to unlock a vehicle. Once unlocked/paired with that MPVI/RTD(HPtuner Device options) you can send tunes to that vehicle from any tuner. Buy a new car, you would need to buy credits to unlock that vehicle. I have used my current MPVI2 on 5 vehicles total. Don't own 4 of them. You would pay the tuner for the tunes and their expertise in that, above and beyond the hardware costs.

Part of your decision is deciding the device you want to use. I am a fan of the HPTuner devices because of the Data logging that can be done with them. For most people the RTD is fine. The MPVI is for those that want to dabble in tuning themselves.

Checkout here:
https://www.tunedbyzfgracing.com/product-page/2015-2017-ford-expedition-3-5l-zfg-racing-custom-tune

Tell Adam that Ray sent you. He has an Auto Octane option, it is down a little on power vs the straight 93, but allows you to run 87/89 without switching tunes.

 

[zablalbaz]

Yes, on all of that. ZFG only Supports the HPTuner family of devices. 5Star can use HPTuner, and several other tuners also, like unleashed, and BCB.

You buy credits to unlock a vehicle. Once unlocked/paired with that MPVI/RTD(HPtuner Device options) you can send tunes to that vehicle from any tuner. Buy a new car, you would need to buy credits to unlock that vehicle. I have used my current MPVI2 on 5 vehicles total. Don't own 4 of them. You would pay the tuner for the tunes and their expertise in that, above and beyond the hardware costs.

Part of your decision is deciding the device you want to use. I am a fan of the HPTuner devices because of the Data logging that can be done with them. For most people the RTD is fine. The MPVI is for those that want to dabble in tuning themselves.

Checkout here:
https://www.tunedbyzfgracing.com/product-page/2015-2017-ford-expedition-3-5l-zfg-racing-custom-tune

Tell Adam that Ray sent you. He has an Auto Octane option, it is down a little on power vs the straight 93, but allows you to run 87/89 without switching tunes.

Thanks! I've been looking at the HP Tuners and I like that they just plug in down below to the ODBII port and stay there. At least the ones I have seen seem to be a little more inconspicuous and don't require a window mount or any other type of mount. I don't want to dabble in tuning myself, so I think I am good with the less expensive RTD. And I tend to run premium (93 octane) in my engines to help keep them cleaner and prevent any ticking noises. Also gets me better mpg - but that's usually a wash with it being more expensive. Does the auto octane tune work with 93 as well?

 

[LokiWolf]

Thanks! I've been looking at the HP Tuners and I like that they just plug in down below to the ODBII port and stay there. At least the ones I have seen seem to be a little more inconspicuous and don't require a window mount or any other type of mount. I don't want to dabble in tuning myself, so I think I am good with the less expensive RTD. And I tend to run premium (93 octane) in my engines to help keep them cleaner and prevent any ticking noises. Also gets me better mpg - but that's usually a wash with it being more expensive. Does the auto octane tune work with 93 as well?

Yes. Because it has to be a little more conservative, it loses a few HP/Lbft to the just 93 tune. For the everyday drive, it is what i recommend.

Don't need to leave the RTD plugged in all the time. Only if you want to flash or log.

 

[zablalbaz]

Yes. Because it has to be a little more conservative, it loses a few HP/Lbft to the just 93 tune. For the everyday drive, it is what i recommend.

Don't need to leave the RTD plugged in all the time. Only if you want to flash or log.

TY! Very helpful!

 

[JExpedition07]

Hey All,

I just traded a 395hp, 2018 F150 XLT that had a 10spd transmission with "sport" mode for a 365hp 2017 Expedition Ltd with 3.5L EB and a 6spd transmission. I love the Expedition Limited interior and creature comforts in the cabin. But I miss the punch I had with my truck. So I'm looking into tunes for the Expedition to get a little of that back.

I've looked at some previous posts, but can't quite find what I am looking for. So I have some specific questions for ya'll.

How many of you are using tunes with your 3rd gen, 3.5L EB expeditions? Was it worth the expense? What tuners and tunes did you go with? Did you see any actual HP or performance gains? I'm specifically looking for experiences from folks with 1) the 3.5L EB engines and 2) tuners with tunes purchased from online stores. I'm not really interested in going to a shop. I just want plug something in and load a canned tune. Thanks in advance!

Drove a new Lariat F-150 with the 400 Hp/ 410 tq V8 and 10 speed combination. That thing was something else. Red line was over 6 grand!!! These new trucks are so light with so much power.

Those new 5.0 and EcoBoost F-150s are all 400 hp and mid 5’s 0-60 if you YouTube them. Sports sedan times of a decade ago.

 

[Speedboosted]

I am running a Juggernaut Tune on my 2017 EL. Matt Honeycutt is the main tuner over there, and has one of the most extensive tuning/programming backgrounds you'll ever find across the entire industry. A couple of the biggest tuning names in the Mustang world had his brain behind it. I've used many tuners across many platforms, Matt/Juggernaut are my favorite.

Juggernaut Performance Tuning

Quality Ford & Subaru performance calibrations as well as specialty services like Firmware changes, PCM Programming and PATS Delete

jptunes.com

They use SCT for Ford Ecoboost tuning, any device works within the SCT family. It's a "custom" tune as some people call it, so you'll want to datalog back and forth with them to dial everything in. Any octane fuel, any requests, they can accommodate it. I even sent him logs with my trailer hooked up to make sure all was good there too.

Truck pulls great in every gear, shift points are crisp and right where you want them. I'm pretty sure the fuel mileage increased a touch as well. Last time I was hauling my car to a race event, I got 15.2 hand calc through I-5 in Oregon with some hills.

 

[zablalbaz]

Just a quick update. After some thought on this, I am starting out with a Banks PedalMonster mod first. I was looking at the Pedal Commander modules, but read a few reviews where people said the things failed and basically left them stranded on the side of the road with the "engine failure" light flashing on their consoles. The Banks PedalMonster has a fail safe built in so if it fails for any reason, your car just reverts back to stock mode and you can finish any trip you are on. The PedalMonster will work in concert with any tunes you use too, and I still plan on doing that at a later date. Thanks for all the advice from everyone who gave it!

 

[LokiWolf]

Just a quick update. After some thought on this, I am starting out with a Banks PedalMonster mod first. I was looking at the Pedal Commander modules, but read a few reviews where people said the things failed and basically left them stranded on the side of the road with the "engine failure" light flashing on their consoles. The Banks PedalMonster has a fail safe built in so if it fails for any reason, your car just reverts back to stock mode and you can finish any trip you are on. The PedalMonster will work in concert with any tunes you use too, and I still plan on doing that at a later date. Thanks for all the advice from everyone who gave it!

I think the Banks Pedal Monster is superior to most! Good choice. It is just different throttle mapping, and absolutely zero power added. If you do get a tune I recommend removing the Pedal Monster, as most tuners will already mess with the throttle mapping, and the pedal monster could negatively affect that, if active, and cause shift points to be off especially in Sport. If you do keep it, be sure to mention it to your Tuner.

 

[BlackBetty]

2016 Expedition running an HP Tune installed by Eddie at Elite Performance and Tune in Littleton, CO.

Since the initial tune I’ve done a few things. One of the big things was the installation of the Full Race Freak-O-Boost kit. After I finished that install I was headed out to a new contracting job that took me through Colorado; perfect timing for a re-tune.

To answer your question… yes, it was worth my time and money. As far as the punch yourF-150 had… I smoked a similarly equipped F-150 at the light. If you do something similar… oh man!!! You’ve got a slight increase in power rift off the bat in the newer EcoBoost. Not to mention there have probably been some power boosting improvements in the tuning process since I got mine done. So, see attachment for numbers at the rear wheels… also, remember the numbers you quoted are at the crank. Subtract 15%-20% from your figures and that be your approximate HP/TQ numbers at the wheels. So, if we do the reverse rule on my numbers (using the 15%) it would look more like this 436.47hp and 710.93lbs/ft. Ooohhh I love that math!!!

 

[Molaf]

Hey @zablalbaz

There are MANY threads in the 3rd Gen area talking about tuning on these.

Also some here:

Engine & Performance

Discuss Engine mods, Chips, Filters, etc. here.

www.expeditionforum.com

I ran 5 different options on my 2015/2017.

JMS Boostmax - plug in Module
Hypertech - Canned
SCT - Canned
LMS - Slightly tweaked, but not Data logged
ZFG - Heavily logged, and adjusted for my preferences. (Used a MPVI2 from HPTuners)

4 out of the 5 were perfectly good options, and each had advantages.

JMS Boostmax - Easy install, no programming, but did nothing for the Trans. Great option for most.
Hypertech - REALLY liked this little device - Pretty sure there is a Thread around here dedicated to my impressions of it. Even at the highest power level, full towing, and it could adjust tire size and TPMS settings very easily.
SCT - Canned tunes from SCT - Absolute crap. Never again!
LMS - Excellent for the 3rd Gen Ecoboosts, but left a lot to be desired on our 2020.
ZFG - All out tune! Adam@ZFG can make a Ecoboost dance! Data logging to tweak for yours. This is what I was running on the 2017 when traded in for the 2020. And what stays loaded on the 2020 now. Shifting both in the 6 Speed and now the 10 Speed is SO MUCH better than stock.

Many here are running 5 Star. Personally not a fan, but many have been happy there.

So looks like it’s gonna run $1000 to tune my 2020 with ZFG - $400 for the tune and $600 for the tuner.

 

[LokiWolf]

So looks like it’s gonna run $1000 to tune my 2020 with ZFG - $400 for the tune and $600 for the tuner.

Yep. Want it done right? Remember the HP tuning devices, both the RTD, and MPVI can be used with many vehicles, SxS, Personal Watercraft, all at the same time. Just buy credits for each as you add them, and adapter cables for each(SxS, watercraft). The device is FAR more useful, and has superior logging to pretty much anything else on the market.

Also looks like $829 with RTD and 93 tuning...