2023 UPDATE, How Does Everyone Feel About Their Tunes and Tuners?

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LokiWolf

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Thanks for the extra information. The 5-star tune that I am looking at actually uses a HP RTD Gen3 tuner device. After reading a lot of reviews and based on your previous suggestions to me, I am avoiding the SCT tuners. AFAICT, the HP RTD Gen3 has all the features of the HP MPVI tuners except for the stand alone logging. Which I assume is needed for the additional tweaking by ZFG that you mention?

But I don't know if the RTD Gen3 can be used with other vehicles. I can't find an answer to that question. I would actually prefer to buy a tuning device that I know can be used on any future Ford trucks or SUVs that I purchase.

I'm not really balking at the cost of the tuner itself though. It's the cost of the actual tunes from ZFG that are making me pause. Only one tune for the 2 credits - $450. Does that price include the extra tweaking that he does for you after reviewing your logs? Or is that an additional charge?

And that price doesn't give me any additional tunes to play with. I really like the idea of being able to compare the performance of a 93 Octane tune vs the Auto Octane tune. To do that with ZFG, I'd need to purchase 2 additional credits for $450.

All this said, I haven't really made up my mind yet. I'm still collecting data points. The attractiveness of the ZFG tune for me is the Auto Octane tune he offers. One and done. And I don't need to worry if I am out of town and the wife puts 87 Octane in the tank. The price difference between ZFG and 5-star is just huge though. $650 and three tunes vs $900 and one tune. I'm having a tough time justifying the additional cost. :)
You can do the RTD with ZFG also. For 95% of the world you do not need the MPVI2/+/3.

All of the initial adjustment is included. Basically a few revisions. You change anything major, or add parts, and there will a charge. FYI you only buy credits once per vehicle, that unlocks that vehicle(VIN) on that RTD/MPVI. Once unlocked you could actually pay for a tune from 5Star...they also support HPT, or any other Tuner that supports HPT.

So with HP Tuners you are paying for 3 things. Hardware(RTD/MPVI3), Credits(Unlock that vehicle), and then the tune(Not from HPT actually). The hardware you can use on MANY vehicles at once, I am currently using my MPVI2 on 3. Credits are once per vehicle. Tunes, you are paying per because they are the intellectual property of the tuner. You are paying for their time and skill, and Adam(ZFG) is the most skilled I have ever worked with.

The RTD no longer needs a laptop for most platforms, and can work with the TDN app to switch tunes and go back to stock.
 

zablalbaz

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You can do the RTD with ZFG also. For 95% of the world you do not need the MPVI2/+/3.
I don't really have a preference. If I have to pay a little more for hardware that will continue to work up to the 2023/24 models of trucks and SUvs though, I'll do it. I suspect that my next purchase in the 2026/27 time frame will be a 2023/24 model. :) How about logs for the tweaking you mentioned? Does Adam at ZFG need the MPVI2/3 for that? My reading indicates that the RTD doesn't do stand alone logging?
All of the initial adjustment is included. Basically a few revisions. You change anything major, or add parts, and there will a charge. FYI you only buy credits once per vehicle, that unlocks that vehicle(VIN) on that RTD/MPVI. Once unlocked you could actually pay for a tune from 5Star...they also support HPT, or any other Tuner that supports HPT.

So with HP Tuners you are paying for 3 things. Hardware(RTD/MPVI3), Credits(Unlock that vehicle), and then the tune(Not from HPT actually). The hardware you can use on MANY vehicles at once, I am currently using my MPVI2 on 3. Credits are once per vehicle. Tunes, you are paying per because they are the intellectual property of the tuner. You are paying for their time and skill, and Adam(ZFG) is the most skilled I have ever worked with.
Cool. Thanks for the details!
The RTD no longer needs a laptop for most platforms, and can work with the TDN app to switch tunes and go back to stock.
Thanks!

One other question. Do you happen to know if ZFG ever does any promos or sales? Like how about a July 4th sale or something like that? I'm willing to wait a little bit to get a discount. :)
 

callwill

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I'm using a 5.4, but my experience with 5 star for my vehicle was quite positive. Enough of an improvement I wish I would purchased much sooner. I was looking for improved towing performance.
Curious...What did they do for 5.4?
 
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I'm using an SCT tuner on my 2017. It's set for 91 octane and has worked great. A lot more power, no codes, no problems. Gas mileage could be better, however since it feels so good all the time my foot is in heavy way too much.
 

zablalbaz

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I'm using an SCT tuner on my 2017. It's set for 91 octane and has worked great. A lot more power, no codes, no problems. Gas mileage could be better, however since it feels so good all the time my foot is in heavy way too much.
Did it help smooth out shifting with the transmission? Mine is a little rough in the lower gears. You can definitely tell when it shifts. There's a little lag between gears. I've got a 2017 with 6/spd transmission.
 

Speedboosted

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I had Juggernaut tune mine, they use and prefer SCT. It's a "custom" tune like some of the other companies mentioned here where they send a base file, and you provide logs based on each file. Takes a few days but really dials everything in just how you want it. I previously used the canned SCT tune that came preloaded on the X4 and while it added power, the transmission shift points still felt weird and it wasn't as responsive as expected. Matt at Juggernaut fixed all those things and more. Power delivery is safe and smooth, trans shifts are crisp, it runs amazingly.

I would go out on a limb and say there are very few people, if any, with more tuning and programming experience in the auto industry than Juggernaut. They have a massive background and were the brains behind some of the biggest current tuners in the aftermarket world. They all came together about a year ago to start up Juggernaut Performance Tuning (JPT).

 
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Did it help smooth out shifting with the transmission? Mine is a little rough in the lower gears. You can definitely tell when it shifts. There's a little lag between gears. I've got a 2017 with 6/spd transmission.
It actually shifts very well with the exception of the 2 - 3 shift which lags a little.
 

LokiWolf

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Trans tuning and tweaking is a must on the Ford transmissions. In my experience with the SCT canned tunes, STAY AWAY! Please stick to tunes from an actual tuner, where there is logging, and adjustments. That is regardless of whether you use HPT RTD/MPVI or SCT XCal.

The RTD and MPVI can both do the logging needed for most platforms. The MPVI2 and above is currently needed to do the 21+ F150's, but I expect them to add support for the RTD in the future. The MPVI3 is currently the most future proof hardware.
 

Silver-Bullet-Bus

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Can’t comment on ZFG.

…but from my personal experience, MPT customer service is far superior & responsive compared to 5 * customer service. MPT initial tunes were also darn-near spot on, out of the gate, and required very little revision, and it was much easier with them to speak to real-live people instead of VM, and additionally, people with great experience & knowledge level at MPT. I can’t say enough how much I was really impressed with my dealings with them.
 

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