Hypertech Max Energy 2.0 - First Impressions

[LokiWolf]

Hey all, As I have hinted to in a few threads I have been testing a new Tuner Option available to us.

It is the Hypertech Max Energy 2.0. The tuner itself has been around for a short while, the new part is there are now tunes for the Explorer and Expedition available now.

Full disclosure, I was contacted by HyperTech to do Beta Testing at a discounted rate for the Tuner. I did early production testing, but bought the Tuner at full price. By the way it is $349 on Amazon right now, but has bounced around in price...I picked it up for $289.

Wife has been Running the 87 Tune with Street Shift, Throttle, and Firmness selections for several weeks. She is happy. I also used it to adjust the warning for TPMS to a higher number, because I want to know sooner. It will adjust for Tire size, and many other things.

I did some testing with 93 in the tank, and the 93 tune with all of the different shift, throttle and firmness settings at Street, Sport, Tow, and Performance. Tow would be real nice with a load. Held the gear better than the regular tow haul, and used engine braking really well. Didn't really like the Performance and Sport options in general, just didn't feel right in the big Expy, street was a aggressive enough, but still smooth like the Expy should be.

87 vs 93, not worth the extra 50-80 cents per gallon. You can feel the difference significantly with the 87 Tune, jump to 93, is just a small change. You feel it, but only when WOT.

Here is the dyno chart...and you can see why the 93 tune is a smaller change.

http://www.hypertech.com/Performanc...edition_3.5L_GTDI_V6_4Fuel_Gasoline_MAX20.pdf

The cool thing is you can adjust individual shift points, and Choose Street for throttle, Sport for Firmness, and Performance for Shift points, so you could play and tweak.

I love my LMS tuner on my Edge, and was considering them for my Expy. For $250 less, and I get options and adjustments, I am VERY Happy. Probably not as much power, but it makes this big beast REALLY FUN, even with the 87 tune.

 

[LokiWolf]

Few more comments. The actual programming process is smoother with the LMS tuner, but the Hypertech does the job, you just need to pay attention to the prompts.

Also, the Hypertech updates via an app on your PC, just return to stock, then plug in to PC and update after downloading program from Hypertech website.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

How much effect does it actually have on shift firmness? I have an SCT with a custom tune and the shift pressure set at +25% and it still feels like someone rowing a three-on-the-tree to me.

 

[LokiWolf]

Shift pressure and shift speed are not always the same thing. Shifts are definitely quicker.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

So I've learned to my dismay. Lol
My '13 F-150 with the 5.0 had the exact same trans and would lay 25 feet of rubber going into second and bark going into 3rd gear despite the same tires and 3.55 gearing instead of my current 3.73s.
I thought perhaps it was a form of torque management during the shifts causing the slow and relatively soft shifting, but this makes me wonder if my tune just didn't alter the trans programming like the one on my F-150 did.
Guess the wife's truck will be getting an upgrade for Christmas.

 

[LokiWolf]

Who is your SCT tune through?

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

5 Star Tuning via Stage 3 Motorsports. I got their 87 Economy, 93 Perf/Tow, and 93 Performance tunes.
I would (and should) have questioned it when I got the tunes installed, but I thought the EB vehicles had a torque management system that choked off the engine during shifts and that was the reason the shifts were so much different. My F-150 stock shifted harder than my Expy does tuned.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

I take it this leaves a footprint in the ECM that you have flashed it?

 

[LokiWolf]

I take it this leaves a footprint in the ECM that you have flashed it?

Yes, just like LMS, SCT, and any other programmer. It is not that they leave a footprint, but that the ECM records last time flashed. You can infer from that, that a programmer was used.

 

[jeff kushner]

I'm curious...since they appear to be posting BHP numbers....how do they surmise a 59HP increase over stock at 346HP when Stock is listed at 327HP? I know I learned old math but that's a 19 point delta every time I subtract it. Anyone?

Other than that bit of criticism, it looks to be pretty good for the cost. It may not be 100% intuitive but with tunable facets at a lower cost...many would likely sacrifice a small amount of ease compared to the offerings of LMS.



jeff

edit---I reexamined the dyno and see how they are getting their numbers but I might point out....in day to day driving, 5000 rpm is a lot....BUT the benefits of this shine between 3500 & 5000!

 

[LokiWolf]

I'm curious...since they appear to be posting BHP numbers....how do they surmise a 59HP increase over stock at 346HP when Stock is listed at 327HP? I know I learned old math but that's a 19 point delta every time I subtract it. Anyone?

edit---I reexamined the dyno and see how they are getting their numbers but I might point out....in day to day driving, 5000 rpm is a lot....BUT the benefits of this shine between 3500 & 5000!

Yeah, Peak is not as important as the gains it gives in the middle of the power band, as you well know. That is where they are getting the gains number. You can DEFINATELY feel it.

 

[07xln]

Ugh!!! I would love to get a tuner on my 17 especially if it can produce those types of numbers. I only run 93 octane and I do a lot of towing so this would be a great addition for me. Hell Ive had about 600lbs of floor tile sitting in the back for a week now. I could use more power lol!!!

I have complete confidence in this vehicle and doubt it will ever fail me but do I take a chance voiding my warranty? That's all that's holding me back

 

[jeff kushner]

Ugh!!! I would love to get a tuner on my 17 especially if it can produce those types of numbers. I only run 93 octane and I do a lot of towing so this would be a great addition for me. Hell Ive had about 600lbs of floor tile sitting in the back for a week now. I could use more power lol!!!

I have complete confidence in this vehicle and doubt it will ever fail me but do I take a chance voiding my warranty? That's all that's holding me back

My exact question as well 07. I spoke with my lawyer-son who told me that the warranties are intentionally written to be ambiguous...The law states that the manufacturer can't forbid you from adding aftermarket anything by invalidating the warranty UNLESS IF AFFECTS OPERATION..............and well, that's going to be left up to the mind of a Judge who very likely, doesn't understand cars/engines/tuners very well.

I would like some kinds of assurances before I bought but I know they will not be forthcoming....

jeff

 

[NASCAR Mike]

I would like some kinds of assurances before I bought but I know they will not be forthcoming....

jeff

A lot of it depends on the service manager. I treat my service manager very well including WaWa gift cards after I have my vehicles serviced. I always get treated as a priority and I often get minor things done for free when I am there.

But like you I have concerns so that is why I went with the Boostmax for my 17 Expy. I do have a Steeda tune on a SCT X4 for my Mustang GT though...

 

[LokiWolf]

I would love to say it is 100% that it will not void your warranty...but guarantees like that don't happen in our day and age.

Could it void it, yes, if the dealer is a twit about it. Will the most likely, No. I have never owned a vehicle that was not tuned. I have never had issue getting warranty work done either.

The BoostMax or signal changing types of tuners are not immune to that. You can argue that you did not change the program, but you did install a non Ford device between the sensors and the ECM to affect total Boost. That change can be seen. Edge tuners back in the day for the diesels, I experimented with and I showed where you could see the sensor data that showed it was there, after it was removed, so did others.

I always use the adage, "Pay to play". You take the risk. I personally think it is worth it. They would have a fight on their hands though to prove to me the Tuner caused the issue.

With that said, I think this Motor has WAY more to give than what the Hypertech is pulling from it. I just wanted a little more power and slightly better shifting. The added benefit of the Tire Size adjustment, and TPMS adjustment sold it for me. Once I put the 3/2 on and larger tires it will be easy to adjust for them.

On my Edge Sport with the LMS programmer and the Aggressive 93 tune, I am looking to push the limits, but not on the Family hauler.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

Loki, you are absolutely correct. I would add that if the new Navigator can push 450HP and 510 torque on 93 octane I think we will be fine. I have not been able to confirm that they are using the Raptor engine but as log as you are not detonating, most Ford engines can make significantly more power than from the factory.

There are Roush Mustangs that make over 700HP on stock 5.0 engines that come with a warranty. As long as the tune keeps the air/fuel ratio safe, I think any tuner is fine.

Again, be nice to your service manager!

 

[LokiWolf]

Loki, you are absolutely correct. I would add that if the new Navigator can push 450HP and 510 torque on 93 octane I think we will be fine. I have not been able to confirm that they are using the Raptor engine but as log as you are not detonating, most Ford engines can make significantly more power than from the factory.

There are Roush Mustangs that make over 700HP on stock 5.0 engines that come with a warranty. As long as the tune keeps the air/fuel ratio safe, I think any tuner is fine.

Again, be nice to your service manager!

The 18 Expy, and Navigator are using the 2nd Gen 3.5TT, so there are some differences between it and our motor. I thought I read somewhere the Nav will have the basically the Raptor version. Couldn’t find the article. If I do, I will post it.

More Power!

 

[NASCAR Mike]

I think the Raptor engine has larger turbo's. I would be curious to see if the rods or crank are different.

 

[Barjrob1972]

Hmm. I kind-of got away from tuners due to the 'money-spent-to-power-increase' not being worth it unless I was changing gears and tires, but it would seem per the chart and the report the increase on my 2015 EL would be significant. I like that 87 torque curve.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

There is not much you can do for the 5.4 engines even with a tuner. A turbo is a whole different animal.