Tuning the ecoboost

[Mike Wolfe]

Good morning all
The knock sensors are not disabled & will retard timing if the fuel grade you have calibrated for is not available
Would not recommend you use it long term however
I have owned 4 gen 1 3.5L ECOBOOST vehicles all tuned with Livernois 93 octane calibrations
Those vehicles were
2011 F150
2013 Taurus SHO
2013 Flex
2016 Explorer Sport
Currently own
2018 EXPY HD TOW FX4 Currently running 5 star E30 tune using E51 fuel
Have used 91 octane when ethanol (E51 in AZ) was not available
Did not jump on the throttle just used it to get back home
No knock & no issues under light throttle
2018 F150 HD Tow FX4
Running E30 tune from 5 star
Have never had any trouble with any of these vehicles
I am sure someone will get nasty regarding my response but this has been my actual experience

 

[16plati]

Good morning all
The knock sensors are not disabled & will retard timing if the fuel grade you have calibrated for is not available
Would not recommend you use it long term however
I have owned 4 gen 1 3.5L ECOBOOST vehicles all tuned with Livernois 93 octane calibrations
Those vehicles were
2011 F150
2013 Taurus SHO
2013 Flex
2016 Explorer Sport
Currently own
2018 EXPY HD TOW FX4 Currently running 5 star E30 tune using E51 fuel
Have used 91 octane when ethanol (E51 in AZ) was not available
Did not jump on the throttle just used it to get back home
No knock & no issues under light throttle
2018 F150 HD Tow FX4
Running E30 tune from 5 star
Have never had any trouble with any of these vehicles
I am sure someone will get nasty regarding my response but this has been my actual experience

I’m thinking about trying the e30 in my 16. Apparently that fuel system can safely run e30, 2018+ can run e50

 

[16plati]

Good morning all
The knock sensors are not disabled & will retard timing if the fuel grade you have calibrated for is not available
Would not recommend you use it long term however
I have owned 4 gen 1 3.5L ECOBOOST vehicles all tuned with Livernois 93 octane calibrations
Those vehicles were
2011 F150
2013 Taurus SHO
2013 Flex
2016 Explorer Sport
Currently own
2018 EXPY HD TOW FX4 Currently running 5 star E30 tune using E51 fuel
Have used 91 octane when ethanol (E51 in AZ) was not available
Did not jump on the throttle just used it to get back home
No knock & no issues under light throttle
2018 F150 HD Tow FX4
Running E30 tune from 5 star
Have never had any trouble with any of these vehicles
I am sure someone will get nasty regarding my response but this has been my actual experience

How do you feel about the livernois vs 5 star?

 

[Mike Wolfe]

I’m thinking about trying the e30 in my 16. Apparently that fuel system can safely run e30, 2018+ can run e50

Used E30 in my 2011 F150 with no problems (lived in Iowa at the time)

 

[Mike Wolfe]

How do you feel about the livernois vs 5 star?

I think both of them offer good calibrations
However 5 star seems to be further along with the E30 & E50 calibrations for the GENII engines at this time
Very happy with the 5 star calibrations

 

[AKentPhoto]

I think both of them offer good calibrations

Hey Mike, thank you for sharing!
With your extensive experience with tuned Fords how is your dealer relationship? Were they cool with the tunes? Did you not mention it and they just look the other way? Did you do any hardware upgrades like IC and Intake or just the flash? Did you flash to stock each time the vehicle went to the dealership? Does that matter? Did they ever flag the vehicles as tuned and deny warranty?

I'm coming from an Audi and they are hyper sensitive to tuning and will instantly flag the VIN if the car has been flashed at all much less tuned. 10 years ago you could find dealers that could help you out but now the TD1 scan is done automatically every time the vehicle is in for service. Having said that I'm curious how strict ford is given their history of having to deal with diesel tuners...

 

[rand]

I was wondering the same thing as AKentPhoto about the calibrations and dealerships

 

[rjdelp7]

I was wondering the same thing as AKentPhoto about the calibrations and dealerships

The 2011-2014 Mustang GT are notorious for not passing smog, when tuned. I am dealing with this now. When plugged into DMV computer, show two inspection monitors 'not ready'. The HEGO, O2 and O2 heater are the offenders. They are tied into the LTFT(long term fuel trim). Socialist, NY State allows for only one monitor, to be 'not ready'. The problem started for me after disconnecting my battery. The 6 other inspection monitors, were ready after one Ford specific, drive cycle. I don't drive this car much and it has passed inspection in the past. You must drive around 40mph for 4min and 4 cold start drive cycles, for the O2 to set. This can be really hard to find a road with no lights/traffic to do this. There are guys on the Mustang forum going nuts, putting hundreds of miles and not getting a completed cycle. Some have to switch back to 'stock tune' for inspection. Communist California won't register a vehicle, until it passes. BAMA tuners actually shut off rear O2's with some of there tunes. When this happens, your monitors will never show ready.

 

[5280tunage]

Hey Mike, thank you for sharing!
With your extensive experience with tuned Fords how is your dealer relationship? Were they cool with the tunes? Did you not mention it and they just look the other way? Did you do any hardware upgrades like IC and Intake or just the flash? Did you flash to stock each time the vehicle went to the dealership? Does that matter? Did they ever flag the vehicles as tuned and deny warranty?

I'm coming from an Audi and they are hyper sensitive to tuning and will instantly flag the VIN if the car has been flashed at all much less tuned. 10 years ago you could find dealers that could help you out but now the TD1 scan is done automatically every time the vehicle is in for service. Having said that I'm curious how strict ford is given their history of having to deal with diesel tuners...

Same here, I've been very hesitant to do this. From everything I've read, Ford is extremely picky about aftermarket addons let alone tunes. There is literally a service guide written by ford telling techs how to look for mods and tunes, and what issues they can say are caused by said mods, even if they have nothing to do with it.

Many of my previous vehicles were Acura's (that I raced and put turbo's on), and Jeep's (the 5.2L and 5.7L Hemis). Never once had an issue with tunes and warranty services, including extended warranties on any of them. Actually, I take that back, the terrible AutoNation I went to one time with my most recent Jeep tried to blame a tune, but I took it to another dealer and they laughed at that diagnosis.

This thing has me very nervous, knowing that it actually counts modifications and records them as non-volatile changes (meaning they are never erased).

 

[black_limited]

Came to this thread for good tuning info, and its a shame the mods here let rjdelp7 crap all over this thread Thanks to the ones who gave good advise.I Put him on ignore just in case he is in other threads, lol.

I’ll be doing the same thing, just read all these comments he’s left in a 4th gen EB thread about tuning while he’s got a truck 21 years old lol

 

[Yupster Dog]

I’ll be doing the same thing, just read all these comments he’s left in a 4th gen EB thread about tuning while he’s got a truck 21 years old lol

Still better than being a troll 16 plati or wildflowergirl whatever you are and opening multiple accounts and acting like two different people. That is just totaly pathetic and sad.

 

[Team_Z]

Same here, I've been very hesitant to do this. From everything I've read, Ford is extremely picky about aftermarket addons let alone tunes. There is literally a service guide written by ford telling techs how to look for mods and tunes, and what issues they can say are caused by said mods, even if they have nothing to do with it.

Many of my previous vehicles were Acura's (that I raced and put turbo's on), and Jeep's (the 5.2L and 5.7L Hemis). Never once had an issue with tunes and warranty services, including extended warranties on any of them. Actually, I take that back, the terrible AutoNation I went to one time with my most recent Jeep tried to blame a tune, but I took it to another dealer and they laughed at that diagnosis.

This thing has me very nervous, knowing that it actually counts modifications and records them as non-volatile changes (meaning they are never erased).

As a previous service manager for Ford, there is definitely a way around this. Hell, I over tuned my last eco boost and still had an engine done under warranty. There are definitely ways to hide it. If anyone has issues feel free to PM me

 

[Silver-Bullet-Bus]

If you are looking just for performance & do not need any mods for towing performance and or additional cooling for towing, then the first place I would spend my money would be on a tuner & tunes. The MPT tuning team is the best there is out there! Very spot-on out tunes right of the gate, very responsive with phone & email support, unlike some others I have used previously, that can sell you mod parts all day, but then you can’t hardly get a hold of them to correct & fix their lousy tunes. Mike, the head tuner is amazing with his tuning skills on these Ford EB motors. Would not hesitate to recommend MPT tuning in Florida.

…& yes I am a paying customer & no, I am not related & no I have not received any remuneration in any way to say this.