Who Tunes?

[lightnin]

We just bought a 01 Expediton. I am looking at getin the JLT Ram Air Intake for it. We live in Central AR. Does anyone know what type of shop would be able to tune it out for us locally. Or does anyone on here have the stuff to do it? Just thinking out ideas before we jump into something. This will probably be a 1 time thing. I don't want to buy the whole kit for $290-$700 to retune it. For one I don't have that kind of $$ for it and 2 I never done it before and don't want to learn on our Daily Driver. lol Any ideas or help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated.

 

[pronstar]

You typically don't need to retune anything if you just add an air intake system.

 

[lightnin]

Ahhh I see. I didn't know with an intake, headers and exhaust if there was a way to tweek it a little to make it run a little better with the add on stuff. I am still learning on these newer vehicles. Nothing like working on my 83 4wd Fullsize Bronco. Thanks dude.

 

[pronstar]

A tuner will make it run a bit better/faster but the factory ECU will typically compensate for an intake/exhaust.

 

[lightnin]

Thanks Dude.

 

[green03]

The hypertech tuner for the 01 does a pretty good job even at part throttle. Sniper tuning www.snipertuning.com has a neat package that you can use your laptop with and do basic stuff (same as hypertech) as well as more advanced features. I have their dyno shop software and could do tunes for you via email to change other stuff like the part throttle trans shift points that I know are annoying you (takes almost full throttle for the trans to kick down to a lower gear). All you would need is the basic "Scout" package to be able to email me tunes that I could then change with my software and send back to you to flash into your truck.
Matt

 

[lightnin]

Thanks Matt. Sniper Scout is about $300 right? Would it make a siginificant difference worth the $300? Just checking. Just seems like our ex should act better. Do you know where to get the scout kit?

John

 

[green03]

it may be a bit more than 300 but it allows you to do a bunch more in the future. I used their "special forces" to install my supercharger on my truck but later upgraded to their dyno shop software (not worth the expense for the average user) since I am trying to get a side business doing this stuff as soon as regular work dies down. The hardware interface allows you to step up to different software later on if desired, the flash adapter is very similar in function to the SCT Excalibrator. You can have them do custom tuning or i can also do it via email in the future if you so desire. You can buy it direct from their website.
Tell them Matt Robinson referred you to them.

Matt

 

[lightnin]

Let me see what I can do. I checked out their site and didn't see the scout or where to buy it. I know 2 other people in our family that has 99-02 expeditions with 5.4's maybe they will chip in and we can get the scout stuff. Maybe we can set up a buy 2 get 1 free lol. Charge them for your services. lol. Anyways, I will be in touch if were able to swing it. By the way. What would you be able to do? Would it only improve performance? Would it help with gas mileage? Trying to make a case to the wife and family. Let me know or give me a list what you will be able to change and help our rides out. That would be great.

John

 

[green03]

The special forces package may be the only thing they offer now as their entry level product. The flash programmer does allow you to do 2 vehicles for that price. You can buy extra credits later on and do even more vehicles with the same flash adapter and software.

The software will increase the gas mileage especially if you do it for premium fuel. You can even add global timing after the fact as long as it doesn't ping and this will add to the economy as well.

If you really need something special like part throttle transmission shifting, I can do that for you. I can tell you it makes a big difference around town with the gas mileage since you don't have to give it so much pedal to unlock the converter or downshift.

Matt

 

[lightnin]

Do you have a link on what I would need to purchase? I looked over their site and I don't see any prices. Also is the special forces just a program for the laptop or is it the chips and the programer also. This is my first to dally in and I don't know whats involved.

 

[green03]

you will probably want the flash adapter model so you can do a bunch of vehicles if you so desire. You can program any ford vehicle 96 and up with that hardware.... not just expeditions. The package comes with the special forces software and flash programmer. You pull the stock file from the truck, change it with the software (the flash adapter plugs into the computer with USB) then you write the file back to the flash adapter then you can flash it back to the truck. You can always put the stock file back if you so desire and you can save the files on your computer in case someone ever steals your flash adapter.
Call those guys, they are very helpful. Chris or Pat Stadjel will probably answer the phone. These guys have been behind the scenes at all the other tuning companies (diablosport, superchips, hypertech) for years and have only recently been doing this on their own.
Matt

 

[lightnin]

I will give them a call and see whats up. Thanks Matt your a big help.

 

[lightnin]

Well I haven't called them yet. So I seen where you can do 2 vehicles with the special forces before buying extra "bullets" does that mean you can do each vehicle once or 2 vehicles infinantly? I wasn't sure if I could tune our vehicle wich uses one and the if need be put it back stock as one? Does that question make any sence?

 

[green03]

You get two bullets with the main purchase. This allows 2 ford vehicles to be flashed infinite times as it saves the VIN numbers in the prorammer. I have done programs in my expedition and in a 03 Powerstroke (with the diesel software) with the 2 bullets it came with.
It's really a versitile setup.
Matt

 

[lightnin]

Thank You very much Matt.

Sent ya a PM.