Performance/Tow tune question
01-16-2019, 02:37 PM
#1
2015 F150 Lariat 3.5 red
Thread Starter
Performance/Tow tune question
I'm thinking of buying a custom tune for my 2015 3.5L EB. I understand that a performance tune makes the engine run hotter. I'm in south florida, being so hot here could it compound the heating to the point it causes a problem?
Is there a bigger risk to the engine/tranny tuning a truck that already has 50K on it?
Looking at 5 star tunes. Will this one direct from 5 star https://5startuning.com/product/2015...ly-dog-tuners/ end up being the same as this one from Stage 3 https://www.stage3motorsports.com/18...tom-Tune.html?
Once a week I tow my boat, 5500lb boat/trailer combined weight, it's mostly flat driving her in SF. I'm not into racing. I'm considering the 87 octane Performance/Tow tune. Is this a good idea?
Will the Tow and Sport mode work in conjunction with the tune? I mean when I tow the boat do I still put the truck in tow mode? Thanks.
Is there a bigger risk to the engine/tranny tuning a truck that already has 50K on it?
Looking at 5 star tunes. Will this one direct from 5 star https://5startuning.com/product/2015...ly-dog-tuners/ end up being the same as this one from Stage 3 https://www.stage3motorsports.com/18...tom-Tune.html?
Once a week I tow my boat, 5500lb boat/trailer combined weight, it's mostly flat driving her in SF. I'm not into racing. I'm considering the 87 octane Performance/Tow tune. Is this a good idea?
Will the Tow and Sport mode work in conjunction with the tune? I mean when I tow the boat do I still put the truck in tow mode? Thanks.
Last edited by Pullsmyboat; 01-16-2019 at 02:39 PM.
01-16-2019, 03:55 PM
#2
Senior Member
I live in Arizona
Using the 93 octane performance tow calibration from 5 star in our 2018 Expedition & E30 tune in our 2018 F150 3.5L ECOBOOST
Have owned 4 version 1 3.5L ecoboost's as well
Yours is a generation 1
All Worked very well even at 115 degrees here is Arizona
Transmission shifts much better also
I am sure you will like the results
Using the 93 octane performance tow calibration from 5 star in our 2018 Expedition & E30 tune in our 2018 F150 3.5L ECOBOOST
Have owned 4 version 1 3.5L ecoboost's as well
Yours is a generation 1
All Worked very well even at 115 degrees here is Arizona
Transmission shifts much better also
I am sure you will like the results
01-16-2019, 04:05 PM
#3
I could be wrong, but I think the tunes will actually run cooler cause they ask you to put in a lower thermostat. The engine shouldn't run any hotter than your thermostat unless you're overheating.
Mostly you're just going to see a little drop in performance with hot air - especially with turbos. More heat = less oxygen. Intercooler can only do so much when it is 100° outside. Should have a bit more pep in the step today, when it is 50°. My engine runs 201° whether it is 50 or 100° out. Tranny usually sits about there too - but it was running about 165° today (assuming the idiot lights are accurate).
I want to say the tunes drop you to a 170° thermostat, but I could be wrong.
Also, I'm usually completely full of ****, so take all of that with a grain of salt.
Mostly you're just going to see a little drop in performance with hot air - especially with turbos. More heat = less oxygen. Intercooler can only do so much when it is 100° outside. Should have a bit more pep in the step today, when it is 50°. My engine runs 201° whether it is 50 or 100° out. Tranny usually sits about there too - but it was running about 165° today (assuming the idiot lights are accurate).
I want to say the tunes drop you to a 170° thermostat, but I could be wrong.
Also, I'm usually completely full of ****, so take all of that with a grain of salt.
01-16-2019, 04:16 PM
#4
Put the 5star 93 performance tune on my 15 3.5eco at 37k miles.
I towed with it from time to time.
Obviously you are going to be exceeding the factory parameters so back off on the shifting and accelerator unless you want to damage your stuff.
I towed with it from time to time.
Obviously you are going to be exceeding the factory parameters so back off on the shifting and accelerator unless you want to damage your stuff.
01-16-2019, 04:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
The lower thermostat is a bit of a miss nomer as it's just going to open sooner. the steady state coolant temp will still hover at 205 or whatever it is. It will just open sooner. The steady state temp is a function of the size of the radiator, the airflow across it, and the heat the engine puts into the fluid.
Note a large bit of your engine cooling actually comes from the oil - Often overlooked.
Direct to the question - NO. tuning typically takes some of the safety margins and production margins out of the ECU calculations and makes it a bit more accurate to the conditions. YOu will find they limit your fuel choice too. So you use some tune that is for 93 Octane - then you need to use 93 octane as it no longer has the tolerances to deal with getting 87 octane. You will potentially run the engine harder, so spark plugs won't survive 100K miles. You probably should change your oil sooner than OLM. ETc ETc.
It is possible for a tuner to disable some safety margins and kill an engine. I've seen it done - but usually that's not a canned tune and usually there are other engine mods that are being accounted for. wrongly. So I will say take an extra moment to read this and other related engine forums to see how things shake out. (taurus SHO, Explorer Sport, etc that use the same or similar 3.5L ecoboost).
Generally speaking you will limit your fuel use - have more power - often more you'll want to do some moderate extra maintenance. Look into what you are changing or having changed.
Odd examples - one of my tuned cars in the past after dialing it in would eat belts. Now I know what you're thinking how does tuning make any change to accessory belts. Well aside from more power - it also snap shifted so hard - the RPM drops would make the belt slip on the pulleys. ALL the pulleys. People thought I was shifting hard enough to squeal tires - I thought so too until I replaced a belt one day. I had DOT R tires on the car so they gripped tighter than hair on a biscuit.
Usually change your oil more often - consider your spark plug life - use quality fuel and maybe consider getting the coolant out after say 2 years or so. OH and since you live in FL anyway - maybe consider ditching the 5 year orange coolant for water with something like redline water wetter in it. I use that in my race car but it never sees winter driving and I drain it when I park it.
Note a large bit of your engine cooling actually comes from the oil - Often overlooked.
Direct to the question - NO. tuning typically takes some of the safety margins and production margins out of the ECU calculations and makes it a bit more accurate to the conditions. YOu will find they limit your fuel choice too. So you use some tune that is for 93 Octane - then you need to use 93 octane as it no longer has the tolerances to deal with getting 87 octane. You will potentially run the engine harder, so spark plugs won't survive 100K miles. You probably should change your oil sooner than OLM. ETc ETc.
It is possible for a tuner to disable some safety margins and kill an engine. I've seen it done - but usually that's not a canned tune and usually there are other engine mods that are being accounted for. wrongly. So I will say take an extra moment to read this and other related engine forums to see how things shake out. (taurus SHO, Explorer Sport, etc that use the same or similar 3.5L ecoboost).
Generally speaking you will limit your fuel use - have more power - often more you'll want to do some moderate extra maintenance. Look into what you are changing or having changed.
Odd examples - one of my tuned cars in the past after dialing it in would eat belts. Now I know what you're thinking how does tuning make any change to accessory belts. Well aside from more power - it also snap shifted so hard - the RPM drops would make the belt slip on the pulleys. ALL the pulleys. People thought I was shifting hard enough to squeal tires - I thought so too until I replaced a belt one day. I had DOT R tires on the car so they gripped tighter than hair on a biscuit.
Usually change your oil more often - consider your spark plug life - use quality fuel and maybe consider getting the coolant out after say 2 years or so. OH and since you live in FL anyway - maybe consider ditching the 5 year orange coolant for water with something like redline water wetter in it. I use that in my race car but it never sees winter driving and I drain it when I park it.
01-16-2019, 04:27 PM
#6
The lower thermostat is a bit of a miss nomer as it's just going to open sooner. the steady state coolant temp will still hover at 205 or whatever it is. It will just open sooner. The steady state temp is a function of the size of the radiator, the airflow across it, and the heat the engine puts into the fluid.
Note a large bit of your engine cooling actually comes from the oil - Often overlooked.
Direct to the question - NO. tuning typically takes some of the safety margins and production margins out of the ECU calculations and makes it a bit more accurate to the conditions. YOu will find they limit your fuel choice too. So you use some tune that is for 93 Octane - then you need to use 93 octane as it no longer has the tolerances to deal with getting 87 octane. You will potentially run the engine harder, so spark plugs won't survive 100K miles. You probably should change your oil sooner than OLM. ETc ETc.
It is possible for a tuner to disable some safety margins and kill an engine. I've seen it done - but usually that's not a canned tune and usually there are other engine mods that are being accounted for. wrongly. So I will say take an extra moment to read this and other related engine forums to see how things shake out. (taurus SHO, Explorer Sport, etc that use the same or similar 3.5L ecoboost).
Generally speaking you will limit your fuel use - have more power - often more you'll want to do some moderate extra maintenance. Look into what you are changing or having changed.
Odd examples - one of my tuned cars in the past after dialing it in would eat belts. Now I know what you're thinking how does tuning make any change to accessory belts. Well aside from more power - it also snap shifted so hard - the RPM drops would make the belt slip on the pulleys. ALL the pulleys. People thought I was shifting hard enough to squeal tires - I thought so too until I replaced a belt one day. I had DOT R tires on the car so they gripped tighter than hair on a biscuit.
Usually change your oil more often - consider your spark plug life - use quality fuel and maybe consider getting the coolant out after say 2 years or so. OH and since you live in FL anyway - maybe consider ditching the 5 year orange coolant for water with something like redline water wetter in it. I use that in my race car but it never sees winter driving and I drain it when I park it.
Note a large bit of your engine cooling actually comes from the oil - Often overlooked.
Direct to the question - NO. tuning typically takes some of the safety margins and production margins out of the ECU calculations and makes it a bit more accurate to the conditions. YOu will find they limit your fuel choice too. So you use some tune that is for 93 Octane - then you need to use 93 octane as it no longer has the tolerances to deal with getting 87 octane. You will potentially run the engine harder, so spark plugs won't survive 100K miles. You probably should change your oil sooner than OLM. ETc ETc.
It is possible for a tuner to disable some safety margins and kill an engine. I've seen it done - but usually that's not a canned tune and usually there are other engine mods that are being accounted for. wrongly. So I will say take an extra moment to read this and other related engine forums to see how things shake out. (taurus SHO, Explorer Sport, etc that use the same or similar 3.5L ecoboost).
Generally speaking you will limit your fuel use - have more power - often more you'll want to do some moderate extra maintenance. Look into what you are changing or having changed.
Odd examples - one of my tuned cars in the past after dialing it in would eat belts. Now I know what you're thinking how does tuning make any change to accessory belts. Well aside from more power - it also snap shifted so hard - the RPM drops would make the belt slip on the pulleys. ALL the pulleys. People thought I was shifting hard enough to squeal tires - I thought so too until I replaced a belt one day. I had DOT R tires on the car so they gripped tighter than hair on a biscuit.
Usually change your oil more often - consider your spark plug life - use quality fuel and maybe consider getting the coolant out after say 2 years or so. OH and since you live in FL anyway - maybe consider ditching the 5 year orange coolant for water with something like redline water wetter in it. I use that in my race car but it never sees winter driving and I drain it when I park it.
01-16-2019, 04:29 PM
#7
Also want to throw it out there.
An 87 tune probably will do less with the motor but may work on transmission timing and getting rid of some namnies. I’d probably not want to run 87 octane as its already kinda low for this engine and just stock they run better on higher octane fuel.
With that said I plan to get an 87 tune for my 2.7 eco but run 89 in it. Its a work truck and incase someone drives it they probably wont blow the motor even if they fill up at a crap station.
An 87 tune probably will do less with the motor but may work on transmission timing and getting rid of some namnies. I’d probably not want to run 87 octane as its already kinda low for this engine and just stock they run better on higher octane fuel.
With that said I plan to get an 87 tune for my 2.7 eco but run 89 in it. Its a work truck and incase someone drives it they probably wont blow the motor even if they fill up at a crap station.
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01-17-2019, 09:08 AM
#8
Senior Member
I'm thinking of buying a custom tune for my 2015 3.5L EB. I understand that a performance tune makes the engine run hotter. I'm in south florida, being so hot here could it compound the heating to the point it causes a problem?
Is there a bigger risk to the engine/tranny tuning a truck that already has 50K on it?
Looking at 5 star tunes. Will this one direct from 5 star https://5startuning.com/product/2015...ly-dog-tuners/ end up being the same as this one from Stage 3 https://www.stage3motorsports.com/18...tom-Tune.html?
Once a week I tow my boat, 5500lb boat/trailer combined weight, it's mostly flat driving her in SF. I'm not into racing. I'm considering the 87 octane Performance/Tow tune. Is this a good idea?
Will the Tow and Sport mode work in conjunction with the tune? I mean when I tow the boat do I still put the truck in tow mode? Thanks.
Is there a bigger risk to the engine/tranny tuning a truck that already has 50K on it?
Looking at 5 star tunes. Will this one direct from 5 star https://5startuning.com/product/2015...ly-dog-tuners/ end up being the same as this one from Stage 3 https://www.stage3motorsports.com/18...tom-Tune.html?
Once a week I tow my boat, 5500lb boat/trailer combined weight, it's mostly flat driving her in SF. I'm not into racing. I'm considering the 87 octane Performance/Tow tune. Is this a good idea?
Will the Tow and Sport mode work in conjunction with the tune? I mean when I tow the boat do I still put the truck in tow mode? Thanks.
01-17-2019, 09:12 AM
#9
Senile member
you're in South Florida and worried about heat, but want to run an 87 octane "performance" tune, on a turbocharged engine?
Please no.
If you're not willing to run 93 octane, don't tune the truck. Especially with the stock intercooler. All you're asking for is cut ignition timing, heatsoaked intercooler, and maybe pushing the engine into even more heat.
Please no.
If you're not willing to run 93 octane, don't tune the truck. Especially with the stock intercooler. All you're asking for is cut ignition timing, heatsoaked intercooler, and maybe pushing the engine into even more heat.
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Spooled (01-17-2019)
01-17-2019, 10:41 AM
#10
Senior Member
y'all do know the ecoboost are certified to run on 87 octane in america right? It has the protection maps and logic in place to tolerate 87 octane. If you do the performance tune right, the main thing you are adjusting is how rich it runs on 87 octane. and that's not quite a detrimental.
Understand most of the protections and reductions in the ECU are there for 2 things. 1) ensure the powertrain warranty can be met and 2) make up for prodcution minimum specs. (Think the engine that has the loose rings, on the low side pistons, in the highside bores, with with the low side of tolerance valves sitting in heads that meet minimum spec for volume)
So if tuned right you remove some of that slop and you will have just as safe running engine using less fuel, running better on 87 octane. Thing is you have to test it some, so if that tune causes any issues - pull it out and rework it.
I know you've probably heard of the "factory monster" or the comments Maker X underrates these engines so much becasue intital dyno pull was __________. etc etc. Everyone talks about the engines that roll out over spec. You rarely if ever hear about the "factory sissy" that barely makes listed power. (well OK mazda's have this issue occasionally). But the stock tuning is mostly made to protect that engine to warranty.
Understand most of the protections and reductions in the ECU are there for 2 things. 1) ensure the powertrain warranty can be met and 2) make up for prodcution minimum specs. (Think the engine that has the loose rings, on the low side pistons, in the highside bores, with with the low side of tolerance valves sitting in heads that meet minimum spec for volume)
So if tuned right you remove some of that slop and you will have just as safe running engine using less fuel, running better on 87 octane. Thing is you have to test it some, so if that tune causes any issues - pull it out and rework it.
I know you've probably heard of the "factory monster" or the comments Maker X underrates these engines so much becasue intital dyno pull was __________. etc etc. Everyone talks about the engines that roll out over spec. You rarely if ever hear about the "factory sissy" that barely makes listed power. (well OK mazda's have this issue occasionally). But the stock tuning is mostly made to protect that engine to warranty.
