KevinU

So I initially purchased 3 tunes and a BDX Tuner from 5 Star Tuning, overall, pretty good customer service, although there was a about a day delay in getting my tunes over the promised 1-3 days. I really liked the 5 star tune on my stock F-150, yet it just seemed to have that numb feeling at different parts of the power band. I enjoyed it for city driving more than highway driving because I was having some surge problems at high boost and low RPMs at around 70+ mph. All in all I felt like there was more to the truck that wasn't being tapped. So I bought an AFE Bladerunner GT Intercooler, hot and cold side pipes from AFE, an AFE 3 1/2" stage 2 intake, and a Turbosmart BOV. I had 5 star do a tune revision for the new mods and I wasn't too impressed in comparison with stock. I used the 5* tune and the BDX for about 3k miles and decided to fork out the cash for MPT tunes and an nGauge (just going to sell the BDX when I get around to it). Customer service was absolutely on point for MPT, response in emails was within 12 hrs of initial email, answered all of my questions, and laid out all of my options. I ordered the 93 PRXtreme Race tune, 93 tow/haul/ and the 91 PRXtreme tune. I installed them on my ngauge (which is drag and dropping files as opposed to using the sct device updater) in roughly 10 minutes. I went for a drive and WOW! In comparison to 5*, the tune is a completely different animal, it feels like the throttle is way more responsive, shift points are perfect, and there is exceptional power throughout the RPM range. Boost builds and drops way faster when is very nice for eliminating turbo surge on the highway and the RPMs "match" the boost much better when accelerating for more power. I haven't sent in a datalog but plan to in the next two days to see if it can be revised for improvement. Overall, I believe MPT matches my driving style much better than 5* but I just wanted to share my experience with both companies for those looking to tune their new gen 2 3.5l EB as I've seen a few posts acking about which is better.

TL;DR: 5* tunes are more conservative, less responsive unless you give it all the sauce. MPT Tunes I can noticeably feel the power throughout the RPM range and when you give it the sauce, it gives it back and makes you call it daddy.

blue5.0

Definitely not relevant to your post as I have a 12th gen 5.0, but my experience between 5 star and MPT was basically the same. I started with 5 star while I was stock and was relatively happy with the tune over stock tuning but as I modified more and more their tunes just seemed worse and worse. That's when I went with MPT and their tune right out of the gate was much better than the 5 star tune even after multiple revisions and data logs. MPT's service is also incredible, not that 5 stars was bad, MPT is just a little more prompt and friendly IMO.

Sirikenewtron

Good to hear, I've had the exact opposite experience in both my 3.5 and 2.7. One thing I will say about mpt is they have a gnarly tip in/throttle response which definitely makes it feel more powerful, but 5 Star can do the same thing if you ask for it.
One thing about 5 star, like a couple other tuners, just plan on doing some datalogging and getting revisions back, they like to ramp up the power to make sure everything is meshing well with your truck .
I must be lucky as far as the replies from them, they're so quick I feel like I have my own personal tuner.

Mike at MPT is great also though.

With all that being said it's absolutely true every single truck is different and some tunes just work better with some then others and vice-versa.

Here's my 5 star tune, just pedal to the floor from a stop off idle without power braking or boost launching 😁


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KineKilla

KevinU

Have you done any revisions?

KineKilla

TX-Ripper

Sirikenewtron

Absolutely 5 star for towing tunes... and all tunes in my opinion but they do extensive real world testing and developing of their tow tunes

2AF150GA

I have 5 Star's 93 perf/tow on my 2018 2.7L and have had 1 revision after about 1000 miles of 95% city deriving. It had nothing to do with the engine but the transmission tuning was a little wonky when cold and at low speeds, more so than stock (I know these 10 speed trannies don't like to be cold). I emailed them what I was experiencing and received a revision in 48 hours. So far this revision feels better/smoother than the previous. I've had nothing but good things to say about 5 Star so far. My truck is much more responsive and powerful. I'm getting the same MPG's as I did before the turn and changing to bigger tires. Also, I'm OK with them being more conservative with their tunes because I'm not looking to have to fix anything self inflicted anytime soon. I think they are trying to walk a fine line between more performance and making sure they don't break anything by turning things up too much.

setxathlete14

Great reviews. that's the 1 thing I try to tell everyone when asking who is best. everyone's truck is different and have different goals. having tried them all myself I find 5 star as the best as well.