I think this is related to the OP's question but I still don't understand fully.

I am considering tuning my 2020 XLT 3.5 FX4. I was looking at the BDX platform and for now, just thinking I'd try their canned tune.

So, my question is: If I install the canned tune, will it adjust all settings relatively throughout all driving modes? In other words, would shift points be adjusted a certain percentage respectively in normal/tow/sport?

Or: Does the tune remove the ability to select from the different modes?

I guess that poses additional questions:
Say I install a 'tow' tune, does that now change 'tuned normal' mode settings to 'factory tow' mode? What would installing a 'tow' tune do to the 'tow mode'?

 

The tuner can do whatever he likes in that regard. Savvy tuners can do whatever you like. I set mine up to limit boost in tow mode, for instance.

 

Oh man, after reading some of the other tuning threads, I'm immensely thankful for all the knowledge that is shared on this site. I get that a person with tuning knowledge can do ALL SORTS of things to todays vehicles.
But in a way, that scares me. lol. More from a "I'm in way over my head and don't understand" sort of way. I also understand that the vehicle is a complex system and changing one thing can definitely have a ripple effect.

I guess I should start with my goal:

• I still need as much reliability as I can get.
• I'd like to remove factory limitations and get some minor performance gains from my truck across all modes.
• I'd like to reduce the accelerator pedal delay
• I'm probably going to continue to run 87octane.
• I would like to calibrate my tire size so my speedometer is accurate.
• I'd like to have solid shift points for the 6 or so times a year I tow a trailer for our marching band and/or a flatbed with a side by side.

That's why I was going to go with a 'canned tune' and it seems the BDX would be a good platform to do so. I have also considered the possibility of using 5star but maybe at a later date if the canned tune does not do what I'd like.

 

What works for you is good, but to me it is worth paying the premium price for premium fuel over getting a tune if i had to pick one or the other. Someone should prove me wrong here, but unless using a non turbo base engine (3.5 NA) i think the manuals say use premium fuel for peak performance. The higher octane allows the computer to adjust the A/F ratio among other things.

For example, an 87 tune might net you 10 hp gains which on a 3.5 tt engine isnt going to be very noticeable, even when considering across the band. I dont know the exact amount, but using premium fuel will net you higher hp gains over an 87 tune.

If you have a NA engine, tunes can help with efficiency and shift points, but you wont see the hp/tq gains of a twin turbo tune.

I have a 6.2 on my 2012 f150. Many tuners stopped supporting 6.2 tunes for the f150 awhile ago. They support the 6.2 f250/f350 tho because ford "de-tuned" those versions for better towing reliability, so the tuners can easily show better gains. The owners manual specifically says that the hp/tq ratings given for the 6.2 (411/434) is achieved using premium fuel only.

Rare is a tuning video where they show a 93 stock run then a tuned 93 run. They always show stock 87 vs tuned 93 because of dramatic affect.

Last- it all depends on what you want and i am not poo-pooing if one wants different shift points, especially if towing. And modest gains with tuning can be had especially if one has downpipes, go cat free, different runners or throttle body, etc. For me, and only me, i get enough wheel spin using premium fuel and i am generally happy with shift points. A tuner would have to say that they can get 2 mpg gains in standard driving (comparing 93 stock to 93 tune) for me to consider a tune (i would for sure get it then because that would be about a 18% increase for me, heck maybe 1 mpg would be enough).
disclaimer- i am not an expert in engines or even smart, so feel free to prove me wrong here. My opinion is based on the data that i have seen and i admit i havent seen all of the data. In other words, i reserve the right to be wrong!

 

Limited boost while towing is going backwards, less boost, less torque, less pulling power.

Tuning a n/a engine can achieve more power, but its minimal.

Tunning a turbo or supercharged setup, tunes can be adjusted and will automatically produce more hp and tq.

Prime example, a fully built 2.3 stroker in my eclipse gsx was 388 hp, after we tuned it, made everything efficient I was at 468 hp.

But note, just like tunes, some are aggressive for max power, and others are on the safer side for a Sunday cruise

 

They definitely lied because in my old truck, it ran EXACTLY THE SAME TIME in normal and sport modes when it was bone stock. 0-60, 1/8th and 1/4 mile. Did a lot of testing on this. I did discover that the auto hold feature when used knocked off almost a couple tenths off of the 0-60 compared to just holding the brake and stalling the truck.

 

Hey man, wanted to say thanks. I started using 93. I guess I was used to the old addage that octane does not increase performance, only reduces knock in higher performance engines. I failed to consider that the newer engines have variable timing and other gizmos that can ‘sense’ the octane change and adjust performance accordingly.

I can tell a difference when using 93 octane. It isn’t earth shattering, but by the seat and the pedal, it seems like a bit of improvement. Same with towing. I can tell it pulls more smoothly and doesn’t seem to have to work as hard.

While the actual change might be somewhat minimal, I think it helped restore what I lost with the level and 35s.
Thanks again!