hello all! i have a 2012 f150 5.0 v8. im looking into getting a programer for it to "wake up" the power i know this thing has. i was just wondering if any of u out there have one, what model, what it does for ya, and where u got it. i could really use the help! and i think i know the answer for this one but does it void the factory warrenty?? thanks for the help!

 

If you tune or "chip" your motor this will void your warranty. Ford does have the ability to check if the truck has been re-flashed, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you want to wake up your 5.0 just run 91 or 93 octane and you will notice the difference when you give it a wide open throttle. Don't waste your money on a cold air intake either. They just make a lot of noise and look cool. Replace the factory drop in filter with a WIX drop in and it will breath better. A less restrictive exhaust would improve performance too. I have a 5.0 and I have done all of the above and it runs very strong. I do have 3:73 gears and that sure helps. Tires are stock. You will see a lot of guys here that mod their motors and drive trains - you will have to pay if you play as some have found out (especially if you add forced induction). Your choice, and RISK, if you choose to add a tune.

 

5.0 with afe stage 1 intake and SCT x3 programer with 87 and 91 perf/ tow tunes. Makes my 2011 scab run like a very large mustang. I also use it to tow my 29 ft TT 7500 lbs 5th wheel. Bought mine through Mikes 5 star tuning. If you leave it set up and don't change the settings you should be fine. It's a truck not a race car. Oh ya once you feel the power you won't want to let it go.

 

They can see a flash, but can't tell what it's for. These are the same things that get reflashed when the battery gets disconnected.

Go for a tuner.

 

So your saying they couldn't tell the difference between a tuner install and a battery disconnect. Is this first hand knowledge or opinion?

Not trying to be an a** just want to know for sure.

 

What's funny is Ford sells the strategies to tuning manufactures while they know the vehicles are under warranty. I guess they leave it up to the consumer to make the choice on a $40k truck.

 

to the OP, go with an SCT.

Yes, ford can see how many times the PCM/TCM has been flashed. NO they cannot see why it was flashed.
Yes, ford can see your top speed that you've ever gone. That being said, if you exceed the factory speed limiter, they'll automatically know something has been done.
Yes, ford can void your warranty, IF they choose to.

If your warranty gets void, don't panic, just trade the truck is and start over. Happens every day!

 

I'm not saying it's the exact same flash, I'm saying they just see it as being flashed, not why/how it was flashed

 

Hmmmmm.......

That would be interesting. My dash speedometer only goes to 120 mph.

I have an SCT and have taken my truck to the dealer a few times for warranty work. The dealer has scanned it for codes and re-flashed the ECM. Never did they mention that they could tell it was tuned or that they saw excessive speed (not that I speed anyway, right). I always flash back to stock before I take it in for any reason. I'm sure they have the capability to "see" it but they probably don't care or don't know how.

That being said, I'd recommend the SCT tuner. You'll probably notice the most gains from a custom tune. For those I'd say either Livernois or 5 Star but there are others out there as well. I've had a few trucks (various brands) over the years that have been tuned. Never once did the dealer ever say anything about it. Of course, I don't even mention the word "tuner" in the service dept.

 

I like my truck and the warranty plus in my personal experience a tune really doesnt add that much power unless you have an ecoboost and can change how much boost you run.. 5.0L is naturally aspirated and is pretty maxed out besides the adding of exhaust, better fuel and a less restrictive filter as Combat Vet has said