Originally Posted by boilerup15 (Post 602204)

I have never touched a setting on my evo, I will be checking back in to see what others have to say.

Originally Posted by boilerup15 (Post 602458)

I don't know what to change, and don't want to screw something up.

Originally Posted by FSU FX4 (Post 603276)

Id like to change shift pointsa, etc...whatever i need to get the best MPG or the best amount of power while not changing my current mpg of 14.2. Help?
87 performance tune is on the way btw.

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 603378)

See this is another thing I find laughable(not knocking on you personally FSU FX4, speaking more from a marketing standpoint). There is virtually no power to be had with a tune on 87 octane. The only thing that can be done for any performance feel is lean the stock pig rich fuel trims out and firm up shift points. The only timing that can be added is very minimal with 87.

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 603486)

Ya i have no idea on what you just said,lol.
"The only thing that can be done for any performance feel is lean the stock pig rich fuel trims out and firm up shift points. The only timing that can be added is very minimal with 87" Can you explain what all that means?This is what i am talking about for those of us who dont know much about this kinda stuff:help:But who wants to learn about it

Originally Posted by BassAckwards (Post 603521)

Are you sure that 93 octane rated gas takes longer to burn?? Because my uncle is a petroleum engineer and he said that part of the advantage of higher octane rating is that the fuel burns more instantaneous and quicker and burning quicker also means that it won't heat up your engine as fast because its not detonating in as long of a time frame.

But to help contribute to the thread and give some settings to people new to the tuner, here is what I've been running and I would love for anyone who knows more about tuning than I to improve upon it. And this adds a great deal of difference with my taller tires!:thumbsup:

Performance Tune (Level 3) 93 Octane Only
WOT Shift: 1st-2nd 5300; 2nd-3rd 5300; 3rd-4th 5000
WOT Fuel: 1.8
Timeing: 1.5
Shift Firmness: 12-all
Rev Limiter: 5450
Standard Lock Points: 3rd -4; 4th -6
Tires: <Insert your tire Circumference here>
Gear Ratio: <Insert your gear ratio here>

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 603551)

Im affraid your uncle needs to reference his chemistry book. :no:

Higher octane requires more time to burn to release all its energy. It burns slightly slower.

EDIT: Ill elaborate:

Higher octane has more chemical bonds, so it takes longer for those bonds to break.

Originally Posted by BassAckwards (Post 603562)

I do recall him saying there were more bonds, but he said something about these bonds breaking apart in a more even manner and not sporadic like lower octane fuels.

But no matter I don't feel its worth discussing to in-depth, lets just help people figure out how to tune their truck!:thumbsup: I know I would love some advice

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 603564)

That may be the case about uniformity, but it still takes more time for the bonds to split and completely burn. :D

LOL I went and looked it up before I even responded just to make sure I was on the ball with my original post. That book had quite a bit of dust on it, thats for sure!

Originally Posted by BassAckwards (Post 603586)

I must simply be misquoting him/misunderstood him lol

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 603508)

First off: If you REALLY want to grasp the concept of tuning, buy and read that book I posted. It is an excellent way to spend 20 bucks.

As the truck comes from the factory, the tunes that come with them are VERY safe. There is a ratio called the air/fuel ratio that is based off a concept in chemistry called stoichiometry. When you are just cruising around driving normal the ratio will read 14.7. This is a perfect ratio for a gas motor. However, when you go full throttle, more fuel is added and the ratio changes.

Basically the higher the stoichiometric number, the leaner(hass more air and less fuel) the motor will run. The factory makes the tune so that at full throttle the A/F ratio is rich, meaning a lot of fuel added. Iv seen readings as low as 10.5 for a stock tune. That is PIG rich.

tuning your car in the fuel trims to get your wide open throttle A/F ratio around 12.5-13 is optimal for a naturally aspired motor. It provides some of the best, safe fuel trims for performance; it also saves some gas.

You get these numbers from measuring your exhaust gas with a wideband A/F meter. DO NOT GET THIS CONFUSED WITH THOSE POS NARROW BAND GAUGES RICERS USE TO LOOK COOL! THOSE DO NOTHING.

So to recap Ch.1:
your A/F ratio is a stoichiometric relationship where the higher the number the leaner the motor, and vise versa.

14.7= cruising A/F ratio, always unless your front o2 sensors are bad*

Now, to address the timing:

87, 89, 91, 93 octane gases are not just distinguished by the different added detergents. The fundamental difference between them is whats called their heating value. the higher the octane, the higher the heating value for that gas. This higher heating value means that the gas takes longer to completely burn. Consequently, it also has more internal energy to yield from the combustion.

when you increase the timing, you fire a spark sooner. This is good for 93 octane because it has longer to burn before its fully compressed in the engine. When you increase the timing to much on an 87 octane fuel, the fuel is burnt to fast and a condition called detonation occurs. FYI, detonation, just like it sounds, is not good.

87 octane does not posses enough internal energy to utilize more than 2-3* of advanced timing without starting to detonate. So the fact that a company calls an 87 octane tune "performance" is basically a lie. LOL

Ch 2 Summary:

Octane rating tells you in a nutshell how much timing can be added.

To much timing= boom

----------------------------------------
* Natural fluctuations occur from about 14.3-15, the average is about 14.7

Originally Posted by boilerup15 (Post 604051)

I have learned some things from this thread, yet I don't see much on what settings yet to put my tuner on?

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 604165)

Ya i gotta agree with you on this.Guess nobody wants to give away there secrets,lol.Guess they want us to base our settings off the info we get and see what works.Hey i can do that.Hopefully tho we get more that want to part way with there secret Edge Evo settings:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604187)

Thats basically all you need to do. Take a few hours of time and play with setting. Just make sure you have 93 in the tank if you bump timing.

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 604207)

I have started some playing with the settings.

Let me ask ya this.The Evo does have the MPH viewing.Should i go off that since its hooked into my trucks port?My speedo is still off abit even tho i did change the settings to account for my bigger tires.

N was it ok that i filled up with 93 at half a tank,then just filled up yesterday with 87 mixing the two gasolines together and ran it on performance and towing?

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604216)

I would not start adding a lot of timing until your on purely 93. if it was an exact 50/50 mix(which it likely was not) you would be at an average of the 2 basically octane wise.

The Tuner SHOULD be reporting the exact same value as the speedo, both the gauge cluster and the tuner are getting the same data from your PCM for velocity calculations. If your speedo is off, you need to have the stepper motor checked out in the cluster.

As far as playing with timing goes though, you can slowly add some timing and see if you hear pinging or get a knock code. What are the available setting for timing? Let me know and ill cook up some good setting
placements for you.

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604426)

I was talking about your timing settings, iv never owned an automatic so all that means nothing to me haha. Ill have to learn that when I get my truck.

Originally Posted by Bigboytoys (Post 604510)

ok, what about the other stuff I mentioned?

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 604435)

Well according from the edge evo,all timeing settings are at 0.00

Or are you talking about trucks timeing itself? If so,how the hell do i check that man?lol

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604760)

Yea Im talking about the Evo settings. What are the differentials? Does it give you a low medium high RPM range to change? And does it change the timing in terms of a percent or a physical degree?

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 604771)

What do you mean the Differentials? You mean my differential gears?
Will check on after work and will get back to ya.
Changes the timing on a percent.Right now my timing reads on the Evo 0.00%

Thanks for all your help man.

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604781)

Im referring to differential in terms of how something is changing(percent vs Degrees). I imagine your limited to about 10-15% total timing increase(every tuner iv seen that uses ∆% for timing is fairly limited). You could likely crank that bad boy all the way up on 91 octane and not have any knock or pinging at all.

But of course test it out, dont just take my word for it.

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 604793)

Ahh ok.Gotcha.Yes the Evo settings for the timing are in Percents.N right now it reads 0.00% for the timing.If that tells you anything?lol.

How much you think i should crank the timing up for my Tow performance?I will not go back to 91octane gas till next year spring time.So for the time being am staying with low gas which is 87octane.

Will tell ya one thing.In the tow performance setting i have noticed better fuel economy.Ona weekly basis i drive to my friends house who is about 2 hours away.Before the tuner i would use just over a quarter tank of gas to get there.Did the drive yesterday,drove the same way i always do,and used just under a quarter tank.Of course all this is cruise control going 68mph.

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 604794)

I edited my previous post that you quoted me on here. You can see my settings for my car, but again its on a 4.6L 2v not a 3v 5.4L.

On 87, you can add 2* of timing and still have room left for knock safety. Adding more than 2* is not a good idea.

Originally Posted by Bucko (Post 605066)

Looks like this post is getting attention, albeit some "discussions" on tunning basics, etc.

We can add it to the existing sticky "Stop! Before you post Read this! Common useful links!" that is/was maintained by CrashTECH.

The only rules for doing this is that we keep this link clean, meaning no arguements within the link; just posts on what programming settings folks have/are using, and their results.

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 605300)

Ok Ive been holding off on commenting on this thread, since I've only had my F150 for 2 months. I was all about tuning my F250 before which was Diesel. So im still new to the gas tuning. So feel free to comment on my stats.

89 Tow Tune
Shift Firmness: 12 for all gears
Standard Shift Points: Same
Torque Converter Standard Lock Points: -4 for 4th gear, -2 for 3rd gear
WOT Shift: 1-2:5300 2-3:5300 3-4:5000
WOT Fuel: 1.35
Timing: .5
Rev Limit: 5450

NOTES:
- Overall shift performance is tight. Hits every gear with a firm but smooth shift. Torque Converter unlocks quicker
while accelerating. Still have problem with kicking too hard into gear while slowing to a stop then accelerating again.
- MPG: Before running Edge stock level 2: 13.3mpg.
Running modified Edge Level 2: 15.0mpg after.

Performance Tune (Level 3) 93 Octane Only
WOT Shift: 1st-2nd 5300; 2nd-3rd 5300; 3rd-4th 5000
WOT Fuel: 1.8
Timeing: 1.5
Shift Firmness: 12-all
Rev Limiter: 5450
Standard Lock Points: 3rd -4; 4th -6
Tire Size: 2776mm
Gear 3.55

Obviously change your tire size by using the calculations in your Evo instructions as well as your gear size.

Overall have been very happy with the 89 Tune have been running it for 2 weeks and noticed a huge increase in fuel mileage all hand calculated as well before anyone asks.

The performance tune I have not had time to run a full tank of fuel on so I dont want to get to in too detail as to what i think of it so far. But I think it could be improved a little more.

Open to suggestions or improvements.

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 605300)

89 Tow Tune
Shift Firmness: 12 for all gears
Standard Shift Points: Same
Torque Converter Standard Lock Points: -4 for 4th gear, -2 for 3rd gear
WOT Shift: 1-2:5300 2-3:5300 3-4:5000
WOT Fuel: 1.35
Timing: .5
Rev Limit: 5450

Originally Posted by cowboy (Post 606460)

I used this tune but modified it slightly
Shift Firmness: 20 for all gears
Timing: 1.0

I was averaging 15.5 mpg using the out of the box tow tune. From what my display says I'm at 16.5 now. I did this at a half tank, so let me run this a bit before I give you the actual measure of MPG's. I use 89 octane only.

Originally Posted by cowboy (Post 606460)

I used this tune but modified it slightly
Shift Firmness: 20 for all gears
Timing: 1.0

I was averaging 15.5 mpg using the out of the box tow tune. From what my display says I'm at 16.5 now. I did this at a half tank, so let me run this a bit before I give you the actual measure of MPG's. I use 89 octane only.

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 606655)

I think ill up my firmness some. Im used to my 450HP Powerstroke throwing me back in the seat so this really isnt getting it done for me. I was getting 13.5mpg before this tune. Im nowup to 15.5 and currently running 87 actually. Going to bump up to 89 and up the timing to 1.0 next tank of fuel.

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 606888)

Def let us know how it turns out with the addition of more timing:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 606973)

Ill have a update in a few days just fueled up this am.

Has anyone ever ran Race Fuel say 101 or 103 octane in their truck Obviously like at the track or races? Wonder how far you could go with the timing then? Or if it would handle it?

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 607151)

Ok cool man,looking forward to results

Doesnt Race Fuel have lead in it?

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 607188)

Im not sure.. honestly thats why i was asking. But Sunoco sells race fuel idk if there allowed to sell leaded gas.

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 606973)

Ill have a update in a few days just fueled up this am.

Has anyone ever ran Race Fuel say 101 or 103 octane in their truck Obviously like at the track or races? Wonder how far you could go with the timing then? Or if it would handle it?

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 607151)

Ok cool man,looking forward to results

Doesnt Race Fuel have lead in it?

Originally Posted by BassAckwards (Post 607699)

Nah your thinking of AVGas, its the same octane rating as race fuel but its LowLead

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 608359)

I havent bumped my timing up yet. Run that 89 Tow tune i gave you earlier. With 87 I was getting 15mph. Just by running 89 and not changing anything else on that tune, I gained .6mpg so im up to 15.6mpg. Ill retune tomorrow and see what it does.

Originally Posted by JCP281 (Post 603016)

Ill tell you this:


Adjusting timing is brutally simple, and more times than not is just time consuming. Timing adjustments are where you get the majority of your power gains. You can sneak out some power with the fuel settings, but more times than not fuel is used as your safety factor.


My friend did exactly what you just said and he cracked a piston. On top of it, he's a mechanic, maybe a hard headed one cause i told him not too do that.

I know what you are saying makes sense, but his motor didn't ping until there was blow by coming out of the valve cover breather

this was a 347 stroker out of a fox body mustang and not a modular motor, but same concept

Originally Posted by Fordfanatic101 (Post 608470)

here are my settings as of now

91 tune -
torque converter settings at max positive values
timing= +1.00
WOT=1.80
firmness= 12-12-0
rev limiter 5700
shift points= 1-2 5250 2-3 5400 3-4 5000

^^^those same settings with stock lvl 3 91 timing and only 1.3 WOT i put down 225hp and 250Ftlbs to the wheels. now with the timing advance i can fell a increase it the seat of pants dyno :thumbup: so i need to re dyno :)

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 608453)

Now do you mean run 89 gas octane on my 87 tow performance tune?

Originally Posted by bianchid (Post 609699)

Up to 16.5mpg running 89 octane on the 89 tow performance tune. Still have yet to adjust timing to 1.00 to see what that does. But honestly im pleased with the 16.5mpg

Originally Posted by fol4321 (Post 611149)

you guys bumping your timing are you also opening up your gap on the plugs

Originally Posted by cowboy (Post 611494)

now why would we want to do that?

Originally Posted by GATORB8 (Post 611715)

It's something that is often done on the older 5.0 and 351 EFIs. Gapping the plugs allows you to manually clock the timing further than the stock gap.

Originally Posted by cowboy (Post 626504)

ak_cowboy, my evo manuals says you should be using 2521mm instead 2800mm

Originally Posted by ak_cowboy (Post 627127)

Really? crap... I was going off my Evo too, so I was getting it exact. Having my odometer off sucks...

Originally Posted by Skull31 (Post 627754)

Ya mine is off by 1-2MPH even with calibrating for my 35's.But hey,thats not to bad being off.

Originally Posted by ak_cowboy (Post 628003)

How far off is your odometer? i can live with the speedo being off, but having incorrect mileage really annoys me.

Originally Posted by hunterh2007 (Post 631983)

I have a 07 FX4 5.4L Flex Fuel, I usually run my chip on stage 2, but I want to "beef" up the performance. So I was wondering what settings I need to change when I get premium gas and change to stage 3 on the chip. I have read to change shift firmness and timing. But i dont know what to adjust them to. I want more performance, but I do not want to damage or stress my truck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by ak_cowboy (Post 632130)

I wouldn't change any of the standard settings till you run a couple tanks on level 3 and see the difference. I run my shift firmness at +7 for all 3 shifts, though some guys run up to +12.
I've advanced my timing to 1.5 and it seems to be running stronger, but I haven't had it long enough to notice any mpg gain.


Ok thanks, I'll run a couple tanks and try it out. When you adjust the shift firmness will it make the transmission shift hard and give a slight jerk or what? I also have a CAI and exhaust on mine. By changing the timing, it will not damage anything will it? I have read that people have experienced a slight knocking when they adjusted the timing. And is there anyway to turn the torque control off or lower it? I want to lay some drag when I stomp the gas. And i'm having trouble doing that now when i'm pushing 35's.