Ford Performance Tune- Is there a price point where it makes sense?

[Kiab]

Exactly what the title states... I know the general consensus seems to be you are better off with MPT or 5 star, but is there a price where the FP calibration is worth it?
With current 20% sale it's at $680, and I have a credit card offer for 25% cash back at FP, making the effective price just over 500.

Worth it or no?

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[NVRANUF]

What I like is that you can maintain your warranty if you use the Ford product. With MPT or 5-Star your warranty would be void. And regardless of how good MPT or 5-Star is (I actually have an MPT Tune on a 13' EB F150) they simply cannot beat the engineering knowledge and research capability of Ford.

 

[missileboy]

they simply cannot beat the engineering knowledge and research capability of Ford.

The FORD tune is going to be conservative, that is why the warranty is intact. And in today's world, I don't think FORD's, or any other OEM engineering prowess is better than after market. Personally, I would not pay 500 for a canned tune from FORD. What is your tuning goal? I would go to a REAL tuner and get a custom tune for about 250 more. Typical dyno tuning session is ~750. I am running my FP/Whipple tune now and as soon as the 24's are cracked, I will go get a custom tune from Lund as the FORD tunes leave SO MUCH on the table in the name of conservatism to get you through a warranty period so they are off the hook.

 

[NVRANUF]

I agree, "The FORD tune is going to be conservative" (compared to a MPT or 5-star).... But you will be able to drive it through Death Valley, and then on top of Pikes Peak without changing anything. You'll be able to tow your camper, and drive to the grocery store. The reliability and drive-ability will be like it came that way from the manufacturer.... because it did.

My personal experience is: With my MPT Tune on my 13' EB I had to change from the high octane performance tune to the lower octane towing tune when I would tow my car hauler from CO to CA. It is not a super big deal to plug in the XCal 4 and change the tunes, but a hassle nonetheless. Also, the MPT towing tune still gave me some problems when going through the heat of Vegas to Bakersfield where it would be 115 degrees or so in the summer, I'd always get a CEL regarding (something like) "intake temperature differential out of range" between the intake tube and the intake manifold. I also had to REALLY monitor the engine temp with the MPT towing tune, especially on hills. It would climb rapidly under boost despite having a 180-degree thermostat, and despite me manually down shifting to keep the RPM's up. The stock tune does not throw a CEL when towing and seemed to be easier on the engine temp due to lower boost levels.

Would I go with an MPT Tune again... YES. But, with my current truck being still under warranty the Ford tune is the logical choce for me.

 

[Kiab]

I agree, "The FORD tune is going to be conservative" (compared to a MPT or 5-star).... But you will be able to drive it through Death Valley, and then on top of Pikes Peak without changing anything. You'll be able to tow your camper, and drive to the grocery store. The reliability and drive-ability will be like it came that way from the manufacturer.... because it did.

My personal experience is: With my MPT Tune on my 13' EB I had to change from the high octane performance tune to the lower octane towing tune when I would tow my car hauler from CO to CA. It is not a super big deal to plug in the XCal 4 and change the tunes, but a hassle nonetheless. Also, the MPT towing tune still gave me some problems when going through the heat of Vegas to Bakersfield where it would be 115 degrees or so in the summer, I'd always get a CEL regarding (something like) "intake temperature differential out of range" between the intake tube and the intake manifold. I also had to REALLY monitor the engine temp with the MPT towing tune, especially on hills. It would climb rapidly under boost despite having a 180-degree thermostat, and despite me manually down shifting to keep the RPM's up. The stock tune does not throw a CEL when towing and seemed to be easier on the engine temp due to lower boost levels.

Would I go with an MPT Tune again... YES. But, with my current truck being still under warranty the Ford tune is the logical choce for me.

Thanks for the feedback. I certainly get that there are probably "better" or at least higher performance options out there, but for the "plug and play" the FP doesn't seem like a bad option.

Did you notice any difference in transmission performance with the FP option? Curious if it smooths things out or not. To me that would make it worth it regardless of HP or Torque gains.

 

[crazywayne311]

I think it should have cost $500...i think i paid close to $650 from Stage3.
Heres my take and again, seeing some comments above, some may or may not agree.

Is it worth $650? thats tough. FP was great when I spoke with them when the product first released and needed some info regarding the tune itself and warranty info. Cant remember who i spoke to at FP but they were very informative and one of the best experiences Ive had while owning a Ford...

The tune was easy to install (did it myself) and took maybe 15 min of my time. btw, Livernois name is all over the files and i'm pretty sure Livernois worked with Ford to develope this tune.

Is the 450HP and 510TQ (same stock power as a Raptor) worth it to me? sure. truck definitely feels faster but still has a stock feel when driving around town like i used to. I am happy with the purchase.

I have no idea if anyone has dyno'd there 3.5 after the tune to see what the numbers look like compared to stock. i know i was hitting 15-18 psi with the stock tune and now i'm hitting 20-24 psi with the FP tune

cant remember now, but i think the tune puts the trans into a relearn situation or has something. i asked this question to the FP engineer but honestly i'm drawing a blank.
it does shift better after the tune in my opinion

 

[Big Cam]

I think it should have cost $500...i think i paid close to $650 from Stage3.
Heres my take and again, seeing some comments above, some may or may not agree.

Is it worth $650? thats tough. FP was great when I spoke with them when the product first released and needed some info regarding the tune itself and warranty info. Cant remember who i spoke to at FP but they were very informative and one of the best experiences Ive had while owning a Ford...

The tune was easy to install (did it myself) and took maybe 15 min of my time. btw, Livernois name is all over the files and i'm pretty sure Livernois worked with Ford to develope this tune.

Is the 450HP and 510TQ (same stock power as a Raptor) worth it to me? sure. truck definitely feels faster but still has a stock feel when driving around town like i used to. I am happy with the purchase.

I have no idea if anyone has dyno'd there 3.5 after the tune to see what the numbers look like compared to stock. i know i was hitting 15-18 psi with the stock tune and now i'm hitting 20-24 psi with the FP tune

cant remember now, but i think the tune puts the trans into a relearn situation or has something. i asked this question to the FP engineer but honestly i'm drawing a blank.
it does shift better after the tune in my opinion

Forgive my ignorance but where can you buy it and then install it yourself? I've been thinking about this for a while and if it's on sale and I don't have to mess around with the dealer, I think I'm ready.

 

[crazywayne311]

Forgive my ignorance but where can you buy it and then install it yourself? I've been thinking about this for a while and if it's on sale and I don't have to mess around with the dealer, I think I'm ready.

i got mine from stage3 at a discount. i think lethal performance has it onsale too. been a minute since i've looked.
21-23 F150 3.5L Ford Performance Calibration Pack M-9603-F35
Ford Performance 3.5L Engine Performance Calibration With ProCal4 Tool (Non-Raptor) - M-9603-F35 | Levittown Ford

i believe directions were in the box. you update the tuner with your computer. gotta download the update. after that, you gotta make a FP account. After that you enter the code thats in the box at the FP site. that gets you the tune. plug in tuner and it'll download the tune. then plug tuner in truck. took about 10 min if that. done.

 

[Big Cam]

i got mine from stage3 at a discount. i think lethal performance has it onsale too. been a minute since i've looked.
21-23 F150 3.5L Ford Performance Calibration Pack M-9603-F35
Ford Performance 3.5L Engine Performance Calibration With ProCal4 Tool (Non-Raptor) - M-9603-F35 | Levittown Ford

i believe directions were in the box. you update the tuner with your computer. gotta download the update. after that, you gotta make a FP account. After that you enter the code thats in the box at the FP site. that gets you the tune. plug in tuner and it'll download the tune. then plug tuner in truck. took about 10 min if that. done.

Thank you so much for the links! I appreciate it!

 

[crazywayne311]

Thank you so much for the links! I appreciate it!

Not a problem! i dont mind!
btw, for added insurance, just call FP. I called them to ask questions. The pretty much walked me through install on the phone. Biggest thing is making the FP account. other than that, it was rather simple.

 

[Calson]

With the CAFE standards penalizing vehicle manufacturers for low fuel economy they will "tune" their engines and transmissions to maximize fuel economy. The aftermarket tuners may increase horsepower but they are not going to improve fuel economy. Not that people are not happy to sell miracle tuners to the gullible.

 

[Jeff1024]

What I like is that you can maintain your warranty if you use the Ford product. With MPT or 5-Star your warranty would be void.

There is a lot of grey around this, at least in my opinion. I have read the Ford tune does NOT void the 3 year / 36000 warranty. I have heard it DOES void any extended warranty including Ford ESP.

I have read some dealers continue to honor the ESP on tuned trucks others dont. Perhaps someone here can give more info, but given the amazing 10 Speed in my truck there is no way I am going to give Ford a reason to deny an ESP Claim. Seems like even more of a risk when you look at the relatively minimal gains over stock.

This may be a sign I am getting old but the trucks make stupid power from the factory. We tow somewhat heavy at 7,000lbs and I cant think of a time when I said man this 500ft/lbs just isn't getting the job done.

I guess in simple terms I prioritize being able to roll into Ford at 75k miles and say my transmission ate a CDF Drum here is $100 fix it over the extra power a tune could potentially offer.

 

[crazywayne311]

With the CAFE standards penalizing vehicle manufacturers for low fuel economy they will "tune" their engines and transmissions to maximize fuel economy. The aftermarket tuners may increase horsepower but they are not going to improve fuel economy. Not that people are not happy to sell miracle tuners to the gullible.

not saying your wrong but my mileage has slightly improved...could be summer gas though haha

 

[in_venere_veritas]

Thanks for the feedback. I certainly get that there are probably "better" or at least higher performance options out there, but for the "plug and play" the FP doesn't seem like a bad option.

Did you notice any difference in transmission performance with the FP option? Curious if it smooths things out or not. To me that would make it worth it regardless of HP or Torque gains.

It absolutely helps with the transmission performance.

 

[rong]

I have a question regarding the Ford tune. My truck has a 4 inch lift and 285/75/18 tires. Ford states the tire size can't be adjusted. Mine is already adjusted for this tire size. If I did the tune will it wipe that back to stock size? Can I go back in with forscan and change the tirew size and if so does that affect the tue itself?

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