Is the Livernois tune as good as people say?

[DJE624]

You may have pre detonation at high rpms and not even know it without logging.  OTOH, I was running stock 528's gapped at 35 for months with no problems. I'm pretty sure you are fine.

 

[anthonylee337]

Tks for the responses-I'm not worried at all I been around engines my whole life and I know when a motor is running at its peak or if it is running poorly. There is no way my engine could run any better and I steady clock 0 to 60 times under 5 seconds!

 

[Tomc612]

Yes they are Great!! Livernois stage 4+ I run and will never go back to stock. I also have a few files I use sometimes from Tuning by James. I been tuned over 22k and I never had any problems. I'm using the SP-534 plugs gapped@.030 for 3000 miles. I was running the older plugs with gaps as high as .036/38 and still never any issues.

 

[DRII]

can any shop 're-gap' the plugs?

i would guess that one shouldn't ask their local Ford dealer to do it; right?

also, is there any thread that has the complete break down of what to do and expect when getting a tune?  does unleash and Livernois tell you exactly what to do?  i hadn't heard about people changing the thermostat before this thread and only saw recommendations about the spark plugs recently.

i'm definitely going to do it, once i put a few more miles on my MKS (i negotiated hard to get the dealer to throw in an extended warranty) the first thing the sales manager said was the waranty is voided if you tune the engine!  i was surprised because i brought my MKS from a Lexus dealership, but he knew right away about playing with turbos...

 

[Night Hawk]

You may have pre detonation at high rpms and not even know it without logging.  OTOH, I was running stock 528's gapped at 35 for months with no problems. I'm pretty sure you are fine.

  same here 528s gapped at .035 no problems, FWIW just purchased a set of 534s to find them already pre-gapped at the recommended .030 word must have gotten back to Momma Ford.

 

[Brucelinc]

I have run a Livernois tune on my 2010 MKS for a bit over a year.  Is it as good as people say?  Not just "yes"....HELL YES.  I have no doubt that Unleashed tunes are great, also, but the bottom line is that tuning really improves these cars - not just engine performance but also transmission behavior.  I can only speak for 2010 -2012s, but I have not heard of ANY negatives associated with the tunes.

One question:  I have heard a couple of guys use the term "predetonation."  I am familiar with pre-ignition and detonation - both are bad.  Predetonation is a new one on me...is that just a made-up word or is it some evil combination of detonation and pre-ignition? 

 

[BiGMaC]

One question:  I have heard a couple of guys use the term "predetonation."  I am familiar with pre-ignition and detonation - both are bad.  Predetonation is a new one on me...is that just a made-up word or is it some evil combination of detonation and pre-ignition? 

It's the firing of a cylinder before the piston has completely finished the upward movement of the compression stroke.  Hurts power and potentially damages the engine. Advances in timing (involved in most tunes especially at higher rpms) can increase likelihood of this without precautions such as the cooler plugs.  Maybe some one with more knowledge can explain it better.

 

[68_GT]

I don't like that the LMS XV1 tune has been put off either for a long time, or possibly forever with out meth. I'd buy support mods if needed to run it. I just want to run boost to redline my SHO leaves me wanting on the highway after 5k rpms. Maybe that will change with the release of larger direct injection fuel injectors possibly this year and some other fuel deliver modifications. Seems like there's just not enough demand for our cars to justify the additional time to work on our tuning. 

 

[BlueSHO]

Yes they are Great!! Livernois stage 4+ I run and will never go back to stock. I also have a few files I use sometimes from Tuning by James. I been tuned over 22k and I never had any problems. I'm using the SP-534 plugs gapped@.030 for 3000 miles. I was running the older plugs with gaps as high as .036/38 and still never any issues.

Who is this James guy you are referring to?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Brucelinc]

Thanks, BiGMaC.  I do not want to hijack this thread around terminology, but your description sounds like what I have always thought of as pre-ignition - the ignition of the fuel/air mixture occurring too soon and slamming into the piston on it's way up.  This is often due to overly advanced timing and/or plugs in too hot a heat range.  Anyway, regardless of terminology, we know it is bad and, thankfully, the best tuners help us avoid it! 

 

[BiGMaC]

Thanks, BiGMaC.  I do not want to hijack this thread around terminology, but your description sounds like what I have always thought of as pre-ignition - the ignition of the fuel/air mixture occurring too soon and slamming into the piston on it's way up.  This is often due to overly advanced timing and/or plugs in too hot a heat range.  Anyway, regardless of terminology, we know it is bad and, thankfully, the best tuners help us avoid it! 

Right on Bro!  Wish we could get one "language" ... maybe knock?  Anyway we do all know we don't want it!

 

[DJE624]

I don't like that the LMS XV1 tune has been put off either for a long time, or possibly forever with out meth. I'd buy support mods if needed to run it. I just want to run boost to redline my SHO leaves me wanting on the highway after 5k rpms. Maybe that will change with the release of larger direct injection fuel injectors possibly this year and some other fuel deliver modifications. Seems like there's just not enough demand for our cars to justify the additional time to work on our tuning. 

You may want to check on a 3 bar tune.  That's next in store for me.  I thought that the latest tunes for 13-14's were equivalent to the Stage 4+.  4+ will hold the boost out longer. Our turbos are controlled by torque demand.  If you are boosting over 14.5 the ECU can't read it and holds steady.  With a 3 Bar sensor, your ECU can read boosts above 14.5 and supply more fuel.  That may get you where you want to go.

 

[68_GT]

I don't like that the LMS XV1 tune has been put off either for a long time, or possibly forever with out meth. I'd buy support mods if needed to run it. I just want to run boost to redline my SHO leaves me wanting on the highway after 5k rpms. Maybe that will change with the release of larger direct injection fuel injectors possibly this year and some other fuel deliver modifications. Seems like there's just not enough demand for our cars to justify the additional time to work on our tuning. 

You may want to check on a 3 bar tune.  That's next in store for me.  I thought that the latest tunes for 13-14's were equivalent to the Stage 4+.  4+ will hold the boost out longer. Our turbos are controlled by torque demand.  If you are boosting over 14.5 the ECU can't read it and holds steady.  With a 3 Bar sensor, your ECU can read boosts above 14.5 and supply more fuel.  That may get you where you want to go.

my understanding is that is what the XV1 was supposed to do.

 

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

I could be absolutely wrong on this, but it was my understanding that the 3 bar really does nothing for you as we do not push high enough boost levels without meth to supplement fuel delivery. If I am wrong and I am leaving something on the table for performance, I will order the 3 bar immediately.

 

[DJE624]

Depending on what tune you are running, I believe the stock turbos will run up to 17 psi.  Anything above 14.5 will not be read by the 2 Bar.  Run Torque and see if you are pushing that limit with your tune.  If so, it may be worth trying the 3 Bar. 

 

[68_GT]

who and how is anyone runing above 14.5 PSI ? meth ?

I don't understand why there are claims the 13 fuel system is more capable, but also unable to tune the 13 for higher rpms and higher boost with out meth ????

 

[BiGMaC]

I could be absolutely wrong on this, but it was my understanding that the 3 bar really does nothing for you as we do not push high enough boost levels without meth to supplement fuel delivery. If I am wrong and I am leaving something on the table for performance, I will order the 3 bar immediately.

As I understand it…. LMS tunes can be modified to increase the boost.  The 2bar sensor can't read (send) info above 14.5psi boost to the ECM… so when more torque is asked for and boost levels reach 14.5 the ECM holds it steady.  With a 3BAR and an adjusted tune the benefit of providing 15-17 psi boost can be translated into performance because the 3BAR can read it and send info to the ECM.  So you don't necessarily need meth to benefit from a 3BAR… This per Dan at LMS (their tuner) in a discussion with DJE that he related.

I am strongly considering trying this… at $130 or so it's a relatively cheap mod that may make my smile even bigger.
Testing on stock turbos give me the idea that they aren't capable of more than about 17psi. Others can chime in here.

So you need a modified tune also (this is posted in in the Livernois vendor area I think)

 

[SHOdded]

If you are looking to increase boost using the 3bar, make sure you keep an eye on all those pipes & clamps if they are stock!

 

[BiGMaC]

If you are looking to increase boost using the 3bar, make sure you keep an eye on all those pipes & clamps if they are stock!

Great Point….  :icon_wink:
BTW, I have a set of thermal coated PPE Hotpipes ordered.

 

[yowen]

If you are looking to increase boost using the 3bar, make sure you keep an eye on all those pipes & clamps if they are stock!

Definitely, It may be worth a guide on here on clamps that should be checked from time to time. Although I assume it's somewhat obvious once you peak into the engine bay.