Tuning with minimal upgrades
- Thread starter lsfox86
- Start date
Livernois Motorsports
New member
As a vendor, we strive to let the community and our customers know that if you have any questions about tuning or any concerns
that we wish to be as upfront as possible about all aspects of the process. Our goal for tuning is the same as it has always been,
to offer safe, responsible and reliable tuning for daily driving aspects. We don't set out with intent to injure vehicles, if we did that
we still wouldn't be in business after all these years. Accessibility for the customers and community in general is key for any
company in this line of work. Forums are a great place for resources and answers, especially when you have vendors/suppliers
chime in as often as they do with the Ecoboost community. So please, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask without any form
of hesitation and we will do our best to assist you.
that we wish to be as upfront as possible about all aspects of the process. Our goal for tuning is the same as it has always been,
to offer safe, responsible and reliable tuning for daily driving aspects. We don't set out with intent to injure vehicles, if we did that
we still wouldn't be in business after all these years. Accessibility for the customers and community in general is key for any
company in this line of work. Forums are a great place for resources and answers, especially when you have vendors/suppliers
chime in as often as they do with the Ecoboost community. So please, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask without any form
of hesitation and we will do our best to assist you.
Thank you all for the great info - this forum is awesome! Since I'm really looking for more of a plug and play tune, I decided to go with LMS. I ordered the tune today and hope to have everything up and running by next week. I decided not to do plugs or anything else at this time, so the only upgrade on the car will be the cat-back.
At this point, what should I be doing? I know that I need to pick 4 tunes (I'm thinking one tow tune and an 87, 91, and 93 performance maybe??) You guys have all gone through this process, so is there anything you wish you would have done immediately before tuning? I don't need an oil change for another 3k, but is it worth taking the car to the dealer to have them run it over? Are there any specific instructions I should give the folks at LMS?
Cheers
At this point, what should I be doing? I know that I need to pick 4 tunes (I'm thinking one tow tune and an 87, 91, and 93 performance maybe??) You guys have all gone through this process, so is there anything you wish you would have done immediately before tuning? I don't need an oil change for another 3k, but is it worth taking the car to the dealer to have them run it over? Are there any specific instructions I should give the folks at LMS?
Cheers
The perma-grin factor associated when first loading your tune is priceless and have been accustomed to their fine tuning and customer service since day one.
I would make sure to use a high quality full synthetic oil such a Redline, Amsoil with an Motorcraft fl- 500s filter.
I would also contact Anthony for any such inquiry/questions you may have at tuning@livernoismotorsports.com and best of luck to ya. Z
I would make sure to use a high quality full synthetic oil such a Redline, Amsoil with an Motorcraft fl- 500s filter.
I would also contact Anthony for any such inquiry/questions you may have at tuning@livernoismotorsports.com and best of luck to ya. Z
KonaTheWhale
New member
I would recommend a 91 octane tune for traveling to places without 93 then do your 3 other tunes as the hottest 93 on down. Even though your vehicle is pretty new there could still be a difference in plug gaps and replacing them with upgraded and perfectly gapped plugs will insure the biggest perma-grin like ZSHO mentioned. Also at some point I would do a 3 bar sensor as it is the easiest bang for buck
jbrown9999
New member
SHOdded said:
I got a 91 Octane Unleashed tune on my stock (only a K&N drop in filter) 2016 SHO, and the difference is VERY noticeable. Definitely worth the investment!
lsfox86 said:
More than safe, you just won't be able to run as high of boost. The MAP Sensor allows for higher boost, and thus higher torque/horsepower.
Plugs, I have yet to do, my car just put down well over stock power on the dyno, has been tuned for 7k or so, no issues.
Stat, I did more to make drag racing consistent, not needed unless you want a bit more constitancy. It can help with keeping knock retard down, but is not necessary.
Since you went LME, just make sure they know your mods and they will send proper tunes accordingly. Once you want more, you can start with small upgrades and go from there.
With regards to the mentioned mods, my order of recommendation would be 3Bar (~$45), stat ($~60), plugs (~$60)
For actual power gains, best bang for the buck mod wise seems to be tune, and then downpipes.
f8tlSHO said:Have you posted those numbers yet?
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Just did: http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,7287.0/topicseen.html
For daily driving, I've read that some folks like to run the 89/91 tow tunes to maximize lower end (< 1/2 throttle) performance and smooth shifting. Can anyone speak to this?
As a tuning newbie, I want to start out with the most "set it and forget it" option, especially considering that the vehicle is, aside from exhaust, stock. Rather than jumping around from different settings right off the bat, I'd like to get set up and just drive for a couple weeks to really get the feel for the tune.
As a tuning newbie, I want to start out with the most "set it and forget it" option, especially considering that the vehicle is, aside from exhaust, stock. Rather than jumping around from different settings right off the bat, I'd like to get set up and just drive for a couple weeks to really get the feel for the tune.
lsfox86 said:
First off, the catback really is mainly noise fluff. It will not have many if any gains.
I have no experience with tow tunes, but as LME has said, ask them questions to your hearts desire. if you want the tune to maximize low end (less than 1/2 throttle) performance and shift smooth (stock like-rather than race-like), I would ask them. Fuel will dictate how much added performance you can get, and you will have to decide what fuel you want to run. You can always run better fuel than a tune calls for (ie. 93 on a 91 tune) but CAN NOT go the other way(NEVER EVER do 91 on a 93 tune, etc.)
Hope this helps
Heres an update: I received my LMS tuner and set up the 91 performance tune yesterday. As I was told to expect, the shifting is definitely more "firm" but nothing too crazy. I took the car for a spin last night, including a little time on the highway, and I am overall happy with the performance. It is shifting at higher RPMs and I especially noticed increased power when stepping on the gas at 60 mph.
In addition to the 91 performance tune, I also received 87 and 93 performance and 91 towing. I decided to start with the 91 tune but am already itching to load the 93 (I am running 93 octane fuel). How much of a difference is there between the 91 and 93 tunes? Will I really notice it?
I also ordered a K&N drop in filter and new plugs from LMS (gapped at .030). So the real question is, whats next? Thank you guys for all the help up to this point - I have learned a lot.
In addition to the 91 performance tune, I also received 87 and 93 performance and 91 towing. I decided to start with the 91 tune but am already itching to load the 93 (I am running 93 octane fuel). How much of a difference is there between the 91 and 93 tunes? Will I really notice it?
I also ordered a K&N drop in filter and new plugs from LMS (gapped at .030). So the real question is, whats next? Thank you guys for all the help up to this point - I have learned a lot.
MiWiAu said:LOL. I love it.
You were looking for some plug-and-play and already asking "what's next?". Same thing happened to me, man!
"I'm just going to put a tune on there to live it up a little." Now I have a PRP license.
Next? I vote downpipes!!
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Seconded, after a tune, downpipes will be the most noticeable change. After that its all supporting mods, until you upgrade the turbos.
MiWiAu said:LOL. I love it.
You were looking for some plug-and-play and already asking "what's next?". Same thing happened to me, man!
"I'm just going to put a tune on there to live it up a little." Now I have a PRP license.
Next? I vote downpipes!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yup - I think I got bit by the bug.
I wanted to take a second to give a little update on my now-tuned 2015 Explorer Sport. It has been a couple weeks since I installed new plugs and a K&N drop-in filter, and up to this point I have run the LMS 91 and 93 performance tunes. To begin, the difference between stock and the 91 tune is definitely noticeable. The shifts are firmer and take place at higher RPMs. The car takes off a little bit faster, and I really notice the power when stepping on the gas at highway speeds. Other than that, I did a 500-mile road trip and did actually notice about a .5 mpg difference with this tune. Anything helps, I guess. After first installing, it did take a couple days of driving to soften up the shifts, like several of you noted.
Concerning the 93 tune, I honestly did not notice much difference over the 91, which kind of surprised me. 93 octane fuel is very easy for me to find in FL, and my original plan was to run this 93 tune for the long run, thinking it would deliver the best performance. However, after driving each tune for one week, I think I prefer the 91 tune. I can't exactly put my finger on why, but the car seems to be a bit more drivable and the difference in power is negligible. What gives? I haven't had the chance to drive the 93 tune on the highway, but maybe thats where it would really shine. Any thoughts on this? Should I give the 93 another chance?
On a side note, I took the car to Ford for an oil change today (after flashing to stock the day before). I got the opportunity to speak to the tech while he was working on it, and without being asked, he told me that he saw that it had been "chipped." He didn't seem to care, and I didn't really push him or ask any questions. I figured I should share that information in case anyone is under the mistaken impression that a simple flash to stock will make the tune invisible to Ford.
Concerning the 93 tune, I honestly did not notice much difference over the 91, which kind of surprised me. 93 octane fuel is very easy for me to find in FL, and my original plan was to run this 93 tune for the long run, thinking it would deliver the best performance. However, after driving each tune for one week, I think I prefer the 91 tune. I can't exactly put my finger on why, but the car seems to be a bit more drivable and the difference in power is negligible. What gives? I haven't had the chance to drive the 93 tune on the highway, but maybe thats where it would really shine. Any thoughts on this? Should I give the 93 another chance?
On a side note, I took the car to Ford for an oil change today (after flashing to stock the day before). I got the opportunity to speak to the tech while he was working on it, and without being asked, he told me that he saw that it had been "chipped." He didn't seem to care, and I didn't really push him or ask any questions. I figured I should share that information in case anyone is under the mistaken impression that a simple flash to stock will make the tune invisible to Ford.