Ford Performance Tune for WT or should I pass?

[Ducati1098]

Interesting. The FP ProCal webpages state "* Premium fuel required*" (sic), so that doesn't seem to disagree. I know I've seen multiple people referring to the computer compensating even with the tune, and I haven't seen any threads about knocking. I know I ran 87 once by accident on a full tank and just seemed to lose some power.

@Ducati1098 You have any insight here?

I don’t know exactly what is changed with the ford performance tune, but regardless the knock sensors will protect the engine the same ways they would without the tune. Just because 87 isn’t recommended doesn’t mean you can’t run it.

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[derichio02]

Did you wait to install the tune until after your WT was broken in a bit or did you do it immediately? My 24 HE 4DR will be at dealership around 2nd week of February and I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead and buy the Performance Tune, CAI, and exhaust and have them install it before it leaves dealership OR if I should wait and put a few thousand miles on it first. I'm also not sure if they do any real tuning or if they are just install a pre-configured Tune which has me wondering if I need to make sure they install the CAI and Exhaust first and then the tune.

I’ve done both, flashed with 2500 miles and flashed with 500 miles. No discernible differences. I had it installed at the dealer. If I was doing this myself I would wait a bit longer for break-in to catch any major problems early. If the dealer is doing it then you have a warranty on the tune. CAI and exhaust can be done at any time. Doing those 2 after the fact may also let you “feel” if there is any performance increase. Doing everything at once you may never know.

 

[5GENIDN]

This is not correct. Premium is required with the tune as specified on the ford performance page. The tune advances the timing and allows for more boost earlier in the rev range. Running less than premium with the tune will likely result in knock under load.

Cole,

Help me to evaluate your contribution to the discussion. If I understand this side discussion correctly we have two competing theories about the missing words.....

1) "Required"..... to attain the advertised metrics....

2) "Required"..... or you will sustain engine damage...

I like to weigh the value of other people's opinions. Typically for me I do this by evaluating their background knowledge on the subject. This is not typically available in random posts....

So to help me weight the value of your contribution... What is your background? Are you a mechanic? Mechanical engineer? Automotive engineer? Basically, do you have engine management experience? What background are you bringing to the table?

 

[OverlandingPastor]

I’ve done both, flashed with 2500 miles and flashed with 500 miles. No discernible differences. I had it installed at the dealer. If I was doing this myself I would wait a bit longer for break-in to catch any major problems early. If the dealer is doing it then you have a warranty on the tune. CAI and exhaust can be done at any time. Doing those 2 after the fact may also let you “feel” if there is any performance increase. Doing everything at once you may never know.

Thank you. This was super helpful!

 

[MWILD]

Any luck with eliminating the turbo lag from stop? I've installed throttle booster, K&N and soon to be intercooler and still have a huge dip when smashing gas from dead stop. If it still lags, I'd probably pass.

That’s not Turbo lag, it’s extreme torque management in 1st gear.The FP and Livernois tune are the only ones that help alleviate torque management in 1st gear.

I assume once custom tunes become available help to eliminate the torque management then we’ll see sub 5 sec 0-60 mph…..and probably a lot of broken Drivetrain components

 

[Langwilliams]

I think the reason you're only getting 18 MPG is when you use sport mode it keeps it in a lower gear an rpm's are always up. A tune will allow it to shift an extra gear or 3 an probably give you better mileage overall. I had the Livernois tune in a 2.3 ranger an loved it. From what i've seen the Ford tune is slightly less aggressive as far as peak numbers go. Even with the tune I thought the ranger cruised at too low an rpm but in the sport mode it was like 2K to 2500 higher which was too much an increase. They had a "tow mode" button that kicked cruising rpm up about 1200 which was perfect IMO. You could also use the arrow down button on the shifter to "lock out gears". It would be in 6th or 7th in a 45 mph zone an i would lock it to not go below 5th an it was nice. Once the road opened up you had to adjust it. Wish these features were on the bronco.

As an aside, am I crazy, or did premium used to only be 20 cents more than premium?? Mid grade was 10 cents over, premium 20... But now it's like a buck at some stations??

Around me it varies. The places that are a buck a gal more for premium seem to have 93. You can find it for 60-80 cents more but most times it's 91 octane. If it was still a quarter more a gallon I'd run it all the time, now I tend to run mid grade an occasionally premium. I avoid regular.

 

[n0xlf]

I looked into the warranty issue when this tune first came out. I'll repost what I put in another thread. If this has changed, that's great, but I tend to doubt it.

I was all excited about this thinking that it wouldn't affect warranty. To be safe, I chatted with Ford about my 10 year ESP plan, who mentioned the 3y/36mo offered by Ford Performance but deferred the ESP question to Grainger, where I purchased it from.

Long story short you're out of luck beyond the 3yr/36mo and any "related" repair under ESP would not be covered. That could be interpreted as just about any drive train component.

Ford's response in chat:

The tune does not void the manufacturer warranty, however it can affect warranty claims related to the tune which is why Ford Performance offers a limited warranty for 3 year 36,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle. After that period, any issues would be up to the owner. As for extended service plans, I would recommend reading your contract and talking to your ESP rep for how aftermarket parts can affect your extended warranty contract.


Related language in the ESP contract from Grainger:

What is not covered by this agreement - Repairs caused by...

... alterations or modifications of the Vehicle, including the body, chassis, or components, after the Vehicle leaves the control of the manufacturer

...tampering with the emissions systems or with the other parts that affect these systems ( as for example, but not limited to; exhaust and intake systems)

...the installation or use of any part not approved by, or authorized by, the Vehicle's manufacturer ( other than "certified" emission parts), or any part designated for "off - road use only" installed after the Vehicle leaves the manufacturer's control. Examples of such parts include, but are not limited to: lift kits, oversized tires, roll bars, cellular phones, alarm systems, automatic starting systems and performance - enhancing powertrain components.

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

I looked into the warranty issue when this tune first came out. I'll repost what I put in another thread. If this has changed, that's great, but I tend to doubt it.

This is why I ultimately chose not to get the FP tune. Your ESW is not affected- except for the parts that are impacted by the tune. AKA your whole drivetrain. I am 99% certain this applies to the standard warranty as well; the drivetrain goes from 5/60 to 3/36. Ford should make this far more clear than they do.

 

[CrazyPete]

Wait a minute....are you all saying that after the 3yr/36k bumber-to-bumper ford manufacturer warranty is up, the powertrain warranty is also done, if you have the dealer installed Ford Performance tune?? The manufacturer powertrain warranty wouldn't continue until 5yr/60k? This is the 1st I've heard of this and that definitely affects my decision to get it or not....the reliability of the 2.7 seems to be sketchy as it is imo.

 

[Hayabusa4448]

This is why I ultimately chose not to get the FP tune. Your ESW is not affected- except for the parts that are impacted by the tune. AKA your whole drivetrain. I am 99% certain this applies to the standard warranty as well; the drivetrain goes from 5/60 to 3/36. Ford should make this far more clear than they do.

My thoughts exactly! Adding the tune automatically modifies the original powertrain warranty from 5/60 to 3/36 and members here are saying that dealers that sold them and/or downloaded the tune told them their ESP(for example a 10year/175k mls power train related portion of coverage) isn't affected..... I agree with post above that this needs to be clarified.

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

Wait a minute....are you all saying that after the 3yr/36k bumber-to-bumper ford manufacturer warranty is up, the powertrain warranty is also done, if you have the dealer installed Ford Performance tune?? The manufacturer powertrain warranty wouldn't continue until 5yr/60k? This is the 1st I've heard of this and that definitely affects my decision to get it or not....the reliability of the 2.7 seems to be sketchy as it is imo.

I am pretty sure that is the way it is intended- everything powertrain related is out of warranty at 3/36 if you have the performance tune. Blow a turbo at 36,001, and you are on your own. If you have ESW, head unit, for example, would be continue to be covered.

To be fair, I don't have any communication from Ford or Ford subsidiary stating that explicitly. Here is the clause that makes me read the coverage the way I do (bold my addition):

"Installation of these select Ford Performance warranted performance packs and components by an authorized installer will NOT void your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Engine, driveline and suspension concerns not caused by the use of Ford Performance parts remain eligible for warranty coverage according to the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty."

Turbo behavior, transmission shifting, etc are all modified by the performance tune. Additional stress on drivetrain would let Ford argue that a piston through the block is a result of the performance tune. Best case scenario I think is getting coverage will be a PITA for a good deal of the drivetrain past 3/36.

 

[5GENIDN]

I am pretty sure that is the way it is intended- everything powertrain related is out of warranty at 3/36 if you have the performance tune. Blow a turbo at 36,001, and you are on your own. If you have ESW, head unit, for example, would be continue to be covered.

To be fair, I don't have any communication from Ford or Ford subsidiary stating that explicitly. Here is the clause that makes me read the coverage the way I do (bold my addition):

"Installation of these select Ford Performance warranted performance packs and components by an authorized installer will NOT void your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Engine, driveline and suspension concerns not caused by the use of Ford Performance parts remain eligible for warranty coverage according to the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty."

Turbo behavior, transmission shifting, etc are all modified by the performance tune. Additional stress on drivetrain would let Ford argue that a piston through the block is a result of the performance tune. Best case scenario I think is getting coverage will be a PITA for a good deal of the drivetrain past 3/36.

Well Lawyer Bacon...

I would argue that your interpretation seems to be different than what many on here are reporting that the dealers are interpreting it to mean...

"Installation of these select Ford Performance warranted performance packs and components by an authorized installer will NOT void your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Engine, driveline and suspension concerns remain eligible for warranty coverage according to the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty."

this "New Vehicle Limited Warranty" appears to be unchanged from the date of purchase and as agreed to by both parties... Ford is advertising this product as not severing or changing any Warenties.

 

[CrazyPete]

Wow....i didn't realize how muddy the water is with these FP tunes and Ford warranties. I was reading about it on the Mustang and Ranger forums in regards to the 2.7 ecoboost. Below is the Ranger thread i just read. I think I understand now. Under 3yrs/36k, any issues to the Bronco, that is caused by the FP tune, is picked up by the FP warranty. After the bumper-to-bumper warranty expires, any issues caused by the FP tune is on your dime, BUT you don't lose your powertrain warranty....it remains intact. If you have a powertrain issue, and it is NOT caused by the FP tune, then your powertrain warranty will cover the repair(s). I guess the trick here is rather or not the issue is blamed on the FP tune under the powertrain warranty period....

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/ford-performance-pack-warranty-what-does-it-cover.11111/

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[CrazyPete]

At least, this is how i read this....idk.

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

Well Lawyer Bacon...

I would argue that your interpretation seems to be different than what many on here are reporting that the dealers are interpreting it to mean...

"Installation of these select Ford Performance warranted performance packs and components by an authorized installer will NOT void your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Engine, driveline and suspension concerns remain eligible for warranty coverage according to the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty."

this "New Vehicle Limited Warranty" appears to be unchanged from the date of purchase and as agreed to by both parties... Ford is advertising this product as not severing or changing any Warenties.

I don't claim to be a lawyer, just sharing my interpretation. The warranty clause you quoted is in direct contradiction for the one I quoted. I am sure (as with all warranty issues) claims will be largely dealer dependent. Believe me- I would love to have the tune, and would pull the trigger immediately if Ford would just clearly clarify, in writing, that the 5/60 drivetrain continues unaltered if you ahem the tune.

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