Ford Performace tune is a disappointment.

[Locksmith with a Bronco]

Does any one else on here think that the Ford performance tune was a huge waste of money? Before the tune all i did was turn on sport mode In for-scan and removed the Eco mode. I added a factory trailer module and trailer hitch receiver with a 7 pin plug which is still not working correctly. All i get are running lights on my trailer and no brake lights. The dealership said they couldn't help because i used after market parts but the module i purchased was a ford factory part bought direct;y from the stealer-ship. Everything else is stock. Before the tune, When put it in sport mode and romp down on it i could get wheel spin. now with the ford performance tune normal mode feels just like sport mode except neither mode will spin the tires now. only real difference at this point seems to be the fact that sport mode always turns on 4A and normal stays in 2H. Does anyone else have this feeling?

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[userdude]

Maybe I'm imagining this, but pretty much everything you're describing has nothing to do with the FP tune. Maybe I'm wrong, but for me it changed shift points and adjusted power curves so I get bit more horsepower and torque with the 2.3L. Oh, and it remembers my ASS setting so it stays off. It's a mild tune, not a magic maker anyhow.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Does any one else on here think that the Ford performance tune was a huge waste of money?

I was a little disappointed at first, but the shift schedule and quality seemed better. I also put a K&N filter element in and added a Borla cat back Touring climber exhaust. None of these seemed to do much in the way of performance. This was on my fairly heavy 2 door WT. We later added a 4 door WT to our garage and it probably doesn't weigh a whole lot more than my pig of a 2 door. I can say the 2 door is much more "peppy" than the stock 4 door.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Oh, and like @userdude said, most your issues seem unrelated to the tune. Are you turning 4A off before you try to shread your tires? How about the TC...turn that off too because it's probably cutting power if it senses wheel spin. Not sure if Sport defeats the TC entirely and automatically or if it just softens it up. Note too, the tune calls for premium to get the most out of it

One last thing, after loading the tune, I believe the computer takes some time to re-educate itself. I'd think it plays around a little with different gears, temps, throttle inputs, etc moving the timing around a little to see if the knock or exhaust gas sensors object.

 

[Ducati1098]

Does any one else on here think that the Ford performance tune was a huge waste of money?

100%. The Ford tune is anemic at best as far as power. I think the transmission tuning is the only thing that made it worth money.

But if you’re concerned about warranty, this is really your best option
If you’re not, there are far better alternatives.

 

[JL8jeff]

The tune helps with the auto shifting and the throttle response is definitely better. I think it takes at least 500 miles to make adjustments to premium fuel and driving style. On my truck, sport mode always defaulted to 4A and I would switch it back to 2WD. I never really used sport mode, it revs too much for me, normal mode is so much better with the tune. If you paid $800+ for the FPP tune, I would say it's not worth it, anything closer to $600 or less is worth it imo. The trailer wiring issues aren't related to the tune so you need to troubleshoot that separately. I did the 4 wire harness so I didn't use the module. Is your ground good and solid? And my tune does disable the ASS so I'm not messing with it. I only have 3 months left on my 3/36 warranty and I'm only at 8500 miles but I haven't thought about a custom tune at this point, I'm happy with my truck right now.

 

[userdude]

100%. The Ford tune is anemic at best as far as power. I think the transmission tuning is the only thing that made it worth money.

But if you’re concerned about warranty, this is really your best option
If you’re not, there are far better alternatives.

When the FP tune kept that ASS and rowed the boat, yeah. But it lost that ASS and said row ur own boat, nah. Feel me??

 

[Ducati1098]

When the FP tune kept that ASS and rowed the boat, yeah. But it lost that ASS and said row ur own boat, nah. Feel me??

Yeah once features started being removed, it really lost it’s value.

 

[ThunderFlash]

The Ford tune is anemic at best as far as power.

I'm sure you're far more capable than I am. For me, after having a foray into tuning after adding a super charger to a VTEC engine, I got a pretty solid grasp on just how freaking complicated it is to make an engine run well ALL the time and under all conditions. For instance, there were always conditions the thing would rack up knocks like CRAZY. It might have been just SC noise, or might have been me fragging the engine.
I figured I'd rather stick with a mild OEM tune than leave it up to some knuckle head looking purely at peak power numbers and under very specific conditions to sell more tuners. I'm sure some aftermarket guys are tuning masters and extremely capable, but I figured it wasn't worth the risk.

 

[Ducati1098]

I'm sure you're far more capable than I am. For me, after having a foray into tuning after adding a super charger to a VTEC engine, I got a pretty solid grasp on just how freaking complicated it is to make an engine run well ALL the time and under all conditions. For instance, there were always conditions the thing would rack up knocks like CRAZY. It might have been just SC noise, or might have been me fragging the engine.
I figured I'd rather stick with a mild OEM tune than leave it up to some knuckle head looking purely at peak power numbers and under very specific conditions to sell more tuners. I'm sure some aftermarket guys are tuning masters and extremely capable, but I figured it wasn't worth the risk.

Understandable. It’s not worth the risk to everyone. Although as long as you pick a well known tuner, there’s really not much to worry about, at least not in my experience.

At the end of the day, it all depends on what you’re looking for.
But if you just want to spin the tires like OP, the Ford tune is arguably the worst pick lol

 

[CrusherOBX]

Good to see folks experiences/feedback. I don’t plan to add a tune for a while, but thinking JB4 when the time comes. Had great luck in my Benz. Plug n Play, with an app for map adjustments. Throw it in Sport, and go!

 

[crenca]

As others have mentioned, the OP seems to be conflating other issues/functions/behavior with the tune. Also he does not say 2.3 or 2.7, auto or manual, etc.

I negotiated it into my deal at the stealership during original purchase (though I installed it myself when I realized I had much more of a clue about it then they did), but yea I think other tunes (for the 2.7, nothing yet available for the 2.3) are better value for torque/HP.

For the 2.3 and with the manual and when running 93, the power advantage is really only in the 3-4.5k range - so it's all torque - which helps when squirting through traffic. Unfortunately the FP tune does not get you more breathing up in the 4.5-6k range...

 

[ThunderFlash]

Understandable. It’s not worth the risk to everyone.

Going by Ducati1098, you may have noticed too that the biggest gripe on new motorcycles is often the fueling sucks. I always wondered, "How do these professionals screw these things up?" Well, I have a better grasp of that now, and I'm sure it is several orders of magnitude more difficult when the EPA, CARB, and various Euro agencies stuff their noses up your tail pipe!

 

[Muskrat14]

Buddy installed the FO tune and he likes it. He’s picky and has driven a few HP German cars. If and when I rack up enough points, I’ll prolly get the FP tune also since I have an extended warranty. He did mention the combo of the tune and Sport mode though. Maybe that’s the sweet spot?

 

[Terry@BMS]

We have a lot of customers using the JB4 in conjunction with the Ford tune as well. Especially if you're on 93 octane or have access to E85 fuel to mix in!

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