Mike,
I have read everything on here about your tuning and can't see how I can go wrong with your tuning. I just want a little bit more power for my truck. I don't do much towing, but when I do it would sure be nice to have the extra power your tuning would give me.

I have a 2000 F-150 4x4 with the 5.4L engine. The only mods as far as the engine goes is a Flowmaster cat-back system SI/DO with the 50 series SUV/truck muffler and a K&N air filter. I know the flowmaster isn't the best system for these trucks, but I don't want to replace it until it needs it considering the money I spent on it. I bought it before I became a member on this site. I also can only afford one thing right now. Either the tuner or exhaust and I want the tuner.

My question to you is how much horspower gain could I expect from any of your tuners (I would prefer to go ahead and get the custom tuning with 87 octane tunes)? How much change in mpg could I expect with an 87 octane tune and a premium fuel tune? (trying to figure out whether I can afford to run a premuim tune or just stick with an 87 tune) My truck has over 110,000 miles and I am really worried about my transmission. Will the harder shifts caused by your tuners hurt my transmission?

I think this is all my questions for now. If I think of anymore I will post them here. Thank you for your help and the great information you give out on this site.

 

Well untill Mike can give you a real answer, when I called and talked with Anita she said the 87 octane tune will give you like 10 HP, and for a big inprovement you really need to use the 93. But 87 is a lot more reasonable for me to use so I will still get the 87 tune.

 

Hi JRE;

It's not just about power - the tuning takes care of a lot of the issues with the factory powertrain programming ( delays, optimizations, open/closed loop issues, etc), that result in a *much* improved responsiveness you can readliy appreciate; Some say ( like me) it feels like a different truck.

Add in the tweaks for the tranny shifting algorithms ( which actually will help the transmission, not hurt it) and , depending upon you pcm's code/driving style/usage, etc a possible mileage gain - that is not guaranteed nor implied and as they say, 'your mileage may vary' ;-)). These are performance mods, after all - any increases in mileage - and they are difficult to predict - would be a perk. Myself, I see a small gain on the higher octane tunes, readily negated by my right foot!

BTW - a custom tune may help you get back some of the loss of low-end torque your choice of exhaust is causing ;-)). [Had to add that for BigTruck's benefit - long story ;-)) ].

You will need to ensure your maintenance is exemplary - full benefits of custom tuning, and overall vehicle reliability - is predicated on that. TP can go over all those details - call 'em.

Cheers
Vic

 

Thanks MGDfan and Bartak1!

I know I didn't buy the best exhaust for my truck. At the time I wasn't a member of this site nor was I reading this site. This was also the cheapest system with a respected name brand associated with it and of course the sound was great too. I have learned my lesson now that the cheapest parts aren't always the best for performance that is why I want to talk to Mike about his tuners. Is there anyone out there that can tell me the different ones that he offers for our trucks? Like the Xcalibrator (1 or 2) and the plain Superchips tuner and possibly links to them on his website.

Since I posted last night I have had time to read some more about the MPG question and have seen that he won't make any claims on that because it involves the driver's habits and the quality of fuel which is understandable. Does anyone have thoughts on the economics of paying the extra for premium fuel with the added benefit of extra MPG?

I have pretty much decided to get the Xcalibrator 2, but want to do a little more research and get some other people's opinions. Here are the four programs I am thinking about 87-octane-performance, 87-octane towing, 93-towing, and 93 performance. I know I am getting the 87-performance and the 87-towing because of gas prices. I just can't decide between the two 93 tunes. I am leaning towards the towing because that would be the only time I would need maximum power since I don't race or ever attempt to, but my Dad owns a F-250 PSD I have easy access to, so I don't know that I would ever need to tow a heavy load. How much difference is there between the two 93-octane tunes?

Also could someone give me some more information how the tune helps the transmission. I am not questioning MGDfan, just want to understand it a little better to help justify the cost in my mind.

Thanks to everyone again!

 

Hi jre86,

Those are all excellent questions, and it makes perfect sense for you to spend some time really evaluating where to spend your budgeted money in which area - glads to see you're doing good homework on this, good for you! But all of these questions are easily answered by simply reading any of the many thousands of posts here that have already asked & answered those exact same questions - try using the SEARCH feature, for example.

Briefly.............

First, on the exhaust - yes, everyone knows how we feel about Flowmaster (eech), but remember - if you did the complete cat-back system, then at some point in the future you can simply change out the muffler to the appropriate Magnaflow unit and make a nice improvement there for not much cost, and thus keep most of the investment you made in that cat-back system. You can always do that in the future, ans you don't have to replace the *entire* cat-back system again. Just FYI.

Now as for the tuning - sure, hands down do our custom tuning, that is by far what will get you the best results. Now in our 87 octane performance tunes in a 1999-2003 5.4 F-150, generally you can expect anywhere from 15-20 more HP (maybe more) - then on our premium gas performance tunes, you can expect an easy 30+ HP at the rear wheels on a "healthy" & well maintained '99-'03 5.4 2v motor'd F-150. So you will get significant power gains on either level of octane, with the best results always coming on premium gas, of course.

We do NOT make any guarantees of increased fuel economy, and if you are trying to use fuel economy gains as a rationalization for buying *performance* tuning - don't, it's a *performance* part.

Yes, the vast majority of people who actually do proper and careful before & after MPG testing when using our custom tuning DO in fact report some nice MPG gains - but that's not what it's about - it's about better *performance*, and the improvement in MPG is simply icing on the cake.

Keep this in mind - ANYTHING you do that actually increases engine power - ANYTHING - will also have the POTENTIAL for improving fuel economy, too - because it lowers the load on the engine. The motor don't have to work quite as hard when it has more power when you are driving it "normally" (conservatively), so with more HP and torque available, the BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) drops, and thus you should see better mpg,. Now whether each and every individual truck will actually see a gain in MPG in the REAL world depends on far too many factors completely beyond our control - such as the quality of fuel you feed that vehicle and how you operate, drive & maintain it. Yes, all else being equal, you should see some increase in mpg - the largest increase in mpg will come with our premium gas tuning, as that is what provides by far the largest torque gains. Some people get 2 more MPG on 87 octane, while some report 1.2 MPG on 93 octane - and everything else in between. Some people (who drive their vehicle harder) see NO gain in mpg, because they're too busy using the new performance!

The hot tip is to use our XCalibrator 2, which we load up with a set of 3 different custom tunes (including different octane levels, and for different things like towing or performance), so that you have the ultimate flexibility and best power when you really need it - *that* is what makes the most sense.

In fact, it is directly because of OUR work right here on F-150 Online for so many years that all of the *reputable* chipmakers (none of whom get our results) now offer multiple octane level tuning in their products - that started off years & years ago with us offering 2-program Superchip Flip Chips with one tune for 87 and the other for premium gas, as before that, all you could get were premium gas-only performance chips. You always want tunes for BOTH 87 AND for premium gas, of course - so you have the best of both worlds and the best possible flexibility and results - it's a no-brainer.

So for right now, do our custom tuning in the XCalibrator 2 - you get a special discount not reflected on our web site on all our tuning products (only) because you are a registered member here on F-150 Online, so you can afford to do this. Just give us a call at our number listed below & our staff will be happy to help you, OK?

Good luck!

 

Mike,
Thanks for the reply and I have done a little more research. I am asking on here because I haven't had the opportunity to call you yet and don't know when I will have time to due to my job.

I noticed in another thread you said that you didn't recommend tuning a truck with over 100,000 miles. My truck has over 110,000 miles so should I not even consider a tuner and just spend my money on upkeep? I am on a limited budget so I am weighing all of my options here.

I have noticed that in all of your writing you constantly say that to get maximum benefits you must have a well maintained and healthy vehicle. I bought my truck with 85,000 miles on it so I am not 100% sure of the maintenance history before then other than I am sure the oil was changed on regular intervals.. Since then I have had the transmission fluid and filter replaced, one COP replaced, all spark plugs changed at about 105,000 miles, and the wires that go to the COPs replaced at the same time. I am due for another tranmission fluid and filter change now. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. The truck has a hesitation between 1500-2000 RPMs which I think is either the throttle body, egr valves, or 02 sensors (which have never been changed). All of these things are on my list to do as soon as I find a day when I can leave my truck at a shop. I really want this tuner so is there anything else you would recommend before purchasing one or should I not do it because of the mileage on my truck?

Again I am asking you about my transmission. Will the firmer shifts in any way hurt the transmission? Is there any kind of upgrades for our transmission that will make them last longer or should one at the mileage of mine just be rebuilt with upgrades?

I also noticed that a lot of people on here have bought a Goodyear Gatorback belt. Is that necessary if I were to go with the 87 octane tune or is that another thing that the tuner is going to cause me to spend money on?

Sorry to keep asking you all these questions, but I don't want buying an Xcalibrator2 to cost me more in repairs than I spend on the tuner. Thanks for the advice on the muffler swap. How much difference is the flow between the Flowmaster cat-back and the Magnaflow cat-back? Will the Magnaflow muffler with the Flowmaster cat-back give me close to the same performance as the Magnaflow full cat-back?

Wow, all of this is a lot to think about, but I am going to keep this truck for at least the next 5 years so I have to keep up on maintenance and I want the extra power from a tuner (the MPG gain would just be an added benefit, not a true rationalization for buying the tuner). You are one of the most informed people about these trucks so that is why I am asking your opinion on what would be best for my truck.

Thank you for all of your help and as soon as I figure out what should be first on my list I will contact you about the Xcalibrator2. I am sold on that after reading all the reviews on this site. I might even be able to convince my Dad to get one for his F-250 with the 7.3L PSD instead on the Superchips Microtuner he has.

 

And he writes a whole book on it. One of the many reasons Mike rules.


Id also like to hear why Mike doesnt recommend tuning a truck with over 100k miles. Mine has just about 128k and Iv been thinking about getting a chip for it. There is something wrong with my truck though, I guess I should see what it is before I spend any money on the truck.

Thanks

 

I think you have a misunderstanding of some kind, as I have never ( that I know of, and I sure don't agree with any such thing) said I don't recommend tuning a truck with 100K miles on it - sounds like something was taken out of context, or that I was probably talking about modifying a vehicle that has a lot of miles and is *also* poorly maintained - but I'd never say that a healthy 100K mile truck or even a 140K mile motor that is basically healthy shouldn't get a good tune put on it.

The normal service life of these modular motors is 200K miles with simple routine 3K oil changes, and we put superchargers on many of them at 140K miles with no problems, for example.

I really don't have the time to type out continued details, as typing takes hundreds of times longer than talking on telephone and we have a lot of tunes to get done, vehicles to modify, etc., as I'm sure you can appreciate. So I have to kindly ask that for further questions, etc., please just give us a call at our number listed below and we'll be happy to help you - & thanks for your understanding on that.

 

Mike I am sorry about the mistake on the 100k statement. I was half asleep when I typed that last post and I think I took something out of context from another post you had made because I have searched and cannot find that statement. I will give you a call whenever my schedule allows. Work is crazy right now and then my other responsiblities too (seems like you know what I am talking about with all of your tunes). I have also got to figure out my financial situation before I can spend that much money on a tuner.

Thanks for the help! I know you are a busy man and have tons of tunes to do so I will be in contact by phone as soon as I can find the time when you are open.

 

No need to apologize at all, please don't worry about that - and just as an aside, you wouldn't believe how many times I have placed my foot squarely in my big mouth right here in front of everyone over the years - I do that rather well at times!

We talk so much about higher-mileage vehicles that there's no telling what post you saw, or what context it may have been in, etc - no big deal. Overall, as long as the motor is basically healthy and isn't using an inordinate amount of fuel and all the maintenance is up to snuff (the upstream O2 sensors (the ones BEFORE the exhaust reaches the catalytic converters) not more than 50K miles old, fuel filter changed every 15K miles, spark plugs etc. relatively fresh, etc.), most higher-mileage Ford modular motors can tolerate reasonable performance mods with no problems.

Sounds like your schedule is every bit as hectic as mine - my sympathies, &
I look forward to talking with you whenever you get a chance!