I think the edge would be a lot easier to sell down the road. (less hassle)
The xcal is for one truck....harder to sell. (more hassle)
The excal needs datalogging at dyno....more money. (Why spend $ on a custom tune w/out datalogging)
If your dealer changes your hex code the xcal will not work and need sent back?!
If you are looking for a custom tune that will get the most out of your truck and money is no issue then get the xcal.
I would get all your mods done first before you get the xcal.

 

For performance get a custom tune. I have a super crew with 2 baby seats in it and a double stroller in the back plus me and the wife,3.73 and 5.4. 05 screw.I installed the Edge full tank of gas no kids in the car and ran a 7.57 0-60 on the 87 tune w/ no adjustments (Edge #2 setting) 1/4 was 16.15 but wasnt use to the tree lights and waited for the green plus I was in over drive. I know I can get into the 15 second 1/4 on the 87 tune. Basicly not bad in my eyes for a can tune.

 

Where did you find times that clearly showed the Edge was better? Not trying to start anything, but I have only seen times that show it was similar.

Anyway, the risk of damage is also what sold me on the Xcal2. It clearly says in the documentation that comes with the Edge that if you make changes to the tunes, you do so at your own risk.

I also listened to the first broadcast of their radio show, and it was stated that it was possible to do engine damage from making too aggressive adjustments.

All in all, the out of the box performance, and safety of the Xcal2 is what sold me on keeping it. The guys running the faster Edge timed runs have made significant changes to the tunes. As they are delivered, the Xcal2 provides much better performance.

 

And the Xcal2 can be reused for any future Ford vehicle purchase. The Edge will be F150 specific.

Datalogging isn't required. It's recommended in order to maximize the tuning, but not required.

Actually, I think that can be solved via a simple email update now.

No need to get all your mods done first. The Xcal2 is email upgradeable for any vehicle changes that you make.

You bring up an interesting point is this. The factory loaded Edge tune is designed for an otherwise stock truck. What changes need to be made to compensate for exhaust and intake mods?

 

Here is what I changed on the number 3 tune for the edge:

Timing: +1 (equal xcal for 93 octane)
WOT shift points: 1-2 5300rpm, 2-3 5300rpm, 3-4 5000rpm
Rev limit: 5600rpm
Shift firmness: 1-2 +15, 2-3 +15, 3-4 +15
standard shift point: 3-4 +10 (won't affect 0-60 time)

Most of the changes match the xcal: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...t=shift+points

Exhuast a/f ratio not affected: https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...atalog+exhaust

Plan on staying stock on the air/intake...have read to many negative things.

 

Hello Silverfish,

I (along with others, I'm sure) appreciate your post trying to help clarify for everyone giving your impressions regarding the two different devices - however, I'm afraid some of your info is incorrect.

First - the XCalibrator 2 is *not* just for one vehicle - it can be reprogrammed numerous times, over and over again, for future vehicles - and most importantly, for **completely different vehicles** - so anyone can easily sell it to someone else, and they can have it programmed for their truck. However, most people don't do that, as they keep the XCal 2 and use it on their *next* vehicle - because the XCal 2 can be reprogrammed for anything from a 4 cyl. Ford Tempo to a Powerstroke diesel, a V-10, a Mustang, a Contour, a Focus, or any other 1996 & newer FoMoCo vehicle - you couldn't ask for more flexibility!

Second - as always, this is comparing apples to oranges - the XCal 2 is a *custom* tune device, that when loaded with our Troyer Performance custom tuning, goes much further in depth and delivers significantly better power & performance gains. So it's really not fair to compare off the shelf devices to an in-depth custom tune. Also, it's is *not* always true that if the dealer reflashes your PCM you have to have all new tunes - that does happen sometimes, but not always - and the Edge has also had that issue as well in some cases, by the way, as has been reported here. And that is taken care of by a simple email file.

Third - the XCal 2's additional features & modular capabilities are second to none - hands down, for anyone who wants the best possible performance, or the best possible towing tune, or the best MPG-specific type of tune, & in general, the flexibility of having numerous different tunes set up for them just the way they want them *and* still have on-device individual adjustment capabilities, etc., it's really no contest - and we carry both products.

And no, it is *not* true that you need to do your mods first and then do your tuning last with the XCal 2 but not with the Edge, as your post implies (whether that was your intention or not, that is the implication). In fact, the Edge unit, just like every other of-the-shelf type of unit for the 5.4 3V F-150, dopes not provide proper A/F ratios with aftermarket intake kits for the 5.4 3V F-150 that actually provide significantly increased airflow, as that throws off the MAF transfer function and leans out the motor - that is true with *all* 3-valve Ford modular motors, and that must be corrected no matter *what* type of tuning device you use. We have spent literally hundreds of hours on the dyno doing A/F corrections for a number of different intake kits, and can correct for any modifications done either before or AFTER the XCal 2 is purchased, with a simple email update.

Additionally, as we were the first to inform the F-150 community, roughly about 1 in 5 5.4 3V F-150's tend to run lean right from the factory in showroom-stock condition - and that needs to be corrected. The *only* way to do that is by datalogging, which is quite simple & easy with our instructions that are written for the first timer, and contrary to what some would like to have others believe, is not particularly expensive to have 3 pulls on a dyno with A/F's. That small expense really isn't a factor for anyone who can actually afford to own & modify one of these expensive new trucks, and who actually cares about their vehicle - some mistakenly think that if there is no light on the dash that everything is fine - wrong answer! This is something that has never been a factor in any other mass air vehicle we have ever seen from the factory. There are numerous posts here from us documenting this on a number of our customer's vehicles in bone-stock trim during our numerous public Dyno Days, and even in one of our own employee's trucks. Personally, I think that's important.

As I've always said, each vehicle owner should do whatever makes them happiest - but when it comes to the facts & what actually does the best job, there's just no comparison between a thorough custom tune from us versus *any* off-the-shelf product for these F-150's.

I hope you will take this as it is truly intended, just as a little bit of perspective, I'm not trying to single you out by any means - and thanks for your post & for helping out your fellow F-150 Online members with your thoughts on this!

 

I have no bias for any tuner.All I can say is there is no better tune than a custom tune done by whoever that is specific to your vehicle.If you take an off the shelf x-2 and an edge,and a diablo,you may have different results on an identical vehicle w/ the same mods.And just cuz 1 is faster than the other dosent mean its better.It could be running too lean(probable) or too much timing(possible),and either way,thats not good for longevity of the vehicle.As far as picking a brand....pick the one that tickles your fancy,just make sure the person behind it is reputable and able to give you an updated tune if you decide to dyno to perfect it..

Thats all there is to it!

 

Is this true? 20% of the new F150's are suspect to earlier engine failure do to a lean condition? This really seems like something that should be corrected by Ford? I really know nothing about this, but since your not adding or replacing hardware....it must be a software issue (programming)? Furthermore, if the programming is required to correct for faulty (out of spec?) components, shouldn't Ford cover those under warranty? I wonder if there is a difference in programming between the different hex codes that might account for it? Do you see more of trucks with a lean condition, from the factory, belonging to certain hex code familys? May be useful information for others on the forum. Heck, it would be good information for Ford. Just curious. Though, it might explain how so many people with similar configurations can get so different gas milage. I suspect if some of them (20%) are running lean....that there would be some that are running rich? Interesting.......and troubleing stuff.

 

I've never heard of anyone with a stock 3v having a/f problems, or any other problems for that matter.

 

On the stock tune, my 3v 5.4 runs 14.7:1 at WOT. Don't you think that's a bit on the lean side?

 

hwm3,
14.7 sounds like your stock tune never went into open loop.That is the a/f ratio of closed loop operation.Did you get it right?

 

The stock tune is going open loop. That is the A/F from the LM-1 wideband I had installed on the truck. I'm quite sure it's accurate.

 

Talk about a lean situation
Nothing beats a custom tune!!.Considering you have an lm-1,Im sure your tune is dialed now.

 

Simple answer: You're truck's brand new, Take it to the ford place and tell them to fix it.

If you try to fix it yourself with a tuner, and your truck breaks, you just shot yourself in the foot cause you voided the warranty.

 

Simple answer: If something breaks, reinstall stock tune and take it to dealer.

I wasn't trying to fix it with a tuner. Before I looked at tuners, I had no idea anything was wrong. The tuner fixing the lean condition was just a bonus. It now runs right at 12:1 at WOT.