I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed with my XCAL II on my 05 F150 SCREW 5.4. The shifts are way too harsh. Even with moderate throttle from a stop, second gear hits hard enough to feel like I'm pounding the U-joints. At WOT the shifts are so hard the belt squeals when it shifts. I've lowered the pressure as far as it will go and it is only slightly better.

Also, at very part throttle there is a slight ping. This is with the lowest tuning option. I've had to lower the spark timing up to 4 degrees at the lower RPMs to try to settle it down. Premium certainly helps but why put in premium for a stock tune? It's advertised that I don't need it.

OK, granted Mike Troyer didn't do the tune. Some guy in Georgia did it. I've sent it back once and he did something which isn't really much better.

I want a shift option that is just like stock. No hard slam at part throttle. I want that nice smooth imperceptible stock shift with an option to up the pressure if I desire. It seems like it's just the opposite, way too hard and I can't lower it enough.

Is anybody else having these issues?

 

It's not the Xcal2, it's the tune.
The Xcal2 is just the device that uploads the program.

Expect a zillion replies saying you should have gone to TP

 

I think the issues you are having are directly related to the guy who did your tune.

 

The device is only as good as the programmer that fills it.

 

I am so very sorry to hear about your disappointment with your Xcal2. I installed mine two and a half weeks ago with great results. To be quite honest, at acceleration with a light throttle mine shifts smoother than stock. Now, however, at WOT it shifts firm but not a slam by any means. I am very well pleased with my Xcal2 and can understand your frustration.

Best of luck solving your problem

Kenny

 

If and only if the trans valve body is modified for improved shift and the programmer dosn't know this, adding of program changes on top of it would all but qaurrentee a result of harsh shifting. Even without VB changes it can happen. The tuner has trans internal pressures programmed up to high.
I have been there.
As to the belt sounding off, even in performance tune it can happen. Reason is all acc driven off one belt and when the shift occurrs, the centifigal forces of high spinning accesseries can't abruptly change to a lower speed when the trans shifts so the belt loses grip for an instant. Been here too.
Your answer is to get Tunes more in line with reality. It's not the device but the software it has been loaded with.
I suspect the vendor may be Mustang oriented too much.
The weight difference between a Mustang and a truck is quite a bit. This by it'self would make the truck ping were a Mustang might not on the same settings.
Good luck.

 

So if Mike T. is out there can you help me out? I have spoken to someone in your office and they said to expect the belt squeal at WOT shift. Seems too agressive to me. Is this really the case? And you don't get any part throttle ping? Even with premium I got a little in the dead of summer (Arizona).

 

I got a TP tune. I selected the firm shift, not the aggressive one and I am quite happy with that.

I do have some belt slippage at WOT but I haven't replaced the belt with a gatorback yet.

No pinging at any tune level.

Good luck...

 

You will have belt slippage. I've got belt slippage at WOT with my Edge. You might want to get a different belt.

 

You hit that one on the head. The guy was very into Mustangs. I suspect that is what the problem is. I'm going to see if Troyer can take my unit and install his tunes for a reasonable price.

 

Well, I would have expected your vendor to know that a heavey truck would not take ignition advance like a lighter Mustang but that's just me.
He apparently has no truck experience and didn't think about it but still may do well in his expertise area.
The PCM used in all the cars and truck, with some exceptions, are about the same within the year ranges and respond to the same program line changes
TP can give you about anything you need as long as you make it clear and both understand, then there should be no problem.
Good luck.

 

Had mustang tuner in NC try to tune my truck without ever getting it right . Mike specializes in these trucks as you probably know by now. BTW, he is working on my truck as we speak .

 

What he said

 

I have contacted them and already completed the paperwork. They are working on mine as we speak. I can honestly say that they are one of the most responsive vendors I've dealt with, and I've dealt with a lot of them! I've had at least 4 correspondenses with them in less than 24 hours.

Thanks Anita, Crystal and Mike. I've sure I will be much happier with your product.

 

I had belt squeal at WOT when my truck was stock. Switch to the Gatorback belt and your squeal is gone.