Hi everyone, This is post #1 as I am a new member with a new (used) F150. I've owned lots of Fords but never an F150. I really wanted to wait for the 2011 so I could get one of the new engines but I came across a beautiful unmodded 2007 Lariat SuperCrew with 27k for a half the price. I love my truck but the 300hp 5.4L is disappointing from a power and mileage perspective. My mileage numbers are spot-on with the EPA data 12 city and 16 hwy. The 2010 F150 with a 320HP 5.4L gets about 2pts higher is each category. The 300hp is adequate for my use but I would have thought the mileage would be better. As far as I can tell, a new tune should help get me closer to 2010 specs.

With that said I acquired a used SCT x3 pn 3000 that is unmarried. I will update the firmware then buy a couple custom tunes from a good vendor. Ideally I'd like a daily tune that improves mileage without sacrificing power on 87 octane. I'd like a second tune for 92 octane that is good for extra power and towing.

I have researched this site an others for SCT custom tune vendors. Have I missed any?

PHP
Bama
VMP
Troyer

 

As personal preference I would look into VMP or PHP first. They seem to have the best turn around time. I used bama to tune my ford ranger and was highly impressed with the power increase, however I dont know how much experience they have of F150s. Troyer is great, but wait time is utterly ridiculous..

 

I ordered my tunes on April 1 from Troyer, still waiting, with no tunes in sight.

 

http://5startuning.com/ <--many great reviews

http://tuningbyjames.com/ <--only one review that I know of

 

Troyer....
VMP.....
5star.....

VMP probably has the quickest turn around times.

 

Don't get a tune just to try to improve gas mileage. It's a crapshoot - you could even lose gas mileage.

Before you do anything, it would be worth it to do a DWV/Gotts mod on the airbox. A less restrictive exhaust may help too - and electric fans WILL improve the mileage.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses...

 

5startuning did mine. Very happy w/ the tunes & I had them and the xcal3 within the same week I ordered.

 

+1

5Star had me going with XCal3 and tunes in 3 days.

 

So far my research suggests that the top vendors all have decent tunes. The big difference is wait time and to some degree customer service.

 

I believe that at the present, Bama is only doing Mustangs. My F-150 tune was written by Troyer. All that I can say is that it is a great tune. He knows what he's doing. My Explorer was tuned by Jim Henson. I'm very pleased with that tune also. I believe that Mr. Henson also writes tunes for the F-150.

 

Don't forget Brenspeed. I got a good deal and I think I get free updates if needed.They sent it out quickly, less than a week(?)....and I received 3 tunes.
I had a tune for 93 octane, and asked them for a 92 instead.....and I had it in my email .... I think the same day.The price was right, I drive a pretty hard bargain, and every single time I called, I actually talked to someone instead of a answering machine or endless menus.....they are really big with Mustangs, I guess....anyway I am a happy customer.....infact, I am using the 89 octane, I get about 1 to 2 mpg's better, plus way better performance.
I started with the 92, but the tires kept breaking loose on demand, so to avoid tickets and tire replacement, I detuned to 89.Runs like a champ. Good luck...

 

Thanks for the response. What year F150 and engine do you have?

 

Ive got a 07 King Ranch F150 supercrew 4x4 , with a 6 1/2 foot bed and a 5.4 liter engine.Completely stock except for the tune.
Its a really really nice truck.

 

I like to try tunes from various vendors, so while happy with the tune that I got from 5Star, I'm having a tune done by Eric at Innovative Diesel. Don't let the company name throw you - they do tunes for any late model Ford and have a lot of experience with our trucks. He did a tune for my previous truck (F250 6.0) that kicked butt, so I am really looking forward to seeing what they can do with this truck. I'll report back...