09 f150 xlt 4x4 5.4
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Last tankful pretty much all city was 15.2 mpg 2000 plus mile road trip for Christmas mixed driving was just over 18 mpg actual 18.6 on the dash if I remember right. But calculated it just barely broke 18 mpg. First tank all highway was just under 20 mpg on the dash so probably closer to 19 actual. It is freezing cold right now so I am not sure when I will install the shocks as it is too cold to wash the truck for pics and don't want my first pics posted to be a dirty truck LOL.
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My boss told me he lost 1.5 mpg when he leveled his 07 has not gave me a number as to what the 6in lift he just did changed it to now. Will find out when the weather warms up and he puts on the 35's as to how much it messed up his mileage.
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Update on the truck leveling kit is on has been for a while mpg's took a small hit on high way City did not seem to change. Towing mirrors are on not sure what I am doing with the old stock mirrors. Truck runs and pulls fine there are a couple shift points I would not mind changing and maybe have it hold 6th gear a little longer. Other than being more fun to drive how much real world gain I am looking at getting if I spend the money on a custom tune I am thinking 89 Octane towing and performance from 5 Star. As I am not sure the gains out weigh the cost of fuel to run 92. I have no plans in the near future of running bigger tires and will not be lifting the truck just a solid daily driver. I would love to see 18 to 19 mpg high way more often right now 17.2 is best highway trip avg since mirrors were installed. So I have lost about 1 mpg with the level and towing mirrors. If I get the results I expect I would save around 40 gal of gas a year provided I don't get happy on the gas pedal. So it would take roughly 3 years to break even on the tuner. I know gas saving is only part of the deal but it is the part that will sell the wife on me spending the money. Thoughts comments?
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From: ONTARIO
I went back over the thread 1mainiac and you said you towed a lot of stuff behind the truck plus a heavy boat. You complained about some of the gear hunting. I really think the transmission tuning alone from 5star is worth $400, but that's my opinion. The extra power is just a bonus. The 91 perf/tow I've been running for a couple of months and towing my ski boat has been perfect, no hunting, no weird shifts, just solid, quick, snappy shifts with excellent torque converter lock up.
"Potential" fuel economy gains are not a reason to buy a tuner IMO. I've experienced better fuel economy on my 91 octane tune on the hwy, so much so it makes it cheaper to run 91 over the 87 tune (all bets are off when running 80-90 mph). The power on the 91 blows the 87 tune away, which is fun for me.
You get 5 or 6 tunes now with 5star for the same price as before, so you can really have a nice spread of octanes and styles to choose from.
I think I'm done flipping around between VMP, MPT and 5star. The 5star 91 perf/tow is my favourite by far. Each company has their pros/cons but overall for me it's 5star.
"Potential" fuel economy gains are not a reason to buy a tuner IMO. I've experienced better fuel economy on my 91 octane tune on the hwy, so much so it makes it cheaper to run 91 over the 87 tune (all bets are off when running 80-90 mph). The power on the 91 blows the 87 tune away, which is fun for me.
You get 5 or 6 tunes now with 5star for the same price as before, so you can really have a nice spread of octanes and styles to choose from.
I think I'm done flipping around between VMP, MPT and 5star. The 5star 91 perf/tow is my favourite by far. Each company has their pros/cons but overall for me it's 5star.
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Thanks Cheef I agree that fuel economy is not the big issue but with money tight and wife still waiting on her disability case to settle it is a selling point to her. She hated the ride so that got me the Rancho Quick lifts and will soon get me matching rear shocks to tighten it it some more. I really like the truck I do miss the big ***** my diesel had but this will do and is much better as a daily driver. Getting the new towing mirrors for next to nothing was a no brainer and I got the Rancho's wholesale so that was also a easy sell. 400 bucks to make me happier with my truck for me no problem for the wife however I have to sell it with something she can actually see as a gain. I really don't want to come home and see all my favorite things in a yard sale LOL.
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Quick Update tearing down the motor on my boat so truck upgrades won't happen very soon I had the money saved for a phone call to 5 Star after this check but 2 dead holes in the boat motor are gonna take that and more.
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From: west palm, fl
In fact, the answers are quite hard to dig out. I just spent 24 hours searching for 5.4L tune information. I'm an intelligent guy, I work on some of the most complex equipment mankind has ever produced. Yet, this ONE simple subject (the 5.4L tune) is full of speculation, misinformation and subjective information. Plus some real world results that are a bit optimistic by "seat of the pants" science.
I was absolutely unable to come to a valid conclusion, based on objective data. The only real data comes from the chip retailers themselves.
Point #1: A particular brand may have more than one choice of tuner. Yet, it's impossible to clearly understand the differences between those choices. They contain a generic list of features that may or may not apply to your vehicle. Sorry. That's not helpful.
Point #2: Real results, based on accurate or semi accurate scientific methodology is completely missing from end users. Not surprising, as people want a plug-n-play product that works. They won't spend a fortune validating it's performance, with regard to HP, MPG, or other aspects of operation.
Point #3: Many tuners don't clearly disclose exactly what a particular tuner does on a particular vehicle. They certainly know exactly what it does. But, they don't often pass on that information.
Point #4: Some end users have check engine lights, poor shifting, detonation, no gain in power, loss of MPG and other undesirable results. These results are not part of the "sales package" and the end user may or may not post his results randomly in these forums.
Point #5: Very few people actually answer the specific question: "what tuner for my 2009 5.4L?" with a viable answer. They simply parrot "that's been answered before". That's a 100% useless answer and has no place here.
The SCT tuner can accept custom tunes. It seems that's a good and reasonably priced choice.
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lMy points in bold.
By the way, along with all of the "Search - it's been answered before '' replies are an almost equal number of "please consut with the respected tuning shops for more detailed information or advice specific to yer ve-hikkle". Just sayin' ...
By the way, along with all of the "Search - it's been answered before '' replies are an almost equal number of "please consut with the respected tuning shops for more detailed information or advice specific to yer ve-hikkle". Just sayin' ...
From a scientific standpoint, that is absolutely not true.
In fact, the answers are quite hard to dig out. I just spent 24 hours searching for 5.4L tune information. I'm an intelligent guy, I work on some of the most complex equipment mankind has ever produced. Yet, this ONE simple subject (the 5.4L tune) is full of speculation, misinformation and subjective information. Plus some real world results that are a bit optimistic by "seat of the pants" science.
I was absolutely unable to come to a valid conclusion, based on objective data. The only real data comes from the chip retailers themselves.
Unfortunate - as I have been able to find relevant info - enough to point me to a specific info source at any rate, with just a few minutes of cerebral gear-grinding - and ah'm jes a dumb ol' Canuckistanian redneck hick wif only one shriveled cojone...
Point #1: A particular brand may have more than one choice of tuner. Yet, it's impossible to clearly understand the differences between those choices. They contain a generic list of features that may or may not apply to your vehicle. Sorry. That's not helpful.
Say what? Basic product differentiators are readily apparent for each device; examples - # of canned tunes, # of custom tune slots available, display differences ( e.g gauges), datalogging capabilities, mounting, interface ( e.g BT or cable), etc.
End-user adjustments - a complete list - is also stated.. HOWEVER - the feller writing the tuning can elect to restrict some or ALL end-user tinkering to save the user - who has NFC WTF he's about to adjust - form himself. So - that also is a function of a consult with the chosen tuning expert.
And - said adjustments are 110% a function of the Specific vehicle in question. No way it's reasonable to expect anyone to write out in longhand for the impossibly vast matrix of hundreds of vehicle types, model years, options, and in some cases which of the hundreds of unique PCM strategy codes may have further caveats. Again - a Consult.
Point #2: Real results, based on accurate or semi accurate scientific methodology is completely missing from end users. Not surprising, as people want a plug-n-play product that works. They won't spend a fortune validating it's performance, with regard to HP, MPG, or other aspects of operation.
Sure. Dyno time and instrumentation costs money. You want data like that, simply book time and pay up. Alternatively - you can spend a little for a wideband and use the fantastic end-user datalogging functionality and free software on an SCT X3 / LW to capture everyting except RWHP & TQ - which is going to vary dyno-to-dyno, day-to-day, baro-to-baro, etc anyway. But - the most important info IS captured to ensue a safe, responsive result. What I did and it works just fine.
Point #3: Many tuners don't clearly disclose exactly what a particular tuner does on a particular vehicle. They certainly know exactly what it does. But, they don't often pass on that information.
They sure don't - as it's very costly and valuable intellectual property. These guys spend hundreds or thousands of hours on their dynos perfecting their tuning - and each has a lot of unique tricks that give them advantages over their competition. Would YOU reveal yer sourcecode for an app you wrote that you plan to make a living from, that took you a year to write? As brainiac-y as yalls claims ta be, yalls shore dint thank thet wun froo, aight!
Point #4: Some end users have check engine lights, poor shifting, detonation, no gain in power, loss of MPG and other undesirable results. These results are not part of the "sales package" and the end user may or may not post his results randomly in these forums.
What is your point here? The *best* tuning shops allow iterative tuning correction / remediation within a specified timeframe. The tuners also cannot control the end-user state of his vehicle from a maintenance / modification perspective -indeed the real good ones DEMAND that the target vehicle have ALL maint up to snuff ( fresh filters, fresh front O2's, fresh plugs, correct octane fuel, oil in the crankcase, lol ). And they REQUIRE an accruate & complete mods list and strategy code up front.
Some idiots even elect to run Canned tuning with an aftermarket WASHOOBI, pekkered O2's, dirty MAF's, TB's, etc, etc expecting the Device to FIX all of this for them - and then wonder why the truck "runs rike clap" and/or has CELs, or he STILL " cain't roast mah 35'ers". Oy vey. Whether the end-user posts is not germaine here, nor indicative of what YOU may experience. FAR Too many variables. FAR too much subjectivity and NFCedness. Forums were never advertised as definitive sources of info - it's a Community of Complainers after all - populated by fallible Human Beings. Mostly.
Point #5: Very few people actually answer the specific question: "what tuner for my 2009 5.4L?" with a viable answer. They simply parrot "that's been answered before". That's a 100% useless answer and has no place here.
Again - not always true - several folks DO attempt to answer this admittedly biased question - me included. Hopefully based upon actual experience.
The SCT tuner can accept custom tunes. It seems that's a good and reasonably priced choice.
Boy - that's generic enough Be advised that there are some generational aspects in play here - not ALL SCT tuners will work with the newer PCM's. Important if you are contemplating an ebay/craiglist/classifieds purchase.
But yes - in general, it's a good platform choice. Speaking form personal experience - and that is what I recommend.
In fact, the answers are quite hard to dig out. I just spent 24 hours searching for 5.4L tune information. I'm an intelligent guy, I work on some of the most complex equipment mankind has ever produced. Yet, this ONE simple subject (the 5.4L tune) is full of speculation, misinformation and subjective information. Plus some real world results that are a bit optimistic by "seat of the pants" science.
I was absolutely unable to come to a valid conclusion, based on objective data. The only real data comes from the chip retailers themselves.
Unfortunate - as I have been able to find relevant info - enough to point me to a specific info source at any rate, with just a few minutes of cerebral gear-grinding - and ah'm jes a dumb ol' Canuckistanian redneck hick wif only one shriveled cojone...
Point #1: A particular brand may have more than one choice of tuner. Yet, it's impossible to clearly understand the differences between those choices. They contain a generic list of features that may or may not apply to your vehicle. Sorry. That's not helpful.
Say what? Basic product differentiators are readily apparent for each device; examples - # of canned tunes, # of custom tune slots available, display differences ( e.g gauges), datalogging capabilities, mounting, interface ( e.g BT or cable), etc.
End-user adjustments - a complete list - is also stated.. HOWEVER - the feller writing the tuning can elect to restrict some or ALL end-user tinkering to save the user - who has NFC WTF he's about to adjust - form himself. So - that also is a function of a consult with the chosen tuning expert.
And - said adjustments are 110% a function of the Specific vehicle in question. No way it's reasonable to expect anyone to write out in longhand for the impossibly vast matrix of hundreds of vehicle types, model years, options, and in some cases which of the hundreds of unique PCM strategy codes may have further caveats. Again - a Consult.
Point #2: Real results, based on accurate or semi accurate scientific methodology is completely missing from end users. Not surprising, as people want a plug-n-play product that works. They won't spend a fortune validating it's performance, with regard to HP, MPG, or other aspects of operation.
Sure. Dyno time and instrumentation costs money. You want data like that, simply book time and pay up. Alternatively - you can spend a little for a wideband and use the fantastic end-user datalogging functionality and free software on an SCT X3 / LW to capture everyting except RWHP & TQ - which is going to vary dyno-to-dyno, day-to-day, baro-to-baro, etc anyway. But - the most important info IS captured to ensue a safe, responsive result. What I did and it works just fine.
Point #3: Many tuners don't clearly disclose exactly what a particular tuner does on a particular vehicle. They certainly know exactly what it does. But, they don't often pass on that information.
They sure don't - as it's very costly and valuable intellectual property. These guys spend hundreds or thousands of hours on their dynos perfecting their tuning - and each has a lot of unique tricks that give them advantages over their competition. Would YOU reveal yer sourcecode for an app you wrote that you plan to make a living from, that took you a year to write? As brainiac-y as yalls claims ta be, yalls shore dint thank thet wun froo, aight!
Point #4: Some end users have check engine lights, poor shifting, detonation, no gain in power, loss of MPG and other undesirable results. These results are not part of the "sales package" and the end user may or may not post his results randomly in these forums.
What is your point here? The *best* tuning shops allow iterative tuning correction / remediation within a specified timeframe. The tuners also cannot control the end-user state of his vehicle from a maintenance / modification perspective -indeed the real good ones DEMAND that the target vehicle have ALL maint up to snuff ( fresh filters, fresh front O2's, fresh plugs, correct octane fuel, oil in the crankcase, lol ). And they REQUIRE an accruate & complete mods list and strategy code up front.
Some idiots even elect to run Canned tuning with an aftermarket WASHOOBI, pekkered O2's, dirty MAF's, TB's, etc, etc expecting the Device to FIX all of this for them - and then wonder why the truck "runs rike clap" and/or has CELs, or he STILL " cain't roast mah 35'ers". Oy vey. Whether the end-user posts is not germaine here, nor indicative of what YOU may experience. FAR Too many variables. FAR too much subjectivity and NFCedness. Forums were never advertised as definitive sources of info - it's a Community of Complainers after all - populated by fallible Human Beings. Mostly.
Point #5: Very few people actually answer the specific question: "what tuner for my 2009 5.4L?" with a viable answer. They simply parrot "that's been answered before". That's a 100% useless answer and has no place here.
Again - not always true - several folks DO attempt to answer this admittedly biased question - me included. Hopefully based upon actual experience.
The SCT tuner can accept custom tunes. It seems that's a good and reasonably priced choice.
Boy - that's generic enough
Be advised that there are some generational aspects in play here - not ALL SCT tuners will work with the newer PCM's. Important if you are contemplating an ebay/craiglist/classifieds purchase.But yes - in general, it's a good platform choice. Speaking form personal experience - and that is what I recommend.
Last edited by MGDfan; Nov 16, 2013 at 10:16 AM.
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Joined: Dec 1969
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From: west palm, fl
Off topic a bit. I was involved with Superchips many years ago, when they first started, on Ford 2.3L turbo tuning and again with a 98 F150 chip. Those guys did not do a good job. Even after repeated visits. I certainly hope they improved.
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From: Houston and College Station, TX
Everything I've ever seen has always suggested that SCT (with 5star, and now MPT as well, tunes) is #1 and that a PHP-tuned "gryphon" version of an Edge, which are very hard to get ahold of, is comparable. I've also seen that the person doing the tuning is far more important than the device itself. I feel that's all pretty darn easy to pick up on from most of the info available on here.
The search function on this site is pretty damn bad, and just about useless for many things. Unless I know exactly who started a thread or exactly what the name of the thread is, I search this website via Google because it's much better. I almost never search within the site itself, it's a waste of time usually, that or there's way too much to sift through.
The search function on this site is pretty damn bad, and just about useless for many things. Unless I know exactly who started a thread or exactly what the name of the thread is, I search this website via Google because it's much better. I almost never search within the site itself, it's a waste of time usually, that or there's way too much to sift through.
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From: ONTARIO
Not exactly sure what your post is about Cujet? 5star's website states what they address in their tuning:
http://www.5startuning.com/got-a-5-4l-v8/
As far as putting the truck on the dyno for every tune, or for some of us just "1" tune, is out of the question. If I had money to burn and no family obligations I would most definitely be dyno testing every tune, hell I'd buy a dyno for *****s n gigles!
I know that all of my tuning is better than stock. I've raced, towed, casually driven all of them and they all have their strong suits. Currently I run a 93 octane MPT race tune and it rocks. I love my 5star 91 octane for towing but this MPT tune kicks it's ***. However I can't run the race tune year around. So what is the best tune? or tuner? For me I have several answers for you. VMP just didn't work out, no big deal. If I had a cobra I'd probably call VMP back up. 5star has it's bonuses and so does MPT. Not to mention MPT is a forum sponsor and has been great to deal with, better than 5star....oh and he's a tad cheaper too!!
I've written several posts over the past couple of years drawing comparisons between some of my experiences. Everyone is different, I enjoy the different flavours I can load into my truck. So what is the best tuner? I guess try one of the reputable ones and then order individual tunes from the others to try them out.
Please post any concerns/questions you have. This forum is about helping, it just gets old spoon feeding, which admittedly I have done in the past so people get addicted. And for what it's worth, contrary to Kmac, I don't have too much trouble with the search function. Kmac's a buddy, not slammin pal :-)
http://www.5startuning.com/got-a-5-4l-v8/
As far as putting the truck on the dyno for every tune, or for some of us just "1" tune, is out of the question. If I had money to burn and no family obligations I would most definitely be dyno testing every tune, hell I'd buy a dyno for *****s n gigles!
I know that all of my tuning is better than stock. I've raced, towed, casually driven all of them and they all have their strong suits. Currently I run a 93 octane MPT race tune and it rocks. I love my 5star 91 octane for towing but this MPT tune kicks it's ***. However I can't run the race tune year around. So what is the best tune? or tuner? For me I have several answers for you. VMP just didn't work out, no big deal. If I had a cobra I'd probably call VMP back up. 5star has it's bonuses and so does MPT. Not to mention MPT is a forum sponsor and has been great to deal with, better than 5star....oh and he's a tad cheaper too!!
I've written several posts over the past couple of years drawing comparisons between some of my experiences. Everyone is different, I enjoy the different flavours I can load into my truck. So what is the best tuner? I guess try one of the reputable ones and then order individual tunes from the others to try them out.
Please post any concerns/questions you have. This forum is about helping, it just gets old spoon feeding, which admittedly I have done in the past so people get addicted. And for what it's worth, contrary to Kmac, I don't have too much trouble with the search function. Kmac's a buddy, not slammin pal :-)
Last edited by cheef; Nov 18, 2013 at 04:43 PM. Reason: grammar
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Not exactly sure what your post is about Cujet? 5star's website states what they address in their tuning:
http://www.5startuning.com/got-a-5-4l-v8/
As far as putting the truck on the dyno for every tune, or for some of us just "1" tune, is out of the question. If I had money to burn and no family obligations I would most definitely be dyno testing every tune, hell I'd buy a dyno for *****s n gigles!
I know that all of my tuning is better than stock. I've raced, towed, casually driven all of them and they all have their strong suits. Currently I run a 93 octane MPT race tune and it rocks. I love my 5star 91 octane for towing but this MPT tune kicks it's ***. However I can't run the race tune year around. So what is the best tune? or tuner? For me I have several answers for you. VMP just didn't work out, no big deal. If I had a cobra I'd probably call VMP back up. 5star has it's bonuses and so does MPT. Not to mention MPT is a forum sponsor and has been great to deal with, better than 5star....oh and he's a tad cheaper too!!
I've written several posts over the past couple of years drawing comparisons between some of my experiences. Everyone is different, I enjoy the different flavours I can load into my truck. So what is the best tuner? I guess try one of the reputable ones and then order individual tunes from the others to try them out.
Please post any concerns/questions you have. This forum is about helping, it just gets old spoon feeding, which admittedly I have done in the past so people get addicted. And for what it's worth, contrary to Kmac, I don't have too much trouble with the search function. Kmac's a buddy, not slammin pal :-)
http://www.5startuning.com/got-a-5-4l-v8/
As far as putting the truck on the dyno for every tune, or for some of us just "1" tune, is out of the question. If I had money to burn and no family obligations I would most definitely be dyno testing every tune, hell I'd buy a dyno for *****s n gigles!
I know that all of my tuning is better than stock. I've raced, towed, casually driven all of them and they all have their strong suits. Currently I run a 93 octane MPT race tune and it rocks. I love my 5star 91 octane for towing but this MPT tune kicks it's ***. However I can't run the race tune year around. So what is the best tune? or tuner? For me I have several answers for you. VMP just didn't work out, no big deal. If I had a cobra I'd probably call VMP back up. 5star has it's bonuses and so does MPT. Not to mention MPT is a forum sponsor and has been great to deal with, better than 5star....oh and he's a tad cheaper too!!
I've written several posts over the past couple of years drawing comparisons between some of my experiences. Everyone is different, I enjoy the different flavours I can load into my truck. So what is the best tuner? I guess try one of the reputable ones and then order individual tunes from the others to try them out.
Please post any concerns/questions you have. This forum is about helping, it just gets old spoon feeding, which admittedly I have done in the past so people get addicted. And for what it's worth, contrary to Kmac, I don't have too much trouble with the search function. Kmac's a buddy, not slammin pal :-)
Y'all can blame me - apparently, the Search Function is my fault!
==> https://www.f150online.com/forums/4806380-post125.html
MGD
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This was never meant to be a argument I simply wanted some opinions since I broke down and bought a newer gas truck. I have been pretty much Diesel only for over 20 years in a truck. So I have zero info on what the new tuners can do for a gas setup. The tuners I have ran in the past were a Bully Dog setup for a year and a Six Gun for a year and a half roughly. So my first thought was I could change tunes on the fly like my Diesel Wrong. Which somewhat made me wonder why buy a tuner with a bunch of tunes if you can only use one at a time. Reading here and other places has cleared up a bunch of things so I know what to expect for the most part and what I think I want as well. Still saving for a new engine for my boat so this will likely be a while before it happens.
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From: ONTARIO
1maniac, I know you had no intention of starting an argument! After the first couple of posts we made progress here which is great! Now that mgd is inza house this can become even more productive! So jam up mgd with questions, lol :-)
I know I've already said but welcome back, always appreciate the light you shed
I know I've already said but welcome back, always appreciate the light you shed
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Thanks Cheef right now priority is fix the boat that is a big set back on my limited budget. But frankly without the boat I could drive a Mustang LOL. Or build the Daytona coupe I keep dreaming of building. Only real decision is if I want the gauges or not if I knew I could afford the blower I would likely go with the Livewire setup and take it to 5Star to have it tuned since I could drive it over there. Then I could have several tunes and decide how I want to drive for each one. Time will tell at this point Christmas is around the corner and maybe Santa will like me this year LOL.
