I won't link to any external, "competing" F150 sites, but after reading a post by malealexander earlier, I did a Google search for "southern speed tuning".

What I found was quite a bit of fellers on "the other site" who absolutely gush about the tuning and customer service from Southern Speed. It seemed odd that I hadn't heard anything about it here until malealexander posted earlier.

Anybody else know anything about the company, Shawn Ellis (the tallest hog in the trough at SSI), etc? Apparently, folks have compared the SSI tunes to others (5 star, MPT, Livernois, etc), and everyone seems much happier with the SSI tunes.

Just found it interesting....

Thoughts?

 

For the price of just two tunes (min order) $250.00 they BETTER be outstanding !

 

Yeah, no kiddin', right Sam?

Looks like they offer other "freebies" to help offset the initial sting, though. Free updates, etc.

Edited to add: I'm sure it's just me, but I can't find any dyno sheets on the SSI website. Heck, I can't even find where the ol' boy mentions anything about hp or tq gains by tune, by engine, and we all know them tunin' fellers LOVES to talk about that!

I found that odd.

 

By the way, LOOOOOVE your new rig, Sam!

 

Thanks Dewser.......just stopped into the dealership because I just loved that new "Ruby Red Met." color and the projectors. BIG MISTAKE !!!! LOL. I still miss the old 07 FX4 sometimes though although this Lariat 5.0 is very nice. Thanks for the complement.

 

No problem, Sam!

I understand about missing your old truck. I miss the 05 sometimes, too. I'm sure there'll come a day when I miss this truck. Just the way it goes.

 

In the middle of the Southern Speed Inc website click on the "forum" button and you will be taken to the Southern Speed forum. There you will find dyno charts, ET, and anything else you might want to know about SS Inc tunes.

They are the smoothest shifting tunes out there and making good power.

 

I've started running SSI tunes. My truck has now run it's quickest ET with them, 13.354 @ 100.083. Truck otherwise stock except catback, (which didn't help). If you already have a SCT tuner, you can't go wrong with his tunes. Street driving is fantastic also, smooth shifts, etc.

 

I think if you do a ton of research you will find about half a dozen custom tuners out there that produce dependable custom tunes for the F150. As far as power, mileage increases, etc. I expect once you boil it down they all are pretty close to comparable. Now there are others that produce tunes that constantly require updates for "fixes". Those folks I frankly would avoid.

 

Bear in mind that there are hundreds of different F150 OEM calibrations to contend with - the factoy is constantly 'fixing' these calibrations. I prefer a tuner who also constantly keeps abreast of these improvements and applies them to his custom tuning. Ongoing R&D.

With respect to the hardware, I prefer a device with full datalogging capabilities and the robust end-user software tools to match - not all have these attributes.

Reason is related to the above - given the vast number of vehicle configurations, manufacturing tolerances, mods, calibration versions, etc, sometimes your custom tune will NOT be spot-on and will require reiterative tweaking to properly dial it in - but it needs to be based upon some solid data reflecting exactly what is going on with the vehicle, not the owner's butt-dyno or SWAG . Only comprehensive datalogging will enable this to happen.

I'm leery of any tuning shop (or device for that matter) that does not fully document, support and embrace end-user logging options. Not everyone can access, or afford, repeated dyno sessions.


Cheers

 

AHHH!! Can it be??

back, bud! It's great to see you back 'round these parts!

Now, maybe we can get back to "normal" around here.

 

johndeerefarmer, I went there and looked. All I could find is where the EB fellers had dynos posted. Alas, I have but a poor, meager 5.slow. I'm still not finding any dyno (better yet, a/f charts) on the 5.0.

I did find this, though.

http://www.f150ecotuning.com/

Then, because I can't direct-link the page for some reason, you have to go to the 5.0 engine section and look at the topic named "Basic Questions RE: shawn's 5.0l tunes".

The OP has some valid, logical concerns that Shawn eventually calls "BS". Maybe directly...maybe indirectly, but given the context of the replies, that's the way I took it.

 

I tried to get back on here under my old screen name Koolponycar, but the site wouldn't let me in. So i created a new acct under KPC which stands for the obvious. i sent a PM to a moderator/administrator to ask which name they wanted me to use,no reply so here I am KPC fellas. I know this is a old thread but I just got my truck tuned by shawn at SSI, as I was considering MPT and 5Star also. There may not be a dyno on the 5.0 but let me tell you I am running the Gen2 87 octane and it is a absolute Beast with this tune. I also have a 91 and 93 that I haven't tried yet. The power is there anywhere from bottom to top. I have smoother than stock shifting and you can just touch the pedal and you will swear you are driving a light car vs a truck. Thats the way to describe it. I would like to see a dyno but don't need one to know that the performance and drivability has more than exceeded my expectations and like I said this is just a 87 tune and I am 100+% satisfied. I am 50 years old and do not have any reason to promote one over the other. I haven't tried any others, other than the SCT canned tune which is absolutely nothing compared to this. I can't say enough on how it feels and drives! Totally Satisfied and looking forward to the Gen2 93 octane. I have a 170* Reische T-stat ordered, because this tune is written for it to get the full potential benefit of it. I have talked to the other tuners mentioned and I think they were very polite and respectful too. A lot of these dynos show max HP at 6000+rpms which is where I usually don't drive my truck. But one thing is for sure I am making way more power from the bottom to that number. But now I see what all the Buzz is about, SSI tunes are awesome and Im glad I chose them.
AND WHAT IS UP WITH THE TIME? It says GMT but my computer is set right. it is 11:26 now as I edit this.