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Ford Performance Tune
- Thread starter ZookaRoo
- Start date
FP Tune only claims "optimized transmission shift schedule". Not sure what that means exactly. I guess you can't assume it means transmission tuning at all. And unless you've done a trans adaptive learning reset (ie. Forscan service procedure or other method), who knows if that's the sole reason for the difference people are feeling with this tune. I was doing it with the stock tune and even Livernois tune because it actually smoothed out the shifts--after a time, it seemed shifts became a little abrupt or lurchy.
Yeah I saw that. Chalked up that it’s just going to go back to how it was. Well, over a thousand miles later and it’s still better for me. So who knows. All I know is my ST didn’t get worse the more I drove it. It had the kinda off shifts from day 1. Now with this tune it’s better. So something was done imo.
Why is that? I see tables in SCT that HPT doesn't have and the other way around. Livernois has an in with Ford that neither SCT or HPT or COBB seems to have.
It's not apples to apples, but I saw folks claim the same thing when Ford put out the cam phaser TSB flash for the Gen2 3.5's. Folks, including tuners were saying "there is nothing in this update other than shutter control changes", which wasn't the case. They just couldn't see all the changes.
It's not apples to apples, but I saw folks claim the same thing when Ford put out the cam phaser TSB flash for the Gen2 3.5's. Folks, including tuners were saying "there is nothing in this update other than shutter control changes", which wasn't the case. They just couldn't see all the changes.
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In this case, the only changes Ford has made for the performance tune that can't be seen in HPTuners for example are for unrelated items.
There's 3 parameters changed that change the rate the engine speed limiter cycles.
1 parameter that is normally used for overboost logic that was adjusted (not sure why, both the stock value and the Ford Performance value still leave overboost logic disabled)
1 table that effects dashpot control slightly.
There are 2 transmissions tables altered that are non-visible, but everything adjusted on the transmission side is only for raised or removed torque limits to deal with the higher torque of the system.
Nothing is changed with scheduling, shift pressures (besides the obvious higher torque = higher pressure, but thats stock functionality), or timing.
The "effect" people are feeling is simply the adaptive reset that occurs during flashing.
EDIT: see my next post, it could also be some changes that happened from updating to the latest trans cal from an earlier MY cal
There's 3 parameters changed that change the rate the engine speed limiter cycles.
1 parameter that is normally used for overboost logic that was adjusted (not sure why, both the stock value and the Ford Performance value still leave overboost logic disabled)
1 table that effects dashpot control slightly.
There are 2 transmissions tables altered that are non-visible, but everything adjusted on the transmission side is only for raised or removed torque limits to deal with the higher torque of the system.
Nothing is changed with scheduling, shift pressures (besides the obvious higher torque = higher pressure, but thats stock functionality), or timing.
The "effect" people are feeling is simply the adaptive reset that occurs during flashing.
EDIT: see my next post, it could also be some changes that happened from updating to the latest trans cal from an earlier MY cal
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I should add, technically if you had an older calibration, it would update your transmission tune.
There are 10 base revisions that Ford has made over the years. An early 2020 vs a new 2023 actually has quite a bit different transmission side, including shift points and pressures.
Saying there's no changes, I'm comparing the latest 2022 calibration to the Ford Performance calibration.
If you had a car made before roughly early 22MY (so Oct'ish 2021), you actually do get what Ford's advertising in optimized shift points and the like.. The only thing is, its optimized to what you'd get on a new 22 or 23. (Also technically there's solenoid changes in the valve body from the early to later cars, but those aren't gonna change this).
You also get a fresh adaptive reset, which can definitely change how your car feels compared to even when you drove it brand new.
I understand your car "never felt like this even brand new", but adaptive learning on a new transmission and learning on an already driven on transmission will not necessarily learn the same shift parameters for the same wear. How Ford's adaptive algorithm work is it targets some set times and rates, but not necessarily an optimal setting to produce that time and rate, so when and how it learns it can change things. It's also why most dealerships first reaction to shifting problems is to reset them (because that's what Ford tells them to do in the shop guide!).
Basically what you're getting is the latest transmission calibration and a fresh adaptive learn. Both are positives and will change how the trans feels and operates, but its not like Ford Performance tune put Mustang drag mode shifting parameters in the transmission suddenly to target if you get what I'm saying.
There are 10 base revisions that Ford has made over the years. An early 2020 vs a new 2023 actually has quite a bit different transmission side, including shift points and pressures.
Saying there's no changes, I'm comparing the latest 2022 calibration to the Ford Performance calibration.
If you had a car made before roughly early 22MY (so Oct'ish 2021), you actually do get what Ford's advertising in optimized shift points and the like.. The only thing is, its optimized to what you'd get on a new 22 or 23. (Also technically there's solenoid changes in the valve body from the early to later cars, but those aren't gonna change this).
You also get a fresh adaptive reset, which can definitely change how your car feels compared to even when you drove it brand new.
I understand your car "never felt like this even brand new", but adaptive learning on a new transmission and learning on an already driven on transmission will not necessarily learn the same shift parameters for the same wear. How Ford's adaptive algorithm work is it targets some set times and rates, but not necessarily an optimal setting to produce that time and rate, so when and how it learns it can change things. It's also why most dealerships first reaction to shifting problems is to reset them (because that's what Ford tells them to do in the shop guide!).
Basically what you're getting is the latest transmission calibration and a fresh adaptive learn. Both are positives and will change how the trans feels and operates, but its not like Ford Performance tune put Mustang drag mode shifting parameters in the transmission suddenly to target if you get what I'm saying.
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From the files themselves 
I work for HPTuners. I picked up an Explorer ST recently and was browsing the forum when I came upon this thread, so I thought I'd inject some of what I know.
I work for HPTuners. I picked up an Explorer ST recently and was browsing the forum when I came upon this thread, so I thought I'd inject some of what I know.
Either way, whatever ford did or didn’t do, the tune has made a very noticeable difference in the way my ST performs. Nothing ground breaking but clearly improved.
