Tuning for dummies

sadeen · Oct 7, 2020

Dummy here, never tuned before. Understand the general concepts and have gained a lot of great info reading posts here. Seeing as many here have done a tune I am hoping you can provide some insights:

1) Does this void the Ford warranty by default (Yes if the dealer can state the tune caused the issue for a powertrain failure, but.. from your personal experience...) ?

2) Do YOU revert to the OEM tune before bringing it in for general service/maintenance?
a) If No, has the dealer ever said anything?

3) Has the tune ever caused you any engine problems over time?

4) I am interested in gasoline-only stock tune - are any tunes 'easier' on the engine than others (subjective, I know..)?

I've seen the tuner list in other threads, so I at least got that!

Your feedback is appreciated.

AntD77 · Oct 15, 2020

1. No, it won't void it by default, but good luck getting something engine/trans related covered once they see the key cycles.

2. The smart thing to do would be to revert it, but if the dealership checks the ECU, they can still tell it has been modified.

3. Most of these vehicles are still pretty new, but I read one person started having trans/clutch issues at 21,000 miles, so yes, over time, more power and abuse equals more part failures.

4. Any reputable tuner can make a "daily" tune, that doesn't push the envelope. ZFG and PBD seem to be the best for this platform.

sadeen · Oct 15, 2020

AntD77 said:

1. No, it won't void it by default, but good luck getting something engine/trans related covered once they see the key cycles.

2. The smart thing to do would be to revert it, but if the dealership checks the ECU, they can still tell it has been modified.

3. Most of these vehicles are still pretty new, but I read one person started having trans/clutch issues at 21,000 miles, so yes, over time, more power and abuse equals more part failures.

4. Any reputable tuner can make a "daily" tune, that doesn't push the envelope. ZFG and PBD seem to be the best for this platform.

Thank you, much appreciated!

Kompiler · Oct 25, 2020

New here so please be gentle. Am I understanding correctly that some dealers tolerate or even like modding vs some do not? Is there any difference when you Lease?

EDIT: does that apply if Ford Performance releases a tune (even for a lease)?

AntD77 · Oct 25, 2020

Kompiler said:

Yes, some dealers will tolerate some mods, some won't.

But if you do a tune, and your engine or transmission shits the bed, they aren't gonna warranty it no matter what.

If you do an exhaust, and an intake pipe cracks, some dealers might not care, some might.

It all depends on the dealership, and your relationship with them.

The bigger issue here is that once a dealer realizes your vehicle has been modified, rhey "flag" it in the computer, so any dealer you go to will know it has been modified once they enter the VIN.

Kompiler · Oct 25, 2020

OK that is good to know. Guessing I should talk to my sales guy and feel his stance out first and then approach the service writer if the sales guy thinks the dealer is leaning towards mods?

PS: I just leased the vehicle a week ago and thinking of the ZFG mods which I would place back to stock before lease expiration or purchase the vehicle outright.

AntD77 · Oct 25, 2020

I would strongly advise against modding a leased vehicle.

Even if you revert the tune back to stock, they can still see that it had been modified by the key cycles.

zdubyadubya · Oct 25, 2020

If you want to play with the ECU, you shouldn't have leased. There is specific language in the contract you signed that says you will be financially penalized if you get caught modifying the vehicle in any way. That being said, most will look the other way when it comes to things like exhaust or springs, but technically If they see an ECU flash, and they know they didn't do it, you are caught and its gonna suck for you. The most likely fine is a "diminished value" assessment at the end of your lease. These can run in the tens of thousands of dollars.

dolsen · Oct 26, 2020

zdubyadubya said:

I'm not going to pretend to know the ins and outs of lease contracts, however my LEASED F-150 STX I traded in on my ST had a platinum trim steering wheel on it that I personally swapped out. The dealer never said a word about it to me (I left the steering wheel on when I traded it in, and I specifically mentioned it to them). I traded it in to the same dealer in which I leased it. Maybe it is dealer dependent? I have modified a few of my lease vehicles with zero issues. However, I make sure that all of the modifications are easily reversible (bolt ons). YMMV

zdubyadubya · Oct 26, 2020

dolsen said:

Yeah, I agree that bolt-on mods are 9/10 times ignored. Its why I mentioned springs/sway bars/exhaust, your steering wheel, etc. The lease language is obviously black and white because it was written by lawyers and implementation of that agreement is up to the specific dealer. That being said, ECU tuning is a whole different animal, and that was more the point of my post. Sorry if it wasn't super clear.

boynty77 · Oct 26, 2020

I have modified the ecu on several leased vehicles with zero issues. I think it all depends on your dealer.

Kompiler · Oct 26, 2020

Thanks for the info everyone. I will be reaching out to the dealer to see if they have ever been down this road. To be fair I had no idea you could even do a tune on this vehicle before leasing or I would have just bought it outright.

sadeen · Nov 6, 2020

So without starting a big deal like another thread..

Is the main difference between SCT vs HPTuners that the SCT tuner is not able to make adjustments to the transmission?

boynty77 · Nov 6, 2020

get a ZFG and be done with it

DoingOK · Nov 8, 2020

^^What he said. Just had a 93 tune from ZFG installed/data logged/tweaked and it's well worth the money.

PhilST · Nov 13, 2020

I want the ZFG tune setup but a little reluctant with warranty. I had all of my mustangs tuned, turbo kits, supercharger kits etc in the past but just a tad concerned with this vehicle be the primary vehicle for the wife to cart the daughter around in. Have never had issues tuning vehicles in the past. Hmmmmm...

Inkus · Nov 13, 2020

PhilST said:

I want the ZFG tune setup but a little reluctant with warranty. I had all of my mustangs tuned, turbo kits, supercharger kits etc in the past but just a tad concerned with this vehicle be the primary vehicle for the wife to cart the daughter around in. Have never had issues tuning vehicles in the past. Hmmmmm...

F=MA · Nov 18, 2020

AntD77 said:

Yes, some dealers will tolerate some mods, some won't.

But if you do a tune, and your engine or transmission shits the bed, they aren't gonna warranty it no matter what.

If you do an exhaust, and an intake pipe cracks, some dealers might not care, some might.

It all depends on the dealership, and your relationship with them.

The bigger issue here is that once a dealer realizes your vehicle has been modified, rhey "flag" it in the computer, so any dealer you go to will know it has been modified once they enter the VIN.

I think my dealer in Wichita is OK with mods.....

PhilST · Nov 22, 2020

PBD has 100 bucks off tune and ngauge combo at lethal for black Friday sales FYI.

sadeen · Nov 23, 2020

PhilST said:

just ordered, thanks!

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