Best tune for 2020 Ford Explorer ST

Just curious as to what weight was the 10R60 rated at with the torque ratings.

I know the TR-3160 from the GT350 was rated for 400 lbs of torque yet the ATS-V and GT350 easily surpass that. Given that it was rated for a 6,600lbs vehicle at that rating, it's perfectly fine. The Explorer is not lightweight tho.

Wow! Was that done on a ST Adam/ZFG?

Exactly.... here is an example of managing torque on an st.

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Your last statement is absolutely untrue. The good tuners are not “just pushing torque out”…they’re actually holding it back. They’re capable of much more then the good tuners are throwing at them.
They also do know what’s safe for the driveline which is why they’re holding back where it’s needed.

That's the nicest graph I've seen but still quite higher than advertised limits, which is totally fine by me for those currently pushing the platform.

I meant no disrespect but just about every dyno I've seen has a big torque peak down low followed by a steep fall off. I understand holding back the turbo potential but most I've seen aren't anywhere near that linear. Very nice work on that one.

Here's one of the N54 cars I've done for a shop with what I'm talking about, nice and flat like the one you posted.

That's the nicest graph I've seen but still quite higher than advertised limits, which is totally fine by me for those currently pushing the platform.

I meant no disrespect but just about every dyno I've seen has a big torque peak down low followed by a steep fall off. I understand holding back the turbo potential but most I've seen aren't anywhere near that linear. Very nice work on that one.

Here's one of the N54 cars I've done for a shop with what I'm talking about, nice and flat like the one you posted.

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I disagree, here's a dyno of a tuned ST vs stock, I see a lot done like this and it's not anything that I'm interested in. 5 star tuning but seems other tuners do this a lot here.

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I said good tuners. I don’t put 5 Star on that list.

Of course we're going to be pushing it above the limits the 10r60 is only rated for 600 NM (442 ft-lbs)f input torque. But that's at full life expectancy, and full Duty including towing and everything else. You have to remember this thing has a 5600 pound tow rating on top of the 5000 lb suv. You really can't compare it to a car transmission these are much more heavy-duty and robust design because of the tow rating. Of course you don't just get to add power to these things for free everything comes at cost over the life of the trans. Long term the increase in torque isn't going have a huge impact as long as the car is being cared for and you're not doing something like Towing on a performance tune. Everything is built with a factor of safety we are simply eating into that factor of safety in terms of the important torque.

This is very similar the the 10r80, 800nm 590 ft-lbs input torque rating. They are regularly pushed over 600 ft-lbs to the wheels. Infact we really don't start seeing long-term issues with the them until 750 foot pounds at the wheels.

We all know we are pushing the platform. The stock trans has been holding up just fine to around 530 ft-lb at the wheels. That's typically what I limit the torque to. The dyno chart above is from a bigger turbo st that's the record holder for et and trap speed. At the time of the dyno it was on the stock transmission and now it is on a built transmission.

The biggest downfall I have seen with these Transmissions is Tunes I have the transmission shifting extremely soft. Generally speaking the softer the shift the more time you're spending "on the clutches". Ie when the clutches are slipping to hand off to the next great. The longer they slip the more wear and tear in the more heat you build etc.

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Of course we're going to be pushing it above the limits the 10r60 is only rated for 600 NM (442 ft-lbs)f input torque. But that's at full life expectancy, and full Duty including towing and everything else. You have to remember this thing has a 5600 pound tow rating on top of the 5000 lb suv. You really can't compare it to a car transmission these are much more heavy-duty and robust design because of the tow rating. Of course you don't just get to add power to these things for free everything comes at cost over the life of the trans. Long term the increase in torque isn't going have a huge impact as long as the car is being cared for and you're not doing something like Towing on a performance tune. Everything is built with a factor of safety we are simply eating into that factor of safety in terms of the important torque.

This is very similar the the 10r80, 800nm 590 ft-lbs input torque rating. They are regularly pushed over 600 ft-lbs to the wheels. Infact we really don't start seeing long-term issues with the them until 750 foot pounds at the wheels.

We all know we are pushing the platform. The stock trans has been holding up just fine to around 530 ft-lb at the wheels. That's typically what I limit the torque to. The dyno chart above is from a bigger turbo st that's the record holder for et and trap speed. At the time of the dyno it was on the stock transmission and now it is on a built transmission.

The biggest downfall I have seen with these Transmissions is Tunes I have the transmission shifting extremely soft. Generally speaking the softer the shift the more time you're spending "on the clutches". Ie when the clutches are slipping to hand off to the next great. The longer they slip the more wear and tear in the more heat you build etc.

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First of all Adam, thank you for your insight and sharing your expertise. You said something above that caused me pause. I plan on using ZFG for my tune when the craziness dies down. Will go mild with a goal of 400 hp to the wheels torque will also on the mild side. My concern is your comment on "towing with a performance tune". I tow a 20 ft outboard ski boat which weighs about 2000 lbs. I don't race the ST, and I have no intention of racing an SRT8 on the way to the lake but I do like some spirited driving (when NOT towing). Based on this, am I at risk with a performance tune?

You can probably get away with 2000 if you are not getting on it, or you can use the stock tune to tow, or I can sell you a tow tune as well.

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You can probably get away with 2000 if you are not getting on it, or you can use the stock tune to tow, or I can sell you a tow tune as well.

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I wanted to like this ST...I just didn’t wanna like it this much. With the tune, suspension and as of yesterday finally the tires dialed in with the wheels it’s just stupid fun. I kinda forgot you don’t need the fastest thing on the block to enjoy the drive. Now if tire mfg’s will get some summer tires going so I can get my 315’s I’ll be really happy. The 305’s are stuffed pretty good though. View attachment 2511

Hi, I live in Denver, altitude 5280 ft. The highest octane here is 91. Is there any benefit in getting a tune for power? Thanks!

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Hi, I live in Denver, altitude 5280 ft. The highest octane here is 91. Is there any benefit in getting a tune for power? Thanks!

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It actually will not void the warranty. You are correct in saying that if Ford discovers that the tune caused the failure they could deny that claim. But it would not the void any of the other aspects of the warranty for example if you go in with a tune for something related to your radio they're going to cover that under warranty. Or if you go in for something with your suspension they're going to cover that under warranty. Even if they deny one claim the rest of the warranty is still valid.

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I have a Gearhead e35-e40 tune and live in Lakewood Colorado. Finding e85 can be a little tricky but there are plenty of stations that have it around town. I usually go to Hill Petroleum. There also is a Circle K on Kipling and 7th Ave that sells 93 octane. With that said I went from running a 14.1 in the 1/4 mile to 12.7 with just the tune only. So yes it is a huge improvement and makes the ST into what it was supposed to be.

Thanks James. I got the ZFG 91 tune about 6 months ago and love it. Exactly what I wanted. Not looking to do much to the car, just kind of wanted more power on the daily driver because I can. Got it, love it!

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Anyone tried the ZFG auto octane tune? Can't seem to find any reviews of the auto octane tune. Any insight or just go with dedicated 93 tune n make sure the wife puts the right gas in at fill ups? Wife mostly drives it. Reason I was thinking of the auto octane tune is if 93 octane sky rockets again which I'm sure is around the corner I can throw 87 in n not worry about it and still feel a difference with trans tuning n slight performance bump over stock.

Debating on that or the Monster Tuned Auto-X tune. A few people say they are impressed with the tune. Seems they are very responsive and customer service is top notch. Anyone with their tune have any complaints or positive things to say after having the tune awhile now. Any Dragy results on it with different octanes?

Is the ZFG auto octane tune worth $200 over the Monster Tuned Auto-X?

Appreciate your help guys

I don’t think you can go wrong with the ZFG tune. I have the GearHead AO tune and it is VERY impressive.


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