• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Ford Performance Tune

Messages
146
Reactions
187
Points
37
Location
Lake Wylie, SC, USA
I’m pleased with my investment. I probably have about 5 miles driving in “Normal“ mode in a year of ownership. So, I can’t comment on that. But in my normal, Sport, I feel more throttle response and quicker acceleration from a dig and on a roll. Also smoother shifts. I have both custom dyno tunes and canned tunes. Know what you’re buying and go into it with the appropriate expectations and you will usually be happy. Or at least satisfied.
 

Last edited:

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
477
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
Sad to say I think I’m about give up on getting this tune. I’ve contacted numerous dealers and the only one that does this sort of thing, wants $300!
“the programming cost will be around 300.00. Tech said that you will need to have the device with the tunes when you bring the vehicle in.”
I’m clarifying but like so you want me to update the tuner, load the tune on the tuner, and then just give you the tuner so you can spend 15 min flashing the tune or whatever and collect $300??

Just so frustrated at this point. When I search ASE techs there is only one located inner city Baltimore. Not going there.
 

Messages
122
Reactions
81
Points
27
Location
Bowie, MD, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
Sad to say I think I’m about give up on getting this tune. I’ve contacted numerous dealers and the only one that does this sort of thing, wants $300!
“the programming cost will be around 300.00. Tech said that you will need to have the device with the tunes when you bring the vehicle in.”
I’m clarifying but like so you want me to update the tuner, load the tune on the tuner, and then just give you the tuner so you can spend 15 min flashing the tune or whatever and collect $300??

Just so frustrated at this point. When I search ASE techs there is only one located inner city Baltimore. Not going there.
Don‘t bother using the ASE search for technicians, think it is broken. Almost every mechanic shop including gas station ones (especially if they are an MD inspection station) have a “qualified” technician. Just driving down the road I see gas stations with the ASE certification logo plastered outside. Very easy to find one, then just talk to the shop manager and tell them you have an easy 10 minute job worth of work which is really only 2 minutes of labor for a receipt to maintain Ford’s warranty criteria.

Best bet is to do what you say and load the tune on the device and pay for the “technical experience“ of pressing a button. It’s Fords requirements for maintaining the warranty.
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,957
Reactions
1,961
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
Sad to say I think I’m about give up on getting this tune. I’ve contacted numerous dealers and the only one that does this sort of thing, wants $300!
“the programming cost will be around 300.00. Tech said that you will need to have the device with the tunes when you bring the vehicle in.”
I’m clarifying but like so you want me to update the tuner, load the tune on the tuner, and then just give you the tuner so you can spend 15 min flashing the tune or whatever and collect $300??

Just so frustrated at this point. When I search ASE techs there is only one located inner city Baltimore. Not going there.
Don‘t bother using the ASE search for technicians, think it is broken. Almost every mechanic shop including gas station ones (especially if they are an MD inspection station) have a “qualified” technician. Just driving down the road I see gas stations with the ASE certification logo plastered outside. Very easy to find one, then just talk to the shop manager and tell them you have an easy 10 minute job worth of work which is really only 2 minutes of labor for a receipt to maintain Ford’s warranty criteria.

Best bet is to do what you say and load the tune on the device and pay for the “technical experience“ of pressing a button. It’s Fords requirements for maintaining the warranty.
A quick serarch brought one up in Bel Air . http://cars-incorporated.com/diagnostics.html
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
477
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
Thanks guys. Maybe I didn’t search well enough or I don’t know. I’ll be honest I’ve been meaning to reach out to a shop I take my car to when I don’t use the dealer but I’m just tired of discussing it with every shop and then just get the run around. I guess I was hoping for a dealer like everyone else seemed to be doing but I will try the shop above and I actually found another one that I already submitted in inquiry for. Cross fingers!
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,957
Reactions
1,961
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
Thanks guys. Maybe I didn’t search well enough or I don’t know. I’ll be honest I’ve been meaning to reach out to a shop I take my car to when I don’t use the dealer but I’m just tired of discussing it with every shop and then just get the run around. I guess I was hoping for a dealer like everyone else seemed to be doing but I will try the shop above and I actually found another one that I already submitted in inquiry for. Cross fingers!
Good luck with it. I hope they will help you.
 

Messages
146
Reactions
187
Points
37
Location
Lake Wylie, SC, USA
Thanks guys. Maybe I didn’t search well enough or I don’t know. I’ll be honest I’ve been meaning to reach out to a shop I take my car to when I don’t use the dealer but I’m just tired of discussing it with every shop and then just get the run around. I guess I was hoping for a dealer like everyone else seemed to be doing but I will try the shop above and I actually found another one that I already submitted in inquiry for. Cross fingers!
I pretty much found myself in the same situation. I got tired of people not getting back to me. Saying they’d look into it and let me know. So, I just did it myself. I’ll fight the warranty beast if it ever rears it’s head. I’ll have a better chance doing that with a FP tune then another aftermarket tune. Especially since it doesn’t push things as far. And it certainly does make a difference.
 

Last edited:

Sgt1411

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
239
Reactions
151
Points
37
Location
BC&AZ
Vehicle
2021 ST
It took me 15 minutes, do it yourself. They have to prove the tune was installed incorrectly to void the warranty.
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
I just have one simple question…. Seriously, what is your problem?? You have a hard on for anybody that disagrees with you. Give it a rest, it got old months ago. Nobody wants to hear your diatribe insulting the community. Grow up will you?
I just have one critical observation.... Honestly, what is your major malfunction?? You have a "kumbaya" nature that suggests any/all opinions are equal. Drop it already, that soyboy attitude got old decades ago. No one is interested in hearing your incessant whining that tears down the relevancy of truth. Can you get your act together already?
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Good lord, there's so many f**king babies on here, on both sides of the debate. Buy the tune you want and shut the **** up about it.

I'm all for providing fact based data (this tune maintains a warranty, or this tune produces more power), but all of this "my tune is better" bullsh** is really annoying. Who cares what other people do with their own money. This isn't sports, or worse, politics, this is automotive, be better people.This is getting as bad as the Mustang forums.
I agree with you for the most part, but I will never fail in directly responding to lies and misinformation. I'm all about data, and if someone refutes concrete information then I will attempt to correct their errors, failing that, I will block them. I don't have time to waste on people who choose to live their lives with blinders on.

Sadly, it's apparent far too many people today reject truth and reality in lieu of emotional knee jerk responses. Even that Cruising dude has gone full tilt bonkers. Sad ...
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
It took me 15 minutes, do it yourself. They have to prove the tune was installed incorrectly to void the warranty.
Just curious, did you get a quote from the dealer on installation cost?
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
477
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
I pretty much found myself in tha same situation. I got tired of people not getting back to me. Saying they’d look into it and let me know. So, I just did it myself. I’ll fight the warranty beast if it ever rears it’s head. I’ll have a better chance doing that with a FP tune then another aftermarket tune. Especially since it doesn’t push things as far. And it certainly does make a difference.
Yeah it’s frustrating. Valid point though!

It took me 15 minutes, do it yourself. They have to prove the tune was installed incorrectly to void the warranty.
I thought I was crazy for considering it myself lol I guess in my head I was thinking if I’m gonna do it myself, why not just then go Zfg if I’m not going to get a warranty.
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,957
Reactions
1,961
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
I just have one critical observation.... Honestly, what is your major malfunction?? You have a "kumbaya" nature that suggests any/all opinions are equal. Drop it already, that soyboy attitude got old decades ago. No one is interested in hearing your incessant whining that tears down the relevancy of truth. Can you get your act together already?
You must have been looking in a mirror when you typed this. It describes you to a T.
 

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,614
Reactions
1,177
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
I just have one critical observation.... Honestly, what is your major malfunction?? You have a "kumbaya" nature that suggests any/all opinions are equal. Drop it already, that soyboy attitude got old decades ago. No one is interested in hearing your incessant whining that tears down the relevancy of truth. Can you get your act together already?
Unlike you, there are no examples of me acting like that. However there are countless posts of yours that show you have the emotional state of a 12 year old but hey, thanks for more insults!

I see it took you a few days to come up with that witty post

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
I agree with you for the most part, but I will never fail in directly responding to lies and misinformation. I'm all about data, and if someone refutes concrete information then I will attempt to correct their errors, failing that, I will block them. I don't have time to waste on people who choose to live their lives with blinders on.

Sadly, it's apparent far too many people today reject truth and reality in lieu of emotional knee jerk responses. Even that Cruising dude has gone full tilt bonkers. Sad ...
Add another five people to the "block" list! Ever heard the expression "Cut off your nose to spite your face?"
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,957
Reactions
1,961
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
Add another five people to the "block" list! Ever heard the expression "Cut off your nose to spite your face?"
I think he should block every one on this forum. He isn't able to carry on a conversation with any one so that way he could pout all alone.
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
477
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
How do you guys think this FP tune would compare to zfg auto octane? The latter offering claims of 50+ hp and torque. The former obviously noting 30hp gain and up to 35lb torque. But they say peak 467lb torque. Curious why they say 35 lb torque gain but then say 467 peak. Math doesn’t add up or likely just my lack of knowledge lol can anyone explain this or offer any input. Much appreciated!
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,957
Reactions
1,961
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
Every thing I've seen points to ZFG being the best tune for this platform. All posts on the FP tune people seem happy with it and no negatives. I don't have a tune but just posting about what I've read here and on a couple other forums. I think you would enjoy either one.
 

st8

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,071
Reactions
477
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
Every thing I've seen points to ZFG being the best tune for this platform. All posts on the FP tune people seem happy with it and no negatives. I don't have a tune but just posting about what I've read here and on a couple other forums. I think you would enjoy either one.
Yeah Zfg definitely the top of the list. I just never hear much about Zfg auto octane version. It’s a little dialed back and I think maybe somewhat in line with the FP tune. Not entirely sure though. But it doesn’t require full on premium gas at all times.
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
For those who want a warranty-saving tune, they should just do the FP tune. If you're that person, put a period on it and buy it. Based on the only results I've seen so far, it would appear it's actually better than just 30hp. If you are NOT concerned with just a warranty, then pick an octane level that you can afford and consistently use and purchase a tune that exploits it.

All of these tunes are using Ford's algorithms to dial back timing and boost when encountering detonation (or a situation that might lead to problems). And detonation is what destroys engines. A good tuner in either case can adjust certain parameters regarding the intensity of the reaction of the ECU to knock.

Remember that even a vendor has to make money. If there's a market for an "auto-octane" tune, they'll sell one. It doesn't necessarily mean it's better. It's just (possibly) more forgiving, especially if you're the type that alternates between 93 and 87 depending on the price at the pump. Even then, the feedback of this ECU is very unlikely to destroy the engine unless you do something very foolish.
 



Top