5-Star vs Livernois Motorsports vs Unleashed Tuning

[winmag4582001]

I considered the other tune options with Unleashed being the biggest consideration, but ended up going with 5Star.
A few years ago I built a E350 and needed only the transmission tuned, no motor tuning and 5Star did a great job. Since I had a positive experience before, I returned.
I'll keep an update going about the tune. Just got the truck last week so the only mods done so far is the cat back exhaust, leveling kit and blow off valve (for noise only).

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[Dr.Me]

Do these tunes affect throttle response like the pedal commander or sprint boost things? Been wanting to get one before I start doing any performance mods, but if the tunes do the same thing I could just wait.

 

[landiscarrier]

Running the unleashed tunes I've got 3 since he was running a 3 for 2 special when i got them. 87 Performance, 93 Tow and 93 Performance. I really just run the 93 Performance. and so far I've avg 19.9 MPG with it over 4700 miles. can't complain with 20 MPG on a stock 4x4 roughly 80 city/20 highway, and more power on tap to boot. I'm taking it up to GA next week so i'll see how my highway mileage is.

Went with him since he's local to FL and exceptional customer service and a previous customer.

I have 2 tunes. Unleashed 93 and Gearheads. Overall they are both exceptional but I think the Unleashed is a little more refined and I like the shift point changes Torrie has done. Most of the time I drive like an old man (because I am one ha) and I get about 25 mpg but when you need the extra power.....it’s there! Torrie also tuned my previous 2 Focus ST’s, he’s a Ecoboost guy for sure!

 

[OKRaptor]

I was running the unleashed performance tune from Torrie and went into limp mode while towing my bass boat. Ihave it too much throttle and (without going full into mechanic mode) I just stopped and restarted my truck. It fixed the limp mode.

I ended up needing my whole rear diff replaced overtime. Not sure if it was from towing while in performance (which I’m sure that’s what they’ll say caused it) but I was also flooring the pedal more than normal. Why get a tune and not use it to the full advantage? Needless to say, I uninstalled the tune and my warranty covered the expenses.

In the future, I will not do any tuning from now on until there is a dyno tuner available. I would like to get the real time tuning over an off the shelf tune. I knew the risks and now I paid for it (being without my truck for 2+ weeks).

Coming from a tuned sport car I knew the risks and I jumped the gun too fast. Dyno tune is the way to go. ANYONE KNOW A DYNO TUNER THAT WOULD DO OUR TRUCKS?! WILLING TO DRIVE!

your issue was not with the tune but utilizing the wrong tune for your purpose. The performance tune shift points and pressures are much more aggressive than your standard or "towing" tune. Towing with the performance tune will cause the transmission to overheat and the ECU will go into limp mode to protect it. Did you have a tow tune from Unleashed? if so, you should have shifted to the tow tune. If you did not have one you would need to revert to stock prior to towing.
Now if your towing a pretty light load and not very far, you could maintain the performance tune and likely be just fine.

 

[winmag4582001]

Uploaded the 5Star 91Performance tune yesterday and put about 50 miles on it.
In sport mode it is very noticeable and the shifts feel no different than stock.
Initially, I'm 100% satisfied.

 

[hook402]

From what I hear...

5 star is trash and a horribly unrefined tune with a goal only of HP horrid drivability and sub par customer service - please chime in if you’ve had a diff experience.

heard great things about livernoiseand got to drive one but I’ve only ever been in a Ford performance tuned car and livernoise.

Don’t know anyone in person who’s used unleashed but I’ve heard a mixed bag. Good power meh shifting but good customer service.

This has not been my experience. I am running 5 Stars's 91 Performance tune (Highest normal octane in Colorado) and it has been great. Shifting was a little harsh at first but settles down after about 200 miles. I also purchased an AFE intake from them several months after the tune and when I inquired if this required a new tune, they responded quickly with it was already in the queue and I had it before I installed the intake.

 

[bobsblackbeauty]

My experience with about 5,000 miles and 5 star tunes is that the "daily tow/haul 87 octane" tune is better than the 87 performance tune and the mileage much better. I tow 5-7K trailers with my truck and the tune is excellent. Good mileage and good off the line torque.

 

[Frenchy]

I went with Livernois and here is why. For 1 I live in the High Rockies of Colorado where the elevation can get as high as 11,000 ft on the road(off road can be higher) and with that in mind 5 Star has to tune your vehicle for that elevation. With Livernois and most likely other tuners you don't need a specific tune for that high elevation since they allow the computer to adjust accordingly. Just ask 5 Star and they will admit there is a different tune for the high elevation. If you ask me that is pretty silly since technology has come such a long way and we shouldn't have a problem with such.

 

[Racket]

I went with Livernois and here is why. For 1 I live in the High Rockies of Colorado where the elevation can get as high as 11,000 ft on the road(off road can be higher) and with that in mind 5 Star has to tune your vehicle for that elevation. With Livernois and most likely other tuners you don't need a specific tune for that high elevation since they allow the computer to adjust accordingly. Just ask 5 Star and they will admit there is a different tune for the high elevation. If you ask me that is pretty silly since technology has come such a long way and we shouldn't have a problem with such.

I suspect the factory software accommodates for all those variances. The custom tunes are for narrowed parameters in operation.

Getting both aspects in a tune is probably a highly refined process, and once anything mechanical gets changed I can only imagine how these motors lose their shirt.

 

[Racket]

Bumping this for visibility; I'm going to install the Mishimoto charge pipes soon and anticipate Torrie at Unleashed will have to update my tune.

He's tweaked the midgrade octane tune for me a couple times including a fix to ignore one out-of-range trigger for throwing codes and going into limp mode but I have a persistent hard engagement from park to reverse or drive that isn't present in the stock tune that I've switched back to in advance of the equipment install.

I've been using nothing but 10% ethanol 93 octane since joining Sam's Club six months ago or so, but I may want to broaden the fuel choice to 88 octane 15% ethanol on occasion if it's what's available.

Ethanol-free gas runs really well of course, seems smoother/quieter but 87 octane is more expensive than Sam's Club's premium and the mileage is better on higher octane.

 

[Racket]

Bumping this for visibility; I'm going to install the Mishimoto charge pipes soon and anticipate Torrie at Unleashed will have to update my tune.

He's tweaked the midgrade octane tune for me a couple times including a fix to ignore one out-of-range trigger for throwing codes and going into limp mode but I have a persistent hard engagement from park to reverse or drive that isn't present in the stock tune that I've switched back to in advance of the equipment install.

I've been using nothing but 10% ethanol 93 octane since joining Sam's Club six months ago or so, but I may want to broaden the fuel choice to 88 octane 15% ethanol on occasion if it's what's available.

Ethanol-free gas runs really well of course, seems smoother/quieter but 87 octane is more expensive than Sam's Club's premium and the mileage is better on higher octane.

Odd thing is my avg MPG's bounced back up with this last tank as opposed to the Unleashed tune.

 

[E Monty]

Cannot say enough good about Livernois. Started with the 87, stout shifts for a couple hundred miles. Recently switched to the 93, pretty much flawless from the turn of the key. Power is great the entire way through. Mild when not needed but on point when given the green light!! Fun little toy the Livernois tune is. I stopped by in person and was helped start to finish right then and there. Wonderful customer service, answered all my questions with more than enough description and detail. Even took a few minutes of his break to help me when I got stuck loading the tune. Heard that service after the sale is nothing short of excellent also. Lifetime support with upgrades or vehicles. Great company!!

 

[Ammtwo]

Big shout out to Torrie at Unleashedtuning.com and Nick at SCTflash.com. They both were very responsive to all my questions. Nick stayed on the phone with me while uploading the tune and made sure my Ranger started up with no warning messages. I'm blown away by the customer support. Also, blown away by how different the Ranger feels and drives. Transmission tune is on spot, exactly where it needs to be and the power that the little 2.3 is putting out. WOW! Torrie at unleashed tuning is the man for sure!

 

[landiscarrier]

Big shout out to Torrie at Unleashedtuning.com and Nick at SCTflash.com. They both were very responsive to all my questions. Nick stayed on the phone with me while uploading the tune and made sure my Ranger started up with no warning messages. I'm blown away by the customer support. Also, blown away by how different the Ranger feels and drives. Transmission tune is on spot, exactly where it needs to be and the power that the little 2.3 is putting out. WOW! Torrie at unleashed tuning is the man for sure!

Another thing I love about Torrie at Unleashed is his tune is pretty much spot on from the get go! He really knows his Ford Ecoboost!

 

[Palibouss]

Hello, I have used all three on my truck with different results. I want to see what everyone else is finding with tunes.

Livernois Motorsports--This tune so far has been the worst out of all three. Power is lower than the other two and drivability is horrible. My transmission slams gears even at light throttle.

5-Star--This tune so far seems to be the fastest out of all three and drivability is ok but a few bugs. I have contacted 5-star several times to fix but never can get a response.

Unleashed Tuning--Just loaded this tune today. Power is good but I can tell its turned down compared to 5-star. I will need to send a few logs to them and see if they can adjust. But drivability is by far the best out of all three. The transmission is so smooth. I can tell they spent more time on the tune.

Which tune did you install?

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