Looking for advice on which tune to go with for smooth power delivery

[oarsirhc]

I've been very happy with my Livernoise tune. I run the performance non soft shift tune most of the time (unless I need to tow, in which case I switch back to the tow tune). I opted for the non soft shift to try and be a bit easier on the trans - some of the shifts are pretty firm - it feels like I put a shift kit in it. The soft shift tune doesn't do that.

Different in soft shift vs non soft would be how abrupt the shifts feel?

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[RedlandRanger]

Different in soft shift vs non soft would be how abrupt the shifts feel?

Yes - the soft shift is a more gentle shift. The non soft shift is a firmer shift. If you ever drove a car with a shift kit in it, the non soft shift feels more like that. Not what I'd call hard, just firmer.

I did it hoping it might help reduce wear on the transmission. A soft shift is a slip and slip causes wear. I don't know if it will help but I figure it can't hurt.

 

[oarsirhc]

Yes - the soft shift is a more gentle shift. The non soft shift is a firmer shift. If you ever drove a car with a shift kit in it, the non soft shift feels more like that. Not what I'd call hard, just firmer.

I did it hoping it might help reduce wear on the transmission. A soft shift is a slip and slip causes wear. I don't know if it will help but I figure it can't hurt.

Makes sense, my last vehicle was stick shift and slipping the clutch was always at the sacrifice of clutch longevity. Glad to read I can flash between the two and see which I like better.

 

[landiscarrier]

Another vote for Torrie at Unleashed. He’s turned 2 of my Focus ST’s, 19 Ranger 2.3 and now my Ranger Raptor. He does a fantastic job with safe reliable power and smooth shifting transmission.

 

[Rp930]

Ford Performance tune for me. Works great.

 

[OCL]

Reading this got me HYPED! What kind of performance gains do you see with a cold air intake vs without?

The Ford Performance Tune has the K&N air filter as part of their package. Freer flowing adds more air and with additional fueling can take advantage of it. Livernois does not include any performance air filter but they will ask if you have it so they can tweak the tune slightly to take advantage. Since the Ranger already has a CAI from the factory, the biggest "gain" from an aftermarket CAI will come from looking awesome. LOL! The additional air filter area will help...kind of giving it a larger "nostril" to suck air from. Can you feel the difference with or without? I don't know since I don't have an aftermarket CAI. I only have an AEM freer flowing dry filter. But if you look at other people's results using CAI + Tune, the CAI does add some power. Every little thing adds up. You can go the next step and add an MBRP exhaust or something similar. Now you're in the big $$.

Put another way, you're spending $600 for a tune. A handsome CAI is $400. You're at $1k. Lots of people spend way more than that just for exhaust, and the gain from an exhaust is minimal all by itself. At my end, I want to "see" the 52+ hp gain every time I open the hood! It's my truck my money and I want it to look great AND drive like a Hot Rod. Trust me my truck feels like a Hot Rod truck. I love it!

Turbocharged engines are incredible at taking advantage of simple tuning. My only regret is I had not done this mod much sooner.

FYI I'm in Communist California. So I had to make sure Mine was Emissions compliant. It was either the FPT or Livernois Motorsports tune. Even with CAI I have to be careful which I choose. I believe only the Roush or the S&B is Emissions compliant in Cali.

 

[OCL]

Ford Performance tune for me. Works great.

I originally considered getting the FPT when I first bought my truck. But I had a hard time finding anyone who was qualified by Ford to do it. I called 2 local dealers and they were clueless. I called a so called ASE Certified repair shop and same thing. I gave up too soon.

After installing my Livernois MS tune, I can understand their hesitation (and mine). It's not just plug and play. You have to focus on what you're doing, not hurry, and be patient. Most of all, follow instructions! It only took me less than an hour to do the work (not counting waiting for Livernois to send back my actual tune).

 

[OCL]

Following.

I've had two mustangs tuned. One was a '95 and I think it needed a chip swap? The other was a 2009.
My '17 already has plenty of power, and it's stick so that part is up to me.
Strange enough that when I bought my Ranger, a tune never crossed my mind, until lately. I blame everyone here for this expense. Damn you guys! Thank you.

I have high performance motorcycles so I never really thought about wanting my Ranger to be a Hot Rod. That's what my bikes are for. But every time I drove my Ranger on road trips, I'd always be reminded of its performance shortcomings due to software Programming. This same motor on the Explorer is rated at 300. On the Mustang it's rated at 310. Why on my Ranger is it held back to 270 with a lazy and gear skipping 10-speed automatic? I didn't buy the truck to save money on gas! I can ride my bike and get 41 mpg, or easily get even a V6 powered sedan at 25 mpg. That feeling just kept marinating in my head with each passing road trip. So I'm giving up 50+ hp and tolerating a lazy transmission so I can get the measly 19 mpg? Screw that BS.

 

[got3fords]

Yes - the soft shift is a more gentle shift. The non soft shift is a firmer shift. If you ever drove a car with a shift kit in it, the non soft shift feels more like that. Not what I'd call hard, just firmer.

I did it hoping it might help reduce wear on the transmission. A soft shift is a slip and slip causes wear. I don't know if it will help but I figure it can't hurt.

I believe the proper term Livernois uses is softer shift. It is softer than their non-softer shift, but it is still stiffer than stock. It does not soften it.

 

[My12SecRanger]

In my horsepower journey I have tried the top 3 tuners for the ranger and spent close to 2000 bucks on the different tunes, and so far in my opinion Revolution Automotive has been flawless, the power mpg and smiles per gallon were exactly what I was after.

 

[Rp930]

I originally considered getting the FPT when I first bought my truck. But I had a hard time finding anyone who was qualified by Ford to do it. I called 2 local dealers and they were clueless. I called a so called ASE Certified repair shop and same thing. I gave up too soon.

After installing my Livernois MS tune, I can understand their hesitation (and mine). It's not just plug and play. You have to focus on what you're doing, not hurry, and be patient. Most of all, follow instructions! It only took me less than an hour to do the work (not counting waiting for Livernois to send back my actual tune).

I threw caution to the wind and did it myself.

 

[got3fords]

I threw caution to the wind and did it myself.

Me too.

 

[Superspirit]

Me too, but I went and recertified for my ase engine repair and engine performance cert first. So mine was covered. But that was the mustang. The Ford tune wasn't approved for the 22my Ranger at the time and I couldn't live with the hesitation the truck had with factory tune.. so unleashed it was. Truck is out of warranty now so doesn't matter anymore .

 

[LB'sTremor]

I originally considered getting the FPT when I first bought my truck. But I had a hard time finding anyone who was qualified by Ford to do it. I called 2 local dealers and they were clueless. I called a so called ASE Certified repair shop and same thing. I gave up too soon.

After installing my Livernois MS tune, I can understand their hesitation (and mine). It's not just plug and play. You have to focus on what you're doing, not hurry, and be patient. Most of all, follow instructions! It only took me less than an hour to do the work (not counting waiting for Livernois to send back my actual tune).

What was not plug and play? Did you run into any kind of issues?

LB

 

[Frenchy]

What was not plug and play? Did you run into any kind of issues?

LB

The Ford performance tune is a bit picky due to the fact on how Ford wants you to do things. Livernoise on the other hand there's a bit simpler. Once you get the tuner box you plug into the truck and let it download information. It does take about 10 to 15 minutes. After that you send the information to livernois via email and they will respond with a new tune. You load that tune into the tuner box and then you're ready to go.

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