Benefits of a Tune after CAI and exhaust?

[DrummerAmos]

Hi guys,

Full disclosure, I’m not interested in racing my truck on the street or track. Just want to optimize its performance for daily driving and basic off-road use.

Just wondering if there’s much benefit to an aftermarket tune or even the new Ford Performance tune for the Ranger after installing a few things.

My current mods are: Roush CAI, AWE 0FG CB exhaust, TurboSmart Kompact BOV, 2.5” leveling kit,+ wheels and tire upgrades to 285/70/17.

I see a lot of custom tunes for the Ranger that are 87-91octane daily driver/tow and also performance variations....
Question is, will my truck benefit from a basic tune? I run 87 octane here in Phoenix as recommended by Ford. Since I’ve done those upgrades, will a basic tune help me at all? For example, if I tune it for 87 octane -daily driver+tow, will I see an improvement in performance? I also realize that the Ford Performance tune offers a gain of 45 hp/60lbs of torque. But again I’m not looking to run 91 octane unless I’m probably towing something. I want this truck to last a long time.

Again I’m not opposed to tuning, just want to know if I will notice any significant difference with a basic tune after the the upgrades mentioned above.

Let me know what think.

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[FULLSCALE]

I don’t have the answers you‘re looking for but I’ve been thinking about the same questions. I’m not interested in running 91 all the time but wouldn’t mind a little more power and maybe even better fuel mileage. Hopefully bumping this back to the top will get some answers!

 

[Frenchy]

Overall you can see a lot of benefit with a tune whether it's with or without those upgrade you've already done. I myself have already gotten a tune from livernois's for my truck. I don't have any other modifications with the exception of bigger tires and a lift by old man emu. If you were to get a tune from a reputable tuner like Livernois you should be in pretty good shape the main thing is you just have to inform them what you have already done. Also even though Ford says you can run 87 in the truck I would highly suggest running 91 in the truck. You will see a better response overall on the truck and have a chance to get better MPG on it. For the mpg I would expect a game of 1 to 2 at best. With a tune you can expect to get even more with that. That is my suggestion to you

 

[Frenchy]

I will also add that if you look in the owner's manual it will state for better performance and or Towing to use 91 or higher. From Livernois besides just a performance tune you can also get a towing tune. I personally use a towing tune as my daily driver especially since I have the mountains to pull up here in the Rockies. The tow tune provides nice low and mid-range torque and I don't have to change my tune for When I do tow.

 

[FoD]

...

Let me know what think.

Always liked that style of dog mod

 

[Sandman Ranger]

Let's put it this way.
All those other items are nothing compared to a tune.
Turbo's become monsters with a tune only. The other stuff adds fluff.
Downpipe maybe a good option.
A tuned Ranger does not have to be a race car. The extra HP adds acceleration for getting on an interstate. Better control, having power to enter and move in traffic. The extra HP also helps interstate cruising speed. Makes it easy to maintain speed. But depending on tune, run better gas. If you want to run 87, then maybe you really do not need a tune. You really do not need a turbo. Just buy a 2.5L NA something car.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

Another thing to consider with a tune is adjustments to transmission. This ranks right up there with hp/tq gains in my opinion.

 

[AzScorpion]

Hi guys,

Full disclosure, I’m not interested in racing my truck on the street or track. Just want to optimize its performance for daily driving and basic off-road use.

Just wondering if there’s much benefit to an aftermarket tune or even the new Ford Performance tune for the Ranger after installing a few things.

My current mods are: Roush CAI, AWE 0FG CB exhaust, TurboSmart Kompact BOV, 2.5” leveling kit,+ wheels and tire upgrades to 285/70/17.

I see a lot of custom tunes for the Ranger that are 87-91octane daily driver/tow and also performance variations....
Question is, will my truck benefit from a basic tune? I run 87 octane here in Phoenix as recommended by Ford. Since I’ve done those upgrades, will a basic tune help me at all? For example, if I tune it for 87 octane -daily driver+tow, will I see an improvement in performance? I also realize that the Ford Performance tune offers a gain of 45 hp/60lbs of torque. But again I’m not looking to run 91 octane unless I’m probably towing something. I want this truck to last a long time.

Again I’m not opposed to tuning, just want to know if I will notice any significant difference with a basic tune after the the upgrades mentioned above.

Let me know what think.

Hi Amos, I will be getting my MyCalibrator tuner box tomorrow from Livernois so hopefully by the end of the week it should be up and running. I've been running 87 here in Phoenix too but just recently switched to 91. What I like about the Livernois tune is they will send you all these tunes to use, 91-93 performance, 91-93 performance soft shift, 85-87 performance, and 85-87 soft shift plus they have a tow tune but I don't need that one. This way you can change tunes when you want and see which one runs best for you. I'm going to start with the 91-93 performance, might as well start with the maximum one and see what this truck can do. ?

 

[Aragorn]

Ford’s head engineer for this Ranger has said that just running 93 octane brings the engine up to around 300 horsepower. That’s a 30 horsepower bump just from the better fuel.

it sounds like you are dead set on not running premium fuel except when you are towing. For the price, instead of adding a tune, it would probably be more worthwhile to simply start always running premium fuel.

I recommend watching this video that explains the differences between the fuel types. It might surprise you. Link. Premium provides no additional energy, it simply allows your engine to run at a higher compression level without knocking, which will arguably keep your Ranger in good shape for a longer period of time.

 

[DrummerAmos]

Ford’s head engineer for this Ranger has said that just running 93 octane brings the engine up to around 300 horsepower. That’s a 30 horsepower bump just from the better fuel.

it sounds like you are dead set on not running premium fuel except when you are towing. For the price, instead of adding a tune, it would probably be more worthwhile to simply start always running premium fuel.

I recommend watching this video that explains the differences between the fuel types. It might surprise you. Link. Premium provides no additional energy, it simply allows your engine to run at a higher compression level without knocking, which will arguably keep your Ranger in good shape for a longer period of time.

Thanks for the input guys,
I’m not opposed to running higher octane. I just don’t want to if I don’t need to or if it’s not really necessary.

It sounds like I would benefit from just simply increasing octane and a tune.

There’s a lot of hype and gimmick in products and I just want to make sure that the tune is something that I would definitely benefit from. I like performance just as much as anybody. I just don’t want to tear up this engine. I really like this truck and it will get used well on and off road. Want it to last.
So sounds like I would benefit from a tune. You have made that clear for very practical reasons: fuel economy, towing, shifting and power. That’s what I wanted to know.

I’ve had the Livernoir tuner in the shopping cart for a couple day’s waiting to see what consensus is.
Thx guys.

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for the input guys,
I’m not opposed to running higher octane. I just don’t want to if I don’t need to or if it’s not really necessary.

It sounds like I would benefit from just simply increasing octane and a tune.

There’s a lot of hype and gimmick in products and I just want to make sure that the tune is something that I would definitely benefit from. I like performance just as much as anybody. I just don’t want to tear up this engine. I really like this truck and it will get used well on and off road. Want it to last.
So sounds like I would benefit from a tune. You have made that clear for very practical reasons: fuel economy, towing, shifting and power. That’s what I wanted to know.

I’ve had the Livernoir tuner in the shopping cart for a couple day’s waiting to see what consensus is.
Thx guys.

I procrastinated it for almost a year and after countless reading I went with the Livernois tune. I was going back and forth between that one and Unleashed (which is Mac compatible) but liked the idea of having phone support, unlimited tunes and free re-tune when you sell and get another vehicle, you just pay for shipping the tuner box back.

Both tuners are top notch but if I have any issues (which seems to usually happen) I like to be able to talk with a live person who can walk me through it opposed to emailing back and forth. Plus the $100.00 off right now is an added bonus!

 

[slickville dave]

Hi guys,

Full disclosure, I’m not interested in racing my truck on the street or track. Just want to optimize its performance for daily driving and basic off-road use.

Just wondering if there’s much benefit to an aftermarket tune or even the new Ford Performance tune for the Ranger after installing a few things.

My current mods are: Roush CAI, AWE 0FG CB exhaust, TurboSmart Kompact BOV, 2.5” leveling kit,+ wheels and tire upgrades to 285/70/17.

I see a lot of custom tunes for the Ranger that are 87-91octane daily driver/tow and also performance variations....
Question is, will my truck benefit from a basic tune? I run 87 octane here in Phoenix as recommended by Ford. Since I’ve done those upgrades, will a basic tune help me at all? For example, if I tune it for 87 octane -daily driver+tow, will I see an improvement in performance? I also realize that the Ford Performance tune offers a gain of 45 hp/60lbs of torque. But again I’m not looking to run 91 octane unless I’m probably towing something. I want this truck to last a long time.

Again I’m not opposed to tuning, just want to know if I will notice any significant difference with a basic tune after the the upgrades mentioned above.

Let me know what think.

great pics of camp. my lab peanut would be upstairs with me how long dose it take to fold up and move to new spot pretty cool

 

[Lost19Ranger]

I will add with livernois you can tell them all of your mods and they will have your tune custom to your mods.

 

[DrummerAmos]

I will add with livernois you can tell them all of your mods and they will have your tune custom to your mods.

Update to my original post. I got the Livernois tune for my Ranger back in September.

After talking to Anthony at Livernois the tune is single-handedly the biggest adjustment you can make to your Ranger.

*** special note*** I at first was not to impressed with the tune. So I called Livernois and they explained that you have to turn TC off and shift to “S”(sport) to unleash your new tune.
Otherwise your fighting the TC to deliver the untapped power your paying for.

Special note about BOV’s in particular, Livernois recommended I install the stock BOV to IMPROVE, yes, that’s right IMPROVE performance. I was losing performance with the aftermarket BOV. They are purely for your listening pleasure on a truck like this; they take too long to build up boost after releasing pressure. Anthony plainly explained that the stock BOV’s are designed so well that they are more efficient and manage boost better. Unless your building a real race truck forget it. —-that’s what I was told from a guy who’s been tuning for many years day in and day out. I have no reason to not believe him. I could have spent a lot more money at Livernois.

Overall, no regrets. I smile every time I drive my truck. It’s flat out fun.

Sorry for the long post, but hope someone might find this helpful.

 

[DrummerAmos]

great pics of camp. my lab peanut would be upstairs with me how long dose it take to fold up and move to new spot pretty cool

It takes a few minutes to fold up and secure. What takes a while is packing the annex. Probably spend 10min folding the annex then stuffing it into its duffel bag storage.
So about 20min + or - a few.

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