New girl with a SHO

[bpd1151]

Hummer Recovery Unit!

Ha! Now that caught my attention!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[2014 TUX/BL SHO]

Your SHO with our tuning with WHIP that pony all day long!

LOL

Nope, my SHO shall remain bone stock.

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Thanks for the info... I was kinda worried about the plugs (never done that before) but I think if I have a few hours on the weekend, I can do them. Not sure if I have all the right tools, but my neighbor always let's me borrow anything I need. He will even help me if I ask nicely!

I bet... I just moved to Georgia last year. Do you think we will have enough people to get a meet going in the summer?

 

[BoatSHO]

I bet... I just moved to Georgia last year. Do you think we will have enough people to get a meet going in the summer?

That would be fun! I think on the main page... there is a section for regional clubs. Nothing for Georgia specifically, but there is one for the Southeast.

 

[BoatSHO]

Ok, so another big "THANKS!" to Jaimie and LME. I received my parts just before Christmas.

So I have a few questions for the members who have installed these packages.

First, to install the thermostat... I want to do this when it's cold, right? (I would prefer not to get scarred for life with burns, ) Do I need to remove the tubing for the stock air box? I believe I found the thermostat location - right on the driver side... wasn't sure how tricky it was to get at? Also, if the engine is cold, will any coolant actually come out? Or will it be a dry adventure?
The other question I have is for the plugs, I tried taking one of the front plugs out as a test... and I couldn't get the coil pack to pop off the plug. I was even using a screwdriver to help pry it...but felt like I may break some plastic. So I stopped... any suggestions? Twisting and pulling didn't seem like it was working. Do I just need to put more "oomph" to it or is there a better technique? I don't want to snap any plastic pieces.

Anytime I feel like I might be about to break something or plastic might snap...I figure it's a good time to stop and ask around

The air filter and MAP sensor are straight forward... Once all the parts are on, I will upload my tune to the car.

 

[Charlie Blanko]

That would be fun! I think on the main page... there is a section for regional clubs. Nothing for Georgia specifically, but there is one for the Southeast.

Yeah, I seen that. We need to find someway we can have a meet out here... We are the southeast. Also, the LME tune... we don't have 93 octane out here in Georgia, right?

 

[BamSHO]

Yeah you need to tug on the old thermostat to get it out. Becareful not to damage the rubber ring, you will need to put that onto the new thermostat before reinstalling. You talking about the connector that plugs into the coil pack, or just getting the coil pack off the plug. If you get the connector off, you will just need to twist and pull to get the coil off the plug. It can be a pain in the butt. Put little dielectric grease into the end of the coil where the plug goes, will help it come off next time.

 

[SHOdded]

Expect some coolant loss when doing the TStat swap. You can try jacking up the car on the driver side beforehand to help minimize any loss, but plan on placing a cereal bowl (at least 1/2 quart or larger) underneath to catch spillage.

Did you pop the orange/red tab on the coil pack connector before trying to remove the COP from the spark plug? After that, just keep twisting the COP gently back & forth to loosen it. If you do lose the COB boot, it can be retrieved by a hemostat or extra long-nosed pliers. Replacement boots easily available at the dealer.

 

[BoatSHO]

Thanks! I will put some sort of container under the car to catch any coolant... than just add it back into the reservoir afterwards.

Well, yes, I popped the red lock clip down...then slid the electrical connector off the COP. I was tugging and twisting on just the COP and it didn't want to come off. So then I got a flat head screwdriver and tried prying it off. I have done spark plugs before (on different vehicles) and never seen them stuck on like this...so I wasn't sure. Also - just to note - on the front, far left (passenger side) COP. The red lock clip is missing... perhaps someone broke it off prior? Is that a replaceable clip?

 

[BamSHO]

I have two broken ones on my '13, I didn't it, not real worried about them now being there. Just tug and twist hard, they should come off.

 

[SHOdded]

The clip is not replaceable, you have to get the entire pigtail and splice it in. Stupid design, but there it is. I have looked around for just the orange/red clips, but they don't seem to be available.

 

[BoatSHO]

Well the plugs have gotten the best of me... I give up. I did all the other mods (except for the 3 bar MAP as I'm waiting to do that right before applying my tune). I am going to take it in to have the rear bank of 3 spark plugs installed. I snapped one of the coil packs trying to pry it out (the rear driver side to be precise). I was able to change the front 3... not easily though. It took a lot of prying and pulling to get them off the plugs. Keep in mind all you muscle men, I am using my girl strength here! So anyways. I will have the 3 rear changed... and then report back with the tune review!

 

[SHOdded]

Dang, sorry to hear that! Yeah, the rear driver side can be a PITA. While they do those, they can check to make sure it's not leaking oil, so it's actually a good thing! Hope to hear the "good news" soon

 

[BoatSHO]

When they call me with a price on the coil, I will have them check for any oil leaks. Thanks for the tip!

After picking it up, I will swap to my 3 bar MAP...then flash it. The shop was only about 4-5 miles away... I didn't have any issues with the 160* t-stat on my way up there. You don't think it will cause any issues having that installed without the tune flashed yet, do you?

 

[SHOdded]

Nope, you have it down pat. Really the only issue would be the 3 bar without a tune or a 3 bar tune without the sensor. You wouldn't be able to drive around in either of those cases anyway! You would get a first hand glimpse of a loud and obnoxious SHO

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

When they call me with a price on the coil, I will have them check for any oil leaks. Thanks for the tip!

After picking it up, I will swap to my 3 bar MAP...then flash it. The shop was only about 4-5 miles away... I didn't have any issues with the 160* t-stat on my way up there. You don't think it will cause any issues having that installed without the tune flashed yet, do you?

The 3BAR does require a tune. The tstat will cause the fans to turn on really early, and might cause a CEL. It won't hurt anything though

 

[BoatSHO]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

No problem

 

[BoatSHO]

Everything is installed! First let me just say - I am using the 87 octane tune just for now, until I have made it through two whole tanks of 93 octane, then I will switch and stay with the 93. So with that said, I am sure there is untapped potential (TQ&HP) yet to even experience!

Driving impressions. WOW. As others have stated, and just as with my Mustang... It's a totally different car with the package from Livernois Motorsports. Anyone on the fence... quit hemming and hawing, be like Nike, and just do it. You will not be disappointed. I am sure it is much more involved then my explanation... but I would describe it as the following. The turbo feel like you have doubled the boost (or at least 1.5x's!) and the transmission feels twice as strong (much better and firmer shifts). I did not install the CAI, as I don't have plans to further upgrade the exhaust. So I added a drop in higher flow filter (again, thanks to LME recommendation) which is non-oiled. I went with the plugs, t-stat and 3-bar MAP along with the mycal tuner and AEM filter. On a nice weekend, I plan to upload some videos... I will show the improved transmission, no more lag in the acceleration... removed "gear hunting".

Here is a side question - probably to others with the Livernois tune, or Jaimie - with the tune installed, is there any difference to driving with the gear shifter in "D" vs "S"? Not sure what the "S" stands for... sport? I would guess the car drives the same and I can just select normal "D" all the time?

Sidenote, after installing the tune, I began to have some minor issues with the myFord touch system (sync?). Mainly causing issues with the radio/sources/volume not responding. I am guessing that it was a result of touching the software of the car, but I don't think it was related to the tune at all. I ended up checking for updates from the Ford Owner website, and found that my sync was wwwwway out of date. After installing the update, it has been working flawless again. The only reason I think it was related to updating the car software was, prior to updating I experienced zero touch screen issues. But I could accept that it was blind coincidence due to how out of date the system was.

Now with the throttle response so much better and that "lag" removed... some serious v8 muscle cars better lookout. Seriously.

Thanks Jaimie and Livernois! One happy customer here!

 

[SHOdded]

Congrats on getting everything done and fixing the quirky MFT so quickly! Looking forward to those videos (hopefully with live commentary?)