Deciding on a tuner

[Sho_Ride]

I have read several posts on the selection of tuners and I still find myself unsure of whats best for my needs. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. So I will start by saying that what I want is a boost in engine performance, not a small boost but also not necessarily a huge one either. I am slightly to severely ignorant as to the numbers I can gain in increments but lets play with a 50 - 75 HP increase.
I am also looking for a quality unit with good customer support and equally as important is ease of use. I like to wrench on my cars and can do many of the simpler jobs but I do not posses the knowledge or experience a lot of the members here seem to have.
To help with your replies I have narrowed it down to Livernois and Unleashed.

 

[Ohitsreggie]

If you decide to go with livernois, I have a unit available.

 

[ridered74]

Either one will take about a second off your 0-60 time.

I would recommend visiting youtube and searching for "how to datalog your car", because that is what you will need to do with unleashed to get the most out of your tune. If that looks like too much for you to handle, go with Livernois.

I have both and I run my Livernois tune permanently. The unleashed tune ran higher boost levels and there was a noticeable difference in sound (more whoosh whoosh turbo noises) with the unleashed tune. Those things make me thing for long term engine/turbo life, those parts will probably last longer with the LMS tune. That's pure speculation on my part, but as someone who has spent the last 25 years fixing things for a living, no matter what the object is, things wear out quicker the closer to the edge you run them.

If you think you might want to try out other tuners, you will want to go the unleashed route as that tuning device is used by pretty much all the other tuners. I'm pretty sure both tuners will make changes to your tune later down the road if you make other changes to your car. I know LMS does that, not 100% sure about unleashed.

As far as what to expect, I took a coworker for a ride today in my car. When I nailed it after a stop light, all he could say was "holy sh*t this thing is crazy". I still giggle to myself a little bit every time I floor it from a stop.

 

[Sho_Ride]

Great info RideRed, Thanks! I just read your other post on this issue about 15 minutes ago and it has made up my mind to go with the LMS.

@Ohitsreggie, are you selling a used LMS tuner and if so can you send me info?

 

[limited02]

While either will do the job, Livernois sounds more like the one you want. You upload the tune and enjoy. I've been running them for the last 25-30k miles and I'm a fan for life.

 

[Sho_Ride]

While either will do the job, Livernois sounds more like the one you want. You upload the tune and enjoy. I've been running them for the last 25-30k miles and I'm a fan for life.

I think so too. I have an opportunity to buy a used one including a used thermostat but after reading some posts on the cost of resetting it to my vehicle ($300 plus shipping ) there isn't much of a savings. I am looking at saving between $50- $75 over buying it new. Does't seem worth it for such a small amount to save.

What do you think?

 

[Sho_Ride]

My mistake, it does not come with thermostat, it comes with a used 3 bar map.

 

[brucelinc]

You will be very happy with Livernois. If you really want to be involved in the tuning process and like the idea of datalogging, there are other options but when it is all said and done, Livernois is hard to beat.

 

[OgreSmash]

If you decide to go with livernois, I have a unit available.

how much you wanting for the tuner unit?

 

[Lostneye]

I agree with the above. I will add you should at the least inspect the plugs and check the gap if not replace them. I would also grab a 3 bar MAP to add with the tune.

 

[limited02]

I think so too. I have an opportunity to buy a used one including a used thermostat but after reading some posts on the cost of resetting it to my vehicle ($300 plus shipping ) there isn't much of a savings. I am looking at saving between $50- $75 over buying it new. Does't seem worth it for such a small amount to save.

What do you think?

A savings is a savings! I too bought mine used, but bought the 170 thermostat, 3-bar sensor and spark plugs new. Got the thermostat from stage3motorsports and sensor/plugs from Rock auto. All said and done, about $615. I've run a best of 13.3 last fall and going next month to see if I can improve.

 

[Sho_Ride]

O00ps I hit the send button by mistake. Anyways..... 3 bar is on the way, thermostat and plugs ordered today. I spoke with Anthony at Livernois yesterday at length and it only strengthened my decision to go with a LMS tuner. Livernois simply knows this platform too well and has earned this knowledge of the 3.5 ecoboost through trial and dedication. I opened up the hood yesterday and took the cover off to get it all prepared. I am also using this time to clean it all up and do some visual mods to it, maybe? You wouldn't believe all the things that can accumulate on top of the block but the most surprising thing was the 2 pecans I found.

I am so anxious to get her tuned and take her for a ride through some of the Texas hill country roads.

 

[Sho_Ride]

I just ordered the LMS tuner and 160 thermostat plus a set of front rotors to do a 2013+ front brake upgrade. Still in the process of detailing as much of the engine bay as I can, changing plugs and possibly looking into a fluid change for the PTU. I have never taken on so much at once but I have to admit it is as fun as it is frightening. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[yo tony]

Something else to Ponder for u. I have tunes by unleashed, brew city boost and ajp. They are unique and have very different driving characteristics. It feels like I have a different car each time I switch a tune. So if you are like me and get bored with stuff easily may I suggest going with an sct4 and having lots of options

 

[Sho_Ride]

Something else to Ponder for u. I have tunes by unleashed, brew city boost and ajp. They are unique and have very different driving characteristics. It feels like I have a different car each time I switch a tune. So if you are like me and get bored with stuff easily may I suggest going with an sct4 and having lots of options

I already ordered the LMS tuner along with 3 bar, 160 tstat and new plugs. I installed the plugs last night and just posted about it. Unlike you and many others on here I am not a qualified and certified gearhead. I just don't have the knowledge, experience or vocabulary that you guys have. Ease of use was a main consideration of why I choose LMS but not the only. The other reasons were prior customer satisfaction and customer support. Almost everyone using LMS were extremely satisfied with the results. I also called them to get some info and I spoke with Anthony at ext #103, and was impressed with his knowledge of the platform. You could immediately tell Livernois is dedicated and passionate about the ecoboost and I feel comfortable using them to whip my SHO into shape.
Thanks for your input.....Everyone!!

 

[boogs5150]

I had an SCT X4 from a previous vehicle so I used the preloaded tune from SCT on my 2010 SHO when I got it. It makes a HUGE difference, super quick. Throttle response is improved greatly too. Weird thing is that the shift pressure cannot be controlled from 1-2 shift which didn't make sense to me. I went with Unleashed (Torrie) and had the tune the same day. The throttle response isn't as touchy as SCT's but he can control the pressure's in all gears. Plus he can support you in the future with the 3Bar and Thermostat since when the fan comes on needs changed. I'm an Unleashed fan, never had any other besides the preloaded ones.

 

[Sho_Ride]

I had an SCT X4 from a previous vehicle so I used the preloaded tune from SCT on my 2010 SHO when I got it. It makes a HUGE difference, super quick. Throttle response is improved greatly too. Weird thing is that the shift pressure cannot be controlled from 1-2 shift which didn't make sense to me. I went with Unleashed (Torrie) and had the tune the same day. The throttle response isn't as touchy as SCT's but he can control the pressure's in all gears. Plus he can support you in the future with the 3Bar and Thermostat since the fan needs changed. I'm an Unleashed fan

Hey boogs,
Thanks for the input, what do you mean by " the fan needs changed" ?

 

[boogs5150]

The tuner will have to change when your fan comes on to accommodate the cooler 170 degree thermostat is what I meant.

 

[Sho_Ride]

Right.....thought it meant another fan I needed to buy. Thanks for clarifying

 

[Stephen Lawrence]

Great thread, I too am looking to buy a tuner. This discussion helped me decide on Livernois. Question, does the tuner help with the fan adjustment or it there something else I need to do for that?
Another question, does a '15 SHO have an intercooler? I have not seen this yet?