GH versus Livernois

[Lowrider1976]

Really sorry for diluting the comment thread but I just have so many questions and cars are super technical.
- The current plugs I have are Ford and I want to say they are gapped at 0.030 (got them off Amazon a year ago, at the time I didn’t even know gapping plugs was a thing). Instead of spending $300 to have the GH gapped plugs installed (0.027 or whatever it is), could I just run my GH tune with my current plugs? Or is running GH with 0.030 gapped plugs really gonna ruin everything lol? Also - maybe this is the reason my Livernois tune is such sh*t? I find it hard to believe a 0.04 variation would be much of a HUGE difference but maybe I’m wrong?

Plug gaps are definitely important. Yes, that small of a difference even.

 

[76FoMoCo]

Find a local mechanic shop to have them change your plugs it's really not that tough of a job 20 minutes for a professional mechanic

 

[BigStu123]

SO. I’m not able to get in until June 1st to get the spark plugs changed. I impulsively reverted car back to stock and uploaded the GH tune labeled “6.5L Taurus”, but there was another option that said like “AO performance”, which I didn’t mess with. After it was done, I started my car and it rumbled for a second and bogged out so then I started it a second time and she idled, but when I went to shift into reverse or drive it was BAD (kinda felt like trying to shift when your car is set to stock and you forgot to take the 3BAR map sensor off for those that have ever felt that). Anyways, idk why this was. I’m gonna call GH tomorrow and ask. Maybe I was supposed to choose the AO performance option, or maybe spark plugs have something to do with shifting into reverser drive (although I doubt not having the spark plugs in would cause this). Any thoughts? I also reset the KAMs too..

 

[BigStu123]

I’m realizing now that, in their website it says “2013+ will use AO”. So that’s probably the issue I’d presume, is that I needed to choose AO.

 

[76FoMoCo]

You are completely mechanically and not inclined correct?

 

[BigStu123]

What do you mean lol

 

[76FoMoCo]

What do you mean lol

Can you run a wrench that's the question yes or no?

 

[Majestic]

We've been trolled.

 

[BigStu123]

i can… I’m not trolling we all got strengths and weakness lol. This is all new for me prett much :/

 

[Ta2dResqr]

SO. I’m not able to get in until June 1st to get the spark plugs changed. I impulsively reverted car back to stock and uploaded the GH tune labeled “6.5L Taurus”, but there was another option that said like “AO performance”, which I didn’t mess with. After it was done, I started my car and it rumbled for a second and bogged out so then I started it a second time and she idled, but when I went to shift into reverse or drive it was BAD (kinda felt like trying to shift when your car is set to stock and you forgot to take the 3BAR map sensor off for those that have ever felt that). Anyways, idk why this was. I’m gonna call GH tomorrow and ask. Maybe I was supposed to choose the AO performance option, or maybe spark plugs have something to do with shifting into reverser drive (although I doubt not having the spark plugs in would cause this). Any thoughts? I also reset the KAMs too..

AO Performance is Auto Octane Performance. That is your GearHead tune. I would suggest you replace your plugs. You will also need to make sure that your GH tune is set to the correct MAP. Did Livernois put a 2.5 Bar or 3 Bar in with the previous tune? I have never seen 6.5L Taurus on any tuner. The 6.5L is a Turbo Diesel from the SuperDuty pickups.

 

[Lowrider1976]

AO Performance is Auto Octane Performance. That is your GearHead tune. I would suggest you replace your plugs. You will also need to make sure that your GH tune is set to the correct MAP. Did Livernois put a 2.5 Bar or 3 Bar in with the previous tune? I have never seen 6.5L Taurus on any tuner. The 6.5L is a Turbo Diesel from the SuperDuty pickups.

I assumed 6.5 was a typo but if not that's definitely not going to work lol.

 

[BigStu123]

AO Performance is Auto Octane Performance. That is your GearHead tune. I would suggest you replace your plugs. You will also need to make sure that your GH tune is set to the correct MAP. Did Livernois put a 2.5 Bar or 3 Bar in with the previous tune? I have never seen 6.5L Taurus on any tuner. The 6.5L is a Turbo Diesel from the SuperDuty pickups.

I currently have a 3BAR on there now from the previous livernois tune and I told the gentleman on the phone when he took my strategy code and everything. But I haven’t messed around with any of the settings on the tuner… do you recommend something? Thanks.

 

[SM105K]

I recommend doing what GH says. Installing the supplied plugs and installing the correct tune is the correct thing. The plugs are a stage colder. Below is the reason why you need to run colder plugs.

A colder plug transfers heat faster while a hotter plug is slower. The goal is to keep the cylinder temperature between 550*c and 800*c which is about 1020*f to 1470*f. This temperature range is cool enough to prevent knock and not melt the plug tip, but still hot enough to burn off the carbon and prevent fouling.

Gap is extremely important. If the gap is too big, boost coming into the cylinder can literally blow out the spark before it ignites the fuel air mixture. That fouls plugs and creates misfires. Tightening the GAP corrects this. I run my plugs in the my SHO at .028 and .024 in my turbo 2JZ.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I currently have a 3BAR on there now from the previous livernois tune and I told the gentleman on the phone when he took my strategy code and everything. But I haven’t messed around with any of the settings on the tuner… do you recommend something? Thanks.

There should be very few settings you can change when you load the correct tune. I think GH allows tire size and maybe 1 or 2 other items. I would install the recommended plugs at the recommended gap and then load the tunes following GH and the SCT instructions. Having had a GH tune, it will work great and you should be very happy with the results.

As @SM105K stated, running the wrong plugs can lead to many problems. Hot plugs can lead to LSPI or pre-ignition. To big of a gap will result in misfire or spark blowout. One can result in piston failure and is ******* the motor. The other can lead to cylinder wash down.

When modifying, there are often a host of components that need to be changed at once for a safe, reliable change.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Glad to hear. I’ll have to look into it. It’s just annoying that I already have the livernois tune, so risking to buy the GH tune which is probably like what $600 maybe more?

And here we find one of the major dilemmas (among many) of doing business with that clown show called Livernois. You won't have that issue with GH. Let's say, on the off chance you decided to switch to another tuner after having tried GH..all you'll have to do is buy a tune and not the device. H-e-l-l, you can even have tunes from multiple tuners loaded onto your SCT if you wanted. Livernois locks you into their business model...pretty predatory and once you jump ship, you'll now own a paperweight for a device as no one buys their device used. It just is not supported by anyone other than them.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

What exactly is a kam reset and how would I do that? Sorry! Lol

Keep Alive Memory...in simple terms, it's some parameters that are retained in the memory of the vehicle, even when doing a tune reload.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

What’s the main difference with the livewire? Besides it being a screen and not a normal looking tuner device lol. Just better over functionality/looks cooler?

And supported by the industry, meaning if you ever wanted to use another tuning shop (GH is great, but there are others), you don't need to repurchase a device. You can also load tunes from multiple shops onto the device at the same time if you want. IE....daily tune from GH, a race tune from AJP, a fuel economy tune from Ortiz, etc....(those where simply examples, btw).

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Appreciate your input man! I just called Ford and they said “$300 of labor to replace spark plugs”. Like bro. And the dude also recommended that I replace the gasket as well? Because it can “create problems if you put it back on” and “those gaskets are one time use usually”. Is this accurate or just the dealership tryna get more out of me? He said the manifold or whatever has a gasket that needs to come off to replace spark plugs. I thought spark plugs was a job I could probably do myself anyways just wanted to call and see how much it would be.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I had a LMS tune on my first SHO. I then went with a GH and SCT. I was so much happier. I currently have an Ortiz tune on my car. On my SCT I have GH and Ortiz available. I may try AJP in the future. I just like to try different options. That being said, bouncing tuners only costs $100-200 after buying the SCT. It is just that initial jump that hits hard.

As far as plugs, I have changed coils and plugs on both SHO I have had. I have never taken the manifold off. Pull the big beauty cover off (literally pull, it is a push connect, no bolts) and your coils are right there. Do you end up swapping extensions and universals depending on the cylinder? Yeah. Book time is only 1.6 hours and they remove charge pipes, etc. I just loosen some mounts and move them out of the way.

 

[Zpak]

Honestly Cordell, these are the simplest modern car plugs I’ve ever done. Do a little research, maybe search a video and give it a try. Since you’re obviously interested in the performance of your car I’m sure you’ll find it’s rewarding to do some of this stuff yourself. Two rules of thumb when doing plugs... one, don’t over tighten. And two, a small dab of dielectric grease and anti seize are your friend. If you run into a snag, someone will be here to lend advice.