Hey guys I just bought a 2015 ford Taurus sho

[Luhsleeper88]

I just bought this 2015 ford Taurus SHO and I have some questions. This is my first time owning a car and being able to add performance parts so it's bone stock right now with a small exhaust if that makes sense. To be honest I'm scared to tune it, add a open air intake AND maybe a new exhaust. I'm going to be having this car for a couple years and I was wondering how bad putting those parts on stunts the longevity. I was thinking about buying a peddle commander because that looks like a plug and play part, is that a good idea?. Also should I worry about getting performance fuel injectors or spark plugs? know about cars but in the car world I know nothing about cars so anything helps thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SM105K]

SM105K's Ownership/Performance/Maintenance Thread

First things first. Thank you Shodded for helping me with the information below. His knowledge and experience with this platform is immense. What to expect: Post one: General knowledge of the SHO and what to expect. Post two: The Story of M, my SHO. I posted all of my mods, current mods...

shoforum.com

Read the first page of that^

 

[SHOdded]

congrats and best of luck

 

[76FoMoCo]

A drop in k and n filter and a 93 tune power packb from a reputable tuner are your best bang for your buck!

 

[Luhsleeper88]

A drop in k and n filter and a 93 tune power packb from a reputable tuner are your best bang for your buck!

I’m pretty poor so idk about 93 tune but I think ima get a open air intake , tune and pedal commander. I’m also getting a nice sound system

This package https://www.stage3motorsports.com/s...-5l-ecoboost-phase-1-performance-package.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I’m pretty poor so idk about 93 tune but I think ima get a open air intake , tune and pedal commander. I’m also getting a nice sound system

This package https://www.stage3motorsports.com/s...-5l-ecoboost-phase-1-performance-package.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would not suggest that kit at all. Listen to the experience on here. First problem with that kit is you are going to an open air box. The factory box with a $65 K&N will flow more air then your stock turbos can and it will keep the hot engine bay air out. Second, you need a 3 bar sensor for a good tune. Third, looking at their dyno graph, you can already tell they are full of crap. They show about 290hp and 270ft-lb. With a tune they are claiming 325hp and 391ft-lb. Look at Gearhead Tunes, one of the tuners that is highly recommended on here. 300hp and 320ft-lb stock. With a proper 93 tune (which will include Auto Octane in case you can't get 93 every fill up, and some of the best shifting you can get), using the 3 bar that comes in their kit and the brand new plugs (that you probably need anyways) you will be looking at 345hp and 420ft-lb. In addition, it is only $624 instead of the $689 that the package you are looking at. Amazingly, that is $65 in savings, the perfect amount to buy a drop in K&N panel filter.

You will be much further ahead and much happier going this route. Then use the $300 you saved by not getting the pedal commander and do something like the AD mounts, a noisemaker delete, Drive Bright lights, H&R Springs, $300 more on your stereo, or get into things like a Sync 3 upgrade, adapters for ForScan, etc. Read the link the @SM105K posted and avoid blowing money on things you will regret later. This is a fairly well established platform and many of us of tried different things and shared the results.

https://www.ghtuning.com/product/2010-2019-sho-flex-explorer-sport-sct-x4-power-pack-package/
https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Air-F...qid=1695384630&sprefix=33-2395,aps,622&sr=8-3

 

[Luhsleeper88]

I would not suggest that kit at all. Listen to the experience on here. First problem with that kit is you are going to an open air box. The factory box with a $65 K&N will flow more air then your stock turbos can and it will keep the hot engine bay air out. Second, you need a 3 bar sensor for a good tune. Third, looking at their dyno graph, you can already tell they are full of crap. They show about 290hp and 270ft-lb. With a tune they are claiming 325hp and 391ft-lb. Look at Gearhead Tunes, one of the tuners that is highly recommended on here. 300hp and 320ft-lb stock. With a proper 93 tune (which will include Auto Octane in case you can't get 93 every fill up, and some of the best shifting you can get), using the 3 bar that comes in their kit and the brand new plugs (that you probably need anyways) you will be looking at 345hp and 420ft-lb. In addition, it is only $624 instead of the $689 that the package you are looking at. Amazingly, that is $65 in savings, the perfect amount to buy a drop in K&N panel filter.

You will be much further ahead and much happier going this route. Then use the $300 you saved by not getting the pedal commander and do something like the AD mounts, a noisemaker delete, Drive Bright lights, H&R Springs, $300 more on your stereo, or get into things like a Sync 3 upgrade, adapters for ForScan, etc. Read the link the @SM105K posted and avoid blowing money on things you will regret later. This is a fairly well established platform and many of us of tried different things and shared the results.

https://www.ghtuning.com/product/2010-2019-sho-flex-explorer-sport-sct-x4-power-pack-package/
https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Air-F...qid=1695384630&sprefix=33-2395,aps,622&sr=8-3

Thank you very much for all the info but you wouldn’t recommend the pedal commander? I really won’t be able to run 93 octane so is it worth still getting a tune for like 87 octane? Does the flash tune come with other tunes? I don’t want to do anything super crazy cause I’m terrified of breaking the car. I also want to hear that ecoboost spool is there anything that can help that without getting a CAI? Thank you again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[76FoMoCo]

The pedal commander and CIA are about the biggest waste of money you can do IMO. The GH 93 AO (auto octane) tune will adjust for what ever fuel type you put in it. BUT your just leaving power on the table by not at least running 91. Go to desk top mode on this site and you will be able to see every ones signature's, this is the place ppl put their mods. Give them a read and you will see a better picture of what works and what you don't see well.... you get the idea. And I will bet you don't find one with the commander in there. If you use a SCT device you can load many tunes from many tuners. They do not come with the tune pre loaded and the tunes are built on the strategy code for your car. you send the tuner the code and he will email you a tune back.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Thank you very much for all the info but you wouldn’t recommend the pedal commander? I really won’t be able to run 93 octane so is it worth still getting a tune for like 87 octane? Does the flash tune come with other tunes? I don’t want to do anything super crazy cause I’m terrified of breaking the car. I also want to hear that ecoboost spool is there anything that can help that without getting a CAI? Thank you again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Getting a proper tune, you won't need the Pedal Commander. Their product is a gimmick that uses word play. All it does is modify the signal from your pedal. It says it will accelerate faster. Basically it is just passing the signal along sooner. So when Ford looks at your pedal and sees little fluctuations, they have a millisecond delay to see if you continue commanding more throttle or to see if maybe your foot moved a tiny bit due to a bump in the road or you wiggling your toes, etc. This allows the car to feel smoother and actually get slightly better gas mileage because it is not constantly opening and closing the throttle to match every tiny movement. The Pedal Commander ignores this and sends every signal immediately and in some cases amplify it. So "technically" it is accelerating faster because the signal is sent sooner. On the flip side, the Eco setting "saves" gas by doing the opposite and adding more of a filter or delay to the signal.

Tell Gearhead what fuel you plan to run. The better fuels are obviously going to give you better performance even on a stock tune. Is the reason you won't run 93 because of cost or availability? Everywhere should have 90 or 91 available. The vehicle will detune itself if you use lower octane fuel. You will be fighting that by tuning the car. It will be diminished results for the same cost. The flash tune comes with a single tune but they will work with you to data log and revise the tune for your specific vehicle. The tune you are looking at will come with generic box tunes that work "well" for most cars like yours. It will not be as healthy in the long run for your car and you won't be as satisfied with the power for the cost as if you go with a proper tuner. There is a reason that package is not even discussed when people talk about tuning and performance. The only tune that is crazy and will break things are the companies that don't get recommended because of previous problems, cars that are not maintained, and people that are going for big numbers and pushing limits.

The quickest and easiest way to hear the car is a VTA mod. It will cost about $5. There is plenty about that on the site. I honestly couldn't hear much until I went with bigger turbos. I have had that same box you are looking at (it is not a CAI, it actually will take in hotter air and hurt performance), then I got the EPP Hot Pipes and Dual Intake. You have to think, this vehicle was marketed as a family car first. It is supposed to be quiet and comfortable. The SHO was a limited option that was to add a little more performance. You won't hear these cars like "performance" cars or vehicles with aftermarket turbos, BOV, etc.

 

[SM105K]

I would not suggest that kit at all. Listen to the experience on here. First problem with that kit is you are going to an open air box. The factory box with a $65 K&N will flow more air then your stock turbos can and it will keep the hot engine bay air out. Second, you need a 3 bar sensor for a good tune. Third, looking at their dyno graph, you can already tell they are full of crap. They show about 290hp and 270ft-lb. With a tune they are claiming 325hp and 391ft-lb. Look at Gearhead Tunes, one of the tuners that is highly recommended on here. 300hp and 320ft-lb stock. With a proper 93 tune (which will include Auto Octane in case you can't get 93 every fill up, and some of the best shifting you can get), using the 3 bar that comes in their kit and the brand new plugs (that you probably need anyways) you will be looking at 345hp and 420ft-lb. In addition, it is only $624 instead of the $689 that the package you are looking at. Amazingly, that is $65 in savings, the perfect amount to buy a drop in K&N panel filter.

You will be much further ahead and much happier going this route. Then use the $300 you saved by not getting the pedal commander and do something like the AD mounts, a noisemaker delete, Drive Bright lights, H&R Springs, $300 more on your stereo, or get into things like a Sync 3 upgrade, adapters for ForScan, etc. Read the link the @SM105K posted and avoid blowing money on things you will regret later. This is a fairly well established platform and many of us of tried different things and shared the results.

https://www.ghtuning.com/product/2010-2019-sho-flex-explorer-sport-sct-x4-power-pack-package/
https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Air-Filter-Performance-Replacement/dp/B001C4OB8U/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1OD3HGTR2M6UW&keywords=33-2395&qid=1695384630&sprefix=33-2395,aps,622&sr=8-3

Logic....stop that.

 

[Majestic]

There's a guy on the

Ford Taurus SHO Owners Club​

on Facebook selling the 3 bar and tuner for $300.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I agree with @Ta2dResqr on everything here, I have read mixed opinions on the VTA mod and decided against it personally, but the tune and the K&N drop in filter are the perfect mild starter mods to wake these things up. maybe im off base on the tune since I cant speak from experience for these cars but Ive tuned plenty of other cars and its night and day and I know the x4 gives you the option to select what octane you're running and set parameters yourself as part of the "canned tune" rather than a custom tune but a custom tune can always be downloaded later. avoid the pedal commander and invest in a reputable tuner. as far as the filter, I just dropped a K&N factory replacement in the box and call me crazy but with the windows down and not a lot of ambient noise, you can hear the turbos lol. for price, longevity, and effectiveness, go with a tune and drop in filter first, those are the least likely to upset the car, as said above, there is a lot to learn from on this forum and I recommend listening to them.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I agree with @Ta2dResqr on everything here, I have read mixed opinions on the VTA mod and decided against it personally, but the tune and the K&N drop in filter are the perfect mild starter mods to wake these things up. maybe im off base on the tune since I cant speak from experience for these cars but Ive tuned plenty of other cars and its night and day and I know the x4 gives you the option to select what octane you're running and set parameters yourself as part of the "canned tune" rather than a custom tune but a custom tune can always be downloaded later. avoid the pedal commander and invest in a reputable tuner. as far as the filter, I just dropped a K&N factory replacement in the box and call me crazy but with the windows down and not a lot of ambient noise, you can hear the turbos lol. for price, longevity, and effectiveness, go with a tune and drop in filter first, those are the least likely to upset the car, as said above, there is a lot to learn from on this forum and I recommend listening to them.

On this platform, the SCT does not come with any canned tunes from SCT. Sadly that is how some places make people feel their tune is "custom". They get your strategy code and program it to your car. Basically, they make it compatible. However, if they do not discuss revisions and data logging, they are just giving you an off the shelf canned tune or base map tune. There also is not much to adjust on the programmer itself. It all depends what the tuner leaves unlocked. I have seen tire size options, and a couple other minor things. Most of it is done within the program when the tuner is writing your tune.

I agree on the VTA mod. I had it for a little while, then I went back to stock. I even put it on the new EPP pipes when I got them. I also had the noisemaker delete to quiet it down a little bit.

 

[Luhsleeper88]

I think im looking for a reliable daily driver with 400 overall hp. so i just need a 3 bar tune and k&n filter? i cannot be willing to fill up 93 oct so im looking for more 87 oct. what else do i need to achieve these goals. im also adding about a 1,600 dollar sound system and i want to get new rims.

 

[76FoMoCo]

I think im looking for a reliable daily driver with 400 overall hp. so i just need a 3 bar tune and k&n filter? i cannot be willing to fill up 93 oct so im looking for more 87 oct. what else do i need to achieve these goals. im also adding about a 1,600 dollar sound system and i want to get new rims.

Do you have E85 available?

 

[Luhsleeper88]

Do you have E85 available?

I do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Just my opinion but I don't think you're going to crest 400 horse on 87 without some internal upgrades. The advertised 365 horse these cars came with was achieved on 93. The ecm cuts back timing according to the fuel it senses and horsepower goes with it. Wouldn't be surprised if these things are closer to the 350 355 mark on 87. Meaning you have to pick up 50 horse with an air filter and tune, I just don't see it, I don't see it even on 93.

Maybe with some exhaust work to really reduce restrictions, a proper true COLD air intake, a really good tune and run it on 93 you might get close.

I'm sure the experience on this site will have some direction for you but I think the real question is your budget. If you're dead set against running 93 because of cost then the modifications needed to reach 400 on 87 would be way more expensive and invasive considering the car recommends 93 in stock form.

My advice, if you dont want the 93 obligation is to leave it stock and enjoy the stereo, they're quick as is and decently reliable as long as you keep up with maintenance both routine and preventative.

 

[shoblock]

Ordered my '15 SHO early in 2015. Read my signature for mods. I wanted a 13.0 work car and got it. The surprise is that with tuning it passes echeck and gets over 22 mpg! Try that with '60's muscle car. (I'm that old and i have. None of them comes close) My SHO now has 99,000 miles. When I got it echecked last month, the guy told me I had to start it up so he could plug it in. I told him it was already running, and he didn't believe me. Yes, it's that smooth and quiet after being tuned for the last 80,000 miles. My daily habit for three years when I worked, was to run it wide open uphill on the I-71 entrance ramp, and let off at about 105. Yup, every day! It will still beat or stay close to most V-8's, and my wife likes to take it grocery shopping! Don't worry about modest mods hurting your car. Just change the oil. Did I mention oil changes are essential. Whatever you do, change the oil!!
SHOBLOCK

 

[76FoMoCo]

I do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

e85 is 108 octane (in most cases) and you can add 2-3 gal to a tank btw.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Ordered my '15 SHO early in 2015. Read my signature for mods. I wanted a 13.0 work car and got it. The surprise is that with tuning it passes echeck and gets over 22 mpg! Try that with '60's muscle car. (I'm that old and i have. None of them comes close) My SHO now has 99,000 miles. When I got it echecked last month, the guy told me I had to start it up so he could plug it in. I told him it was already running, and he didn't believe me. Yes, it's that smooth and quiet after being tuned for the last 80,000 miles. My daily habit for three years when I worked, was to run it wide open uphill on the I-71 entrance ramp, and let off at about 105. Yup, every day! It will still beat or stay close to most V-8's, and my wife likes to take it grocery shopping! Don't worry about modest mods hurting your car. Just change the oil. Did I mention oil changes are essential. Whatever you do, change the oil!!
SHOBLOCK

That's all I'm personally doing, tune and the filter, solid fun comfortable commuter that keeps up with 90% of what's on the road. Take care of it, it'll take care of you.