Joining the "TUNED" world!

[Citationdoc]

Greetings all!
I've been lurking around the site for about 9 months now, just trying to learn as much as I can about my dream car. I've got a '13 non-PP Gem Green Metallic, purchased Jan 2015 with 37K miles. I just rolled it over to 75K! Being in rural KS, it's 30 miles to go ANYWHERE so the miles pile on FAST! I finally decided to take the plunge with some of the tax return; Called up Jamie at LMS, and ordered the Stage 1 package. Windstorm CAI, 160 TS, 3 Bar MAP, precision gapped plugs, and of course the TUNE(s)! I'm REALLY looking forward to the results. Can't say enough good things about the folks at LMS. Both Jamie and Jason patiently answered my "newbie" questions and clarified all the things I wasn't sure about. I'll be sitting out on my front porch now till the FedEx man shows up with my box of goodies!

I'm getting ready to try and service my PTU, but terrified of what I'll find based on some of the things I've seen here and the EcoBoost site. Anybody got any good advice on changing the PTU, tranny, and rear differential fluid? Any and all help GREATLY appreciated! I've really come to love this car, and hope to keep it for years to come. Already starting an "engine reserve" fund in anticipation of replacing it. I figure at the rate I drive (35K/yr give or take), I'll be looking at needing a new engine in about 2 years. In the meantime I want to keep everything else in as tip-top condition as I can. I currently run Royal Purple engine oil and change it whenever the car yells at me to do so, seems to be around 10K. However, Jason at LMS advised that I can probably just go with a filter change every 3K or so, and a full oil change at a considerably longer interval.
Thoughts, comments, snide remarks?

I greatly appreciate the help of all of you more experienced and knowledgeable than I! I'm a whiz turning a wrench on Jets, but new to this ground flyer!

Cheers!

 

[SHOdded]

Welcome sir, glad to have you and your SHO on the forum, especially a GGM color SHO The car is just a baby with 75K. These engines should last a while, just don't buy into the "lifetime" c*** that Ford doles out in their maintenance schedules. A tune should help it run better too!

As far as the PTU, experience varies. It will be somewhat easier to change the fluid on an non-PP SHO. If they filled it properly at the factory, you may be in luck! The PTU takes the brunt of the action because a) it distributes the power, and b) there is so little fluid capacity. The RDU fluid tends to last longer because the demand on it is not so high, and the capacity is significantly greater. Still, doing PTU and RDU fluids at the same time is not a bad idea if you actually drive the SHO like a performance car.

I would NOT extend the OC interval AT ALL. You want to save your engine, don't skimp on the oil changes. Yes, with oils meant to run 15-25K, you can go over 10K (with filter changes as noted in between), but let a UOA guide you in that regard. Do not depend on the IOLM. The IOLM is hardly the Oracle when it comes to keeping the original engine. It is not at all uncommon to see SHO fanatics changing oil/filter even with extended drain oil at 5-7K, just because they will not take chances with the turbos, the timing components, the engine, you name it.

Also get a trans flush done, the mileage is low enough. Then you can do drain/fill at 30K intervals (or sooner if preferred).

 

[Citationdoc]

Thanx for the quick reply Sir! Just to be sure I'm understanding correctly, is UOA an oil analysis? If so, got any recommendations for who? IOLM is not an acronym I'm familiar with, sorry for my ignorance. I'm perfectly happy to change the oil every 3-5k if there's compelling evidence to support doing so. I figure one can't go wrong (other than the $$$ that 6qt of RP runs for the change) changing more other than possibly needed. I routinely ran 15k between changes on my previous ride, a Lexus GS300, and it's still running strong at 240k for the buddy I sold it to. Of course, that was not a twin turbo powerhouse that the EcoBoost is. I figured that the roughly 10k interval the onboard system was chiming out was reasonable, but I will absolutely take the voice of experience over "******* Betty" anyday LOL!

Any recommendations on procedure to change the PTU fluid, and for brand/type of oil for same? I'm about to pick up a service manual, which I'm sure will help answer some of my questions. BUT....I still think the real world experience of the folks in the trenches is as valuable as what the FSM says. I agree that any OEM claim of "lifetime" is....well, you know!

Thanx again for any additional advice on above questions! I look forward to working with all of you. Cheers!

 

[Citationdoc]

Oh yeah....taking it to dealer for the tranny flush and BG service and fill before I load the tune and mods. Dealer is cool with working on tuned vehicles, there's a lot of Pony Car gear heads in these parts!

 

[SHOdded]

Correct on both counts, pardon my acronym-laden spiel Doing the UOA is a scientific way of establishing a reasonable OC interval. ATM, I can only recommend extended drain intervals with true synthetics (Group IV), so you would be looking at products like Amsoil Signature (their "lower" lines are not true synthetic) and Castrol Syntec (German spec only, not U.S. spec). Look at their PDS (product data sheet) and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to be sure. Which exact RP product do you use?

Forced induction engines are particularly ******* their lubricants, and being EB tech being DI, even more so. The oil now has to contend with the PCV system and fuel dilution issues common with DI. Ford supposedly does a better job than most (if not all) other brands in the marketplace, for what that's worth.

The PTU/RDU fluid change procedure is pretty basic, and done in-car. Get all 4 corners up on jackstands or a lift. Open the drain plug. Insert a tube attached to a pump, as deep as it will go into the casing. Pump out the fluid. PTU fluid could take considerably longer and move slower than RDU fluid if it's worn out. Pump in new fluid to fill line. Close up drain plug and drive around. Repeat 2x for full & proper fluid exchange (can be done over a period of weeks if desired, or same day).
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,1706.0.html
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,1708.0.html

 

[ridered74]

Smart move, I am doing the same but I call mine an engine/transmission fund. I think you have a bit more than two years before you have anything to worry about. I'm closing in fast on 130K miles and last summer I ran into a guy that was just under 160K with no problems. 99% that when it does finally see its last day, it will be replaced with another SHO, just a little bit newer.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Smart move on LMS!! Jamie and Anthony are helping me out. Good Career Choice. I am with you on Betty.....I know exactly what you are talking about my friend!!

 

[Citationdoc]

Howdy all,
Just got my GOODIE BOX from LMS! Oh Yeah!

Got the t-stat and CAI installed today, just waiting for Anthony over at LMS to get the tune done. I'll be installing the plugs tomorrow. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy changing the t-stat was, although I should've let the car cool longer before doing it. Lost a bit of coolant, but it was easily replaced. Contrary to some posts I've seen regarding difficulty purging air from the system, I took Jaimie's (at LMS) advice and just ran the car and added coolant to the recovery tank. Drove it 30 miles while watching temps like a hawk, did not notice any tendency towards running hotter than usual.

I was surprised at the new pep it has just with the CAI! Man, I can't wait to see the difference the tune will make, and I'm REALLY looking forward to that $h:+ eatin' "LMS grin"!

The downside? Welllllllllll.......down the rabbit hole go I LOL! Next up is Powerstop drilled/slotted disks and ceramic-carbon pads, epoxy caliper paint, and MAYYYYYYBE cat backs or resonators. I'd like to get it a little more throaty sounding. I'll post pics of my baby tomorrow.

Thanx all for being such a helpful, friendly bunch. Looking forward to sharing adventures! Cheers!

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

Glad to hear that it was as easy for you as I explained it to be! You will love the tune for all of the parts that you ordered...JUST WAIT! The addition of ~35% more power make the SHO so much more fun to drive!

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Just got finished with DYNO at COBB Tuning Plano TX. Will send details soon.