Livernois Stage IV - Talk me into running it!

[Fishrising]

So, I've been running Livernois Stage II and III tunes (as well as Torrie's) for a while now, but not Livernois Stage IV. Talk me into it, please. My fear is that Livernois says run at your own risk, and octanes higher than 93 are recommended. But I've also read a tone of posts of people running it daily on 93.

So, call me a wimp, call me a loser, call me a chicken $hit, call me whatever, but get me off the fence and loading this Stage IV! Oh yeah, but don't call me those things to my face, I am 6'7" 270#s, and don't call me late for dinner, but have it at here.

Or rather than calling me names, give me some techie talk as to why it won't hurt my beloved brick.

Come on EcoBrick Bob, you first...

PS...I'm running back and forth between cities 220 miles apart tomorrow, so this may be a good time to try it.

 

[Showgun]

Give it a try and go easy. I run it and like it. Just make sure you run good juice.

 

[mjhpadi]

Showgun, talked me into loading Stage 4 and I like it. Under heavy throttle the shifts are firmer and it does make more power then Stage 2. I really like and have not considered going back to Stage 2. I really like the added power and firmer shifts then Stage 2, but I really don't feel like it is any harder on the transmission or engine then the lower stages. One thing I have done is since loading Stage 4, I always let the car sit and idle for at least a minute or two before shutting it off. Figures it can't hurt to help cool the turbo bearings before shutdown.

 

[Showgun]

Good point on cooling the turbos, Mark.

 

[SHO U UP]

I think I heard the turbos cool themselves down after the car has shut down to aid in this process. I believe Ford put in some kind of system where the computer knows to turn that off when they reach safe temps to do so. I recall it being maybe coolant running to/through them?? I don't remember right off hand but this was talked about a while back.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Go for it Ben,

I am running a much more bad-ass 3-Bar tune from Torrie and have had no issues.
In fact, got caught in N.E. IA with an empty tank & had to run 89 for about 100 mi. Really baby'd her but never heard any pinging. Otherwise ALWAYS run 93. Do keep W/M Pump switch ON, which means spraying at any boost over 8 PSI. But, often don't see the light turn on for days.

Ran Livernois stage 4 for about a thousand miles last winter, fully loaded down with my Daughter & her family. Found it very smooth.

 

[First-SHO]

I have been running it for months on just 93 gas and no problems what-so-ever. Dan does a pretty good job of keeping things safe, so you will be fine.

 

[Billm0066]

Showgun, talked me into loading Stage 4 and I like it. Under heavy throttle the shifts are firmer and it does make more power then Stage 2. I really like and have not considered going back to Stage 2. I really like the added power and firmer shifts then Stage 2, but I really don't feel like it is any harder on the transmission or engine then the lower stages. One thing I have done is since loading Stage 4, I always let the car sit and idle for at least a minute or two before shutting it off. Figures it can't hurt to help cool the turbo bearings before shutdown.

The car will cool them down after you turn it off. Newer turbocharged cars all do this.

 

[mjhpadi]

The car will cool them down after you turn it off. Newer turbocharged cars all do this.

Since I am not familiar with how this cooling works, I sure would appreciate an explanation of the mechanics of it. Thanks.

 

[Crash712us]

I'm am familiar with, but not sure our cars have it. I've have known them by turbo timers, they are electric oil pumps that continue to circulate oil thru the turbo after you shut down for a set amount of time.

 

[Fishrising]

If stage III is +50hp, what would stage IV be? I am just trying to gauge how much more boost and timing is added to get to what HP gain between III and IV.

 

[frosho]

Since I am not familiar with how this cooling works, I sure would appreciate an explanation of the mechanics of it. Thanks.

It is a convection system that utilizes heat from the turbos to create a siphon effect and circulate coolant after the engine is shut down. I heard the engineers describe it in more detail, but that's all I remember. Sorry.

 

[ttrull]

im 6' 6" 350lbs, where are ya so I can call you a chicken $hit to your face

If your posting this I don't think you need much of a push to load it

 

[darreli]

Do it!! I can't really tell you the differences because Stage 4 is all I new before the methanol tune. Drove it for probably 10000 miles on 93octane (Shell or Mobil)...no issues

 

[Showgun]

It is a convection system that utilizes heat from the turbos to create a siphon effect and circulate coolant after the engine is shut down. I heard the engineers describe it in more detail, but that's all I remember. Sorry.

Interesting. Thanks frosho.

 

[mjhpadi]

Still after considering everything, I don't think it hurts to let the car sit and idle for a minute or two before shutting it off.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Newer turbo cars do this, however, I know some of the manuals tell you to let it idle for 30-60 seconds before shut down if you've driven it hard or had a long stint on the freeway at higher speed.

 

[steve142857]

If stage III is +50hp, what would stage IV be? I am just trying to gauge how much more boost and timing is added to get to what HP gain between III and IV.

I got my car dynoed stock, then stage 3 and finally stage 4 with no other mods on the car back about 6 weeks ago. It was on a dynapack, which is supposed to be the most accurate as they remove the wheels and put the dyno instead. I posted the results in a previous thread, but the results were +20hp at wheels from stock to stage 3 and +30hp at wheels with stage 4. However, the power was held longer than stock. So I would say that stage 4 by itself would add close to 40hp to the engine, but it certainly kick a$$... Kickdowns are powerful, less hesitation, faster shifting... gotta love it! Maybe with the addition of Airaid CAI and an exhaust you could see up to 50hp, but for more power, you have to go with methanol like Darelli or a custom tune with more boost. If my memory is good, I believe stage 2 and 3 are +1.5 psi of boost and stage 4 +2.5psi (maybe Rick from LMs can confirm). I think Beefcake that ran 12.75 only on a tune was using +5 psi (not recommended if you car for your car).
Cheers!
Steve

 

[Fishrising]

Having a bear of a time finding 94 around here, found 98 for $65 per 5gal drum, but 93 is everywhere. Might have to just try it on 93 like many of you do.

Edit: screw it, just got a full synthetic oil change, got to look underneath the Flex while it was up and no signs of anything going wrong...so Livernois Stage IV is loading now with a full tank of 93...

 

[Showgun]

I'm still looking for a handy supply of Petro Can supply of 93 octane -- some stations apparently have this grade.
In the meantime I'm running 91 but I drive very conservatively by comparison with only occasional 'sprints'.
I wouldn't recommend using 91 but I am not having any issues with course running or pinging at all.
As far as I can tell, the SHO is quite happy on 91 for now.