SHO Engine mods/upgrades

[FiveLeeter918]

That's a very useful post, thank you! I've been curious. I used Cobb on my previous turbo Subarus. Looks like Unleashed is a good option here for those wanting tuning -- no need to reply as I know tuner wars can turn sideways. Not sure SCT gives me the warm fuzzies, though. Will see.

Tuna War!!! Haha that post was designed to steer people to our tuning

Cobb never really took off in the SHO world. There was talk about map development a few years back, but I think that we were getting lumped in to the F-150 maps they created and they quickly found that that Gen 2 platform was nothing at all like what we have here in our little "Gen 1 reheaded stepchild of the Ecoboost" world and it was quickly abandoned.

Superchips, Diablosport, and a few others have base maps available, but I've never seen a tuner jump on board with either, as they're the FlowMaster of the tuning world - were great 15-20 years ago when nothing else was available, but never really advanced their software to handheld current needs and got left behind as a result.

We've spend the last few years experimenting with HPTuners since they adopted the Ford platform back in 2018, and it's been promising with having both of an SCT X4 and an HPTuners MVPI2 to compare data to. I'm not 100% sold that HPTuners is on the same level with the SHO as SCT is, but in the past 6 months we've made great strides on our capabilities with the software, and the logging performance is second to none with HPTuners.

We have a shipment of HPTuners RTDs (Remote Tuning Devices) coming in later this week, and plan to make some instructional videos to go over their capabilities both for tuning and logging that should prove useful. After the flop of the e-Motion nGauge, it'll be nice to have a cheaper alternative that puts HPTuners on the same playing field of SCT in terms of cost, thought it will be troublesome to overcome the luxury of having a screen. Maybe a table bundle for display? haha

 

[stripSHO]

F*ck SCT sooooo hard. Shit company, shittier products, ********* support. Do yourself a huge favor and buy an MPVI2.

 

[SeanB]

Tuna War!!! Haha that post was designed to steer people to our tuning

Cobb never really took off in the SHO world. There was talk about map development a few years back, but I think that we were getting lumped in to the F-150 maps they created and they quickly found that that Gen 2 platform was nothing at all like what we have here in our little "Gen 1 reheaded stepchild of the Ecoboost" world and it was quickly abandoned.

Superchips, Diablosport, and a few others have base maps available, but I've never seen a tuner jump on board with either, as they're the FlowMaster of the tuning world - were great 15-20 years ago when nothing else was available, but never really advanced their software to handheld current needs and got left behind as a result.

We've spend the last few years experimenting with HPTuners since they adopted the Ford platform back in 2018, and it's been promising with having both of an SCT X4 and an HPTuners MVPI2 to compare data to. I'm not 100% sold that HPTuners is on the same level with the SHO as SCT is, but in the past 6 months we've made great strides on our capabilities with the software, and the logging performance is second to none with HPTuners.

We have a shipment of HPTuners RTDs (Remote Tuning Devices) coming in later this week, and plan to make some instructional videos to go over their capabilities both for tuning and logging that should prove useful. After the flop of the e-Motion nGauge, it'll be nice to have a cheaper alternative that puts HPTuners on the same playing field of SCT in terms of cost, thought it will be troublesome to overcome the luxury of having a screen. Maybe a table bundle for display? haha

LOL. Wasn't steering anyone anywhere, I don't know enough, honest. I know Cobb and trust them, but understand this is not their space. My Subarus had a bunch of hardware changes as well as tuning, which is not something I would do to my SHO. Pretty much just the tune, if I do. I would expect a screen on the tuning delivery device in 2021, though. SCT has multiple tuning devices in about the same price point, from X4 to GTX? BDsomething. Confusing. Just trying to get an idea of the players and options at this point. Pleased to eMeet Ortiz tuning!

 

[High on Ethanol]

Tuna War!!! Haha that post was designed to steer people to our tuning

Cobb never really took off in the SHO world. There was talk about map development a few years back, but I think that we were getting lumped in to the F-150 maps they created and they quickly found that that Gen 2 platform was nothing at all like what we have here in our little "Gen 1 reheaded stepchild of the Ecoboost" world and it was quickly abandoned.

Superchips, Diablosport, and a few others have base maps available, but I've never seen a tuner jump on board with either, as they're the FlowMaster of the tuning world - were great 15-20 years ago when nothing else was available, but never really advanced their software to handheld current needs and got left behind as a result.

We've spend the last few years experimenting with HPTuners since they adopted the Ford platform back in 2018, and it's been promising with having both of an SCT X4 and an HPTuners MVPI2 to compare data to. I'm not 100% sold that HPTuners is on the same level with the SHO as SCT is, but in the past 6 months we've made great strides on our capabilities with the software, and the logging performance is second to none with HPTuners.

We have a shipment of HPTuners RTDs (Remote Tuning Devices) coming in later this week, and plan to make some instructional videos to go over their capabilities both for tuning and logging that should prove useful. After the flop of the e-Motion nGauge, it'll be nice to have a cheaper alternative that puts HPTuners on the same playing field of SCT in terms of cost, thought it will be troublesome to overcome the luxury of having a screen. Maybe a table bundle for display? haha

If you have a 2012 and lower SHO, stick with SCT. Otherwise there's no reason to buy SCT, you can also use the Hptuners on all your vehicles without marriages. Annddddddddd as far as display goes, I prefer windows pro tablet because it also does forscan!

 

[SeanB]

If you have a 2012 and lower SHO, stick with SCT. Otherwise there's no reason to buy SCT, you can also use the Hptuners on all your vehicles without marriages. Annddddddddd as far as display goes, I prefer windows pro tablet because it also does forscan!

I think I need to know more about HP tuners. Is there a thread? No tablet here, though. That said, my 2015 isn't going anywhere, so what worked in 2015 should be fine now, I would think? Still, SCT seems hinky. Cheers.

 

[High on Ethanol]

Some pics from the search function.

SCT :::

Vs

HPTuners:::

 

[FiveLeeter918]

If you have a 2012 and lower SHO, stick with SCT. Otherwise there's no reason to buy SCT, you can also use the Hptuners on all your vehicles without marriages. Annddddddddd as far as display goes, I prefer windows pro tablet because it also does forscan!

SCT tuning is better, but their devices have been bricking PCMs hard ever since the EPA update in 2018. We have about a dozen customers that we had to scour the dark web for X3 models so they could actually tune their cars. SCT knows of the issue and they are reimbursing to have Ford reflash the computer, but I don't see any evidence of them trying to actually fix the issue.

We're trying to get HPTuners to address their shortfalls in the 10-12 models so we can start pushing it, but similar to SCT, it's a pcm used on only about 20,000 cars on the market, and an even smaller amount that take advantage of tuning, so in the grand scheme of things the juice isn't worth the squeeze to them. We can tune with HPTuners on the 10-12s, but have to do a lot of work arounds.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

I think I need to know more about HP tuners. Is there a thread? No tablet here, though. That said, my 2015 isn't going anywhere, so what worked in 2015 should be fine now, I would think? Still, SCT seems hinky. Cheers.

HPTuners has a dedicated forum with a sub-section dedicated to the Ford EcoBoost. I'd recommend joining just to learn abou things. The help section on our website also covers some of the common questions. HPT is more of a DIY program, things are a little more laments for the home brew tuner, but we also make a living off of it as well with the experience we bring to the table.

Where SCT has the X4, BDX, Livewire TS+ and GTX, HPTuners has the nGauge (discontinued but still floating around), the MVPI2, and the RTD (Remote Tuning Device). The nGauge offers a small touch screen display, but it's datalogging capabilities are pretty sub-standard for the industry. It's primary demographic was Mustangs with OTS (off the shelf) tunes, which don't need much datalogging, but when you get to the Ecoboost world it was really struggling to get the data we need to actively dial in the program. The MVPI2 and the RTD are similar devices, with the MVPI2 allowing the end user to purchase credits and modify the tune themselves or purchase a "template" from a reputable tuner. This can be dangerous as it allows the end user to also make changes to the tune, possibly leading to catastrophic failure. The RTD uses the datalogging characteristics from the MVPI2 and implements the locked tune loading from the nGauge. It's more for those who want the tune but want to leave it up to their tuner to make the changes needed for optimization and they just load, log, and go.

 

[High on Ethanol]

SCT tuning is better, but their devices have been bricking PCMs hard ever since the EPA update in 2018. We have about a dozen customers that we had to scour the dark web for X3 models so they could actually tune their cars. SCT knows of the issue and they are reimbursing to have Ford reflash the computer, but I don't see any evidence of them trying to actually fix the issue.

We're trying to get HPTuners to address their shortfalls in the 10-12 models so we can start pushing it, but similar to SCT, it's a pcm used on only about 20,000 cars on the market, and an even smaller amount that take advantage of tuning, so in the grand scheme of things the juice isn't worth the squeeze to them. We can tune with HPTuners on the 10-12s, but have to do a lot of work arounds.

I'd like to see where SCT is better in 2013 and up. Any screenshots? Dynos?
I also enjoy the 30 to 50 seconds of flashing with hptuners VS go make a sandwich SCT.

Of course there's also track addict app which is fun.

OH yeah, did I mention that you can use HPTuners on all of your vehicles without buying a device for each one? Lol

 

[High on Ethanol]

HPTuners has a dedicated forum with a sub-section dedicated to the Ford EcoBoost. I'd recommend joining just to learn abou things. The help section on our website also covers some of the common questions. HPT is more of a DIY program, things are a little more laments for the home brew tuner, but we also make a living off of it as well with the experience we bring to the table.

Where SCT has the X4, BDX, Livewire TS+ and GTX, HPTuners has the nGauge (discontinued but still floating around), the MVPI2, and the RTD (Remote Tuning Device). The nGauge offers a small touch screen display, but it's datalogging capabilities are pretty sub-standard for the industry. It's primary demographic was Mustangs with OTS (off the shelf) tunes, which don't need much datalogging, but when you get to the Ecoboost world it was really struggling to get the data we need to actively dial in the program. The MVPI2 and the RTD are similar devices, with the MVPI2 allowing the end user to purchase credits and modify the tune themselves or purchase a "template" from a reputable tuner. This can be dangerous as it allows the end user to also make changes to the tune, possibly leading to catastrophic failure. The RTD uses the datalogging characteristics from the MVPI2 and implements the locked tune loading from the nGauge. It's more for those who want the tune but want to leave it up to their tuner to make the changes needed for optimization and they just load, log, and go.

Unless the RTD is free, **** that waste of money.

If I'm buying the device, it better be fully functional and not restricted by random tuner shutdowns.

 

[SeanB]

I'd not be tuning, just loading a tune and datalogging for the tuner. Some good info here though!

 

[High on Ethanol]

I'd not be tuning, just loading a tune and datalogging for the tuner. Some good info here though!

I understand that. I'm just saying the MPVI2 can do a lot that the RTD cannot. The only "feature" that the RTD has is lock you out.
If RTD isn't free, I'd never even consider it. I am also very cautious about tuners that want to hide their adjustments because the reality is overall there's not much difference between different tuners unless you are pushing the limits or doing weird things.

I'll make an exception for gearheads amazing transmission tuning, because I have not found any comparable.

 

[SM105K]

Some pics from the search function.

SCT :::
View attachment 18015
Vs

HPTuners:::
View attachment 18016

That is my pic! LOL.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Unless the RTD is free, **** that waste of money.

If I'm buying the device, it better be fully functional and not restricted by random tuner shutdowns.

It's no different than an SCT device. You can load from multiple tuners. I'm still trying to figure out if it can do multiple vehicles. There really isn't much info on it yet.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

I'd like to see where SCT is better in 2013 and up. Any screenshots? Dynos?
I also enjoy the 30 to 50 seconds of flashing with hptuners VS go make a sandwich SCT.

Of course there's also track addict app which is fun.

OH yeah, did I mention that you can use HPTuners on all of your vehicles without buying a device for each one? Lol

sorry that comment was intended for the "10-12 stick with SCT" comment you had made. Even SCT has been having trouble with the 10-12s. 13+ the HPTuners software is better for just about every Ford platform.

 

[High on Ethanol]

sorry that comment was intended for the "10-12 stick with SCT" comment you had made. Even SCT has been having trouble with the 10-12s. 13+ the HPTuners software is better for just about every Ford platform.

Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate your time and effort with answers and openness with tuning information.

Let me ask you this, tables 1 through 12 are they worth the time to tweak for drivability and mpg with e85?

Do you know if flex fuel logic can be copy and pasted from a truck that has that option?

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate your time and effort with answers and openness with tuning information.

Let me ask you this, tables 1 through 12 are they worth the time to tweak for drivability and mpg with e85?

Do you know if flex fuel logic can be copy and pasted from a truck that has that option?

I'm sales haha. Unfortunately I know very little about the inner-workings of tuning outside of reviewing logs and saving Luis some time in the review portion. When I switched to my MVPI2 I pulled my file just to try to learn and got even more lost haha.

Feel free to shoot Luis an email to [email protected], he can offer some insight.

 

[High on Ethanol]

I'm sales haha. Unfortunately I know very little about the inner-workings of tuning outside of reviewing logs and saving Luis some time in the review portion. When I switched to my MVPI2 I pulled my file just to try to learn and got even more lost haha.

Feel free to shoot Luis an email to [email protected], he can offer some insight.

WOT tuning is easy, but all the part throttle mapping is crazy... I'm not exactly sure how Ford has the distance between mapped points calculated.

If I ever decide to get another tune, Ortiz is on my radar.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

So my take on the HPT vs SCT wars is this. When HPT really picked up their support for the Ford platform, they have the potential to overtake that market. Between the 2 systems, the HPT is by far the more user friendly and had I not bought into the SCT device many moons ago, would probably go that route. That being said, most tuners who currently tune for our platform are still using SCT, so it keeps the doors open to a wider selection for those who get tunes via shops/tuners. If self-tuning, HPT is probably the way to go. However, from a performance perspective, currently either device, for our platform, have no tables that are inaccessible. Meaning, though they might get there in different ways, there isn't any part of the vehicle that is accessible to one system that the other doesn't have access to.

So, because I don't self-tune and my tuner of choice is more proficient with SCT, knowing that there isn't more "power" you get with one system vs the other. I will stick with the SCT instead of investing in other system. Now when HPT figures how to access the other modules (TCM, BCM...or wherever control for the RDU resides), I may have some decisions to make, LOL.

 

[Dieselcircuit]

My signature details all of my current mods, all of which have proven very successful. If you're looking bang for the buck, I'd go with the following:

Level 1 (Wanting 360ish horsepower):
- Tuning Power Pack and tune (map sensor upgrade, thermostat, plugs, handheld)
- 90% of customers are fine here.
- Will get you 12s in the 1/4 mile with most tuners.

Level 2 (400ish horsepower):
- Add downpipes and GH or Front Mount Intercooler
- 95% of customers add these mods, go mid-low 12s on 91 or even add e30 and hit 12.0s

Level 3 (430 horsepower):
- Add meth OR and XDI-EVO hpfp and DW300C fuel pump
- Many customers have dipped into the 11s full weight, some even further with a little weight reduction. The XDI-EVO allows for a safe bump to E50 fueling.

Level 4 (500+ hp):
- Add upgraded turbochargers
- A few customers have gone low 11s with weight reduction, lots more are mid 11s full weight.

Beyond that, you're looking at a built motor and reinforcing the drivetrain, which unfortunately doesn't exist at this point. A few customers have kissed the 600hp mark, but haven't made any passes in fear of the drivetrain letting go.

Maintenance is key on these cars, change your fluids often and listen to what she's telling you. Datalog every revision, take nothing for granted.

We have all of these components on our site, along with our performance tuning, so please let us know if there is anything we can help with!

One Thing I'm not 100% clear on is when you need to replace the LPFP? I'm under the impression that the OEM LPFP can handle an upgraded HPFP, is that accurate? Im currently running GH's AO tune which is great for DD activities, but I've been toying with the idea of picking up an Ortiz tune for mexico play time, since I'm hearing it makes more power then the AO tune.