SYNC upgrades and other upgrades?

[Ronjon Sircar]

Hi everyone

Please forgive the questions if they have been asked before, I recently purchased a 2010 SHO which I got for a very good price, it has the factory navigation system and I was wondering if I can upgrade it to the latest version or at least a newer version of Sync/MyFordTouch? Visually the screens on my SHO's navigation unit look the same as my 2014 Shelby GT500 so I assume they both are Sync 2? I have seen some videos and reached out to a company called 4dtech.com that sells upgrade kits but they said they don't offer an upgrade for 2010 Taurus's because the car doesn't have the proper "infrastructure"? I didn't think there was that much different in Taurus's from 2010 to current aside from minor cosmetic items.

Can anyone enlighten me as to if a Sync upgrade is possible? I am well versed in automotive electrical so I would hazard a guess I should be able to make harnesses if necessary, I was under the impression all I needed was a newer sync module with navigation to update it

I also would like to know about brake and suspension upgrades if any? I was thinking maybe the performance pack SHO brakes off of a newer car might be a good upgrade or possible aftermarket if anyone makes them?

Are there any transmission upgrades available? I would like to beef up the drivetrain before adding power to this car

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me

Ron

 

[Eric Morris]

You can upgrade from Sync 2 to Sync 3. Guys on here have done it. I'd like to do it, but mine is loaded and I don't think the massaging seats are supported in the Sync 3 system, especially since they went away the first year Sync 3 was available. You can do it yourself for WAY cheaper than 4dtech. You need the screen, the APIM, and the USB plate. All software changes can be done with Forscan. You can do it for around $500 easily.

PP brakes are basically the same- not worth changing over to IMO.

No trans upgrades available. Never seen one fail either though.

 

[Lostneye]

SYNC 2(MFT) which was 2013-15 in the Taurus to SYNC3 2016+ Taurus is easy as Eric said with the only possible splicing of the harness being the new USB hub in the center console. The original SYNC is a completely different system and no one has managed to upgrade yet. I'm not sure if it is possible due how it integrates with other modules in the car. You would be on our own having to try and modify the harness.

I have a SYNC2 w Nav APIM, screen, and USB hub for sale as I upgraded to SYNC3, PM me if interested.

2013+ brakes can be swapped and are an definite improvement over 2010-12. PP is much of a difference, mostly just the pads which can be used on standard calipers.

Suspension is basically coil overs or H&R springs that's it.

There is a shift kit but I don't know many guys using it. The trans is not failure prone, except for the few guys pushing big power. Just change the fluid, same with the PTU which is the weak point of the driveline but frequent fluid changes seem to keep them going.

I'd like to do it, but mine is loaded and I don't think the massaging seats are supported in the Sync 3 system, especially since they went away the first year Sync 3 was available.

You have a 2015? Does it still have buttons on the seat itself? If so I believe those should work as they are wired directly to the module in the seat AFAIK. The massaging seat module in the seat itself was changed for 2015, 2014 and earlier do not have buttons in SYNC and are not connected to CAN so you could not control via SYNC anyway so I never looked into if it can be added to the menu in SYNC3. My guess is it can be as other Fords still had massaging seats in 2016.

 

[krewat]

You have a 2015? Does it still have buttons on the seat itself? If so I believe those should work as they are wired directly to the module in the seat AFAIK. The massaging seat module in the seat itself was changed for 2015, 2014 and earlier do not have buttons in SYNC and are not connected to CAN so you could not control via SYNC anyway so I never looked into if it can be added to the menu in SYNC3. My guess is it can be as other Fords still had massaging seats in 2016.

I'd like to do it, but mine is loaded and I don't think the massaging seats are supported in the Sync 3 system, especially since they went away the first year Sync 3 was available.

My 2016 has the massage seats and Sync 3 (side note, I upgraded it from 1.0 to 2.2 and got Android Auto to work). Pretty sure that the Sync 3 still controls the massage seats, I'll have to check. - my 2013 with Sync 2 could not.

I thought 2018 was the year where they dropped the massage seats, as it is one of the deciding factors I still have to weigh before I decide to purchase my 2016 at end-of-lease, or get a 2018 (and not a 2019 because of the rear sunshade and motorized (memory) steering tilt/extend going away).

 

[tech10002]

The menus for the multi contour seats are there in sync3. When I got a bad update that hosed my sync3 when I tried to update to 3.0, I had the menus show up in my car(that does not have the multi contour seats). The menu only went away after I rolled back to 2.2 and applied the 3.0 update again.

 

[tech10002]

Hi everyone

Please forgive the questions if they have been asked before, I recently purchased a 2010 SHO which I got for a very good price, it has the factory navigation system and I was wondering if I can upgrade it to the latest version or at least a newer version of Sync/MyFordTouch? Visually the screens on my SHO's navigation unit look the same as my 2014 Shelby GT500 so I assume they both are Sync 2? I have seen some videos and reached out to a company called 4dtech.com that sells upgrade kits but they said they don't offer an upgrade for 2010 Taurus's because the car doesn't have the proper "infrastructure"? I didn't think there was that much different in Taurus's from 2010 to current aside from minor cosmetic items.

Can anyone enlighten me as to if a Sync upgrade is possible? I am well versed in automotive electrical so I would hazard a guess I should be able to make harnesses if necessary, I was under the impression all I needed was a newer sync module with navigation to update it

I also would like to know about brake and suspension upgrades if any? I was thinking maybe the performance pack SHO brakes off of a newer car might be a good upgrade or possible aftermarket if anyone makes them?

Are there any transmission upgrades available? I would like to beef up the drivetrain before adding power to this car

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me

Ron

As the other guys have said, there’s not much you can do with the hard drive based sync1 nav you have. I have the same system in my 2012 Mustang. I looked everywhere for our car when we bought it in 2012. The wife and I wanted a 401a car with nav and manual transmission, and it was nearly impossible to find. I wish now we would have bought a non nav car because they make aftermarket kits to install double DIN units. Now we’re stuck with the outdated factory nav.

I’m jealous of the 14 GT500, by the way. The wife and I have talked about selling our 12 GT and picking up a 13 or 14 GT500. I’ve seen low mile ones in the low 40s but I think we may have waited too long. The prices seem to be going up lately.

You should post some pics of the Shelby with the SHO.

 

[Lostneye]

My 2016 has the massage seats and Sync 3 (side note, I upgraded it from 1.0 to 2.2 and got Android Auto to work). Pretty sure that the Sync 3 still controls the massage seats, I'll have to check. - my 2013 with Sync 2 could not.

I thought 2018 was the year where they dropped the massage seats, as it is one of the deciding factors I still have to weigh before I decide to purchase my 2016 at end-of-lease, or get a 2018 (and not a 2019 because of the rear sunshade and motorized (memory) steering tilt/extend going away)

2016 can do android auto but you need the newer USB hub for carplay.

2016 was the last year I believe for massaging seats. 2015+ had a different hardware module that was connected to CAN and could be controlled through SYNC. 2013-14 did not so only seat buttons.

 

[Ronjon Sircar]

SYNC 2(MFT) which was 2013-15 in the Taurus to SYNC3 2016+ Taurus is easy as Eric said with the only possible splicing of the harness being the new USB hub in the center console. The original SYNC is a completely different system and no one has managed to upgrade yet. I'm not sure if it is possible due how it integrates with other modules in the car. You would be on our own having to try and modify the harness.

I have a SYNC2 w Nav APIM, screen, and USB hub for sale as I upgraded to SYNC3, PM me if interested.

2013+ brakes can be swapped and are an definite improvement over 2010-12. PP is much of a difference, mostly just the pads which can be used on standard calipers.

Suspension is basically coil overs or H&R springs that's it.

There is a shift kit but I don't know many guys using it. The trans is not failure prone, except for the few guys pushing big power. Just change the fluid, same with the PTU which is the weak point of the driveline but frequent fluid changes seem to keep them going.

Hi

Thanks for the info, so my 2010 SHO has SYNC 1 then? I was under the impression SYNC 1 was the non-navigation SYNC system and SYNC 2 was with the full nav screen? is there any place on the system to tell me what version I have?

Any idea on the torque and Hp capacity of the 6F55 transmission and PTU system? I have some big plans for next year so I want to know if its doable with this trans in the car

 

[Lostneye]

2010 is definitely SYNC 1. I believe 2013 was the first year for SYNC2 also called My Ford Touch or MFT in the Taurus.

I don't think Ford published specs for the 6F55. There are no real upgraded parts available but you would be worried about the stock short block by that point as well. Same for the PTU no parts available just change the fluid regularly.

 

[luigisho]

You on other ecoboost forums/groups? If you want to push it you should ask around several places.

 

[Ronjon Sircar]

As the other guys have said, there’s not much you can do with the hard drive based sync1 nav you have. I have the same system in my 2012 Mustang. I looked everywhere for our car when we bought it in 2012. The wife and I wanted a 401a car with nav and manual transmission, and it was nearly impossible to find. I wish now we would have bought a non nav car because they make aftermarket kits to install double DIN units. Now we’re stuck with the outdated factory nav.

I’m jealous of the 14 GT500, by the way. The wife and I have talked about selling our 12 GT and picking up a 13 or 14 GT500. I’ve seen low mile ones in the low 40s but I think we may have waited too long. The prices seem to be going up lately.

You should post some pics of the Shelby with the SHO.

As the other guys have said, there’s not much you can do with the hard drive based sync1 nav you have. I have the same system in my 2012 Mustang. I looked everywhere for our car when we bought it in 2012. The wife and I wanted a 401a car with nav and manual transmission, and it was nearly impossible to find. I wish now we would have bought a non nav car because they make aftermarket kits to install double DIN units. Now we’re stuck with the outdated factory nav.

I’m jealous of the 14 GT500, by the way. The wife and I have talked about selling our 12 GT and picking up a 13 or 14 GT500. I’ve seen low mile ones in the low 40s but I think we may have waited too long. The prices seem to be going up lately.

You should post some pics of the Shelby with the SHO.

Thanks for all the info I really appreciate it, hmm I guess my 14 GT500 must have Sync 1 then as well, anyways I don't have a pic of the SHO at the moment but here is my GT500

 

[Ronjon Sircar]

You on other ecoboost forums/groups? If you want to push it you should ask around several places.

I haven't joined any ecoboost forums yet, this SHO is the first ecoboost vehicle I have owned, I am loving the driving dynamics of the SHO but not the sound lol I prefer V8's to be honest.

I have a somewhat unorthodox idea for a engine swap for my SHO which is why I was curious as to upgrade parts for the trans to strengthen it

 

[Eric Morris]

The menus for the multi contour seats are there in sync3. When I got a bad update that hosed my sync3 when I tried to update to 3.0, I had the menus show up in my car(that does not have the multi contour seats). The menu only went away after I rolled back to 2.2 and applied the 3.0 update again.

OK, I thought they went away in 2016. So there was one year with Sync 3 and the massaging seats. Maybe I will look into upgrading. Android auto is so nice for commuting. Much easier than using your phone to get live traffic.

 

[Lostneye]

I haven't joined any ecoboost forums yet, this SHO is the first ecoboost vehicle I have owned, I am loving the driving dynamics of the SHO but not the sound lol I prefer V8's to be honest.

I have a somewhat unorthodox idea for a engine swap for my SHO which is why I was curious as to upgrade parts for the trans to strengthen it

Yes, these cars just don't sound good and exhaust just makes it worse in most cases IMHO.

Do share what your thinking up?

 

[luigisho]

I have a somewhat unorthodox idea for a engine swap for my SHO which is why I was curious as to upgrade parts for the trans to strengthen it

Interested as well, but maybe a new thread.

 

[Ronjon Sircar]

Yes, these cars just don't sound good and exhaust just makes it worse in most cases IMHO.

Do share what your thinking up?

SHO's except for the current generation have used Yamaha engines either V6's or V8's, interestingly enough the Volvo S80 that lent its chassis to the current generation Taurus had an optional 4.4L Yamaha V8 available.

This engine, the Yamaha B8444s would be the basis for the swap but not in stock form. Yamaha further modified this engine by adding up to 5.6L of displacement and direct injection for their marine applications, so I am looking into the cost of the reciprocating assembly and cylinder heads with direct injection.

This motor has also stood up to rigorous use in the Noble M600 supercar which uses twin turbos to generate 650Hp at the crank.

So in essence what I am planning is a twin turbo direct injected 5.6L V8 engine based on the Yamaha B8444s, hence my questions regarding the strength of the Ford 6F55 transaxle. More than likely it wont be up to the challenge of transmitting all that hp and torque

 

[luigisho]

I would say you are correct.

 

[Lostneye]

Very interesting. Definitely would like to see how that project goes.

I think you are getting close to the edge there but keep the fluid fresh and keep an eye on trans temp I don't think you are on as borrowed time as you may think. 650 crank is roughly 520 wheel and there are a couple guys that are there without real issues. I believe bpd has a 550 wheel tune and he's on the original trans/PTU but is religious with fluid changes(he also has a 600+ wheel tune that no one expects the trans to live long on). I believe the other guys with real trans issues were all fully built. Any "high performance" build of the 6F55 that I have heard of hasn't lasted. The trans was co-developed with GM so there may be additional parts on that side that interchange but nothing documented that I have seen.

 

[Ronjon Sircar]

Very interesting. Definitely would like to see how that project goes.

I think you are getting close to the edge there but keep the fluid fresh and keep an eye on trans temp I don't think you are on as borrowed time as you may think. 650 crank is roughly 520 wheel and there are a couple guys that are there without real issues. I believe bpd has a 550 wheel tune and he's on the original trans/PTU but is religious with fluid changes(he also has a 600+ wheel tune that no one expects the trans to live long on). I believe the other guys with real trans issues were all fully built. Any "high performance" build of the 6F55 that I have heard of hasn't lasted. The trans was co-developed with GM so there may be additional parts on that side that interchange but nothing documented that I have seen.

are there any specs available on the GM units? any known weaknesses of the Ford unit? just wondering if maybe I could assemble a transaxle with the best parts of both versions?

 

[Lostneye]

are there any specs available on the GM units? any known weaknesses of the Ford unit? just wondering if maybe I could assemble a transaxle with the best parts of both versions?

I have not looked into it beyond some published specs. The 6f55 is not published AFAIK, the 6F50 is rated for 300hp/280lb/ft, the top rated GM version, 6T80 is rated at 410hp/369lb/ft.