To Tune or Not to Tune

[Aeterna]

alright I know there are a bunch of tune based threads out there HOWEVER, I would like some input on my situation as I feel I drive more than most folks with a SHO.

so I avg between 20-25k miles a year and rely on my car for my job but I would like to get a tune to unleash a little more HP and smooth out the powerband/shiftpoints, if needed I could buy a beater if the SHO ever goes down BUT i dont want to have to. has anyone got a tune for their SHO without having to change the MAP and Tstat or is that required? also is there a safe tune out there that will handle lots of mileage?

so I think im going to get the Corsa Exhaust simply because the Stock is way to mild for my taste but I don't want drone, if anyone has input on a cheaper exhaust setup without drone ide appreciate it (i don't want to buy downpipes and i dont want drone).

 

[SHOdded]

You should tell the tuners what you want, they can tailor the tune to your requirements. Unleashed & LME have a LOT of experience with the transverse EB like in the SHO/Flex/MKS/XSport/MKT. LET is another recent option. You do NOT need to have a 3 bar or TStat with a tune if you are not running their "hottest" tunes. Heck, the improved shifting alone would be worth the tune!

I would definitely recommend you change the spark plugs out immediately, at a minimum. OEM Motorcraft SP534's are fine, check gap to 0.030. NGK (Iridium ix LTRR71X-11 stock # 6510) plugs also work great, same gap.

Fuel-wise, obviously the most benefits are from 93, but you can still get & feel the improvement from 87 up. The specific tune file changes with the octane used. You should keep your tuner on hand to assist if you are planning on using 93 at any point. Some areas don't have 93 available.

Probably can't avoid drone at ALL speeds without a resonator setup, but usually the exhaust systems will have a bit of drone at a particular speed, usually while cruising. You might be better off just getting Dynomax mufflers if you just want better sound.

 

[markathome]

I too was on the fence for a long time. I know you hear a lot about a transformation once you get a tune, and I was sceptical as well.
Just do it, you'll be glad you did.
The car should have come from the factory better tuned.
I only changed the MAP and plugs, which were very simple. LMS sent me a set of tunes to match.


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[Skeezixzx9r]

I first went just tune and since I only have 91 available, I went with the basic 91 2 bar tune from Unleashed. I know LME also has the same set-up, but being cheaper and the ability to datalog pushed me to Torrie. I've since done plugs, stat and 3 bar MAP. I am considering going back to the 2 bar just so that I don't have to take the extra 5 minutes to change out the sensor when going in for oil changes or service at the dealership.
As for exhaust, I tried the muffler delete and it droned like the U.S. Air Force. I ended with Different Trend 409SS mufflers, leaving the exhaust stock otherwise, as they are a 100% stainless muffler with straight through flow. They offer a little more sound without being obnoxious.

 

[Aeterna]

Thanks for the input guys, im really wondering how many miles people have put on these tunes problem free? Does anyone use any devices to show them AFR and Boost? Or any of the other variables pertaining to the motor?

Right now im at 56k miles and will likely keep the car for about 2 years more at which time it should be around 100k miles. Oh and its a 2013 with PP

 

[SHOdded]

Torque Pro on Android, ForScan on Windows/iDevice are the most popular tools for displaying datastreams from the OBD port. Plenty of custom gauges also developed courtesy of our very own ecoboostsho

 

[Aeterna]

Awesome thanks

 

[BamSHO]

I have 24,000 mile tuned. No issues. I have a '12 tuned by Livernois. I have these mods. Modded Airaid CAI, Livernois 4X, 3bar, Evenflo 160 Tstat, Livernois Thunderstorm DP's, 3rd cat delete, Dynomax axle back mufflers. I kept the factory center section of the exhaust to help with drone. I have had other SHO's in the past and know about the drone. Everyone who has heard my car, likes the sound. I have a set of Aeroforce gauges mounted on center speaker, I have them reading IAT 1 and 2, temp, and boost. I tuned the car 1 month after I bought it. I'm getting average on trips between 25-27 mph. Hope this helps.

 

[bpd1151]

69k and some change on my 2010, with a butt load of mods.

Daily driven & tracked.

I ran a tune initially by Kirk Doucette between 500 & 3,000 miles.

After that, my car's been exclusively on the LMS/LME tunes.

Initial tunes were what's commercially offered, then I transitioned into custom dyno files made specifically for me.

Haven't looked back not once, other than to see dejected looks on all the driver's I pass by. Lol.

 

[BamSHO]

Or you drool cause you see the light show behind you, when he has his extra lights on.

 

[bpd1151]

The LED "light show" as you put it, is quite imposing & ominous looking from one's rear view mirror, huh Brian?

 

[Aeterna]

Good info guys thanks, ive heard the Corsa exhuast system for our cars foesnt drone, does anyone have it?

Bamsho im interested in the guages you have, were they hard to setup?
I was thinking about permanently mounting a tablet or phone in the car that connects to a bluetooth obd dongle.

 

[SHOdded]

Search on YouTube for "taurus sho corsa" you will see plenty of examples on there.

An exhaust sound thread:
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,2462

 

[Aeterna]

Ive heard lots of sound clips of it which i think it sounds great. I just didnt know if i can talk to someone first hand that had it to verify that its worth the money.

 

[BamSHO]

I was hard for me to just spend $1300 for cat back exhaust, that is why I did what I did. Here is the mufflers from Summit racing. The 3rd cat delete cost my $40. Best money is a set of catted downpipes. Yeah Mike, its very imposing in the rear mirror.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-39502/overview/year/2012/make/ford/model/taurus

 

[Vortech347]

That axle back looks pretty nice and easy. I too have a hard time dropping $1200 for just a simple bolt on. BamSHO how do you like that exhaust? I use my SHO to show homes. (I'm a Realtor) and don't want anything stupid loud. I had Magnaflow's on my Marauder and it sounded just right. Got any video's of how it sounds?

 

[BamSHO]

Actually sounds pretty good. Just enough rumble you know its not a regular Taurus. I try to get a video post of the sound. Yeah I did the axle back in my stone driveway. Didn't have to jack the car up. Just measure cut, swap out, tighten clamp, job done. Think I did it in about 30 mins start to finish.

 

[bpd1151]

Brian's exhaust sounds great. Not overly imposing, not whisper quiet.

It makes it's presence known when you want it to, and not when you don't want it to.

 

[SHOnUup4]

BamSHO has a great sounding exhaust, heard it in person and it's just as described.

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