Tune Alternatives

[RealityCheck]

I have a 2011 SHO on which I've been running the LMS Stage 4+ 93 octane tune almost since I bought the car new over 2 years ago. I've been very happy with it, but when I went to purchase a tuner from LMS for my new 2013 EB Flex, their prices have gone up substantially and they don't offer the SCT tuner for the Flex.

I decided to give Unleashed a try, but apparently they only do custom tunes. I have no idea how to spec a custom tune, so Unleashed is out. I am very disappointed, especially after all the good things I have read about their work.

Does anyone here have knowledge or experience with any other Ecoboost tuner vendors? I'm still willing to give Unleashed a shot if I could get a tune comparable to the one in my SHO.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Torrie (Unleashed Tuning) can tune the 2013 EB Flex if SCT has broken the 2013 coding. If you buy his tune package, he can custom calibrate them using SCT logging software. However, you can only use your SCT tuner to switch back and forth between your 2011 and another vehicle a couple times, before it locks. If you mention Livernois, Torrie gets paranoid... for good reason... If you plan to change tunes in your 2011 SHO, you probably are best off getting a second SCT tuner from Torrie, or going with Livernois system that is indeed more expensive.

Sort of depends on how many mods you will do, like Methanol injection, downpipes, new turbos etc. If you just want a great tune... Torrie is your man. He also regularly runs specials on tuner & tunes. He has done extensive custom tuning for me and I couldn't be more pleased. It does require sending logs of current tune performance, and then Torrie sends you a new one based on your data.

Torrie has tuned my Flex since early 2010. He also is tuning my 09' G8. Great guy!

 

[RealityCheck]

Torrie (Unleashed Tuning) can tune the 2013 EB Flex if SCT has broken the 2013 coding. If you buy his tune package, he can custom calibrate them using SCT logging software. However, you can only use your SCT tuner to switch back and forth between your 2011 and another vehicle a couple times, before it locks. If you mention Livernois, Torrie gets paranoid... for good reason... If you plan to change tunes in your 2011 SHO, you probably are best off getting a second SCT tuner from Torrie, or going with Livernois system that is indeed more expensive.

Sort of depends on how many mods you will do, like Methanol injection, downpipes, new turbos etc. If you just want a great tune... Torrie is your man. He also regularly runs specials on tuner & tunes. He has done extensive custom tuning for me and I couldn't be more pleased. It does require sending logs of current tune performance, and then Torrie sends you a new one based on your data.

Torrie has tuned my Flex since early 2010. He also is tuning my 09' G8. Great guy!

I was planning on buying a new tuner for the Flex and have no intention of re-using the one for my SHO. My concern with Unleashed is that I don't want a custom tune - I want a generic out-of-the-box tune that has been thoroughly vetted by users in the real world. I'm not looking for every last ounce of power, nor do I plan on any other mods (at least until mods become available that are suitable for daily use and do something besides make noise). The LMS tune I'm running in my SHO was a simple plug it in and install it exercise. I'm not interested in data logging so I can get the optimal tune for my car. I just want a nice bump in power and improved transmission programming with minimal effort on my part - like the LMS tune in my SHO.

Unless there are other options, I guess my choices are the less expensive (but probably superior in the end) Unleashed tune, but I'm going to be aggravated by expending time and energy that I simply don't have. Or, the over-priced, but minimal effort, LMS tune.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Torrie should have a tune package. He just refers them to "custom tunes" vs SCT which sells their turners for some vehicles with tunes already installed.

Just like you did with Livernois, after the tuner arrives, you plug it into the OBDII port and get the Ford strategy code, which you send to Torrie. He then sends you back the tunes he has created for vehicles like yours. Only if you want to make specific adjustments, do you need to log and send. In my instance, he knew I was running smaller diameter tires, so he automatically set up my tune for it, so I didn't have to manually change it. Torrie's Ford transmission tune(s) are really great.

For some of the 2010-2011 Flex owners he created a mileage tune. All of these are loaded just like you loaded your Livernois tunes. He can tune for various grades of fuel, which can come in handy if you get stuck in an area that doesn't have 93, or even 91 and you don't want to worry about wot starts.

 

[RealityCheck]

OK, you convinced me.

I ordered the tuner from Torrie and received it a few days ago. Apparently I have a strategy code he's never seen before, so he's getting an update from SCT. I'm really looking forward to getting a tune in this thing. Every time I drive the Flex after driving my LMS stage 4+ tuned SHO I'm reminded how conservative stock EB tunes are.