wareaglescott
07-28-2017, 12:10 PM
I read a lot of threads and opinions on the necessity of a custom engine tune for the Coyote. Strong opinions on both sides.
After 1200 miles on the stock tune my car was running just fine with zero issues. Basically because I cant leave well enough alone i decided to give the custom tune a shot.
Forum member Duke had recommended Lund Racing to me. Also the Ford engineer that helped me with all my wiring harness issues mentioned they have a very solid reputation within the industry when I queried him. For the record Ford is very noncommittal about actually recommending a specific tuner but in a sort of off the record comment the guy I trust indicated if I were going with a custom tune that Lund was a good choice. That was good enough for me.
I went to their website and ordered the tune. They can use either the SCT X4 or Nguage tuning devices. I already owned the X4 so I went with that device to save myself some money from buying the Nguage. My tune was $450. Had I bought the tune and the Nguage I believe it was about $700. (Mac users beware the SCT is not Mac compatible. I am a Mac guy and had to resort to using an old windows machine so that was kind of a pain but it worked. You basically need the computer to load the tune file onto the device and to use for data logging which I will mention shortly.)
When you order the tune you fill out some information on how your car is configured and any engine mods. Obviously in our case we differ from stock on the air intake and exhaust. I specified that and it is also important you specify if you are using a crate motor. After that it took about 7 business days for the to email me the custom tune file.
Once you receive the tune you upload it to the device on the computer and then take the device out and plug it into the car. Loading the tune onto the PCM is quite simple following the on screen instructions and took about 10 minutes.
The way Lund works is they send you a base tune. Then you send them some data logs back and they modify the tune as needed. Then you do some more data logs and they give you the final tune.
Upon loading the base tune my car fired right up as it always has and I took it on a test drive.
First impression....WOW! This is immediately noticeable and quite improved. The engine runs smoother at low rpms, the throttle response is sharper, the overall performance seems noticeably improved on the butt dyno. Honestly in the first 1200 miles I thought the cars performance was a 10 out of 10. Post tune I would say the first 1200 miles was actually at 8.5 and now I am truly at 10 out of 10 for a stock motor.
After a short drive I was ready to do some data logging to get the tune updated.
That consisted of hooking up the tuner to the car and the computer and running the car through a set profile they provided.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=71210&d=1501259740
The profile was:
Idle for 3-5 minutes
While sitting still:
1500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
2500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
3500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
After that go drive and in either 2nd or 3rd gear do a couple slow accelerations from 2500 to 5000 rpm
After that pull over and idle for 1-2 minutes
Then stop the data log, save it and email it to them.
I submitted the data log and in short order they sent me a revised tune to load with instructions for a second data logging session. I loaded the review tune the same way I did the initial tune. (IF you have concerns about this the engines factory tune is saved onto your device and you can revert to factory at any time.)
The profile for the next data log was the same but after the first 2500-5000rpm acceleration they wanted a WOT 2nd gear pull from 2500-7200rpm. (That was fun, hit about 85mph in 2nd gear!)
Once I completed that data log and sent it to them they looked over the data and determined no further adjustments were needed and I was good to go.
I should say they also offer the option of an actual dyno session where they collaborate with the dyno operator and modify your tune that way. I choose the option of doing my own data logging and felt for my road driving needs that was sufficient.
Very, very pleased with the tune. I feel like it really optimized the motors performance. I am also very pleased with Lund and their communications and everyone I dealt with there.
After 1200 miles on the stock tune my car was running just fine with zero issues. Basically because I cant leave well enough alone i decided to give the custom tune a shot.
Forum member Duke had recommended Lund Racing to me. Also the Ford engineer that helped me with all my wiring harness issues mentioned they have a very solid reputation within the industry when I queried him. For the record Ford is very noncommittal about actually recommending a specific tuner but in a sort of off the record comment the guy I trust indicated if I were going with a custom tune that Lund was a good choice. That was good enough for me.
I went to their website and ordered the tune. They can use either the SCT X4 or Nguage tuning devices. I already owned the X4 so I went with that device to save myself some money from buying the Nguage. My tune was $450. Had I bought the tune and the Nguage I believe it was about $700. (Mac users beware the SCT is not Mac compatible. I am a Mac guy and had to resort to using an old windows machine so that was kind of a pain but it worked. You basically need the computer to load the tune file onto the device and to use for data logging which I will mention shortly.)
When you order the tune you fill out some information on how your car is configured and any engine mods. Obviously in our case we differ from stock on the air intake and exhaust. I specified that and it is also important you specify if you are using a crate motor. After that it took about 7 business days for the to email me the custom tune file.
Once you receive the tune you upload it to the device on the computer and then take the device out and plug it into the car. Loading the tune onto the PCM is quite simple following the on screen instructions and took about 10 minutes.
The way Lund works is they send you a base tune. Then you send them some data logs back and they modify the tune as needed. Then you do some more data logs and they give you the final tune.
Upon loading the base tune my car fired right up as it always has and I took it on a test drive.
First impression....WOW! This is immediately noticeable and quite improved. The engine runs smoother at low rpms, the throttle response is sharper, the overall performance seems noticeably improved on the butt dyno. Honestly in the first 1200 miles I thought the cars performance was a 10 out of 10. Post tune I would say the first 1200 miles was actually at 8.5 and now I am truly at 10 out of 10 for a stock motor.
After a short drive I was ready to do some data logging to get the tune updated.
That consisted of hooking up the tuner to the car and the computer and running the car through a set profile they provided.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=71210&d=1501259740
The profile was:
Idle for 3-5 minutes
While sitting still:
1500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
2500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
3500 rpm for 10-15 seconds
After that go drive and in either 2nd or 3rd gear do a couple slow accelerations from 2500 to 5000 rpm
After that pull over and idle for 1-2 minutes
Then stop the data log, save it and email it to them.
I submitted the data log and in short order they sent me a revised tune to load with instructions for a second data logging session. I loaded the review tune the same way I did the initial tune. (IF you have concerns about this the engines factory tune is saved onto your device and you can revert to factory at any time.)
The profile for the next data log was the same but after the first 2500-5000rpm acceleration they wanted a WOT 2nd gear pull from 2500-7200rpm. (That was fun, hit about 85mph in 2nd gear!)
Once I completed that data log and sent it to them they looked over the data and determined no further adjustments were needed and I was good to go.
I should say they also offer the option of an actual dyno session where they collaborate with the dyno operator and modify your tune that way. I choose the option of doing my own data logging and felt for my road driving needs that was sufficient.
Very, very pleased with the tune. I feel like it really optimized the motors performance. I am also very pleased with Lund and their communications and everyone I dealt with there.