+30 HP with just a computer tune

FXDL

New Member
Oct 23, 2004
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In the latest issue of 5.0 Mustang there is a blurb about Paul Svinicki throwing a quick computer tune at an 05 GT. He picked up 30.1 HP and 28.2 ft/lb. Speaks volumes about the potential of this engine, as well as just how conservative the stock tune is.
 
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Well the argument i saw against that was that they can tell from the computer if there have been changes made to it since it was made or something along those lines. Someone correct me if i'm wrong.
 
I'm going to post about my tune this past weekend but for now, I will say 27 RWHP+ gains - lots of testing of combos - and MANY surprises. Will post details tomorrow...
 
Dumb Question 1.
Can they manufacture a replacement "Chip" or "ECU" module that will allow us to switch them out for stock...that way we can switch them back if we have to ?

Dumb Question 2.
The tune itself can't "kill" the engine can it? All it would do (in my novice understanding) is change the timing, fuel/air ratio, shift points (?) nothing that really could damage an engine. The reason the other thread said it would be used to void a warranty is because it "implied" you were racing the car. They also said that changing the rear gear ration (3:55 to 3:93) wasn't of itself anything that could damage the car...but it would void the warranty due to "implied" racing.

Dumb Question 3.
Several ford techs/mechanics on this board have implied that if you buy "Ford Racing" parts and have it installed at a "Ford Dealership" that they can't void your warranty....true?

????

Jay
 
Lime05owner said:
Dumb Question 1.
Can they manufacture a replacement "Chip" or "ECU" module that will allow us to switch them out for stock...that way we can switch them back if we have to ?
The EEC is integrated tightly into the rest of the car, you'd have to reprogram the PATS system, you might find that your odometer mileage is in the EEC, etc, etc.

Dumb Question 2.
The tune itself can't "kill" the engine can it? All it would do (in my novice understanding) is change the timing, fuel/air ratio, shift points (?) nothing that really could damage an engine.
If you don't think that you can melt an engine (even naturally aspirated) by controlling A/F ratio and timing, think again.

And if you want to argue with Ford about proving that your aftermarket tune had anything to do with breaking the engine, have fun -- they designed the cars, and I'd bet they can provide much expert testimony from the engineers about how the aftermarket tune caused the problem.

Dumb Question 3.
Several ford techs/mechanics on this board have implied that if you buy "Ford Racing" parts and have it installed at a "Ford Dealership" that they can't void your warranty....true?
100% false. The dealer is not Ford. The dealer could offer you a warranty of their own, but Ford has no obligation to you under the factory warranty.
 
hp2k5 said:
I wouldnt risk a 7 year waranty for a 30 hp tune. Its just not worth it.
Guarantee there will be more than enough owners who will accept the small risk for the big gain. And I'm one of them. In my personal experience the local dealer couldn't care less about mods. They fix whatever is wrong and send the bill to Ford (or the warranty company). I blew the rear end out of a modified stang and they just put a new one in no questions.

Sure the dealer could try to deny you on a warranty repair, but what's in it for them? A warranty repair is just money to the bottom line for them.
 
FXDL said:
Sure the dealer could try to deny you on a warranty repair, but what's in it for them? A warranty repair is just money to the bottom line for them.
A couple of thoughts. First, warranty repairs are a lot less lucrative for the dealer than repairs you pay for out of pocket -- Ford pays less per hour, and they only allow a certain number of hours for a given repair regardless of how long it takes.

Second, the dealer does not decide what is covered under warranty and what is not. So you can make nice to them all you want, they still have to call the hotline to get approval before making the repair. And if the issue is serious enough, Ford might send out an inspector of their own to see it in person before approving the repair.

Dave
 
First off a Warranty Cannot be voided... period. As far as a tune goes, its no different if you slapped a Supercharger on top, you are changing the Factory specs of the car from what Ford Engineer's programmed it to be. If you blow the engine, Ford can easily see if you have a reprogrammed PCM, that is if you leave it in there for them to find it. When it comes to warranties, Dealers don't make much of a profit on repairs. Ford loses money everytime you make a warranty claim. Dealers are independant of Ford, thats the reason why Ford can't set a car's price. Now lets say you did tune your car and leaned it out to the poitn of death. If the dealer can tell that you changed the programming they can deny you a warranty claim on the engine. Now if you bring in your car for something else, lets say the door locking mechanism doesn't work anymore, you are still covered under the warranty. Think of the warranty as the whole car. If you cause the damage then they will choose not to repair it. Anyone can try to fight back by going to a regional Manager where you may enter arbitration, IE get a lawyer or hope it goes in your favor. Remember the dealer has nothing to do with Ford, so they are a seperate party.
The other thing about aftermarket parts is that lets say you get Ford Racing parts for you car and have them installed by your dealer who says he/she will cover you under the warranty. That ONLY applies to that Dealer and i would get it in writing. A Dealer cannot say that Ford will cover the aftermarket parts as they aren't Ford and don't have the authority to answer for Ford. The dealer can do what he want, and many are starting to get into the performance side of the game so they can make money. The Warranty only covers what exactly left ford's factory. You can take your car to any Ford dealership for warranty repairs. Aftermarket parts can only be warrantied by the dealership where you had them installed and have a binding agreement between you and the dealer or by the company that made the part (ie some superchargers have 3 years engine warranties) if its covered.
 
Rootus said:
And if the issue is serious enough, Ford might send out an inspector of their own to see it in person before approving the repair.

Dave
If you are hard enough on your drivetrain to cause a major failure you might have an issue. But I'm not that hard on my vehicles. I consider the chance small enough that I modify every vehicle I own, and I never lose a minute's sleep over the warranty.

I only wish to point out that "You'll void your warranty" isn't the whole story. Thousands of owners modify their stangs every year. And yet this forum is not full of horror stories of denied warranty repairs. Could it happen? Yes. It's a risk/reward analysis each must make for themselves.
 
FXDL said:
I only wish to point out that "You'll void your warranty" isn't the whole story. Thousands of owners modify their stangs every year. And yet this forum is not full of horror stories of denied warranty repairs. Could it happen? Yes. It's a risk/reward analysis each must make for themselves.
I have never said that Ford will just "void your warranty" for these kinds of mods. :shrug:

What people need to be clear on is that modding your car involves a certain risk. As in your case, that risk may be small enough to ignore. For others, it is not. There are some folks on here trying to claim that 1) Ford cannot deny warranty coverage, 2) It is difficult for them to prove that your modification cause the problem, and 3) If the dealer installed the parts, or they are Ford Racing parts, the warranty will not be affected.

These kinds of statements are harmful, because some of the new people will take them as truth. Everybody needs to go into this with an open mind. I absolutely modify my cars, and I accept the responsibility. Not everyone would be willing to do that if they were aware in advance of the potential consequences. This forum is not yet full of warranty denied claims, but that is because the car is still brand new. Ford has a history of denying warranty claims for cars that have been raced or abused, so it should not suprise anybody if they continue to follow that policy with the 2005 Mustang.

Dave