Failed tune flash?

[TheVin]

Hi All:

I am leaning towards handling mods for my first series of upgrades- Namely a Roush full suspension Kit and a Strut Tower Brace. The acceleration and power of the mustang is (for me, a n00b to cars of this level of power) just about all I can handle at the moment, but I wouldn't mind more nimbleness and feel in the corners.

However, that being said, I certainly notice the throttle lag this car has. Its not inexcusable, but its there. After searching here, I get the impression that there are three fixes to this. First: a tune. Second: a tune. Third: a tune and maybe a CAI.

I will probably buy a Roush vended tune (or possibly a ford racing), and have my dealer do it... mainly because I don't want any whining and arguing about Warranty, and my local dealer is a Roush Dealer (its why I bought from them), and last I checked FRPP says quite plainly 'retains warranty'.

Now, I have had some painful experiences with 'reflashing' memory... in the tech world, not the automotive world. So I'm a little leery.... However, being a pro geek, I might just decide do it myself. So my question is, are the Flash procedures reliable and fool proof? If you follow the directions, are there any problems anyone has run across? Cars going into limp mode- or worse, screwed up so bad that their engine damages itself? And how quick is it to go back to the factory tune?

I sort of like the idea of saving power for last, and focusing on handling... But there is that little throttle lag.... If a few hundred dollars on a tune will solve that, that might be a good thing.

vin

 

[kooldawg6]

Upgrading suspension is not a bad way to start. That way you can put more of the already available power to the ground.
I say get the tuner if nothing else than to fix the throttle lag alone. It woke my auto up big time! I can be cruising in 3rd or 4th gear as low as 20 mph and give the pedal a quick romp and it WILL throw me back instantly As far as tunes failing, there are many more not having problems at all so I wouldn't let that stop you. Going from stock to custom and back to stock tune probably would take just over 5 minutes. It is very simple to follow along and make the needed changes(provided you understand them or want/need to change them). I have the SCT X-Cal and love it (No problems since install back in March-about 15K miles ago). I've only messed with the rev limiter(both in neutral and in drive), shift pressure(5% over stock), gear change and tire revs per mile.

 

[sycd]

I had a very bad experience with the tuner which is provided by Ford Racing with their CAI. The tuner failed in the middle of the download. My car was basically dead. I could not start it, I could not go back to stock, and I could not install a different tune. The only thing I could do is tow it to the dealer so that they could reflash the PCM.

On the hand the XCAL2 served me well so far (knocking on wood).

So if you go the ford racing route, my recommendation would be to have your dealer install it and have them deal with potential problems and have everything done under warranty.

Otherwise get a tuner/tune package from Brenspeed/etc, and install it yourself.

BTW the Ford Racing tune will remove some of the throttle lag, but the change is pretty minor. Other tuners are much more aggressive removing the lag.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

I started with suspension first also, I found the factory suspension is dreadful!! I chose the FRPP handling pack and it's worth every penny!! It's a complete kit with springs struts shocks endlinks and sway bars with bushings. The ride is almost stock a bit jolty in the rear however the nadling increase is well worth it. It comes with an eccentric bolt to adjust camber so no other parts needed like other kits and because its a Ford product the tie rods and control arms in front become parallel when lowered so bump steer is gone no need to purchase one of those pieces like in other kits either.

I just installed a CAI and tune from Demolet, easy install good quality parts and the SCT tuner is easy to use comes with 87 91 & 93 octane tune. I did experience a problem with engine pin with the 93 tune I'm hoping is from bad gas I emailed Demolet for some tips on how to go about finding problem. I now have the 87 octane tune to be safe and I still feel power difference!!! I recommend that CAI system.

 

[TheVin]

Tommyroc, Sycd, Kooldawg - thanks!

Sycd: Thanks for the heads up on the tuner. Until the car is off warranty, I will be having the dealer do most of the work. After warranty, I'll probably get more aggressive with the mods and maybe start taking it to the track, and buy a second car for Daily Driving... Maybe a hybrid, just for the 'sh**s and giggles' of having a hybrid parked next to a supercharged monsterstang.

Tommyroc: yeah, I hear scads of great things about the Roush and FRPP suspension packs. I like to watch TopGear on youtube- as Clarkson just cracks me up. Anyway, Clarkson never seems to have enough insulting things to say about america, americans or American cars (I just laugh when I hear brits bashing on the 'colonies across the pond'). Anyway- Clarkson actually said nice things about the Roush Tuned Mustang (although he got most of his 'facts' wrong, like Indep. Rear Suspension, etc). If the GT with Roush suspension and etc is good enough to overcome Clarksons incessant anti-american-car whining, then I figure thats probably the best endorsement a handling pack could possibly get!

Well, the guy did by a ford GT. Although he fond plenty of things to whine about... He still bought it!


Kooldawg: Thanks for the recommendation and info on the tune!

 

[kooldawg6]

Good luck and have lots of fun in the process!