2012 MUSTANG BOSS 302 LETS LOOSE WITH TRACKEY; CHOOSE STOCK OR FULL-RACE CALIBRATION
- TracKey, available for 2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners through Ford
dealers, adds TracMode powertrain control software to the car for track
use, providing full race calibration and two-stage launch control in
addition to stock calibration, without compromising factory warranty - Using a dual-path powertrain control module (PCM), TracKey
software is installed after the vehicle is purchased; accessed by a
specially programmed vehicle key, new code coexists with stock Boss
software, allowing drivers to choose between street or track use simply
by selecting a key - No aftermarket chips or permanent modifications are made when
TracKey is used, allowing owners to return to the stock setting by
starting the car with a regular key
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DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 11, 2010 – You hold two keys: One has a black Boss
logo, the other red: Either will start your 2012 Mustang Boss 302.
Slide the all-black key into the lock cylinder, give it a twist and
you’re treated to 444 ponies worth of smooth, streetable driving joy. Or
choose red – the TracKey – and you have a competition-ready track car.
A joint project between Mustang engineers and Ford Racing, TracKey
adds a second set of powertrain control module (PCM) software to a
customer’s Mustang Boss 302, activated by a specially programmed vehicle
key. When invoked by TracKey, the new TracMode software alters more
than 200 engine management parameters, increasing low-end torque and
turning the potent but well-mannered stock Boss into a competition-ready
track car. Remove TracKey and start Boss with the standard key, and all
factory engine settings are restored for a comfortable drive home from
the course.
adds a second set of powertrain control module (PCM) software to a
customer’s Mustang Boss 302, activated by a specially programmed vehicle
key. When invoked by TracKey, the new TracMode software alters more
than 200 engine management parameters, increasing low-end torque and
turning the potent but well-mannered stock Boss into a competition-ready
track car. Remove TracKey and start Boss with the standard key, and all
factory engine settings are restored for a comfortable drive home from
the course.
“From an engine management standpoint, we’ve done just about
everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience,”
explains Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. “It’s not for use on
the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the
brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver
on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits.”
everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience,”
explains Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. “It’s not for use on
the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the
brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver
on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits.”
As part of the TracKey software package, Ford engineers also
devised a two-stage launch control feature similar to that used on the
Cobra Jet race car. Using a combination of steering wheel buttons,
drivers can set the tach needle to a desired launch rpm. Floor the
throttle and the engine will rev to the preset rpm until the clutch is
released, helping aid acceleration and vehicle control from a standing
start.
devised a two-stage launch control feature similar to that used on the
Cobra Jet race car. Using a combination of steering wheel buttons,
drivers can set the tach needle to a desired launch rpm. Floor the
throttle and the engine will rev to the preset rpm until the clutch is
released, helping aid acceleration and vehicle control from a standing
start.
One key, hundreds of changes
Devised during an all-night garage brainstorming session among core
Mustang team members, TracKey introduces the concept known as the
dual-path powertrain control module. The industry-first, patent-pending
innovation allows two separate sets of engine management software to
exist on a single PCM, selected through the existing SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transceiver found in current production keys.
Mustang team members, TracKey introduces the concept known as the
dual-path powertrain control module. The industry-first, patent-pending
innovation allows two separate sets of engine management software to
exist on a single PCM, selected through the existing SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transceiver found in current production keys.
The TracKey PCM software, installed by an authorized Ford dealer
after a customer takes delivery of the car, adjusts variable cam timing,
spark maps, engine braking, fuel control and other engine parameters –
more than 200 in total – to provide a complete race car calibration. The
result is an aggressive, race-bred driving experience all the way down
to the lopey idle rumbling through the Boss quad exhaust.
after a customer takes delivery of the car, adjusts variable cam timing,
spark maps, engine braking, fuel control and other engine parameters –
more than 200 in total – to provide a complete race car calibration. The
result is an aggressive, race-bred driving experience all the way down
to the lopey idle rumbling through the Boss quad exhaust.
“Anything that could possibly affect all-out performance is deleted
from the TracKey calibration,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief
engineer. “Throttle limiting and torque management – any daily
driveability enhancements are removed and replaced with a pure Ford
Racing competition calibration.”
from the TracKey calibration,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief
engineer. “Throttle limiting and torque management – any daily
driveability enhancements are removed and replaced with a pure Ford
Racing competition calibration.”
When TracKey is removed and the vehicle is started with the
standard key, the PCM settings are automatically drawn from the factory
Boss 302 instruction set again without any additional modifications
needed – a huge advantage over aftermarket tuning chips and ECU
reprogramming. The convenience is useful for enthusiasts who want
all-out performance at the racetrack but stock driveability for the
journey there and back.
standard key, the PCM settings are automatically drawn from the factory
Boss 302 instruction set again without any additional modifications
needed – a huge advantage over aftermarket tuning chips and ECU
reprogramming. The convenience is useful for enthusiasts who want
all-out performance at the racetrack but stock driveability for the
journey there and back.
An after-hours obsession
In the early stages of TracKey development, a major challenge was
the complexity of installing multiple PCM computers and switching
between them. However, Ford controls engineers developed a method to
choose between two unique sets of software in a single powertrain
control module on the Boss 302: The dual-path PCM was born.
the complexity of installing multiple PCM computers and switching
between them. However, Ford controls engineers developed a method to
choose between two unique sets of software in a single powertrain
control module on the Boss 302: The dual-path PCM was born.
“We installed the 302R software on the same PCM that held the stock
Boss software,” says Seaman. “Then the controls engineers developed a
software system to activate one or the other, depending upon which key
was used to start the vehicle. Really, all the parts to make this work
existed – the Ford MyKey® system was already using the PATS
transceiver to perform specific actions based on the key used to start
the car, and the PCM was flexible enough to handle multiple control
modules. It was just putting everything together.”
Boss software,” says Seaman. “Then the controls engineers developed a
software system to activate one or the other, depending upon which key
was used to start the vehicle. Really, all the parts to make this work
existed – the Ford MyKey® system was already using the PATS
transceiver to perform specific actions based on the key used to start
the car, and the PCM was flexible enough to handle multiple control
modules. It was just putting everything together.”
As the project unfolded, the team was driven by the uniqueness of
what they were trying to accomplish, and TracKey became an obsession.
Considering the compressed time frame in which the technology was
developed, motivation was essential to the creation of the finished
product.
what they were trying to accomplish, and TracKey became an obsession.
Considering the compressed time frame in which the technology was
developed, motivation was essential to the creation of the finished
product.
“We’ve all been really excited about TracKey, so it came together
quickly,” explained Pericak. “The concept was first discussed in spring
2009, and here we are 18 months later with a finished, tested, verified
product. It’s a perfect example of what can happen when you get a core,
cross-functional team willing to contribute 24/7 to bring a great idea
to life.”
quickly,” explained Pericak. “The concept was first discussed in spring
2009, and here we are 18 months later with a finished, tested, verified
product. It’s a perfect example of what can happen when you get a core,
cross-functional team willing to contribute 24/7 to bring a great idea
to life.”
TracKey powertrain software installation and key programming will
be available to 2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners through Ford Racing
authorized dealers. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
be available to 2012 Mustang Boss 302 owners through Ford Racing
authorized dealers. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
Article provided by: http://media.ford.com/