Mustang1023

I have a 2010 V6 Mustang with an automatic transmission. I am currently looking at tuners such as the "SCT SF3/X3"
I have a couple of questions about them though.
Does it matter that I have an auto rather than a manual or would it work the exact same way?
What gains can I expect from just the tuner on my stock mustang?
Is there any difference in how tuners work on a manual or automatic transmission car?

obxdude018

They say you notice the effect of a tuner more with an auto tranny as it changes the shift points and makes it more lively, if you get a CAI and Tuner combo expect somewhere around a 20hp increase, even with the tuner you will probably get something like 17-18hp increase, also a recommendation to buy from american muscle as they offer free tunes for life and speak to the rep. from american muscle on this forum about getting a discount.

Mustang1023

Wow. That is good and yes I was planning on getting the SCT tuner from American Muscle because of the free tunes for life. Who is the AM rep? I could use a discount from $380.00. I am debating on getting a tuner the only problem is the price tag.

obxdude018

Just go to the american muscle sponsor page on the forum and ask for a discount code.

Nuke

The engine with the stock tune on the '10 is rated 315 crank HP compared to the 300 crank HP of the 05-09's, solely due to the '10 having the FRPP tune which was supplied on the Bullitt's. Also, the '10 supposedly breathes a little better stock than the '05-'09s. Throw a good custom tune on both a '10 and any '05-'09 and you're looking at about 330 crank HP.

With a tune alone your '10 should pick up about 10-12 RWHP. Toss a CAI in with the tune and add another 4 or so.

Edit: OOPS. Sorry, forgot I was in the V6 section. The '10 4.0 is the same as the 05-09. You'll still gain some with just the tune, just not as sure of the #'s.

Mustang1023

Gotta love tuners, and yes it is for a 2010 V6 Automatic, what else will increase HP #s such as a CAI and a tuner? Gears?

obxdude018

This was a reply I had for someone on what gears and t-loc's do. Our v6's come with an open differential, that means the right tire spins only, a limited slip will get both tires to spin, that helps with better launches and burnouts if you choose to do that, as for gears, our cars come with a final drive ratio of 3.31:1 which means our driveshaft turns 3.31 times per 1 rotation of the tires if you increase the final drive to 3.73 or 4.10 then the engine will spin the tires quicker, with this however fuel economy suffers somewhat because the engine will run at higher rpms. Gears and a limited slip might be the best bang for your buck outside of forced induction. Think about what you want to do to your car however, but there are a lot good people here who can help you with whatever you need. When it comes to horsepower and bolt-ons, you will not get much in the end, real significant horsepower is gained by building the motor or FI, I am currently hooked on suspension as I want to be able to control all my horsepower.

Nuke

Gears do not add HP. They WILL make the car quicker off the line but with a minor sacrifice in fuel economy. Gears are a great mod.

Mustang1023

What is "a limited slip" ? Is that a type of rear gear I can get to make both of the rear wheel tires spin than?
I understand the aspect of gears and the higher the number the more the tires will spin.

obxdude018

There are gears and a differential carrier in the rear axle, the gears connect to the driveshaft via the pinion gear/flange as that spins it turns the ring gear, which is bolted to the carrier and the 2 axles are connected to the carrier. With an open differential which is what the v6 comes with only the right tire gets power to turn, with a limited slip it sends power to both tires as equally as possible through clutches that are in the carrier.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-28spline-75-lsd.html