Spork3245

After a bit of research, it seems that a CAI and/or exhaust offer more-or-less no performance gains this go around due to Ford seemingly doing an awesome job with the stock offerings on the GT (I believe I read the EB gets a huge boost from a CAI, but I have a GT so that doesn't matter ). I am reading that a tuner/programmer is still a good investment and dropping people into the mid-12s for their quarter-mile time even with everything else stock. Not getting a CAI is weird to me but I'm certainly not going to waste money on one after the research I've done; I never bothered modding my 2013 GT as I didn't want to drop the money on something I knew I wasn't going to keep (leased it), however on my '01 GT Convertible a CAI with a tuner and a magnaflow exhaust made a ridiculous difference but I guess we've come a long way from that 4.6L v8

Anyway, which tuner do you guys recommend and at what point is it okay to use it (ie: after 1000 miles? 2000?)? The brand I used for my '01 GT was a Diablo Sports, I was happy with it but I have no "brand loyalty" towards them or anything like that. Also, those who have tuned their Automatic 2015/2016 GTs: how big was/is the performance increase (I'm reading about 15-20 rwHP on average)? Does it also change the sports/track/winter drive modes in addition to the "normal" mode? Are you getting better gas mileage ("you don't buy a GT for gas mileage, blah blah blah" I'm just curious as on my '01 it netted me a 3-4 mpg increase on average... It also validates me buying it even more by saying "with the mpg increase, I can't afford NOT to get one!" )? Does using a tuner void warranty?

Thanks in advance guys!

Spork3245

Anyone?

whatsup62

I have the SCT X4. It works very well and gives you options. You can use the SCT can tune that comes with it ( which is a very good tune over stock), or you can order a custom tune from someone like Lund, steeda, Bama, etc and upload it to the X4 then to your car.

krazyk86cu

I don't mean to thread jack, but could someone explain how exactly one tunes a car? Do you simply buy a tuner like the SCT X4 mentioned above and plug it in? I've modded just about every car I've owned but never really got past basic bolt ons.

ucinn

yes, it just plugs in to the OBD port, copies your stock tune and then writes whatever tune you want to the car. takes maybe 5 minutes.

Spork3245

Thank you!
In regards to my other questions, at what point is it okay to install a tune? I mean, should I wait till the "engine break-in" period is complete? Also, will there be an mpg increase? Mostly just curious with this

scottmach

A tune will basically eliminate any drivetrain warranty. Something to keep in mind.

Spork3245

Did some googling and it seems as though you're right. With my old 2001 it didn't matter as I could restore it back to factory settings and no one could tell otherwise, but it seems that on current cars a "thumbprint" will be left.

Regardless, I'm still curious about the mpg and engine "break-in" timing.

aframe

The tune will not void factory warranty automatically. If the tune is directly responsible for a failure it will void the warranty. Just make sure you go with a tuning company that isn't going to take it to the edge. A good tune will also make all your other bolt-ons work better as well. I know everybody has their favorite. I had 5 star tune my stang after the miracle he did with my F150.

scottmach

Ford is going to blame the tune no matter what the issue is. They'll just refuse to work on your car and it will up to YOU to fight them in court if you so desire.