My initial tune thoughts

I just installed the 5 Star 87 performance tune using my shiny new Livewire TS tuner. Wanted to share some thoughts and qualify them as being based on a single test run. I'll drive a couple of tankfuls before I try other tunes.

First off, let me say that expectations are a powerful thing. In reading a lot of "reviews", I kept hearing comments about the tune "waking the truck up" and being the "best mod" out there. Those comments are setting up some pretty lofty expectations. The problem with high expectations is that they are often hard to meet, and lead to disappointment.

The truck seems more responsive off the line. Some of the comments I read about the shifting being "harsh" seem to have been overstated, at least according to my butt dyno. YMMV. I ordered "soft" versions of the performance tunes because of this supposed "hard shifting", but now I'm thinking I've wasted a couple of tunes on a non-issue.

I'm having a hard time justifying in my head the expense with the result. This is a question of relative worth and not a reflection on the tuning device or the tunes. And I'm 99% sure this is due to the excessive high expectations set by some reviewers. I know the internet is prone to hyperbole, so I should have known better.

I'm not sure if I was expecting white unicorns to fly out of my exhaust or my Raptor to suddenly develop a flux capacitor and take me back to the future. It seems to start a bit quicker off the line and hold on to 3rd or 4th under WOT getting me to 110mph (oh yeah, no limiter!) very quickly. I'm not a drag racer so I'm not planning on doing that every day. I plan to stay under 80mph 99% of the time, so for that the truck does seem "perkier".

The problem I have with the description of "wakes up the truck" is that it set, in MY mind, a very high expectation. Since I think the stock Raptor is pretty awesome, I guess that makes me less impressed. If you are unhappy with your Raptor's performance, perhaps you will have a different experience.

On the Livewire is will say I am disappointed on the readability of the screen, which is zero in broad daylight. It'd be nice to have a couple of other choices for the gauges also, but since I couldn't see them it really didn't matter.

This is not a post to dissuade anyone from buying a tuner. The jury is still out as a 1000 mile run is necessary, IMO, to really form a solid opinion. Let's see how MPGs do. This tune definitely makes me feel comfortable filling up with 87 octane and saving $15 per tank. I just want to lay this out there to provide some balance to the "tune will make your Raptor feel like a whole different truck" comments. It will improve responsiveness for sure, but keep those expectations level and realistic. It will be a lot harder to become disappointed.

My $0.02.

I am on the edge myself to buy a tune and about ready to pull the trigger. Looking at the one with the powertrain warranty even though its an extra $500.

But I figured on the 87 it wouldn't make a whole lot. I would be more interested in how the difference is with 91 or 93 stock vs tune?

What do you mean by soft tune, never seen that option when purchasing?

Good review btw

I PMed Chris at Freedom Motorsports, and we discussed the shifting strategies of the performance tunes, and my concerns about the shifting being too harsh. I asked for and received performance tunes with less aggressive shifting changes, and they were labeled "soft" on the tuner device itself.

I also got 93 octane tunes, so I may give those a try to see what the difference is. It might be a few weeks while I run a few tanks thru the 87 octane tunes.

For any tune you get to a vehicle, whether that be through 5 Star or a tuner of your choosing, it's always best to communicate with the tuner (or person you're buying the tune from) and discuss exactly what you want, as ZBoater did. Most of the tunes from a specific tuner are generally the same and asking for minor tweaks usually doesn't take them very long (and they may already have the tune written).

My suggestion is after you've driven the truck for a while and seen what you do and don't like about the tune, contact the tuner and let them know what you don't like. They may already have tweaks to their tune to account for what you don't like or it may be something that they can do quickly. Unlike most products you will buy for these trucks, a tune is one of the most customizable ones you can do and you shouldn't just have to live with the first tune you received if it doesn't meet your expectations. From everything I've read and heard from friends, Mike is great to deal with and will try to get your tune to exactly what you want.

I get tired of the " day and night difference" too. So many guys over state the gains of boltons , especially cai's. At best these mods add 20 -30hp at full throttle. To think there will be a major difference in any mod other than a blower is a dream.

You need to give the pcm and bcm a few drive cycles(10-20) to relearn your driving style after you put a tune on. I don't think that you will notice a big change with an 87 octane tune, maybe better gas mileage. The best tunes will be either 91 or 93 performance and be sure to run a tank of premium before you load the higher octane tunes.

you will be supercharger shopping soon I believe. like me

Some pics of the tuner install.

^^
How is that held there? Did you drill into your dash?
What is the dial above the has pedal?

RDFTS said:

^^
How is that held there? Did you drill into your dash?
What is the dial above the has pedal?

Click to expand...

I bought a Proclip mount without a holder, and used Velcro to hold the Livewire. No drilling, it's a very clean solution from Proclip.





That dial is a volume control for the aftermarket sub.