2012 Raptor - Recommended Performance Upgrades

[SOW Team 6]

Last Sept at 85K miles on my 2014, I put on Corsa CAT back exhaust, SCT tune, and aFe cold air. Very significant difference - I was pleased with the outcome.

 

[tgrayson]

I have a 2014 SVT 6.2 Raptor and have made the following upgrades:
Roush CAI
Borland Ford Performance Exhaust
JDT Oil/Air Separator
Ford Performance Rear Differential Cover
B&M transmission fluid level dipstick
ADD Venom Front Bumper
Rigid Driving and Fog Lights
BFG KO2 tire at 45psi (better balance & wear)

I put on a K&N drop in air filter and Corsa Resonator delete pipe to start with and it did ok. However, the Roush CAI and Borland Performance Exhaust really let the engine breath with a noticeable seat of the pants feel and 1 to 2 mpg increase average. I chose the Touring model exhaust and it is actually quieter during normal driving until you stomp it.

I have always run 89 octane gas with a bottle of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lub and fuel injector cleaner with Factory Tune. It runs strong for the street without any bad driving characteristics. Hope this helps.

 

[vegascarnut]

Get a Tune, it will open up full throttle at 600 rpms., not like what the factory set it (full open throttle at 3,500 rpms)
More timing, more fuel and air, BIG difference.

A new cold air intake not worth the money, just use a oil type drop in filter, a few brands to choose from.
SVC did a whole flow chart comparison, they all flow the same.
Cat-Back Exhaust, if your into noise, OK.
Headers will give a boost in power.
I'm full stock exhaust no resonator (2010 1/2 doesn't come with one) 560 RWHP

Do not go with a bigger Throttle body, it's complete waste of money.
And doesn't run right any way.

A Whipple installed is around $12,000 +/-
Roush a little bit cheaper by a $1,000 +/-

Agreed 100%. Intake and throttle bodies are a total waste. They don't put MORE of anything in the engine—air/fuel is what I mean. Wasted dollars. The only way to get more power is to add more air AND more fuel, along with better spark and timing curves. The tune is a great performance addition because it makes those necessary timing/fuel/air adjustments. That combined with a handheld tuner to make adjustments when needed for tire size, etc. is really nice. Tune also firms up the shifting which is something you will enjoy.

Exhaust is also a waste of money for meaningful HP gains—you will gain a tiny bit, but you will never feel it—5-15 hp on a truck like this is not something you'll notice. Exhaust starts to matter more with forced induction, but still, the BIG gains are with the turbo/supercharger, not the exhaust. I DO like more exhaust sound, but sometimes on a long trip (especially with people who complain about "noise") I like the option to make it quiet. So what I did was install an electric exhaust cutout. I get the roar when I want, and quiet when I want. Everyone is happy, and it cost me about $200.

When I used to build Mustangs, the first thing guys would add (me included) was a new set of gears. BEST bang for the buck for seat of the pants performance around town—and in this case, off-road. If you have bigger tires, they do bog the truck down, and gears really help to bring the torque back. I don't know many guys who have changed ring n pinions on these, but I'm sure it would give the same effect—does NOT help highway MPG though.

 

[SS308]

Two words: Pedal Commander...

 

[vegascarnut]

Two words: Pedal Commander...

Never heard of this until now. Seems really cool. I have a tune from JDM. Will it work with custom tunes? Going to check it out!


EDIT: after looking at the website, it looks like it plugs right into the pedal harness, so it would be independent of the tune, regardless.

 

[MTF]

Never heard of this until now. Seems really cool. I have a tune from JDM. Will it work with custom tunes? Going to check it out!


EDIT: after looking at the website, it looks like it plugs right into the pedal harness, so it would be independent of the tune, regardless.

Just make sure you talk to the Tuner and let them know you plan on using the Pedal Commander.
They will have to turn down the Throttle response back to stock in the Tune, so you can play with the PC
You can save money and just do the Tune, unless you want the whiplash effect of the PC when dialed up at every light or stop sign.

 

[SS308]

With the Pedal Commander, the other concern is getting that silly grin off of your face.

 

[mrwizard93]

I put the Pedal Commander in this weekend - got it late Friday so I waited all of 16 hours. I will say that there is a noticeable difference in the way the truck responds and feels during driving. I am a bit of a lead-foot and I made the mistake of starting off in Sport+ mode. LOL! That was a bit of a surprise to say the least. In my head, I felt I could have accidentally run my truck out of the driveway and into the neighbors house. City with a couple of pluses was just what the doctor ordered. Nice power, more predictable shifting it seemed, and I like to think that there was a nice rediscovery of the power my truck has.

Now, I am waiting for the CAI and new cat-back exhaust to arrive to see if I notice those couple of extra horses.

But like I mentioned, even though a supercharger would be great, it is still a pretty penny to put into the truck.

 

[MTF]

Where or who did your tune?

I'm running the Whipple Tune for the Whipple Stage II, Gen 2 compressor, Supercharger.

 

[Canuck714]

Where or who did your tune?

Contact Jim at @JimIII@JDM They will create a tune for you, and no need to use a pedal commander. Their tune already adjusts the settings.