Gearhead Tune Review

[Fender]

Bigger Intercooler is crucial for FI vehicles


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---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 AM ----------





Same trans as in a high HP camaro that shifts perfectly according to several car reviews... great write up!!


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I understand, the old me would have already went for the highest gains with IC and methanol...etc but im new to the ford platform
And watching reliability

 

[mmacfn]

@Guy

So to do the MTP you do not require intercooler upgrades and everything do you? Just the nguage and the tune correct?

Is that dangerous to not do these other upgrades and tune?

 

[Spartan1]

@Guy

So to do the MTP you do not require intercooler upgrades and everything do you? Just the nguage and the tune correct?

Is that dangerous to not do these other upgrades and tune?

You are correct in that nothing else is required. I am definitely convinced that the best move is to buy an intercooler. Cold air intake is probably a good idea too. I bet if you talk to MTP they will recommend both and not just because they want to sell them to you. I think that there is a reason that whipple's stage 1 comes with the CAI and intercooler. If you look at the roush stage 1 that only comes with a CAI and no intercooler they only added like 33 hp. They will insure your power train for a fee. I think that the numbers are low in part because they do not want to end up paying for your blown up engine or tranny. I am personally running a chipwerke that makes me nervous without the intercooler but it is dialed way down and it is already cold in Michigan. I am leaning toward the whipple stage 1, but I might go with MPT or Livernois. I will definitely get an intercooler soon and it sounds like the whipple is probably the best bet for the stock location even if I do not run their tune. I am in no rush to upgrade for a while sine I am running in weather mode half of the time now anyways due to the snow. Plus changing the intercooler seems like a pain in my freezing cold garage with my crappy space heater. It will be a spring project for me.

 

[dewalt]

What is Lars shipping now? Juiced or regular or a hybrid ?

 

[Guy]

MPT

REcommends an intercooler and a 170 degree thermostat if possible.

They are not required, but will help you to maintain consistent performance.

I don’t know how I feel about the 170 thermostat, but I’m all about the intercooler.

@Guy

So to do the MTP you do not require intercooler upgrades and everything do you? Just the nguage and the tune correct?

Is that dangerous to not do these other upgrades and tune?

 

[dewalt]

Fans come on at 200 so if you are cruising over that fans are on.

 

[Msb.19d]

I haven’t changed my thermostat, no need I don’t think, my shit is fast constantly to point I scare myself and other vehicles around me constantly also

 

[sixshooter_45]

So let’s review.

This has been a difficult evaluation for me.
I have two Gearhead tunes. One is a stock pedal tune and the other is referred to as a juiced pedal.

I flashed the stock pedal tune first and within an hour flashed to the juiced pedal. Going back to a stock pedal is about as boring as it sounds.

The juiced pedal tune was then put through the paces. 200 miles of highway driving, local driving, and city traffic were tested along with some light off-road.

The truck was filled up with Shell 93 prior to any testing.

The juiced pedal is an improvement over stock, but it is not nearly as aggressive as MPT. The truck is more easily controlled for gentle acceleration with this pedal setup, but it’s not lazy as is the stock pedal.

The transmission is what I would describe as being a refined stock experience. The shifts are smooth and there is a fair amount of slip between gears. Think Cadillac whereas MPT is more like a mustang. There is no erratic shifting and the logic for downshifts and cruising is mildly altered from the factory.

The power delivery is increased over stock. It pulls less than MPT, however, and my 0-60 Time dropped by 0.2-0.3 on successive timed runs. It’s not a slouch though, and I would say the power produced is similar to my 5 Star 93 Octane City Tune, but with much better transmission behavior and no wrenches, bugs or glitches. The power seems to roll off in the upper RPM range, Moreso than MPT or 5 Star.

The Verdict...

It’s a quality tune and Lars from Gearhead is knowledgeable, friendly, and not afraid to answer questions about what he does. He never claimed to make the most powerful tune on the planet. What he claimed to have made is a tune that is as friendly to own as a stock truck, without a need to reflash for differing octanes or towing a trailer. His philosophy is similar to that of Livernois or Whipple. He is going to sell you a tune that you’ll still be running 150k miles from now, with a trailer in tow.

When I compare this tune to MPT, which for me is the gold standard, I find it to be so different that the conparison is almost invalid. It really is an apples to oranges comparison in the way the two tunes are designed.

The MPT tune is much more thrilling and gives your truck a sports car feel. It’s faster and shifts more deliberately and has a more aggressive shift algorithm.

The Gearhead tune is the perfect “touring” tune for taking a long trip with the family. Your passengers will appreciate the smooth shifting, the gentle downshifts, and the smooth power delivery. You won’t have to worry about where you gas up, and if you’re towing your boat to your favorite campsite, that too won’t be an issue.

If I was forced to pick just one tune to own, it would still be the 93 octane MPT PRX for the reasons listed above. My truck is not my daily driver, and when I drive it, I want the fastest wildest ride I can have. Fortunately, though, I don’t have to pick just one.

I hope that helps those who are on the fence. If you want the fastest tune, MPT still reigns supreme. If you want a milder, daily-driver worthy tune... absolutely give Gearhead a second look.

I can't thank you enough for taking your time to try various tunes and compiling information for reviews as many like me are on the fence about which tune to use.

So I've read all about the MPT tune and was researching Gear heads tune when I stumbled across this thread.

One question, have you any knowledge of other tuners besides 5Star, MPT or Gearheads?

Gearhead has a Video out where he describes what his tune entails and how higher boost causes more heat and I believe he adjusts the timing and keeps his boost at 18 which is what I reach on my stock 2019.

Anyways, What about JDM?

 

[Krillin]

I have the 91 tow 91 prx and 93 prx .. 91 is already pretty crazy .. I haven't even touched the other two

 

[mattr66]

Gearhead is the only tuner that pays attention to the maximum turbo speed that should be run. Anything over 220000 rpms is shortening the life of the turbos. That's why the Gearhead tunes feel like the power is dropping off at the higher rpms. If you want more, get more turbo.

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