Anyone running a 5 star tune on their Powerboost?

[RyanStroeder]

Any feedback? Shifting changes? Throttle response?

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[SWillier]

Don't think there is a 5Star tune fof the newer trucks yet (talking custom tunes, not that piggyback JB4 thing). Only tune I've seen so far is Livernois.

I have 5 star tuning on my 2013 (91 perf, 91 tow and 87 tow). If I ever get my '22 and 5 star does come out with tunes, I would definately consider them wehen tuning time comes around. I have had great luck with them. Power gain is considerable, but I think the transmission re-mampping is what really gives you the benefits. Tows much better than stock. The difference between the 91 performance and 91 performance/tow is pretty noticable. I've actually fallen into just leaving the 91 tow tun on all the time in the last couple years.

 

[RyanStroeder]

Don't think there is a 5Star tune fof the newer trucks yet (talking custom tunes, not that piggyback JB4 thing). Only tune I've seen so far is Livernois.

I have 5 star tuning on my 2013 (91 perf, 91 tow and 87 tow). If I ever get my '22 and 5 star does come out with tunes, I would definately consider them wehen tuning time comes around. I have had great luck with them. Power gain is considerable, but I think the transmission re-mampping is what really gives you the benefits. Tows much better than stock. The difference between the 91 performance and 91 performance/tow is pretty noticable. I've actually fallen into just leaving the 91 tow tun on all the time in the last couple years.

Thanks for the reply, I'm new to the truck tuning. What's the difference between the JB4 thing and a fully custom tune? One better than the other?

cheers

 

[SWillier]

I'll give you my random convoluted brain dump, sorry this got long and rambly.....

Remeber this is all advice coming from some random stranger on the internet, so take it for what it's worth. I reccomend calling and talking to the tuner you want to use. They should be more than willing to discuss your specific situation and let you know what your expectations should be. 5 Star was great at answering questions when I start looking at them.

5 Star's custom tuning is a specific tune for your truck and any options you might have or add later. You can then get revised tunes as you make any bolt on modification. You can also data log through the tuner and send those files in to have them tweak the tunes to meet your specific truck's sensor readings. No two trucks are the same even though built of the "same" parts. Tunes can be adjusted over time for bolt-ons like intakes, exhaust, thermostat, piping, throttle body, downpipes, to take full advantage of the changes possible with them. In theory, custom is much better than a canned tune (Superchips or SCT for example) made to work for any and all trucks of a certain year by using the lowest common denominator tune settings to be safe or a piggyback tuner that is just intercepting readings and faking different readings to the computer. Custom should net you the most change safely for your specific truck. You can also control how agressive or conservative you want the tunes to be written. (and get multiple versions)

5 Star also did a good job of adjusting transmission mapping. Shift points, gear holding, engine deceleration / braking, etc. I don't know if the piggyback does anything for transmission as it looks like it is just affecting airflow sensor readings.

Custom tunes like 5 Star or Livernoise actually write over the stock ECU programming with thier custom tune. You can flash back to a stock tune if ever desired. This may or may not be detected by the dealer / FORD computer and may or may not cause you waranty issues. I didn't have problems on my current truck, but never had a major engine or trans issue they could blame on a tune. It is a possibility, so be aware.

Things like dealer ECU updates (happens all the time when you go in for service to fix issues) can cause you headaches as they change the strategy code (a software version designation) and you may need your tune to be re-written / adjusted to work with the new strategy as they truly are custom tunes to your ECU. That used to be free with 5 Star, but I don't know if it still is or if they charge a minor fee. I did ask Livernoise and they said it was free if needed. You also want to be sure you flash back to stock when going in for service so your device is "unlocked" from the truck if they need to remake your tune for a new strategy. The device may consider it a new tune even though the VIN is the same.

The JB4 looks like an "intercept and trick" piggy back contorller. It interrupts the engine's sensors and changes the values the ECU is seeing to make more power. Beyond that, I don'k have much experience with the piggyback style. I do know Bergner who makes the JB4 (5 Star just sells it) is popular in the BMW community. Not sure if the BMW tuning is just piggyback like this or a real chip tune. I know when I did Audi tuning I had to mail my ECU into a tuner who physically changed the chip out for a programmable one (GIAC and APR were who I used then). Looks like you could just unplug the JB4 from the engine and leave no trace for waranty issues (as long as you pull i t off before your truck went to the dealer - like if you get towed). It seems to me that this is all engine performance based, and not other drivability issues like transmission / driveability performance gains.

I don't know much about Livernoise other than they are the only ones so far with a "real" 21+ tune for the EB / PB. There was a guy with a PB who loaned his truck to them to develop the tune.

Just as a PSA:
The safest thing to do for a new truck still under waranty is leave it stock. Especially while FORD is still working out issues and making software chenges to address them. But turbo charged engines sure do take tuning well! Ther is always a lot of performance to be had, but might take away from longevity. My 2013 has been tuned since about 32K miles with no issues and all benefits at 94K miles now. Well, the gas mileage sucks, but that's a lot because of how I drive it (because of the tune) and bigger tires.

Someone may know more about the piggyback and chime in, also. Hopefully to learn us all some about that style.

Just to give you where my perspective is coming from, I have tuned a few of my turbo and 2 NA vehicles for a while now.

• 2000 Audi A4 1.8T - GIAC chip tuning
• 2001 Audi S4 2.7T - APR (multiple selectable) chip tuning
• 2001 Jeep Cerokee (Buggy) 4.8 LS swapped - semi-custom 150Tunes. I'm going to try custom tuning this myself with HPTuners software.
• 2007 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 - Canned Diablow then semi-custom "DiabLew" tuning
• 2013 F150 3.5 ecoboost - Canned Diablo tune then switched to 5 Star custom tunes both on a SCT X4 then HPT N-Gauge device. I have had multiple tune revisions for dealer strategy code changes, bolt on mods, and tire size changes. I have intake, catch can, throttle body, cold side tubes, hot side tubes, intercooler, 170 thermostat, radiator, turbo outlet adapters, exhaust manifolds, and catted downpipes almost all added over time after the initial tune.

If you read this far, I hope some of this helps!

 

[RyanStroeder]

I'll give you my random convoluted brain dump, sorry this got long and rambly.....

Remeber this is all advice coming from some random stranger on the internet, so take it for what it's worth. I reccomend calling and talking to the tuner you want to use. They should be more than willing to discuss your specific situation and let you know what your expectations should be. 5 Star was great at answering questions when I start looking at them.

5 Star's custom tuning is a specific tune for your truck and any options you might have or add later. You can then get revised tunes as you make any bolt on modification. You can also data log through the tuner and send those files in to have them tweak the tunes to meet your specific truck's sensor readings. No two trucks are the same even though built of the "same" parts. Tunes can be adjusted over time for bolt-ons like intakes, exhaust, thermostat, piping, throttle body, downpipes, to take full advantage of the changes possible with them. In theory, custom is much better than a canned tune (Superchips or SCT for example) made to work for any and all trucks of a certain year by using the lowest common denominator tune settings to be safe or a piggyback tuner that is just intercepting readings and faking different readings to the computer. Custom should net you the most change safely for your specific truck. You can also control how agressive or conservative you want the tunes to be written. (and get multiple versions)

5 Star also did a good job of adjusting transmission mapping. Shift points, gear holding, engine deceleration / braking, etc. I don't know if the piggyback does anything for transmission as it looks like it is just affecting airflow sensor readings.

Custom tunes like 5 Star or Livernoise actually write over the stock ECU programming with thier custom tune. You can flash back to a stock tune if ever desired. This may or may not be detected by the dealer / FORD computer and may or may not cause you waranty issues. I didn't have problems on my current truck, but never had a major engine or trans issue they could blame on a tune. It is a possibility, so be aware.

Things like dealer ECU updates (happens all the time when you go in for service to fix issues) can cause you headaches as they change the strategy code (a software version designation) and you may need your tune to be re-written / adjusted to work with the new strategy as they truly are custom tunes to your ECU. That used to be free with 5 Star, but I don't know if it still is or if they charge a minor fee. I did ask Livernoise and they said it was free if needed. You also want to be sure you flash back to stock when going in for service so your device is "unlocked" from the truck if they need to remake your tune for a new strategy. The device may consider it a new tune even though the VIN is the same.

The JB4 looks like an "intercept and trick" piggy back contorller. It interrupts the engine's sensors and changes the values the ECU is seeing to make more power. Beyond that, I don'k have much experience with the piggyback style. I do know Bergner who makes the JB4 (5 Star just sells it) is popular in the BMW community. Not sure if the BMW tuning is just piggyback like this or a real chip tune. I know when I did Audi tuning I had to mail my ECU into a tuner who physically changed the chip out for a programmable one (GIAC and APR were who I used then). Looks like you could just unplug the JB4 from the engine and leave no trace for waranty issues (as long as you pull i t off before your truck went to the dealer - like if you get towed). It seems to me that this is all engine performance based, and not other drivability issues like transmission / driveability performance gains.

I don't know much about Livernoise other than they are the only ones so far with a "real" 21+ tune for the EB / PB. There was a guy with a PB who loaned his truck to them to develop the tune.

Just as a PSA:
The safest thing to do for a new truck still under waranty is leave it stock. Especially while FORD is still working out issues and making software chenges to address them. But turbo charged engines sure do take tuning well! Ther is always a lot of performance to be had, but might take away from longevity. My 2013 has been tuned since about 32K miles with no issues and all benefits at 94K miles now. Well, the gas mileage sucks, but that's a lot because of how I drive it (because of the tune) and bigger tires.

Someone may know more about the piggyback and chime in, also. Hopefully to learn us all some about that style.

Just to give you where my perspective is coming from, I have tuned a few of my turbo and 2 NA vehicles for a while now.

• 2000 Audi A4 1.8T - GIAC chip tuning
• 2001 Audi S4 2.7T - APR (multiple selectable) chip tuning
• 2001 Jeep Cerokee (Buggy) 4.8 LS swapped - semi-custom 150Tunes. I'm going to try custom tuning this myself with HPTuners software.
• 2007 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 - Canned Diablow then semi-custom "DiabLew" tuning
• 2013 F150 3.5 ecoboost - Canned Diablo tune then switched to 5 Star custom tunes both on a SCT X4 then HPT N-Gauge device. I have had multiple tune revisions for dealer strategy code changes, bolt on mods, and tire size changes. I have intake, catch can, throttle body, cold side tubes, hot side tubes, intercooler, 170 thermostat, radiator, turbo outlet adapters, exhaust manifolds, and catted downpipes almost all added over time after the initial tune.

If you read this far, I hope some of this helps!

thank you for the detailed reply!

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