Does tuning your truck work in the real world? We are talking about only software tuning, no hardware (intake/exhaust) modification. Here is a 2017 Ford F150 crew cab 4×4 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This truck was provided by and this video is sponsored by 5 Star Tuning. Please check out their website for customized power, towing, and efficiency tuning for Ford, GM, and other vehicles.
Ford F150
The stock rating on the second generation 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 in this truck is 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque (at the crank). SCT provides the BDX tuner that 5 Star Tuning uses to load the customized tune files. In this case, the guys provided two separate files: 91-Octane-Performance and 91-Octane-Heavy-Tow. These tunes were made specifically made with the knowledge that TFLtruck is based in Colorado (at higher elevation), and that we tow heavy at the Ike Gauntlet™ – world’s toughest towing test at over 11,158 feet above sea level.
This first episode has to do with the 91-Octane-Performance tune (we will be doing a separate Ike Gauntlet towing video). We took the truck to the local drag strip and ran it several times in stock and tuned modes. 5 Star Tuning tests and validates their tunes on the dyno. The twin-turbo V6 engine is eager to make more power, and you can see as much as 120+ hp and 120+ lb-ft of torque at the wheels (sometimes more).
The tuning process is pretty straight forward. The first time takes 10-15 minutes, as the tuner module takes a copy of the stock configuration. The truck can be returned back to stock at any time. Subsequent tuning changes take about 5-10 minutes in our experience.
What performance gains did we see in the real world?
This F-150 ran a 7.07 second 0-60 MPH and a 15.068 second 1/4-mile in stock form at over a mile above sea level (Bandimere Raceway).
Once the high performance tune was loaded, the best time I got was a 5.77 second 0-60 MPH and a 14.058 second 1/4-mile.
The numbers speak for themselves, but the performance difference is obvious during daily driving. The truck can still be fairly docile on the highway and under light throttle. Put your foot down, and truck jumps forward with effortless power. The transmission clicks off every gear of the 10-speed automatic, there is no gear skipping that the transmission does in stock mode.
If you have warranty questions, please refer to the manufacturer or your owner’s manual.
Check out the video for all the numbers and also daily driving review.
