AREAS WE ADDRESS

Fuel tables are modified for either better economy or all out performance. Depending on your needs is how most tables are set up. Most vehicles that go into Open Loop use this fuel table for its fueling requirements.

If your truck is equipped with Drive by wire, improvements will be much better throttle response, step on go pedal, vehicle will respond quicker…this DBW system is a torque driven system, it works by taking a certain amount of torque via engine and wheel and applies it to what the driver foot say it needs; a better way to explain it is its a torque limiter. It only allows so much torque at a given pedal position. Stock tables are conservative and numb at best and that’s why one would feel some times a lag or a goofy pedal with DBW systems. For a 3v 5.4L V8 this is one of the most critical areas that must be addressed and modified to generate more torque and throttle response. By reworking the OEM strategies makes your 5.4L seems as if 2 more cylinders were added over night and have much better throttle response!

There are normally 3 types of limiters on most vehicles that can be adjusted safely and the F150 5.0L V8 is no different. RPM, MPH (105) and transmission. MPH limiter is raised to 200 MPH. Output shaft limiters are slightly increased to a safe limit in our calibrations. We also leave the Fail Safe factory limiters enabled and in place that Ford has set from the factory. So in all temperature conditions if your vehicle needs to dial back some power on its own it can. This ensures a safe calibration for the life of your vehicle.

Can be increased in most RPM areas for improved Torque and HP. Running a higher Octane fuel will net more power and economy. However, with a 5.4L 2v or 3v even running 87 Octane fuel can yield some respectable gains in power and torque over stock.

In all 2v and 3v 5.4L V8, Torque Converter strategies can be reworked to lock up sooner and stay locked longer at light cruising speeds to also help with economy…A locked converter is power to the ground. Some times a stock truck when you hit any incline the truck will unlock OD gear and down shift. We can get your truck to hold OD longer and not unlock… now of course on large hills it will down shift…like it should… On the 3v 5.4L Superduty Series that use a TorqShift Transmission, the Ford strategy is to NOT use all 5 forward gears in the transmission. Hard to believe I know. In non-tow/haul modes Ford uses only 4 gears when going up through the gearbox. With a custom tune from 5 Star we will use all gears in our shifting and torque converter lock strategies. You will also see quicker shifts, as the truck will proceed into OD quicker than stock strategy. This will provide better power and economy out of your 3v 5.4L V8.

Shift pressures can be increased and timers can be decreased to help keep trans temperatures down and give the truck or any vehicle a better overall feel. Shifts are quick and firm most of the delay between shifts are eliminated when using custom tunes.

Shift and Converter schedules are altered for better control of your 5.4L. We can also make a custom tune for OD Lock out while just in Tow/Haul mode only .

Where do I find my ECU Strategy Code?

At the time of your order if your ECU strategy code is known, we will send your tuner loaded with tunes on your selected tuner. If this information is not known at the time your order is placed, you will be provided a blank tuner to acquire the needed vehicle information.

If using an SCT or Bully Dog Device: On your device under vehicle information, you will find your ECU Strategy Code. An example of an ECU Strategy Code for 1996-2014 models is PKRK0R2.

Note: If your vehicle is a 2015+ we will also need your ECU SWPN (HL3A-14C204-BPH). For diesel applications we will also need your TCU Strategy (TPCL0HH) and TCU SWPN (HL3A-14C337-HH) in addition to your ECU Strategy and ECU SWPN.

If using an HP nGauge Device: The nGauge will not need a strategy code at the time of order, however, when you receive your nGauge device you will do a “Stock Read of Your Vehicles PCM & TCM with the device and simply email that stock file back to us. At this point, the custom tuning/mapping can be completed.