Advice for explaining what I want to a tuner

[Sean4.0]

Hello brains trust,

I’m new to the Barra game being a long time V8 guy and need to know if what I want is possible and how to choose and explain it to a tuner. (sorry for the long post, but I will try to explain my position)

I have just purchased a manual, 2011 FG XR6t ute. The guy I bought it off said it was stock but he put a big exhaust on it.

My plan is to buy and install a cold air intake, battery relocation and upgraded intercooler just before I drop it off for tuning.  

 

CURRENT ISSUES:

1.       No engine braking. When down shifting I get no engine braking. (The revs increase but road speed stays about the same).  Having read this forum I understand that L/100 should read 0.0 when on deceleration but I get around 4-5L/100 depending on RPM.

2.       Backfire on deceleration. When downshifting there is noticeable burble that increases into loud backfiring through the exhaust. This goes away if I add small throttle input.

Are these two issues connected? Are they related to adding a large exhaust (4” dump, high flow cat, mid muffler delete and one rear muffler) to a standard tune?

 

WHAT I WANT:

1.       The above issues fixed.

2.       Performance tune to suit the intake/intercooler (I know… fuel pump) additions.

3.       Is there an ability to have the standard Launch Assist for take off WITH added Flat Shifting capability?

4.       Valet - Low boost setting via switch (I understand this is possible and cheaper than multiple tune options via cruise control buttons) How does the switch wire in so I can save the tuner time doing it myself.

5.      I would like to purchase PCMtec to play with launch and traction control settings. Will Enthusiast or Professional be able to access these settings and will a tuner be willing to leave their tune unlocked so I can adjust non air/fuel related parameters? 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Sean

 

 

[Roland@pcmtec]

39 minutes ago, Sean4.0 said:

Hello brains trust,

I’m new to the Barra game being a long time V8 guy and need to know if what I want is possible and how to choose and explain it to a tuner. (sorry for the long post, but I will try to explain my position)

I have just purchased a manual, 2011 FG XR6t ute. The guy I bought it off said it was stock but he put a big exhaust on it.

My plan is to buy and install a cold air intake, battery relocation and upgraded intercooler just before I drop it off for tuning.  

 

CURRENT ISSUES:

1.       No engine braking. When down shifting I get no engine braking. (The revs increase but road speed stays about the same).  Having read this forum I understand that L/100 should read 0.0 when on deceleration but I get around 4-5L/100 depending on RPM.

2.       Backfire on deceleration. When downshifting there is noticeable burble that increases into loud backfiring through the exhaust. This goes away if I add small throttle input.

Are these two issues connected? Are they related to adding a large exhaust (4” dump, high flow cat, mid muffler delete and one rear muffler) to a standard tune?

 

WHAT I WANT:

1.       The above issues fixed.

2.       Performance tune to suit the intake/intercooler (I know… fuel pump) additions.

3.       Is there an ability to have the standard Launch Assist for take off WITH added Flat Shifting capability?

4.       Valet - Low boost setting via switch (I understand this is possible and cheaper than multiple tune options via cruise control buttons) How does the switch wire in so I can save the tuner time doing it myself.

5.      I would like to purchase PCMtec to play with launch and traction control settings. Will Enthusiast or Professional be able to access these settings and will a tuner be willing to leave their tune unlocked so I can adjust non air/fuel related parameters? 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Sean

 

 

1.       No engine braking. When down shifting I get no engine braking. (The revs increase but road speed stays about the same).  Having read this forum I understand that L/100 should read 0.0 when on deceleration but I get around 4-5L/100 depending on RPM.

Sounds like DFCO (decel fuel cut) is either disabled or more likely it is not working due to excessive load (air leak is the most common cause). If the car is tuned I would advise returning the tune to stock and see if it goes away. If it is not tuned then you have a mechanical issue and I would smoke test the inlet. Not all tuners have a smoke pressure test machine so ask this question.

2. This is related to the above.

 

3.       Is there an ability to have the standard Launch Assist for take off WITH added Flat Shifting capability?

Yes. See a video here of it in action.

4.       Valet - Low boost setting via switch (I understand this is possible and cheaper than multiple tune options via cruise control buttons) How does the switch wire in so I can save the tuner time doing it myself.

It is not really cheaper. You are talking $350 vs $500 in credits but then the labour to wire up a switch etc. Most tuners do not have time for this and if you do it there is a chance they will have to diagnose any issues you've created. I highly recommend against this. The only real reason to use the switch is you don't have the original ford dash (eg a conversion car) or it needs to be an electrical trigger due to nitrous or a mechanical transbrake switch.

5.      I would like to purchase PCMtec to play with launch and traction control settings. Will Enthusiast or Professional be able to access these settings and will a tuner be willing to leave their tune unlocked so I can adjust non air/fuel related parameters? 

Most of the basic stuff (DFCO) etc can be accessed however you would need workshop for any of the custom OS features. Most tuners will lock the tune if they think you will be playing with it after. Either pick a tuner you trust, or go all out doing it yourself. Note is is not cheap to do yourself as you require a lot of equipment to do it properly.

Send us a support ticket with what state you are in and we can recommend a tuner which will give you the level of care you are after. If you want to be part of the tuning process etc with the tune left unlocked they will likely charge more as it will take more of their time and more risk on their part (as you will likely need to test drive it a few times to confirm it is exactly how you want), but it sounds like this is what you want and you will likely end up paying twice otherwise so I would recommend you spend a bit more to get the result you want the first time around.

[Sean4.0]

Thanks Roland,

 

I really appreciate the quick response. The features of and amount of support available for PCMtec is what has brought me here.

It looks like I am best going with the multi-tune option and finding a tuner who has experience with manual flat shifting/traction setup and is willing to adjust if necessary.

I'll send support ticket and wait for your recommendations.

 

Thanks again, 

 

Sean