Got a 2011-2014 F150 3.5L Ecoboost?

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. We have noticed on the F150 3.5L V6 that the fueling tables are very conservative and rich in their strategies and have moderate delay timers set before allowing additional fuel. Long fuel delays create issues with additional power and torque improvements. However, some fueling delays are ok as they help with economy.

DRIVE BY WIRE

The F150 3.5L V6 suffers from poor throttle response down low. A custom calibration will have enhanced improvements in 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 sometimes a lag or a goofy pedal with DBW systems. For a 3.5L V6 this is one of the most critical areas that must be addressed and modified to generate more torque /hp and throttle response. By reworking the OEM strategies makes your 3.5L V6 come to life!

LIMITERS

There are normally 3 types of limiters on most vehicles and the F150 3.5L is no different. RPM, MPH and transmission. Output shaft limiters are slightly increased to a safe limit in our calibrations. We also leave the safety factory limiters enabled and in place what Ford has set from the factory. This ensures a safe calibration for the life of your vehicle.

TIMING

Can be increased in most RPM areas for improved Torque and HP. Running a higher Octane fuel will net more power and economy from some timing/spark advancement. However, with a 3.5L v6 even running 87 Octane fuel can yield some respectable gains in power and torque over stock with the use of no additional timing advance (aka factory tables). The knock sensors and strategy on the 3.5L v6 are very good in that they can advance and retard timing while you drive.

TORQUE CONVERTER STRATEGIES

In all F150 3.5L V6 vehicles the 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. Sometimes 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… The converter strategies in our calibrations will have great emphasis on quick converter lock ups at the right mph and rpm as to take advantage of the low torque that is available from the 3.5L V6 engine. One big correction to make is to not lock up 3rd gear so soon as it tends to lug engine in factory form.

SHIFT STRATEGIES

The 6 speed transmission that comes standard with the F150 3.5L V6 is a big improvement in driver controls over passed 4 speed transmissions. However, there are still some significant benefits to be had recalibrating normal daily shift strategies.

DAILY MODE We have noticed that while in normal everyday mode that the transmission will move into 6 th gear really quickly around town with speeds as low as 30-38 mph this really lugs the engine and when trying to accelerate there is a pretty good delay to build boost and either downshift or accelerate. We can correct this by moving some shift strategies patterns around in all gears especially in 4th, 5th and 6th gears. Our calibrations will have emphasis on shifting at the right mph and rpm as to take advantage of the low torque that is available from the 3.5L V6 engine, while maintaining great fuel economy.

TOW/HAUL Mode Coasting or slowing down the downshifts don’t command soon enough to keep the RPM’s up in torque range and when back in throttle multiple downshifts may occur. Also keep in mind engine braking; a V6 engine has less braking that Ford’s past V8 engines, so a quick downshift for braking is required for owners that are going to tow heavy. We have recalibrated tow/haul mode strategies that enhances keeping the engine RPM’s elevated to take advantage of the torque band which will require less downshifting by optimizing gears 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. We have also enhanced the down shift patterns to allow better engine braking with this V6 engine. All of our calibrations have this new tow/haul strategy except economy mode calibrations.

SHIFT PRESSURES/SLIP TIMERS

Shift pressures can be increased and slip timers can be decreased to help keep trans temperatures down and give the truck or any vehicle a better overall feel. In a F150 3.5L V6 shifts are quick and slightly firmer most of the delay between shifts are eliminated when using custom tunes.

WHERE IS 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.

Where do I find my ECU Strategy Code?

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 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: Plug your nGauge into the OBD2 port the vehicle you intend to tune. Use the menu on your device to select TUNING, then proceed to select the PCM type and choose READ VEHICLE. Upon selecting “read” you will see a variety of vehicle options. Select your application vehicle such as: “2017 F150 Ecoboost 3.5L GTDI V6: PCM + TCM” “TC-277A 4M+TCM.”

If using an Diablo inTune or Trinity: For Diablo InTune & Trinity devices please follow the steps included with your device to acquire your stock upload file and last tune written file. The stock file will end in .frg and .grg and will include your needed vehicle information.

WHAT TUNES DO I WANT FOR MY 3.5 EB F150?

Custom calibrations allow for many choices when it comes to tuning your vehicle. 5 Star Tuning will be offering these popular choices for the new F150 3.5L V6.

Our Custom calibrated tuned devices will come with 5 of these Enhanced Calibrations. These enhanced calibrations can increase economy and are completely safe to tow/haul your vehicles manufactured recommend weight rating in any mode.

Enhanced Safe Power – Great Drive Ability – Good Economy is our goals with all of our custom maps.

Calibrations will enhance some if not all of these areas depending on Map/Tune developed.
● fuel
● boost
● drive by wire
● cold/hot start idle
● idle drive
● variable cam
● shifting normal mode
● converter normal mode
● shifting Tow/Haul mode
● converter Tow/Haul mode
● timing
● cruise/speed control
● variable speed fan
● speed limiters
● tire size
● axle ratio

CALIBRATIONS that are available for the F150 3.5L V6 are:

PERFORMANCE / TOW CALIBRATION

These are our number 1 tunes! They have great power and great drive ability while daily driving or towing factory weight ratings. Best all around tune for the F150 EcoBoost. (Can Tow Factory Weight Ratings with these Maps/Tunes)

87 Octane Performance/Tow
89 Octane Performance/Tow
91 Octane Performance/Tow
93 Octane Performance/Tow

PERFORMANCE ONLY

These tunes are about straight line Max Performance. Firmer shifting and quick turbo response .

91 Octane Performance
93 Octane Performance

TRANSMISSION CALIBRATION ONLY

These tunes have factory power levels with our custom transmission calibration. (Can Tow Factory Weight Ratings with these Maps/Tunes)

87 Octane Trans Tune Only
89 Octane Trans Tune Only
91 Octane Trans Tune Only
93 Octane Trans Tune Only

ECONOMY CALIBRATIONS

These tunes are for all out economy. Work well in an heavy in town environment on a daily basis or open highway.

87 Octane Economy
89 Octane Economy
91 Octane Economy
93 Octane Economy

WHAT IS OUR ECONOMY TUNE ABOUT?

“Finally a Economy map / tune that forces you to change your Driving Habits”
While most companies are focused on how to make more power from the Ford F150 3.5L Eco-Boost V6, we have taken a different approach in offering more than just power. We have developed an Economy map for the F150 3.5L Eco-Boost V6 that truly is about economy and when driven on a daily basis will force you to change your driving habits to get some more economy gains out of your F150.

In stock form it seems that the truck makes more than enough power to move itself on the open highway getting very good fuel economy for a truck (18-22 mpg) but once truck is driven in traffic or in-town environment the fuel economy drops considerably (14-15 mpg). Most of this is due to the weight of the vehicle and how in stock form the 3.5L V6 is always in boost with the small sized turbos. (More Boost = More Fuel) In town day to day driving you don’t need boost and power you need smooth shifting and good converter lock up strategies and just the right amount of power accelerate through traffic/in town.

We have developed an economy map/tune that truly is Eco-Boost technology (small displacement with V8 power) that keeps truck in vacuum with little to no boost while in town/traffic and while on highway also has reduced boost. But while at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) maintains factory power / torque to accelerate as needed. By having reduced boost / power at certain RPM/throttle input levels this forces drivers with a heavy foot to get better economy, the map/tune will only allow so much power bottom line, it’s designed that way. Some of your first impressions after installing our economy map/tune will be the sense of less power and less boost but this is perfectly normal and after you drive it you will see how it changes your driving habits and keeps the 3.5L V6 out of boost to reduce fuel consumption. Its just like driving Fords F150 3.7L NON boost V6 while at light throttle and once you hit upper throttle positions your back in stock power levels. Obviously results will vary depending on curb weight, tire size, payload and driver but we have seen 2 to 3 mpg improvements town/hwy over stock map/tune on our own F150 3.5L EB V6.

General specifications on our economy maps:
Depending on engine load & throttle 0-2000 rpms – vacuum – 2 psi boost
Depending on engine load & throttle 2000-3500 rpms – vacuum – 4 psi boost
Depending on engine load & throttle 3500-5600 rpms – 2 to 10 psi boost