Got a 2015-2017 F150 V8 5.0L?

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 5.0L V8 that the fueling tables are very conservative and rich in their strategies and have long 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.

The 5.0L suffers from poor throttle response down low. By correcting this issue and a few others; 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 5.0L V8 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 5.0L V8 come to life!

There are normally 3 types of limiters on most vehicles that can be adjusted safely and the F150 5.0L is no different. RPM, MPH and transmission. 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 from some timing/spark advancement. However, with a 5.0L V8 even running 87 Octane fuel can yield some respectable gains in power and torque over stock. The knock sensors and strategy on the 5.0L V8 are very good in that they can advance and retard timing while you drive.

In all F150 5.0L V8 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. 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…

The 6 speed transmission that comes standard with the F150 5.0L V8 is a big improvement in driver controls over passed 4 speed transmissions. However, there are still some benefits to be had recalibrating normal daily shift strategies.
We have noticed that while in normal everyday mode that the transmission will move into 6 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 either downshift or accelerate. We can correct this by moving some shift strategies patterns around in all gears especially in 5th and 6th gears.
In the tow/haul mode the Factory strategies in are very inefficient. 6th gear is useless under 60 mph. 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 down shifts occur. Gears 2nd, 3rd and 4th are the gears the truck likes to run at under 60 mph towing 5000lb or heavier trailer but its in 6th gear at 50 mph lugging engine. Once RPM’s builds to 3000 plus the truck pulls like a champ but factory strategies keep RPM’s low. For owners of F150 5.0L v8 going to tow a travel trailer camper or trailers over 5000 lbs the factory strategies will hunt all over the place in tow/haul mode. We have recalibrated tow/haul mode strategies that enhances keeping the engine RPM’s elevated to take advantage of the torque band in this 5.0L v8 less downshifting and taking advantage of gears 2nd, 3rd and 4th more. All of our calibrations have this new tow/haul strategy except economy mode calibrations.

SPORT Mode is a fun mode in factory form but does not have much use in a daily drive except wide open throttle. We have an enhance shift pattern that allows you to take advantage of this sport mode to make use of it during your daily drive when you want both sport and fun with keeping some of your drive ability in mind. Upper gears 4th, 5th, 6th are much more driver friendly after tune.

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 shifts are quick and slightly firmer most of the delay between shifts are eliminated when using custom tunes.

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.

Custom tunes allow for many choices when it comes to tuning your vehicle. 5 Star Tuning will be offering these popular choices for the new F150 5.0L V8.

Our Custom tuned devices will come with 5 of these Performance Calibrations; which will have all the enhancements completed in Engine and Transmission functions. This includes Drive By Wire, Fuel, Shifting, and Torque Converter strategies. These performance calibrations can increase economy the trick is staying off the go pedal.

You will also get user options with each of these tunes as well, so you can change stuff like timing, shift pressures or fueling.

Calibrations will enhance some if not all of these areas depending on Map/Tune developed.
● fuel
● drive by wire
● grill shutters
● 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 your F150 5.0L V8 are:

5.0L 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 5.0L v8.  (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

5.0L Performance CALIBRATION

These tunes are about straight line Max Performance. Performance oriented shifting and higher rpm shifts both up shifting and down shifting.

91 Octane Performance Only! (Has Firm Shifting)
93 Octane Performance Only! (Has Firm Shifting)

E85 Octane Performance Only! (Has Firm Shifting)

5.0L 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

Our 2015 F150 Economy maps / tunes have a different strategy than years past 5.0L Trucks this Economy map / tune is a Hybrid type tune its the best of both worlds of low range torque and high end horsepower with the emphasis on efficiency.  Drive Daily or Tow Factory Weight Ratings it does not matter. From a stop the Eco tune will even chirp/spin tires when throttle is stabbed!