Tuners for New build 25 Dark Horse

[DarkHorsedF100]

I know some of you might take a look @ my name and wonder what am I doing on a S650 forum. If you get past the next few sentences I’m confident it will become clear or clearer. I‘m starting a build on my “56 F100, intended to be 90% daily driver and 10% autocross. Starting with a new TCI promod chassis, ridetech coilovers, 3.50 geared 9” and 13” Wilwood Brakes plus more. So far this build has a body and a chassis, now comes the clearer part. Most everything else will come from a wrecked 2025 Dark Horse (automatic with only 900 miles on it), that has every option you can get, I won @ an IAAI action. The damage is in the right rear corner about taillight height – doesn’t affect what I need. I’m 72 and from the solid lifter, carbureted era and now find myself struggling with the computer side of this build. I know I need a tuner to sift through what is going to be used, not used and if tweaking has to happen on systems that will not be used in their entireties. A quick example is there are 5 drive modes, one being track mode. I believe in that mode the pcm/ecu will change parameters in the engine, transmission, steering and suspension – maybe more. In my build the suspension magneride is non existent – now ridetech coilovers. These situations I’m afraid will be numerous do to my desire of not wanting to compromise the look of the F100 with exception of being lowered with bigger wheels and wider tires.

With all that being said, I believe I’m looking for a “tuner” (uneducated terminology) but don’t know if there is a difference in a tuner like a Rob Shoemaker or one that basically might have to reprogram tedious crap. I’m just south of Denver CO so if anybody has suggestions of someone who could help or educate me on how to find some who could help please don’t be shy.

Oh, do love the ghost cam tune sound, might have to get that – when done.

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[Neggytive]

there is nothing left to get out of a DH that Ford has not already gotten out of it

seriously

This engine is already at the ragged edge of what is possible

The hardest part of your build is finding someone who can get in the computers and take out what you do not need to make the truck run

You may want to start reading up on FORSCAN and learning the code that enables and disables systems,

There are a few threads about it on this forum and guys that are expert level fixers

 

[Neggytive]

Are you going to use the electric power steering unit from the wrecked DH or a traditional column with rack and pinion steering?

The reason I ask is your comment on steering modes, all that is computer manipulation of the power steering unit

There is no provision on a 4th gen Coyote for a power steering pump

All the Mode functions are run off the steering wheel controls so unless you are going to find a way to create a stand alone pod to house all the switches you are probably going to have to find a way to use the factory column

Do you have the ability to graft the DH dash into the truck?

 

[Neggytive]

and I would start asking around to see if this would work with a salvaged engine and transmission

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6017-M50HA

 

[Sofa King]

there is nothing left to get out of a DH that Ford has not already gotten out of it

seriously

This engine is already at the ragged edge of what is possible

The hardest part of your build is finding someone who can get in the computers and take out what you do not need to make the truck run

You may want to start reading up on FORSCAN and learning the code that enables and disables systems,

There are a few threads about it on this forum and guys that are expert level fixers

You may have misunderstood... he doesn't want tuning per se... just needs to remove the modules and options that he is not using, which will require someone with the knowledge to do the tuning and custom programming to make everything work.

Often Times those kind of swaps are carried out by places that do tuning and have someone on hand.... as it can get quite expensive to do the custom programming that may be needed.. You will likely need to find a shop that does a lot of custom work and tuning. Start here, and ask around, if the place you call doesn't do that kind of thing, ask if they know who does.

 

[Neggytive]

You may have misunderstood... he doesn't want tuning per se... just needs to remove the modules and options that he is not using, which will require someone with the knowledge to do the tuning and custom programming to make everything work.

Often Times those kind of swaps are carried out by places that do tuning and have someone on hand.... as it can get quite expensive to do the custom programming that may be needed.. You will likely need to find a shop that does a lot of custom work and tuning. Start here, and ask around, if the place you call doesn't do that kind of thing, ask if they know who does.

I linked to a Ford Performance stand alone tuner (https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6017-M50HA) but I have questions.... like if it will work with an automatic transmission

 

[robvas]

I would suggest joining a Coyote swap group like:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/f100coyoteswaps

I linked to a Ford Performance stand alone tuner (https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6017-M50HA) but I have questions.... like if it will work with an automatic transmission

***NOTE: Not for use with any production F-150 or Mustang Coyote engine***

That's a Gen4X, it won't run the gen 4 from a Mustang

You'd at the minimum have to replace the intake manifold to a single TB, but there's probably a lot more to it than that

 

[Gojiras breath]

These guys:
Products – Power By The Hour https://share.google/IRoGexRdybbx4Ks5i

 

[Steve@Lethal]

So if you have a DH motor or setup, you will need the actual 24+ control pack to go with it. Just make sure it's not the 4X because that is pretty much for a Gen3 or the 4X motor which doesn't have the dual TB.

And as you know, you will require custom tuning to do what you need to dial it in as well. I haven't seen anyone done it yet on a 24+ motor but as long as you have the proper control pack, it shouldn't be a problem. You will have to speak with the tuner more on what you wan to do with getting it dialed in because they may require something else as well.

As far as tuning, as long as you have all the OEM ECU components, they should be able to dial you in. We work with tuners like Palm Beach Dyno, Shoemaker Performance, and Lund Racing so if we can help with anything, let us know! They will want the HP Tuners RTD4 device used too.

https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...024-2026-mustang-gt-dark-horse/custom-tunes-2

 

[Zig]

From a minimum point of view you may end up looking into at least hptuners and forscan. Forscan for more of the generalized stuff and hptuners for the more old school tuning stuff. Basically and i mean real basically, forscan for modules hp for tweaking. Kinda like hp are the jets and squirters and forscan is the module. Idle mixture screw vs housing

 

[ZXMustang]

there is nothing left to get out of a DH that Ford has not already gotten out of it

seriously

This engine is already at the ragged edge of what is possible

The hardest part of your build is finding someone who can get in the computers and take out what you do not need to make the truck run

You may want to start reading up on FORSCAN and learning the code that enables and disables systems,

There are a few threads about it on this forum and guys that are expert level fixers

Where the heck do people come up with this shit? Lol.

 

[robvas]

Where the heck do people come up with this shit? Lol.

He kind of has a point. Spend $1000 on a tune and device to get maybe 15 legit hp?

 

[Cobrakit]

This is an option from PBD. Not bad for ~$800.

 

[DarkHorsedF100]

Wow! Great advise and I want to thank all of you for taking the time to respond. It'll take me awhile to dig deeper into your generous responses. I would like to give an extra special thank you to Sofa King for he got more of what I was asking. I do have a complete dealer bought 2025 DH that runs and drives great. All the computer driven options work fine. It might have made it easier if I explained it this way. My intention is to separate the body and suspension components from the DH and replace them with the F100 body and TCI chassis/suspension. Hopefully resulting in all the remaining components being installed inbetween. I know I won't be able to use everything as a whole so I'm looking for a person or business that has the knowledge of Ford's system to help determine and overcome how to separate items in the pcm/ecu/computer, blah, blah, blah. It will be a real pain in the you know what but If I can pull it off I can't imagine anyone that wouldn't want a great looking lowered '56F100 that drives and operates like a "25DH.
To answer Neggytive - Yes to using the electric power steering, EPAS, if the rack fits. The dash will be - instrument side Dakota Digital RTX and we're trying to figure out how to use the infotainment side in a way that it'll be hidden until needed. Fun Stuff!
Did also like the Forscan suggestion - looking forward to learning new stuff. I'm sure I'll have a billion more questions and want to let everyone know of my appreciation of their time.
Thank you

 

[Sofa King]

It may be easier to lift the Mustang body off and replace with the truck body LOL... (if only)

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