Ecoboost Tuning

[DailyDriver]

I have read several times that the Ecoboost will be "locked" and unable to flash with a tuner like SCT or COBB.

I don't understand why this generation of Mustang Ecoboost would be different than the last Ecoboost generation. Also, the 2.3 engine is available in the Bronco (I also have) and you can pick up +30hp with the Ford performance B23 tune.

So is it more likely that Ford will reserve the ability to only tune the Mustang with thier own kit? Or will independent tuners be able to unlock it, eventually?

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[Shawn82]

The difference is not in the engine, but it has to do with SYNC 4. The new system is OTA based and has a lot of security due to that vs. the previous generation. Tuners will eventually be able to access it, but it will take time to do it safely without messing up the entire system.

 

[93-Oct Mayne]

I have read several times that the Ecoboost will be "locked" and unable to flash with a tuner like SCT or COBB.

I don't understand why this generation of Mustang Ecoboost would be different than the last Ecoboost generation. Also, the 2.3 engine is available in the Bronco (I also have) and you can pick up +30hp with the Ford performance B23 tune.

So is it more likely that Ford will reserve the ability to only tune the Mustang with thier own kit? Or will independent tuners be able to unlock it, eventually?

I'll be the first to warn you it's best to leave an Ecoboost alone and enjoy it as nature (ford)intended.

I think the Ecoboost is the very reason that Ford is locking the ECUs. Ecoboost engines were getting a bad reputation for popping left and right. Then you have hundreds of people who were SOL on warranty trying to argue with the dealers that their aftermarket tuner wasn't the problem

 

[Shawn82]

Yes Ecoboost has a reputation for blowing up because owners boost the car without the necessary support. But that's not the reason Ford is locking the ECUs. Again, it has to do with SYNC 4. F-150s are the same, Bronco's are the same, this will be no different.

 

[DailyDriver]

I know several people that have done mild tunes with thier Ecoboost and not had any issues, key word being "mild" . I'm not looking for an extra 100hp, just the ability to take advantage of aftermarket stuff like a better exhaust and a intake.

My car will be my daily so I'm going to be conservative with anything I do to it, it would be nice to even have a low key better MPG setting and a fun weekend performance setting.

Again, it has to do with SYNC 4. F-150s are the same, Bronco's are the same, this will be no different.

So that does give some hope that there will be a Ford "approved" way to tune the Mustang , like the Bronco Pro-cal: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-B23

 

[Shawn82]

I know several people that have done mild tunes with thier Ecoboost and not had any issues, key word being "mild" . I'm not looking for an extra 100hp, just the ability to take advantage of aftermarket stuff like a better exhaust and a intake.

My car will be my daily so I'm going to be conservative with anything I do to it, it would be nice to even have a low key better MPG setting and a fun weekend performance setting.



So that does give some hope that there will be a Ford "approved" way to tune the Mustang , like the Bronco Pro-cal: https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-B23

You and I both, I did FBO and a pro tune and I've been excellent for 18k miles. People get careless and then call it Ecoboom lol.

Yeah I think people are blowing it out of proportion. The tunes won't be impossible, it will just take a while for them to crack the ECU and then we'll be good. It took about a year and a half for the F-150 to be unlocked, it shouldn't be long for the Mustang.

 

[Arno_ecobeast]

yeah the above is not exactly accurate at all regarding the reason the engines blew up. the early versions built in spain had tolerance issues. THAT. mixed with paper machet blocks and weak rods was just the perfect recipe for popping. I know of several stock cars that blew.
WHat was happening early on with the half decent engines is LSPI.
So, because the turbos were so small, and why LUND almost immediately stopped tuning them is because you could get a mountain of torque too low. so all of the tuning was basically to limit the torque down low which was cause the LSPI and rod blowing out the sides.
There are guys with stock 2016 blocks with big turbos which do not kick in until 4000rpms which are still running and doing uploads to instagram. these are tunedby tune+ and PD tuning.
The upgraded Rs block from the high performance had better hardware but also slightly larger turbo which both played away from this weakness.
I don't know of any HPP engined cars tuned or not that has popped.
These new ones should be at least as good as the HPP setup.
But i think the issue is OTA updates and if there is added complexity, less arguing ford has to do with people with blown tuned cars
I had mine decently tuned.
I wouldn't buy one if i couldn't tune it lol. I have the new GT on order here in australia, but if i find out the eco can be cobb tuned and we get the HPP with brembo brakes i might switch back lol

We arent expecting cars until 2nd 1/4 next year

 

[93-Oct Mayne]

but if i find out the eco can be cobb tuned and we get the HPP with brembo brakes i might switch back lol

Cobb is the specific tuner that immediately comes to mind when I think about all of the blown motors reported on forums

Matter fact here's an example of a 2019 cobb tuned ecoboost popping

https://www.mustangecoboost.net/threads/blown-motor-at-3k-miles-eco-boom.21778/

 

[Arno_ecobeast]

Yeah the most blown engines i heard of were cobb stage 3. this guy in that thread said he wanted to go CObb stg 3 but went protune with intake instead.
The comments suggest LSPI. And i don't think the 2019 model was updated engine or was it?
Anyway, lspi can happen on Coyote engines as well. just that the ecoboost is more susceptible to it.
Basically the engine is designed to be low to mid range punchy, but in order not to blow the bottom end out, you need to rev the hell out of her XD
Which is why Adam from Tune+ wrote something about big turbos being a safe upgrade rather than E30 fuel tune on stock setup.
Anyway! Hope the new ones have better rods!

 

[rustedrotors]

Any update on this? Been about a year.

Lotso freasons turbo motors go. Used to have several 2.2 turbos from chrysler I played with in the late 1990's early 2000's. Putting alot of fuel in a little volume. Cooking vales, cooking pistons, head gasket can't take it. Don't know much about the 2015-23 motors, know even less about the 2024 I bought. Really wish they had the old performance pack. Better head, turbo, larger radiator. Believei t or not, larger radiator helps, even if you don't see it on your temp gauge. Getting that return to block coolant a few degrees lower helps valve seats and your head bolts too over time.

Happy with 315hp. Not happy with erractic perfomance. Shift good one time, not so good the next. Like to get the same transmission and engine response the same time. Mostly drive in normal mode though on 2k on my car. A touch nervous looking at the coolant overflow, looking a little dirty already above the waterline. Pushing it hard in the turns and knot knowing if your throttle will be too hard on the rear tires one time is a bit nerving.

 

[rustedrotors]

Saw cobb just got hit with a almost 3 million dollar EPA fine. Wondering if this will be trouble for the future of tuning packages. Another outfit who does diesels got a bad fine too.

Wanted to buy a 2020-23 used, but the rpices were high compared to buying a 2024 on a good deal....

Saw ford has a tunng package for the bronco. The 2024 bronco a modular, or they using the old 2.3 ecoboost motor leftover parts. Curious about the explorer and ranger too. Everyone get the new motor?

 

[Mr Now]

Wow-I hadn’t heard about that re Cobb.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

OK; old thread; I'll throw this out anyway.

The Cobb/EPA fine/settlement actually goes back several years. The settlement announcement is just the final stage/wrapping up of it.

https://www.cobbtuning.com/cobb-tuning-enters-into-settlement-agreement-with-the-epa-announcement/

@Shawn82 and @Arno_ecobeast are correct about unlocking the 24 Mustang PCMs “eventually” and the danger of LSPI in ecoboost engines (stock, tuned, highly modded).

Cracking the PCM (and perhaps ancillary control modules) firewall; depending on how it’s coded is no easy task. And there may well be additional coding issues downstream from the firewall (maybe Shawn can chime in on that as it seems he’s much more knowledgeable than me on this topic).

I’d love to get my GT tuned at Livernois (as I did my RS [65 HP gain over stock with no ill effects over 2 subsequent years]). But, not at the expense on unintended/unforeseen consequences due to not having done enough ‘24 PCM code R & D for tuning to be “reliable”. BTW: LMS was very consciences’ in asking me what my RS “dyno tune” priorities were r.e. power vs reliability/longevity. Which were more power across the rev range but reliable as stock.

Ecoboost and LSPI. I recall two RS forum members that grenaded their engines via LSPI. Not sure how modded, if at all, their engines were. I emphasize LSPI can happen to bone stock eco boost engines as easily as modded ones! I can’t speak to other ecoboosts (F150s, etc) but the RS version was very sensitive to oil type/quality; e.g. SN, SN+, or SP rated 5w-50 full synthetic only! QUALITY filter! And, NEVER stomp on the throttle at low revs, and ALWAYS let your engine get up to operating temp before flogging on it. Oh, you could get away without adhering to those two operating paradigms, but not doing so was playing engine roulette.

Anyway; if you’re not familiar with ecoboost LSPI; I urge you to read up on it.

Best of luck getting your ecoboost ‘Stang tuned when they become available, and many happy miles and smiles!

 

[rustedrotors]

With the older version of the mustang, how much ws ford charging for their tuning from the dealer?

I cant believe how low a rpm this motor does most of the time. I have been going between normal and sport mode for driving. Just wish the shifts weren't so crisp in sport and the motor goes back to normal low rpm driving quicker. Just like the extra passing power. I do like the engine braking in sport though. I go down about 1500ft elevation in about 2.5 miles. Kinda torture on most cars brakes. You definitely know what kind of rots and pads you got on one ride down. It's nice to keep a brake job livng longer on my commute.

I have been just putting into low for a second before I pass. Seems to been working OK so far. I do that with my winter beater 2017 focus SE when I pass. Although takes alot longer to pass than the mustang.

 

[Alan Applegate]

I've mentioned this here previously as I recall.... If you want to see what an Eco-Boost can do, use Drag mode with the 10R80 in L, and the traction and stability controls off. If this isn't enough for you, then wait until early Summer for Ford's PT.

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