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Proof Ford Ecoboost Engines and Aggressive Aftermarket Tuners DO NOT MIX!


sgtsandman

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There are tuners that understand the EcoBoost engines and there are tuners that do not. Pretty much the case with any engine family imho.

True, and this could be the case here. Some people just want MORE POWER and do things themselves outside of a Tuner's recommendations as well. So, it could have been owner inflicted as well.

The only information given that it was an aggressive tune and the results in the video.

Ford offers a tune for the Ecoboost as well. So, tuning can be done without a problem and is supported by the manufacturer. That isn't the point that I get out of the video. What I did get is you have to be careful an what you do and this is why.
 
This is kinda like the 6.0 PSD debacle.

The engines are fairly reliable if you keep them stock but people started tuning them like a 7.3
 
As long as you get a tune from somewhere reputable... theres really not much to worry about.

In fact.. the 'ford performance' tunes are actually written by an aftermarket company called Livernois motorsports.. not even ford lol.

5 star tuning is an extremely good outfit to go with as well... for an extra 1000$ or so over the cost of the tune&tuner they'll provide you with a warranty should anything go haywire.. and they make good on it. They 'pool' everyone's additional 1k$ and use that to pay for potential warranty work.

A few years back a member on the '5g' forum who had a 5 star tune and ALL the bolt ons threw a rod through the block and 5 star had him back on his way relatively quickly.. all things considered.
 
Tuning only gets you so far. At some point, hardware has to match or exceed software.
 
Tuning only gets you so far. At some point, hardware has to match or exceed software.

Ideally exceed lol. The 2.3s have been well tested by this point though at least.. I think the mustang folks have figured out that 400whp is juuuuust about as high as you'd want to go before the block is at risk of cracking like an egg.

I'd be smitten with a tune that does 350/350.. but for whatever stupid reason people are having a real hard time 'cracking' the Bronco ECUs.. Hopefully someone has some luck soon.
 
As long as you get a tune from somewhere reputable... theres really not much to worry about.

In fact.. the 'ford performance' tunes are actually written by an aftermarket company called Livernois motorsports.. not even ford lol.

5 star tuning is an extremely good outfit to go with as well... for an extra 1000$ or so over the cost of the tune&tuner they'll provide you with a warranty should anything go haywire.. and they make good on it. They 'pool' everyone's additional 1k$ and use that to pay for potential warranty work.

A few years back a member on the '5g' forum who had a 5 star tune and ALL the bolt ons threw a rod through the block and 5 star had him back on his way relatively quickly.. all things considered.

for what it's worth, Livernois Motorsports is basically right next door to Ford.
they're in the high tech area of Michigan where all the big boys have facilities and rub elbows at lunch.
 
for what it's worth, Livernois Motorsports is basically right next door to Ford.
they're in the high tech area of Michigan where all the big boys have facilities and rub elbows at lunch.

Ah.. probably why ford gives them their business then. Super convenient proximity lol.
 
This is kinda like the 6.0 PSD debacle.

The engines are fairly reliable if you keep them stock but people started tuning them like a 7.3

No not even close. The 6.blows were not that reliable stock.
 
If you look on the forums that relate to the 3.5 EB engines, like SHOforum, you will find that there is not a lot of love for Livernois, and there are several other tuners that are much preferred. Maybe Livernois is better at the 2.3 EB, I don't know about that.

The 6.0 diesel was a pos right out of the box and there were a large percentage of them that didn't last a month without serious issues. There were a few that lasted but by far most did not. You could bulletproof them with a lot of money and work, and it takes a tune to do it.
 
I had always heard that they were alright if you didnt start them

FIFY

They were hot garbage since the beginning. EGR cooler leaks, popped headgaskets, turbo sticking/issues, wiring issues... fun for the whole family.

My brother just put new heads on a "bulletproof" one which he kinda liked (they were in their heyday when he started working on Fords) because the heads were cracked and it was leaking fuel into the crankcase.
 
Last edited:
FIFY

They were hot garbage since the beginning. EGR cooler leaks, popped headgaskets, turbo sticking/issues, wiring issues... fun for the whole family.

My brother just put new heads on a "bulletproof" one which he kinda liked (they were in their heyday when he started working on Fords) because the heads were cracked and it was leaking fuel into the crankcase.
I stand corrected then.

Im was looking at an 05 when i bought my 97. Im glad i didnt.

My 460 has been a pile but atleast its cheaper to shovel from
 
I'll probably keep mine stock. I drive too much to spend an extra $1 a gallon for premium. I know could probably get a tune for the 89 or E15 88 that I do run, but meh.....

I'm not a diesel expert but I remember hearing that the 6.0 PSD was a POS and would regularly lose head gaskets.
 

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