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Tuning a modified 5.0


Range98

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Well I feel it's time for a tune for the 5.0 and I was checking to see if anyone has any tuners they would recommend or anyone situated near Philadelphia know of a good shop who could do it?
 


AgPete139

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Have you ever messed with a timing light and 93 octane before? Does wonders for these motors.

Advance the timing by turning the distributor until the starts to "knock," and retard the timing just slightly after that. Revv up the motor through the RPM range, and see if the revvs are smooth. That is essentially what many shops do on these OBDI systems. You don't have a carbs to worry about fuel, so it's simple with fuel injection (unless you have some weird piggyback or standalone, or an MSD 6AL ignition box). Reset you computer by unplugging the battery, then manually reset the idle.

Another tune-up that you can check yourself is the TPS. The throttle position sensor changes over time, and you should get a multimeter to check this anyways. The voltage should be between 0.92V at idle and then over for WOT.
 

Tominator

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What computer, etc? The stock Ford computer does a great job of adaptation for most applications.

The '93 octane and timing bump is a great place to start!
 

AgPete139

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What computer, etc? The stock Ford computer does a great job of adaptation for most applications.

The '93 octane and timing bump is a great place to start!
You know what I mean. Erase the "memory." :thefinger:
 

shane96ranger

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Have you ever messed with a timing light and 93 octane before? Does wonders for these motors.

Advance the timing by turning the distributor until the starts to "knock," and retard the timing just slightly after that. Revv up the motor through the RPM range, and see if the revvs are smooth. That is essentially what many shops do on these OBDI systems. You don't have a carbs to worry about fuel, so it's simple with fuel injection (unless you have some weird piggyback or standalone, or an MSD 6AL ignition box). Reset you computer by unplugging the battery, then manually reset the idle.

Another tune-up that you can check yourself is the TPS. The throttle position sensor changes over time, and you should get a multimeter to check this anyways. The voltage should be between 0.92V at idle and then over for WOT.
I suggest you pull the SPOUT connector before doing this. It's a little black plug located next to the distributor. Then plug it back in after you've set it.

Like so:
 

RangerSVT

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If he's OBD2 like I'm thinking he is, none of those will work except the tps mod. Contact your local SCT dealer, the x3 would be my suggestion, about 379 with 3 free custom tunes...

SVT
 

Range98

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I do have the OBDII computer. I did the explorer swap and just beefed up the stock engine
 

Range98

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Would the higher octane fuel give a noticeable difference? I love the power and thinking about more mods. Maybe bigger injectors and bigger throttle bod and mass airflow
 

RangerSVT

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I use 89 and I noticed both a difference in power and fuel economy...

SVT
 

Range98

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a big difference? better fuel economy? I will definitely being trying higher octane next time I fill up.
 

RangerSVT

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Enough that I've tuned for 89 and cant/won't run 87...


SVT
 

AgPete139

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I've tuned mine (mustang) to 93. It's worth it.

The price difference on our 20 gallon tanks, from dead nothing to a full tank, is about $6. Now, for the added fuel economy, and the joy of driving a 5.0L V8 in the first place, the extra few dollars is worth it.

.
 

RangerSVT

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^ Agreed :icon_thumby:

SVT
 

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