5 star tune

[Hemling]

I see a lot of people posting about 5 star tunes. What gains are you seeing on the 6.8 Ford v-10? I have the 2v version in my Excursion. How easy is it to use and can you still use regular gas? Or do you need to have intake/exhaust mods to make it worthwhile?

[kw_00]

Tunes in my opinion are good for gas trucks. I was unsure of them for several years, but after my tune install, driving and towing has much improved. I just got back from a trip and running the Blackbear 89 tune and very pleased with what the truck is capable to do. I feel like I got the power the truck came with instead of the timing being ******** back due to TQ management.

[timmac]

5 star did cause a ping on my V-10 while towing in the mountains and I found out it was the fuel filter not allowing enough fuel flow, changed the fuel filter and its been great since than, it also made the 5 speed trans shift much better and no more screaming in the mountains.

Every V-10 with the 5 speed needs this upgrade, its worth every penny.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

harley-dave wrote:
I installed the 5 star tuner in my 2005 31' class c and it works flawlessly. Better power band for pulling the hills by bringing the max HP and torque points to 3200 RPM, much better shifting, and even a small increase in MPG. Haven't had any knock/ping yet. Went with the 87 RV towing tune.

Dave

So after your tune you have max HP at 3,200? :h :h :h

[mudfuel07]

dodge guy wrote:

mikeb9550 wrote:
I had the opposite experience. I had one in my v10 van and got spark knock. Ended up going back to stock. No such thing as free hp. If you need more power, change your gear or get a new truck. Will never waste my money on another tuner. The shift points are changed so it feels faster. Did nothing for teal life pulling power on the highway.

Who`s tune was it? sounds like a generic tuner!

Agreed. I had the 5 Star tune from Mike with mine and loved it. With a V10, it's worth every penny!

[harley-dave]

I installed the 5 star tuner in my 2005 31' class c and it works flawlessly. Better power band for pulling the hills by bringing the max HP and torque points to 3200 RPM, much better shifting, and even a small increase in MPG. Haven't had any knock/ping yet. Went with the 87 RV towing tune.

Dave

[dodge_guy]

mikeb9550 wrote:
I had the opposite experience. I had one in my v10 van and got spark knock. Ended up going back to stock. No such thing as free hp. If you need more power, change your gear or get a new truck. Will never waste my money on another tuner. The shift points are changed so it feels faster. Did nothing for teal life pulling power on the highway.

Who`s tune was it? sounds like a generic tuner!

[mikeb9550]

I had the opposite experience. I had one in my v10 van and got spark knock. Ended up going back to stock. No such thing as free hp. If you need more power, change your gear or get a new truck. Will never waste my money on another tuner. The shift points are changed so it feels faster. Did nothing for teal life pulling power on the highway.

[dodge_guy]

Well worth the investment! With 5star it's not all about the power, but more about the shifting strategy and over all performance. You can get a tune in any octane rating you want, economy, towing or performance!

Just do it!

[mtofell1]

I wonder how the better shift points compare to the shifting with the new 6spd in the F53 chassis. I've read a lot of great reviews with that newer tranny as far as much smoother shifting and generally quieter operation in big class A coaches. I believe it's only available in 2016s and newer.

[Kalabin]

I run a 5-star tune with 3 custom tunes, one 87 performance, 87 tow, 89 tow. To reprogram its as simple as turning the key off and on, selecting the tune you want and follow the on screen display.

The biggest difference as shadows4 pointed out is the transmission shift points. Well worth the money.

[WE3ZS]

A good custom tune, like one from 5Star Tuning will greatly improve your transmission performance with quicker, firmer shifts and improved shift schedules and strategies. They will adjust their tunes to take advantage to any other mods that you have done with your rig.

[shadows4]

I previously had a V-10 Excursion 4X4 4.30 gears. Awesome towing machine. Installed a 5 Star tuner with the towing tune. What difference. Tranny shifted better, and fuel economy improved about .5 miles per gallon across the board. The truck felt like it had lost about 500 lbs. Well worth the investment IMHO.

[K-9_HANDLER]

Here is a long thread covering the 5star over 5 years.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1031460-5-star-tune-update-on-the-v10-4.html

[Hank85713]

I can only refer to the rv tune. It does make a difference in the rv, calms the rpms shifts hold better. I do not have any exhaust intake changes but plan on a better exhaust as next upgrade.

With any tune there needs to be some upgrades such as intake and or exhaust but it all depends on what you want. In my PSD I have upgraded the exhaust but not the intake because it is capable of providing air flow up to about 450hp so no need to change. the exhaust will improve performance and make it easier to drive. I have installed Gibson exhausts on my tow vehicles cat back on the gasser, turbo back on the diesel.

It all depends on what you want, go to ford enthusiasts V10 forums and read up there for trucks and x's. Many do recommend him.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/955188-the-5-star-mike-sticky-thread.html