Poll: Stock or Pro Cal (What's your experience, Good, Bad, Meh?)

[Arsenall11]

I’m thinking Livinoise has thier fingers in this, the hand held is exactly like my F150 one.

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[RaptorME]

When I downloaded the tune to my Procal yesterday the file literally said Livernois.

 

[rolick22]

I was thinking, because I now have a RR that has a pro tune, why not put an R on the front grill and call it a Ranger Raptor R. I mean, why not?

Still mulling over the Pro Cal and looking for a good collection of feedback from everyone's experiences with it. Some say it's the best thing for the RR since filling up with premium...some say it's not worth the price of admission...some say stock for long term reliability concerns or the ability to run 87 for more frequent use cases. Lots of varying opinions, just looking for a variety of feedback.

Summary of What We Know / Things to Consider

1. We now know the 10R60 is rated for 600 lb-ft of input torque. With the factory output maximum of 430 lb-ft, there's a 29% safety margine which is close to a 2/3 de-rating for high reliability. The Pro Cal does cut that margine down to about 10% but certainly does NOT exceed the input torque rating.

Also, the 600 lb-ft input torque rating is the maximum input torque the 10R60 can handle and still achieve its rated service life (150k-200k which is typical of OE life span expectations). So, while it does reduce the safety margin, how meaningful that will be long term is debatable (if it has any significant impact at all remains to be seen).

2. We also know that Ford Performance has their 3yr/36k supplemental warranty to cover any damage IF it was found the Pro Cal caused it. Beyond that you're relying on the factory / extended warranties after that point and they are still valid for any failures NOT deemed to be caused by Pro Cal (i.e., a cam phasor goes out, which I think is unlikely to be deemed to be caused by the Pro Cal given the history of that issue). There is increased risk, but it's low.

3. Requires 91 or higher octane. The added power / torque is coming from eliminating the need for the ECU to scale back timing if the driver suddenly switches from 91 back down to 87. You can only get so aggressive of 91 when having to scale back timing advance fast enough in that event.

4. The Pro Cal does NOT affect towing as directly stated by Ford Performance.

5. Ford Performance also states they extensively tested BOTH the engine and driveline for durability, so despite cutting the safety margine down from 29% to 10%, it is still well tested none the less.

6. Requires install by ASE certified tech for warranty. Levittown has it for about $685, so add in labor of around $150, it's not terribly expensive.

What's your personal experiences with the Pro Cal vs. stock? Looking for details, specific things you like or dislike to really consider whether to go Pro Cal or stay stock. I've used FP products in the past as my 2016 GT PP had a Stage 2 Power Pack, but not all of FP's Cal's are worth it (some are very modest and just not worth the price, while others provide substantial enhancements).

 

[Luca Brasi]

Im scheduled with my local ford dealer for tomorrow morning to get the pro cal tune installed. Will report back with thoughts on it.

 

[RaptorME]

Just keep in mind it will take about a tank of gas to adapt and it cen be a little jerky as it learns.

 

[Luca Brasi]

Yes, im tracking. Appreciate it.

 

[Kenbike]

Getting the Ford Pro Tune installed Thursday.

 

[dajo]

Did not notice any difference after Procal. How can I tell if they really installed it?

 

[RaptorME]

You will feel the 100 lbs of torque for sure but it takes quite a few miles for it to adapt.

 

[Kenbike]

Have about 200 miles on the truck after tune install Thursday last week and like it so far.
Mileage seems slightly better, when accelerating it stays in each gear maybe a 1000 rpm higher before shifting. Did a few WOT launches in 2 wheel drive sport and feels stronger 0-60.

 

[Lion77]

You will get MOST of the mid-range torque right away; it doesn't need the adapt to produce the majority of the additional torque in the mid-range. There is little to no benefit to high octane fuels in Low end and mid-range torque (resulting in power because power is a how many torque pulses you get over a given amount of time, like a PWM duty cycle).

It's the high RPM where fuel octane begins to play a roll with timing advance. So, you won't get all the power until it goes through the learn process, as other have stated, usually 200~300 miles (however many miles it takes to complete 1 full drive cycle on the PCM).

Immediate:
1. Transmission shift strategy should be different, more aggressive.
2. Throttle mapping should be more responsive with less pedal travel (like a Mustang Auto)
3. Mid-range torque should be noticeable right away if you go WOT

Improves With Drive Cycle
1. Top end power will come into play after 200 to 300 miles of driving.

Not the Pro Cal REQUIRES 91 or higher octane. The warranty is VOIDED if you at any point run fuel grades lower than 91. So, 91, 92, 93 are all fine, but no more 87, 89 or mixing.

Real world performance shows you will get about 4 - 5 tenths faster (which makes sense as the average rule is 1 / 10th for every 10 hp). With an intercooler, you will pick up another 1 - 2 tenths by slowing down heat saturation in the higher gears, so trap speed should increase by 1 ~ 2 mph due to not heat soaking, but even an intercooler can void your warranty.

For me, I'll stay on the stock intercooler until the 60k powertrain warranty is up so just in case there's an issue, they have no excuse.

Testing the Ranger Raptor with a Ford Performance ProCal Tune

Official Ranger Raptor 0-60 MPH Verified Times - Post Yours! | Ranger6G - 2024+ Ranger & Raptor Forum, News, Owners, Community (6th Gen) (most of these are Pro Cal only on otherwise stock trucks).

 

[Kenbike]

Had the Ford tune in for 2500 miles and really like the added power and transmission shift points. Just over the weekend the truck went back to auto shutdown by itself? My understanding is the ford tune removes the auto shutdown bullshit but itis back.
Has anyone else experienced it returning after the tune was installed?

 

[RaptorME]

The Ford tune does not shut off ASS.

 

[Lion77]

You can use the R button to save all your custom settings (like suspension, steering, exhaust and the ASS setting). We all know how much that feature sucks ASS, but you can sort of "disable it" via saving it as part of your "R" button custom settings.

So just set up all the different elements as you want, hit the ASS button, maybe you'll get some if your wife is with you in the passenger seat, then hold the "R" button to disable the ASS feature.

Some people use an aftermarket mod to disable it where an embedded controller intercepts the button signal and sets it as disabled to the PCM, but I'm leery of that for warranty purposes.

Unless you have a very mod friendly dealer, most dealers will just ASSUME and then BLAME aftermarket mods on problems even it's not related. Maybe stuff like wheels and mud flaps and tonneau covers are pretty safe mods, but for my concerns, until the powertrain warranty is up, Pro Cal is the only powertrain mod I'm doing since it's still under warranty, not giving them an excuse just in case!

 

[Lion77]

I was thinking, because I now have a RR that has a pro tune, why not put an R on the front grill and call it a Ranger Raptor R. I mean, why not?

I'm liking this idea, but you'll get a flurry of opinions. Some will call it a poser move, some will love it.

R can mean anything you want though, your truck, your choice. Why can you not just put the R on there to mean Raptor? Or do 2 R's for Ranger Raptor?

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