Ford Performance Tune Released for Ranger Raptor for 455 HP / 536 LB-FT Torque

[Bmadda]

Looking through the Ford docs and tech discussion board, I could not find any reference to a flash counter. I was a bit surprised by that.

Edit: that's not to say these PCMs don't have a flash counter, I just couldn't find a reference to it.

I have never seen nor heard of such a thing, and I have worked in this industry since I graduated HS in 1989. Not saying it doesn't exist, just would have thought I would have heard of such a thing by now. I think you guys are a little paranoid? If this tin hat stuff is too much for ya...maybe the tune isn't for you? Myself, I'm not worried about it

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[ducktapeonmydesk]

I have never seen nor heard of such a thing, and I have worked in this industry since I graduated HS in 1989. Not saying it doesn't exist, just would have thought I would have heard of such a thing by now. I think you guys are a little paranoid? If this tin hat stuff is too much for ya...maybe the tune isn't for you? Myself, I'm not worried about it

Never heard of what? Ignition cycle count? Or flash counters?

Here is a post from MHD talking about their ability to freeze and reset a flash count.

 

[Bmadda]

Never heard of what? Ignition cycle count? Or flash counters?

Here is a post from MHD talking about their ability to freeze and reset a flash count.

Ign cycle will reset to 1 when battery is disconnected, don't think that proves a thing. I have never seen a "flash counter" on any Ford product, or really any vehicle I have ever worked on...can't say I ever really looked either. Some of the guys I worked with in my dealership days are still there, I guess I could ask them, but expect they would look at me cross-eyed! I don't see what that proves either? PCMs get reflashed all the time for all kinds of reasons. Couldn't you just buy a stock PCM and flash it once, then physically bolt it in before going in for warranty? I guess I just don't see what all this hoopla is about? It's just a tune...and a Ford one at that

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

I have never seen nor heard of such a thing, and I have worked in this industry since I graduated HS in 1989. Not saying it doesn't exist, just would have thought I would have heard of such a thing by now. I think you guys are a little paranoid? If this tin hat stuff is too much for ya...maybe the tune isn't for you? Myself, I'm not worried about it

Have you ever done any aftermarket bench tuning or automotive/motorcycle, software tuning development?

If you haven’t you wouldn’t be familiar with the proprietary software reprogramming directly. Flashing a tune from a; FDRS, GDS or handheld doesn’t explain or define the tuning process or development.

My comment was informational and I’m not worried about it at all. I’ve been involved with tuning and tuning development for a while, along R & D on performance parts with aftermarket companies.

 

[Bmadda]

You’ll need to have the

Have you ever done any aftermarket bench tuning or automotive/motorcycle, software tuning development?

My comment was informational and I’m not worried about it at all. I’ve been involved with tuning and tuning development for a long time, along R & D with aftermarket companies.

I'm a wrench, not a software guy. I have only flashed tunes that I got from other sources, or changed a few parameters w/editors and relashed. What I think I'm saying is the guy who is gonna have to work on it under warranty doesn't do that stuff either...but who knows, I'm getting older and I may be way behind the times?

 

[ducktapeonmydesk]

Ign cycle will reset to 1 when battery is disconnected, don't think that proves a thing. I have never seen a "flash counter" on any Ford product, or really any vehicle I have ever worked on...can't say I ever really looked either. Some of the guys I worked with in my dealership days are still there, I guess I could ask them, but expect they would look at me cross-eyed! I don't see what that proves either? PCMs get reflashed all the time for all kinds of reasons. Couldn't you just buy a stock PCM and flash it once, then physically bolt it in before going in for warranty? I guess I just don't see what all this hoopla is about? It's just a tune...and a Ford one at that

I believe the Ignition cycle count is kept in the PCM and not stored in the KAM.

Edit: it might get reset on battery disconnect. I am not sure. Someone with forscan should test this for us ‍

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

I'm a wrench, not a software guy. I have only flashed tunes that I got from other sources, or changed a few parameters w/editors and relashed. What I think I'm saying is the guy who is gonna have to work on it under warranty doesn't do that stuff either...but who knows, I'm getting older and I may be way behind the times?

Aren't we all. I started as a four engine reciprocating aircraft mechanic, on no less than C118’s, same aircraft that did the Berlin Airlifts. Then to four engine jets, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and marine engines and outboards.

I started learning about tuning software development and tuning about a decade or so ago. Allot to learn and allot I didn’t know that is constantly changing due to EPA mandates, emissions and engine design.

What I‘m providing is; manufactures don’t want anyone to develop tunes that change the parameters of their software, unless they do it. So they take steps to circumvent such tampering. Some more than others. Minimum is generally a flash counter.

Ford Performance has done so in house, with vetting from FordMoCo; Inherently they’ve retained all the safety parameters the software was originally designed with. Raising both torque and boost limiters safely, within those parameters and additionally kept AFR’s within acceptable norms and design.

I haven’t got a chance to view or crack this ECU software. However, you can bet aftermarket tuners and companies are on it as we comment.

 

[Bmadda]

Aren't we all. I started as a four engine reciprocating aircraft mechanic, on no less than C118’s, same aircraft that did the Berlin Airlifts. Then to four engine jets, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and marine engines and outboards.

I started learning about tuning software development and tuning about a decade or so ago. Allot to learn and allot I didn’t know that is constantly changing due to EPA mandates, emissions and engine design.

What I‘m providing is; manufactures don’t want anyone to develop tunes that change the parameters of their software, unless they do it. So they take steps to circumvent such tampering. Some more than others. Minimum is generally a flash counter.

Ford Performance has done so in house, with vetting from FordMoCo; Inherently they’ve retained all the safety parameters the software was originally designed with. Raising both torque and boost limiters safely, within those parameters and additionally kept AFR’s within acceptable norms and design.

I haven’t got a chance to view or crack this ECU software. However, you can bet aftermarket tuners and companies are on it as we comment.

I guess what I am saying is IDK how a tech in the field accesses that information. I guess for those who are super paranoid, just order a new PCM and have it flashed stock. If your truck has to go in under warranty just install that one? I have used FP tunes in the past and I am confident they are safe, so I am not worried, but seems some are

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

I guess what I am saying is IDK how a tech in the field accesses that information. I guess for those who are super paranoid, just order a new PCM and have it flashed stock. If your truck has to go in under warranty just install that one? I have used FP tunes in the past and I am confident they are safe, so I am not worried, but seems some are

Me too, have done so for decades. Not worried in the least.

 

[MAV]

The latest document I could find regarding Ford's procedures for determining aftermarket performance calibrations is from 2017, but page 16 of this document speaks to the counters and such.

And to say one more time about the warranty...no warranty is "voided" with this calibration. What Ford Performance is saying is that they will cover you for the first 3 years or 36k miles (from the start of your manufacturer's warranty, usually the day you bought your truck), even if Ford Motor Company will not. After that, Ford Performance steps out of the situation, and any warranty claim you have after that is between you and Ford Motor Company.

It is absolutely true that your initial 3 year/36k mile warranty is not voided, nor is your 5 year/60k mile powertrain warranty, or even any extended warranty that you may have purchased. What is also absolutely true is that if Ford Motor Company can point to the Ford Performance calibration (or any other aftermarket calibration), they can easily deny any claim you have that can be related to the aftermarket calibration.

Legally, when you load this tune, your warranty is still 100% intact. Practically, you risk denial of any claim on any part, component, or system of your truck that is directly affected by the tune beyond the Ford Performance warranty period.

 

[Peter949]

This is true and what it boils down to. They have something to use as a denial but not necessary use it to deny you a claim after the 3yr/36k.

 

[holdreset]

The latest document I could find regarding Ford's procedures for determining aftermarket performance calibrations is from 2017, but page 16 of this document speaks to the counters and such.

And to say one more time about the warranty...no warranty is "voided" with this calibration. What Ford Performance is saying is that they will cover you for the first 3 years or 36k miles (from the start of your manufacturer's warranty, usually the day you bought your truck), even if Ford Motor Company will not. After that, Ford Performance steps out of the situation, and any warranty claim you have after that is between you and Ford Motor Company.

It is absolutely true that your initial 3 year/36k mile warranty is not voided, nor is your 5 year/60k mile powertrain warranty, or even any extended warranty that you may have purchased. What is also absolutely true is that if Ford Motor Company can point to the Ford Performance calibration (or any other aftermarket calibration), they can easily deny any claim you have that can be related to the aftermarket calibration.

Legally, when you load this tune, your warranty is still 100% intact. Practically, you risk denial of any claim on any part, component, or system of your truck that is directly affected by the tune beyond the Ford Performance warranty period.

I chatted with some Ford specialists at varying levels of corporate and had an interesting conversation with them about the warranty, tune, etc. Nothing in writing of course, but if anyone is interested I'd happily write up a cliff notes if you will of my conversation with them.

 

[Bondodave]

I got mine on Monday installed it yesterday. It has to be done by an ASE certified tech or it voids warranty. I am a performance junkie, and it is a darn good investment. Buy it and if you don't notice a difference push the skinny pedal down farther. If you update it yourself you'll see who did the tune with Ford and you'll know it works. Spend the $$ and smile

 

[wlarsen76]

I chatted with some Ford specialists at varying levels of corporate and had an interesting conversation with them about the warranty, tune, etc. Nothing in writing of course, but if anyone is interested I'd happily write up a cliff notes if you will of my conversation with them.

I am interested.

 

[holdreset]

I am interested.

For what it's worth I spoke with a Ford Warranty Auditor, Ford Warranty Claims specialist, and a Ford Premium Care Extended Warranty Agent. In summary, long as the "part" that breaks is a Ford OEM part number, they will not care about a Ford Performance tune. They have rarely EVER seen a warranty claim denied pointing to Ford Performance Tune as the reason AND rarely do they ask if a tune was on the vehicle. Now if you have some wild 3rd party tune + aftermarket turbos etc to catch attention, obviously that's a different story. BUT to have a claim denied solely on an official Ford Performance tune that was installed by a dealer or ASE tech is extremely rare, and in all his years of processing couldn't recall a single instance of it happening.

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