Does anyone have some real world experience with one of these?

http://5startuning.com/page43.html

I'm considering one for my 05' F250 Crew w/ V10 and 4.10 gears. The truck is all stock at this point. I'm interested in a little extra pick me up, and the ability to use all 5 gears of the 5spd auto when not using Tow/Haul Mode.

 

Yes,you can use a livewire device on your '05 V10 truck.
The 5R110 is actually a 6-speed,but not all six are used-4th and 5th are almost the same ratio,and 4th gets used when the fluid temps are below a certain point,and 5th gets used the rest of the time. Tow-Haul has nothing to do with it,and the normal shift strategy uses 5 gears all the time.
JL

 

Thanks Johnny! I wasn't aware of it being a 6 speed. I took my info off of 5 stars site:

In all 2v and 3v V10’s Torque Converter strategies can be reworked to lock up sooner and stay locked longer at light cruising speeds to also help with economy...A locked converter is power to the ground. Some times a stock truck when you hit any incline the truck will unlock OD gear and down shift. We can get your truck to hold OD longer and not unlock... now of course on large hills it will down shift...like it should...
On the 3v V10’s, the Ford Strategy is to NOT use all 5 gears in the Torq Shift transmission. Hard to believe I know. In non-tow/haul modes Ford uses only 4 gears when going up through the gearbox. With a custom tune from 5 Star we will use all gears in our shifting and torque converter lock strategies. You will also see quicker shifts, as the truck will proceed into OD quicker than stock strategy. This will provide better power and economy out of your 3v V10.

 

Not to get too techy here but here is stock shift strategies (NON TOW HAUL MODE) from 2005 model and 2008 model V10's. 05 model at light TP uses 3 gears. 4th -5th gear uses same TP and MPH to shift aka skips 4th all together.

 

I am using the banks tuner in my motor home and I feel it is ok, But I am wordering if the caoch can be better with a different tuner with custom tunes. I am at 18500 right now but can go to 20500 gvw and 26000 gcwr.

 

Mike, 4th only gets used when fluid temps are below either 32F or 0F( I can't remember which). It's a 6-speed trans, and it uses 5 speeds all the time-it will either use 4th or 5th on it's way to 6th gear,but not both.
JL

 

Just ordered a Livewire! Spoke to Mike a few times via phone and email and seems like a great guy. Can't wait to get the system in and working. I'll report back on how it goes!

 

Well got my tuner today. Pretty cool lookin Device ( I bought the Livewire) Plugged it in and tried to load one of the performance tunes. It said it took, but when I went to start the truck it wouldn't start, period! The only way I could get the truck to start again was by going back to the stock program. I sent Mike and email, I'm sure we'll figure it out, he seems like a great guy from my conversations with him.
Did anyone else have this problem when setting theirs up. Trouble Shooting tips? I am pretty sure I did it right based on the instructions provided with the unit.

 

Holy customer service batman! Sent Mike an email about the same time as my prior post here. I'm in no rush to get it fixed, I just thought since I had a minute I'd fire him off an email and look to hear from him next week. Not the case! It couldn't have been more than 15 minutes and I had an email and a phone call from Mike! Problem diagnosed-my truck has apparently had the PCM updated at some point (I am not original owner)
He is writing a new program today and email'ing it over to me. I about fell outta my chair when he told me this.

I had to reboot up the computer to post this one, major kudos to Mike @ 5 Star for going above and beyond in terms of customer service.



Question: those with the Livewire, got any pics on where you mounted yours?

 

thanks for the feedback jrandol. You case is a classic your PCM code on side of PCM is KYH0 and when you read strategy it is really GRH1. This does not happen too often with many gas vehicles, just mainly 6.0L diesels..

 

Well the Livewire is on and working. Pretty slick really! Mike email'd me the new files, I hooked up the livewire to my computer, and voila! Livewire works with the truck!

I have it on the 87 Octane Performance Tune and holy schmoly it woke the truck up BIG TIME! Much firmer shifts (per my request) and the throttle response is awesome! Simply by SOTP butt dynameter the truck is way up on power. I like this thing ALOT!!

Now someone hurry up and design a Supercharger for the 3V!

 

Filled the truck up today with Champagne (high grade) and popped in the 93 Octane Tow/Performance setting. The truck runs like a scalded cat!

High grade is a bit rich for my blood so I doubt I'll use this tune on a regular basis, but the mid grade and even 87 octane tune run incredibly well on this 3v motor. Why Ford did not make these trucks to run this way in the first place is beyond me!

 

That is great to hear,,that you can really feel the difference on a gas motor tune from SCT !

 

I have to ditto everything you said about the programmer and Mike as well. Excellent product. Even better customer relations.

Mike get five stars!

 

A call to Mike is very next on my list...