Any advice on programmers for the f150 5.0L? I see a lot of different options available and totally confused. thanks

 

Worth checking out 5-star. I don't have a programmer (as I don't want to void my warranty) but hear good things and I believe they are a site sponsor:

2011-2014 F150 5.0L - 5 Star Tuning

 

Ditto. ^^^

 

So the programmers void the warranty?

 

If you get 5 Star tunes through Stage 3 Motorsports you can also buy a powertrain warranty from them.


Stage 3 Motorsports now offers Powertrain Warranty on 2011+ F150 Custom Tuning - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

 

I bought my SCT programmer with 5 Star tunes before Stage 3 Motorsports offered the Powertrain Warranty. I chose to be my own warranty provider. I am confident in their tunes and didn't feel I needed to worry about them. My right foot and common sense are what I can control to avoid unnecessary heartbreak. I did also receive lifetime tune updates for any related mods if purchased from Stage 3. Another added bonus for buying from them.

 

^^^ This! I got mine from Mike at 5Star, much better shifting with the taller tires, and he wrote a tune for the few mods I have. Been maybe 3 years and I have no complaints. My warranty is up mid April this year anyway but I wasn't too afraid to run a tune while under warranty, just be sensible about it. Granted, things might happen unrelated to the tune. My .02

 

thanks for the input, does anyone have experience with the Superchips brand FlashPaq tuner? It seems to me that it backs up the factory file to go back to it if warranty repair is needed?

 

This was the case in the old days, not really anymore. The techs can tell, even if it's been put back to a factory flash. If they push enough, could void your warranty depending on what was affected. As others mentioned, a power-train warranty can be purchased from the more reputable tuners. I'm not sure how they work and if you can still take your truck to a dealer. Would be worth asking the question.

I'm less worried about the tune causing a problem than just other issues. I recently needed to have some TSB work done under factory warranty and the trans was pulled apart. Didn't cost me a cent. Would hate to have to pay and then be reimbursed by another party but to each his own. Not even sure if that's how it works.

 

SCT backs up your stock file also. Custom tunes are the way to go

 

X2
As far as I know all programmers save your stock files so you can return back to the stock tune.


X2 again...
I never even wasted my time with the canned SCT tunes.

 

When I had the big 6.0 diesel I ran a Stock Plus daily tune, very mild and just a little extra for the 37" tires. I plugged an Aggressive something tune once and it scared the crap out of me. I think it was around 100+ hp. I did it at night and forgot, in my groggy still sleeping kinda 5am and I punched it a little too hard making a right and it came around on me. Woke me up!! Sorry, just a little sidetrack story that I just remembered My point, custom tunes are much better

 

JDM Engineering also does great tunes for the 5.0. I have been running their tune in my 2013 FX4 since May of 2013 and have had great performance from it. Their tune also boosted my MPG by about 1.5. I would not hesitate to use them again and/or recommend them to others.

Ford Raptor-Mustang-Shelby GT500-F-150 Performance Parts & Tuning-JDM Engineering

 

thanks for all the input.

 

I think what I bought from Mike at 5 star is called the X4. There is the ability at any time you want to just revert back to stock. It memorizes stock before loading in whatever tune you choose. My Ford dealer that sold me the vehicle is the one who actually told me to get 5 Star.