Installed the X3 from Mike ~Mid April. Got 87 performance, 89 tow, and 91 tow. The truck is a 2010 250, with V10 and FD 4.30. Noticed right away the better throttle response and slightly crisper shifts. Oh yeah, loaded the 89 tow tune. Only towed a light 4000 lb load locally, so no real feel for how it was doing until last weekend. Hooked our E350 with 7.3 and 4.10 to the race car trailer on Friday night only to find that the brake controller had died. The new 250 was purchased as a 2nd tow vehicle and DD. So switched the 250 onto the trailer (28' Enclosed Pace, as loaded ~10,000 lbs.) Noticed as soon as we hit the interstate that the 250 was pulling every bit as good as the diesel and in most cases better. I tend to tow at ~70 on interstates and speed limit on other roads. The secondary roads in New England are pretty hilly and I'm frequently "hammer down". Again the V10 did as well or better than the diesel. The diesel in the van is un-modified and has no intercooler. Got ~9mpg for the trip, better than the diesel! General around town and light use has improved by about 0.5 mpg. Very happy! May or may not load the 91 tow tune, though we sometimes have a second car in the trailer which makes the total 12,500 to 13,000 lbs. Thanks Mike!!

 

Hey Ed.
What do you race and where? I live in north central ma but race in the great north woods of NH (riverside speedway in Groveton)

I'm hoping to get one of Mikes tune as soon as the warenty is up.

44

 

The X3 is a nice improvement eliminates the lag in the throttle and feels like the power is ready on demand. I've seen an improvement over the past couple of weeks in mileage of .5 gallon also so it will pay for itself in 32,000 mile or 8 months.

 

44,
We race Hondas in SCCA's Improved Touring category. Road courses, NHMS, Limerock, Watkins, Pocono. Have raced as far west as Road America in Wisconsin and as far south as Moroso in Florida. Been doing it for 21 years. Did a few 12 and 24 hour enduros back in the late 90's, but not anymore....too damn much $ and time.

 

Great story thanks Ed

 

H'mmmmmmm.

Diesel = 215 HP, 425 lb./ft. torque.

V10 = 362 HP, 457 lb./ft. torque (stock).

Not really sure why you found your result surprising.

 

, Hope you got LT tires on that Pace, cause them ST trailer tires it probably came with, aint good for about 60-65mph & lord help if they are Duro's.
Neil

 

yeah, we up graded a few years ago.

 

Good good, tore up fenders & sheet metal aint no fun replacing just cause of a tire, + more than likely when one will blow, is when you leave for a race just a bit later than normal & trying to make up some time & then,,,,BAM there she goes.

Got a daughter races 4 wheelers nationaly & we travel cross the US quite a bit. A bunch of these highways we got to travel on, aint fit to even look at on tv much less drive on.
Still have the ST Duro's on our 24' enclosed, just because its new & I'm sort of using them as a govonor to hold my speed down out on the highway. Never had a Ford V10 & 4L100 trans, so I'm feeling it out right to start with & taking it easy.
Neil

 

I called Mike on friday, had a bad connection with him on the phone but got most the info I needed. With all the good results I have heard about his tuner, I am calling him Monday to order one up!

I have a 2005 E350 with V10 3.73 rear end and 285/75-16 BFG "E" rated all terrains. I just put the Action Van 2wd lift kit on her last week and going two sizes up on the tires made it a little more sluggish, not too bad though. I have been deciding on what to do first, 4.10 gears or the tuner? The van is my DD but I do tow a 20' toy hauler and a 23' boat, neither of which are over 6000lbs. What do you guys think?

I think the tuner gives some options and can always re-gear at a later date...

 

with just 285 tires, i think the Tuner is a cheaper option that will help for sure..

being a 2WD van of course the cost to regear is way cheaper then for us 4WD owners..but if you choose to regear i'd suggest making the jump to at least 4:30. the 4:10 isnt enuf jump to make it worth the cost.

and the slight gain in power will be lost on you within weeks, as u become used to it.

 

You're right, I looked a little more into the 4.10 and I think its only a 200rpm vs. the 3.73. Not that much difference at all. I need to go tow one of my trailers and see how it goes. I have decided to order the X3 though, tommorow morning!

 

Try saying that to a diesel guy though and youl just be (well some of them, not all).