Living with the FR tune
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Bullitt Member
Joined: December 11, 2012
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: N'awlins/SoCal
Living with the FR tune
I've had the FR tune on the car for a while now. It is the single, most smile-inducing mod I've yet done to the car - bar none. This Coyote always felt like a healthy V8, now it feels as though it's really woken up.
It's very easy to roast em through second now and I'm no longer feeling that flat spot in the middle of the tach. I've gotten the hang of working with the throttle to mitigate wheel spin and the car is just spectacular everywhere between stoplights and the open highway. The power is right where you need it. Love the monstrous pull out of corners and 6th gear is now a very usable passing gear.
I cannot for the life of me give anyone a negative aspect of living with the FR tune. Even though no hugely significant gains are measured on paper, this is a very inexpensive way to increase performance that you can absolutely feel. It makes the car feel like it's grown to a 5.5 or 6.0 liter with a lighter and freer revving feel all the way to fuel cut. It's just transformative and comes with a warranty.
It's very easy to roast em through second now and I'm no longer feeling that flat spot in the middle of the tach. I've gotten the hang of working with the throttle to mitigate wheel spin and the car is just spectacular everywhere between stoplights and the open highway. The power is right where you need it. Love the monstrous pull out of corners and 6th gear is now a very usable passing gear.
I cannot for the life of me give anyone a negative aspect of living with the FR tune. Even though no hugely significant gains are measured on paper, this is a very inexpensive way to increase performance that you can absolutely feel. It makes the car feel like it's grown to a 5.5 or 6.0 liter with a lighter and freer revving feel all the way to fuel cut. It's just transformative and comes with a warranty.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 15
From: CT
That's great feedback! "Seat o' the pants" changes to the car are some of the most enjoyable mods you can make.
That flywheel horsepower number sounds suspiciously high though. How was that measured? I assume they didn't pull your motor...so was it calculated from a value-corrected chassis dyno? A couple of %, within the margin of error for calculating drivetrain losses could easily skew that number. So, I guess a before/after comparison would be valuable if it was calculated the same each time but the number doesn't mean much on its own.
That flywheel horsepower number sounds suspiciously high though. How was that measured? I assume they didn't pull your motor...so was it calculated from a value-corrected chassis dyno? A couple of %, within the margin of error for calculating drivetrain losses could easily skew that number. So, I guess a before/after comparison would be valuable if it was calculated the same each time but the number doesn't mean much on its own.
Cobra Member
Joined: February 11, 2013
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: Florida
That's great feedback! "Seat o' the pants" changes to the car are some of the most enjoyable mods you can make. That flywheel horsepower number sounds suspiciously high though. How was that measured? I assume they didn't pull your motor...so was it calculated from a value-corrected chassis dyno? A couple of %, within the margin of error for calculating drivetrain losses could easily skew that number. So, I guess a before/after comparison would be valuable if it was calculated the same each time but the number doesn't mean much on its own.
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 9, 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
That's great feedback! "Seat o' the pants" changes to the car are some of the most enjoyable mods you can make.
That flywheel horsepower number sounds suspiciously high though. How was that measured? I assume they didn't pull your motor...so was it calculated from a value-corrected chassis dyno? A couple of %, within the margin of error for calculating drivetrain losses could easily skew that number. So, I guess a before/after comparison would be valuable if it was calculated the same each time but the number doesn't mean much on its own.
That flywheel horsepower number sounds suspiciously high though. How was that measured? I assume they didn't pull your motor...so was it calculated from a value-corrected chassis dyno? A couple of %, within the margin of error for calculating drivetrain losses could easily skew that number. So, I guess a before/after comparison would be valuable if it was calculated the same each time but the number doesn't mean much on its own.
I agree without a clear cut drivetrain loss percentage it's all approximation.
Correct, there are several calculators online but like I said above without a set in stone percentage for drivetrain loss we are still guesstimating.
I've had the FR tune on the car for a while now. It is the single, most smile-inducing mod I've yet done to the car - bar none. This Coyote always felt like a healthy V8, now it feels as though it's really woken up.
It's very easy to roast em through second now and I'm no longer feeling that flat spot in the middle of the tach. I've gotten the hang of working with the throttle to mitigate wheel spin and the car is just spectacular everywhere between stoplights and the open highway. The power is right where you need it. Love the monstrous pull out of corners and 6th gear is now a very usable passing gear.
I cannot for the life of me give anyone a negative aspect of living with the FR tune. Even though no hugely significant gains are measured on paper, this is a very inexpensive way to increase performance that you can absolutely feel. It makes the car feel like it's grown to a 5.5 or 6.0 liter with a lighter and freer revving feel all the way to fuel cut. It's just transformative and comes with a warranty.
It's very easy to roast em through second now and I'm no longer feeling that flat spot in the middle of the tach. I've gotten the hang of working with the throttle to mitigate wheel spin and the car is just spectacular everywhere between stoplights and the open highway. The power is right where you need it. Love the monstrous pull out of corners and 6th gear is now a very usable passing gear.
I cannot for the life of me give anyone a negative aspect of living with the FR tune. Even though no hugely significant gains are measured on paper, this is a very inexpensive way to increase performance that you can absolutely feel. It makes the car feel like it's grown to a 5.5 or 6.0 liter with a lighter and freer revving feel all the way to fuel cut. It's just transformative and comes with a warranty.
Thank you for the feedback.
I have been waiting for someone to really give an in depth analysis on the FRPP Cal Pac. It seems to be one of the better tunes for people looking for increased drivability with a modest power bump.
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 28, 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 17
Drivetrain % loss is bull****, anyway you slice it. Are you telling me a 500 horse engine uses more power to drive through the wheels than a 400 horse car?
Dragstrip dyno has a pretty reasonable flywheel approximation and also adjusts for aerodynamics by including them. It's straight speed and distance calcs, for a given mass to move.
I'll give you the data and you can try any one of a hundred of these calculators online. Accurate to the penny, no, but, reasonably certain when used as a comparator. Beats comparing dyno results on different days, temps, fuels and atmos.
11.91 @ 115.23, 3680 race weight, me in.
Dragstrip dyno has a pretty reasonable flywheel approximation and also adjusts for aerodynamics by including them. It's straight speed and distance calcs, for a given mass to move.
I'll give you the data and you can try any one of a hundred of these calculators online. Accurate to the penny, no, but, reasonably certain when used as a comparator. Beats comparing dyno results on different days, temps, fuels and atmos.
11.91 @ 115.23, 3680 race weight, me in.
Last edited by 5LHO; Feb 21, 2014 at 05:27 PM.
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 9, 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Drivetrain % loss is bull****, anyway you slice it. Are you telling me a 500 horse engine uses more power to drive through the wheels than a 400 horse car?
Dragstrip dyno has a pretty reasonable flywheel approximation and also adjusts for aerodynamics by including them. It's straight speed and distance calcs, for a given mass to move.
I'll give you the data and you can try any one of a hundred of these calculators online. Accurate to the penny, no, but, reasonably certain when used as a comparator. Beats comparing dyno results on different days, temps, fuels and atmos.
11.91 @ 115.23, 3680 race weight, me in.
Dragstrip dyno has a pretty reasonable flywheel approximation and also adjusts for aerodynamics by including them. It's straight speed and distance calcs, for a given mass to move.
I'll give you the data and you can try any one of a hundred of these calculators online. Accurate to the penny, no, but, reasonably certain when used as a comparator. Beats comparing dyno results on different days, temps, fuels and atmos.
11.91 @ 115.23, 3680 race weight, me in.
Loss percentage is definitely a variable factor dependent on any number of conditions. I misspoke when I said it needed to be a set in stone number.
No disrespect intended, and I agree with your entire statement.
I do not discount your calculations or your times. In fact they further validate mine and many others suspicion that the early coyotes 412HP rating is BS. And that the `13-14's 420 rating is closer to reality for all GT's.
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 28, 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 17
No offense taken, sorry if I came on a little strong....I've just always hated that "what's the % loss through driveline" Q I've been hearing for over 30 years in this hobby. Makes me twitch, I guess; just so many variable uncontrolled for there and a ruler with no markings on it. Like ricers adding up HP claims for their parts, it's a really old sore point.
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 9, 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
No offense taken, sorry if I came on a little strong....I've just always hated that "what's the % loss through driveline" Q I've been hearing for over 30 years in this hobby. Makes me twitch, I guess; just so many variable uncontrolled for there and a ruler with no markings on it. Like ricers adding up HP claims for their parts, it's a really old sore point.
Agreed
It's no different then using dyno numbers as bragging rights and then claiming that the car is X fast because of it. Dyno's are tools for tuning nothing more. We both know that trap speed is the real tell all.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 17, 2013
Posts: 678
Likes: 5
From: Hickory Creek, TX
I purchased the FRPP package (GT500 mufflers, FRPP tune and device, and air filter). For the price (ordered at AM), you really can't beat the satisfaction it adds to the car...
The main difference with the FR tune is right at launch. For some reason, there is a bit of a "hole" right at the bottom of the torque curve from the factory. The FR tune fills that hole up really nicely. If you're just looking for a slightly meaner sound, the GT500 mufflers are perfect (and easy to install).
The only things I was unhappy with are:
1.) My dealer ripped me off on the installation of the tune (thing I paid right at $200). I should have just installed it myself, since the whole "dealer installation will preserve warranty" is bogus when you think about it. If you had a failure, Ford would STILL have to prove it was the FR tune that caused it- and I've yet to hear a single incident of this given the mildness of the FR tune.
2.) I've noticed that in the Summer when I have the A/C running in bumper to bumper traffic, the idle control seems a bit wonky. Mainly, as the RPMs come down, it lets them dive just low enough that- on two occasions- the engine has stalled. On occasion, you can observe the RPMs drop in neutral to where the engine "flutters" just for a half second- then it recovers to normal idle. That's when it has stalled on me.
Otherwise, as mentioned the tune/muffler package is just perfection IMO. I really REALLY wish Ford would have made my Track Pack $400-500 more expensive and included the tune, mufflers, and a FR short throw shifter and bracket (which is the final mod I intend to make to get the car more "driveable").
The main difference with the FR tune is right at launch. For some reason, there is a bit of a "hole" right at the bottom of the torque curve from the factory. The FR tune fills that hole up really nicely. If you're just looking for a slightly meaner sound, the GT500 mufflers are perfect (and easy to install).
The only things I was unhappy with are:
1.) My dealer ripped me off on the installation of the tune (thing I paid right at $200). I should have just installed it myself, since the whole "dealer installation will preserve warranty" is bogus when you think about it. If you had a failure, Ford would STILL have to prove it was the FR tune that caused it- and I've yet to hear a single incident of this given the mildness of the FR tune.
2.) I've noticed that in the Summer when I have the A/C running in bumper to bumper traffic, the idle control seems a bit wonky. Mainly, as the RPMs come down, it lets them dive just low enough that- on two occasions- the engine has stalled. On occasion, you can observe the RPMs drop in neutral to where the engine "flutters" just for a half second- then it recovers to normal idle. That's when it has stalled on me.
Otherwise, as mentioned the tune/muffler package is just perfection IMO. I really REALLY wish Ford would have made my Track Pack $400-500 more expensive and included the tune, mufflers, and a FR short throw shifter and bracket (which is the final mod I intend to make to get the car more "driveable").
Bullitt Member
Joined: December 28, 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 17
Yeah, that's steep for 1/2 hour's button pushing.
What I was really paying for was the documents I submitted to FRPP to validate the warranty. That was worth $60.
The hole you refer to might be idiot control, I think. Make the car a tiny bit soft off the bottom and you have less of the moron contingent snapping the car around light poles and stuff. I dunno, could have something to do with emissions or fuel economy regs, too, who knows. It is there, though and I hated it.
I've not experienced any idle issues but, we don't get a lot of very hot weather where I am and I don't do much B2B traffic in my commute. Your experience is the first time I've heard this. weird.
What I was really paying for was the documents I submitted to FRPP to validate the warranty. That was worth $60.
The hole you refer to might be idiot control, I think. Make the car a tiny bit soft off the bottom and you have less of the moron contingent snapping the car around light poles and stuff. I dunno, could have something to do with emissions or fuel economy regs, too, who knows. It is there, though and I hated it.
I've not experienced any idle issues but, we don't get a lot of very hot weather where I am and I don't do much B2B traffic in my commute. Your experience is the first time I've heard this. weird.
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