STEEDA tune for '13 3.7L
the american muscle part has amazing customer service. i give AM a A+, bama is the problem. bama is just so hard to deal with. i cant get them to make me another tune to fix the problem that ive been having for 5 months now. unless they can fix my problem by friday night then i will be switching and buying a steeda tune.
Seems BAMA has soo many programmers. No one knows them by there name. So out of over a dozen tunes, they all could have been from a dozen different programmers. And so many variables come with that. They do not work off of a previous tune file. They start all over, with new parameters, which gives you new shifts, spark, etc.
I know the guys name that tuned my car. Gus. I can ask Gus to make my shifts firmer without changing all of the other parameters.
It was my first tune from Steeda, and I am at a good standing stage with my 3.7L so the only change in the future will be gearing 3.55 ratio, but they nailed it to where I don't think I could get anymore power out of it at this stage.
I'M DONE! Just got my revision from them and now my Stang is very jerky again & there's hesitation in the engine. They are asking for more datalogs. I'm done giving them multiple chances to get it right. Bama seems to only be able to tune when you have basic mods like cai and gears. I feel I have simple bolt on mods. It shouldn't be that hard.
I noticed more performance with the stock tunes, but with it comes the sloppy shifts. I lived with it for awhile. Stock is better than knock!
OK, here's my take on this and correct me if I'm wrong. It seems the only way you can purchase Bama tunes is through AM, correct? I can't seem to find any other way to get a Bama tune. So the companies are connected via the transaction and should both be responsible for customer service. I just don't see AM washing their hands and leaving it up to Bama to satify, AM has too much to loose. It seems to take two to make the transaction happen for the customer. AM is the front man who handles the deal, but also needs to step up when Bama can't. Just curious about that relationship. Has anyone from Bama replied to a thread? I think it's always been AM.
Last edited by StangDawg; Jan 21, 2014 at 04:46 PM.
OK, here's my take on this and correct me if I'm wrong. It seems the only way you can purchase Bama tunes is through AM, correct? I can't seem to find any other way to get a Bama tune. So the companies are connected via the transaction and should both be responsible for customer service. I just don't see AM washing their hands and leaving it up to Bama to satify, AM has too much to loose. It seems to take two to make the transaction happen for the customer. AM is the front man who handles the deal, but also needs to step up when Bama can't. Just curious about that relationship. Has anyone from Bama replied to a thread? I think it's always been AM.
i believe american muscle owns bama but they are legally set up as two different companys. i have not proof of this but its what i believe from what ive picked up on it. they could possibly even operate out of the same building. i believe american muscle owns like 3 different businesses that are closely related with american muscle in fact bama's email is bama@americanmuscle.com. but when i contact american muscle about the tune problem they have great customer service and get everything set up for me to send in a data log but i just never hear anything back after i send bama the data logs.
the parts buying side of the american muscle business has wonderful customer service. i had a problem with a led i bought from them flickering and i posted about it on this forum and a day or 2 later a guy from american muscle called me and explaned that they are on back order right now but as soon as they get more of them they would send me a set for a replacement. heck they even said they were sending me a tee shirt for my trouble. i was highly impressed with the amazing customer service i received from them. although i havent received the tee shirt or led's yet as i had just talked to them friday. i have absolutely no complaints about american muscle except the bama issue.
the parts buying side of the american muscle business has wonderful customer service. i had a problem with a led i bought from them flickering and i posted about it on this forum and a day or 2 later a guy from american muscle called me and explaned that they are on back order right now but as soon as they get more of them they would send me a set for a replacement. heck they even said they were sending me a tee shirt for my trouble. i was highly impressed with the amazing customer service i received from them. although i havent received the tee shirt or led's yet as i had just talked to them friday. i have absolutely no complaints about american muscle except the bama issue.
A little off topic but what made you choose 3.55 gears? You have an auto so you could have easily went 4.10. I had 3.55 in my '12 and loved them but I'm still struggling months later on what to do.(3.55 or 3.73) The way I see it is moving up to 3.55 seems kind of a waste of $$ since I already have 3.31 but 3.73 kills the MPGs. Especially for me since I have a heavy foot, lol.
i believe american muscle owns bama but they are legally set up as two different companys. i have not proof of this but its what i believe from what ive picked up on it. they could possibly even operate out of the same building. i believe american muscle owns like 3 different businesses that are closely related with american muscle in fact bama's email is bama@americanmuscle.com. but when i contact american muscle about the tune problem they have great customer service and get everything set up for me to send in a data log but i just never hear anything back after i send bama the data logs.
the parts buying side of the american muscle business has wonderful customer service. i had a problem with a led i bought from them flickering and i posted about it on this forum and a day or 2 later a guy from american muscle called me and explaned that they are on back order right now but as soon as they get more of them they would send me a set for a replacement. heck they even said they were sending me a tee shirt for my trouble. i was highly impressed with the amazing customer service i received from them. although i havent received the tee shirt or led's yet as i had just talked to them friday. i have absolutely no complaints about american muscle except the bama issue.
the parts buying side of the american muscle business has wonderful customer service. i had a problem with a led i bought from them flickering and i posted about it on this forum and a day or 2 later a guy from american muscle called me and explaned that they are on back order right now but as soon as they get more of them they would send me a set for a replacement. heck they even said they were sending me a tee shirt for my trouble. i was highly impressed with the amazing customer service i received from them. although i havent received the tee shirt or led's yet as i had just talked to them friday. i have absolutely no complaints about american muscle except the bama issue.
A little off topic but what made you choose 3.55 gears? You have an auto so you could have easily went 4.10. I had 3.55 in my '12 and loved them but I'm still struggling months later on what to do.(3.55 or 3.73) The way I see it is moving up to 3.55 seems kind of a waste of $$ since I already have 3.31 but 3.73 kills the MPGs. Especially for me since I have a heavy foot, lol.
The 2.73s move pretty good. The headers, PP, 73mm TB, xpipe combination, helped the lo end torque. Any gearing shorter than that I would be happy with.
I think 3.73s would be a little too steep for all the highway driving I do with this pony.
I don't think you would see a bang for your buck from a 3.31 to 3.55 jump, I could be wrong tho.
Well, my thinking is, if AM owns Bama and AM took the money, it's on AM to make it right. The buck stops with AM. Business is business and AM has got to start taking care of it or no one will buy the tuners and tunes for life. That's a deal breaker. It's bad business to have one very expensive product hurting your reputation. Anyway, keep us posted on the status with Bama. I'd love to know how this ultimately will be resolved.
I will have to call AM tomorrow again, maybe they are fluttered with paperwork.
Who did you pay for the tune? Ultimately that's who's responsible to make it right.
Interesting after being here eight years or so I've seen this issue several times now, and although I shouldn't comment on it in detail I will say that it's a common vendor and even a common personnel issue. Quick on the forums to make a sale but then even quicker to move on to the next sale while not taking care of previous issues.
Interesting after being here eight years or so I've seen this issue several times now, and although I shouldn't comment on it in detail I will say that it's a common vendor and even a common personnel issue. Quick on the forums to make a sale but then even quicker to move on to the next sale while not taking care of previous issues.

Customer service comes into play after you purchase a product from a vendor and you subsequently have an issue with the product after the original sale. Customer service does not take place at the time of the sale, that is simply a transaction. Ultimately, you hope you don't need to contact customer service, but if you do, you pray to the god of auto parts that you actually get true customer service and not just the run around or even worse, no response. Kinda surprised that no one from AM has chimed in.
You must have many issues to be ignoring me for weeks and for Bama not to return my calls. It is frustrating having to explain my issues and concerns every time.
I have left you my info so many times and called many many times. And you come in here with a generic message that I have seen many times. Copy/Paste?
I would just like a full refund for the tuner and the tunes for life I purchased, which prob won't happen due to the horrible customer service I have experienced.
It is beyond a timely manner and you have lost this customer.
I used to refer many customers to your company. Never again.
Your "non" canned tunes ran worse than stock and could have cost me a lot of damage to my vehicle.
I have left you my info so many times and called many many times. And you come in here with a generic message that I have seen many times. Copy/Paste?
I would just like a full refund for the tuner and the tunes for life I purchased, which prob won't happen due to the horrible customer service I have experienced.
It is beyond a timely manner and you have lost this customer.
I used to refer many customers to your company. Never again.
Your "non" canned tunes ran worse than stock and could have cost me a lot of damage to my vehicle.
Clearly we have done you wrong here and I apologize. I would really like to re gain your confidence and hopefully we can work slowly at this. Starting with your full credit and hopefully a tune that properly functions.
-Dan
I'm sorry that we haven't been able to get you taken care of. This is a terrible experience and I'm very sorry. I have no problem offering you a full refund for your tuner and free tunes for life. I'll reach out to the Bama team now in hopes to figure out why you weren't contacted on multiple different occasions and why you consistently had to re-explain the issues you were having. I'll also make sure your full credit is issued, right away!
Clearly we have done you wrong here and I apologize. I would really like to re gain your confidence and hopefully we can work slowly at this. Starting with your full credit and hopefully a tune that properly functions.
-Dan
Clearly we have done you wrong here and I apologize. I would really like to re gain your confidence and hopefully we can work slowly at this. Starting with your full credit and hopefully a tune that properly functions.
-Dan
You must have many issues to be ignoring me for weeks and for Bama not to return my calls. It is frustrating having to explain my issues and concerns every time.
I have left you my info so many times and called many many times. And you come in here with a generic message that I have seen many times. Copy/Paste?
I would just like a full refund for the tuner and the tunes for life I purchased, which prob won't happen due to the horrible customer service I have experienced.
It is beyond a timely manner and you have lost this customer.
I used to refer many customers to your company. Never again.
Your "non" canned tunes ran worse than stock and could have cost me a lot of damage to my vehicle.
I have left you my info so many times and called many many times. And you come in here with a generic message that I have seen many times. Copy/Paste?
I would just like a full refund for the tuner and the tunes for life I purchased, which prob won't happen due to the horrible customer service I have experienced.
It is beyond a timely manner and you have lost this customer.
I used to refer many customers to your company. Never again.
Your "non" canned tunes ran worse than stock and could have cost me a lot of damage to my vehicle.
I'm sorry for our late response. Dan has actually been out of the office for the past two days and has been working from home intermediately. I know he'll be back in full throttle tomorrow though. I think this is why he hasn't posted back in this thread.
I just responded to your posts on another thread about the same topic. If you haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, it's quoted below.
"Hey CVH,
Thanks for contacting me. I know we can get you taken care of, if you're still interested!
First- the defective iTsX Module. I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with it cutting in and out. I'm glad you've tested other iPads and iPhones first, so we know it's definitely a defective device.
When you called in to the Bama Team or Mustang Experts and they recommended you to talk to SCT. Did you get a chance to call back after SCT confirmed the module need to be replaced, instead of fixed? If you did, I'm really surprised no one setup an exchange for a new one. As you would have gone through the normal requirements to replace a tuner.
Regardless, I'd be more than happy to send you a replacement! I received your PM, but I didn't see a phone number in there. Nor was I able to find your contact information in our system. Is there a chance you used a different address when originally ordering or maybe it was a gift from a another person? Please send me another PM with your phone number, so I can call you to set the exchange up ASAP!
In your PM you mentioned Steeda used a different strategy code for your Mustang and it feels a lot stronger. This throws a red flag up to me. If the Bama Team has been writing tunes for the wrong strategy code, that would make sense why you've had so many issues with the tune acting up.
I know you're happy with the new tune, but I'd really like to get you situated with the Bama tune as well. If you're still interested, my lead tuner knows just what to do if we provide him the correct strategy code!
Hope to hear from you soon to get this straightened out!
Shane"
I do want to emphasize how truly sorry I am to hear about your experience. I really think we can turns this around though. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience and I'll be sure to get you taken care of!
Shane
i bought a airaid cai and bama tune several months ago and i had a (and still do) problem with the rpms staying up for about 10-15 seconds when i push the clutch in at high rpm's (like when you warm up the tires at the drag strip and then push the clutch in at say 6k rpm). i emailed them about the problem and they asked me to send in a data log so i sent them one. i didnt hear back from them for about 2 weeks so i figured the email might not have gone threw with the data log so i sent it again. now 3-4 months later i have yet to get a revised tune or even hear from them about the issue. american muscle's customer service is great as far as buying parts but when it comes to the tune department/ bama they have been a disappointment to me. ill probably be ordering a steeda tune come friday (pay day) since they seem to have great tunes and great support.
It sounds like somehow your datalog got misplaced in the Bama Support Email. They have no reason not to help you out and contact you. I'm confident this was not intentional to say the least. Regardless, it's still unacceptable and I do want to apologize!
I see you've moved on and tried out the Steeda tune. At the very least, I'm glad you're happy with your current tune! However, I'd really like to get things cleared up with your Bama tune as well. I'm sure the Bama Team could get you taken care of after a datalog is reviewed.
If you're interested, please shoot me a PM with your First/Last name and shipping address. I'll get in touch with Bama and have a revised tune to you in no time!
Shane
Sorry you feel this way! Could you send me a PM regarding the issues you've experienced when calling? I'm confused why there was an issue with unanswered phone calls, as we have the phones covered during all work hours.
If there's an issue there, I definitely want it to be reviewed and improved. Any feedback you could provide in the PM would be very helpful and appreciated.
Of course- I'd like to get your Bama tune situated as well. If you're interested, please include your First/Last name and shipping address. I know we can help assist you with adjustments!
Shane
I know exactly how you feel Chris. While I haven't been having as much trouble as you with my Bama tunes they have not been right for me. As I continue to mod my car and get new tunes my stang has gotten progressively slower across the power band. The first set of the last tunes I got (if that makes sense) had a serious lag in throttle response from a stop. I finally got a revision I was ok with but then I installed the ported and polish upper and lower intakes and now it seems like these tunes are no better than stock. This doesn't bother me as much as the bad customer service I get from Bama when I call to talk to them. Its like they don't even want to help you or do any work to get your tune dialed in. I will give them one last try with the datalogs I recently sent them. If it doesn't work this time I'm done for good. Regardless I'm going to get a tune from someone else. Glad you like your Steeda tune. Its between them and MPT for me.
I'M DONE! Just got my revision from them and now my Stang is very jerky again & there's hesitation in the engine. They are asking for more datalogs. I'm done giving them multiple chances to get it right. Bama seems to only be able to tune when you have basic mods like cai and gears. I feel I have simple bolt on mods. It shouldn't be that hard.
I responded/quoted your post in the other thread. However, I didn't see this thread until now. Which talks about your latest revision (not mentioned in other thread). So, it may not make complete sense.
I do find it strange you've had so many dramatic symptoms from your different tunes. It's weird because during a revision, Bama will usually only make small/minor tweaks to dial a tune it. It should never have a drastically different and new issue after a revision. I'm starting to wonder if Bama has the correct strategy code to tune for. If they don't, this is exactly the type of symptoms you'll see.
Could you send me your info as well? I would like to have the Bama Team contact you and take another look at your strategy code. As well as review your issues. I feel there could be an answer here.
Hope to hear from you shortly!
Shane
Ajcruz1,
I responded/quoted your post in the other thread. However, I didn't see this thread until now. Which talks about your latest revision (not mentioned in other thread). So, it may not make complete sense.
I do find it strange you've had so many dramatic symptoms from your different tunes. It's weird because during a revision, Bama will usually only make small/minor tweaks to dial a tune it. It should never have a drastically different and new issue after a revision. I'm starting to wonder if Bama has the correct strategy code to tune for. If they don't, this is exactly the type of symptoms you'll see.
Could you send me your info as well? I would like to have the Bama Team contact you and take another look at your strategy code. As well as review your issues. I feel there could be an answer here.
Hope to hear from you shortly!
Shane
I responded/quoted your post in the other thread. However, I didn't see this thread until now. Which talks about your latest revision (not mentioned in other thread). So, it may not make complete sense.
I do find it strange you've had so many dramatic symptoms from your different tunes. It's weird because during a revision, Bama will usually only make small/minor tweaks to dial a tune it. It should never have a drastically different and new issue after a revision. I'm starting to wonder if Bama has the correct strategy code to tune for. If they don't, this is exactly the type of symptoms you'll see.
Could you send me your info as well? I would like to have the Bama Team contact you and take another look at your strategy code. As well as review your issues. I feel there could be an answer here.
Hope to hear from you shortly!
Shane
We want to get everyone's tunes taken of here, for sure. I know the Bama Team will be able to get these guys situated with the a few datalogs and possible troubleshooting for any mechanical issues (air leaks, exhaust leaks, etc.) that could be throwing things off. Plus, I'll be here for any questions or concerns every step of the way.
CVH had a particularly extreme and unusual stressful experience. Although, it's against our policy, I'd like to provide him a full refund as a kind gesture. As well as have his tunes taken care of!
Shane
I understand why you feel that way and I'm sorry to hear. I'm glad we'll continue to keep you as a customer, but it's certainly disappointing to lose you as a Bama customer.
If you have the time, would you mind PM'ing me your strategy code & contact information? If you wish to not be contacted, that's perfectly fine and we won't do so. I just want to look up your information to compare your strategy code to the code Bama was tuning for. As if it was different, that would help clear things up on our end. Again, only if you have time, no worries if you don't.
Thanks for quickly responding back too. I'll look forward to doing business with you in the future. Hit me up if you ever need assistance!
Shane
southcarolina12,
We want to get everyone's tunes taken of here, for sure. I know the Bama Team will be able to get these guys situated with the a few datalogs and possible troubleshooting for any mechanical issues (air leaks, exhaust leaks, etc.) that could be throwing things off. Plus, I'll be here for any questions or concerns every step of the way.
CVH had a particularly extreme and unusual stressful experience. Although, it's against our policy, I'd like to provide him a full refund as a kind gesture. As well as have his tunes taken care of!
Shane
We want to get everyone's tunes taken of here, for sure. I know the Bama Team will be able to get these guys situated with the a few datalogs and possible troubleshooting for any mechanical issues (air leaks, exhaust leaks, etc.) that could be throwing things off. Plus, I'll be here for any questions or concerns every step of the way.
CVH had a particularly extreme and unusual stressful experience. Although, it's against our policy, I'd like to provide him a full refund as a kind gesture. As well as have his tunes taken care of!
Shane
im going with steeda now. im done with the bama tunes. i paid like $380 for the tune and tuner from yall about 4 or 5 months ago and only ran the tune one day other than the 30 or so mins while i took the data log that yall "misplaced" even though i sent it about 3 times. how would you feel if you paid $380 for something that you only used for a day and it didnt even work right the one day that you used it and when you tried to get it fixed the company that you bought it from ignored you? im not even asking for a full refund. im just asking for a store credit.
There's no excuse for missing 3 emails, I agree! I'm honestly not sure what happened with the datalogs you sent. It's possible your email address was getting caught in a junk mail folder, but regardless that doesn't matter. You've sent 3 emails and they were under answered. Which is really frustrating!
I know the Bama Team will be able to straighten out your tunes though. I would love to get you in touch with one of our best Bama calibrators. You'll be able to email the datalog to them directly and list the symptoms you're experiencing. From there, they'll have your tune tweaked accordingly.
I honestly don't foresee Bama having any issues nailing down your tune. If for whatever reason, they are unable to. A refund would certainly be in order. As we NEVER leave a customer empty handed. However, we need to at least try a revised tune and move forward with a datalog.
When you have a chance, please send me over your First/Last name and shipping address. We'll work together to have your tune dialed in and if for any reason at all we're unable to, we'll set you up with a full refund!
Shane



