Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but I didn't see it anywhere else. Just saw this on Jalopnik - read it here.

California is why you can’t get the Boss Mustang TracKey

Ford's Trackey setup for the Mustang Boss 302 promised to unlock the pony car's racing side with special software engaged by a separate key. Yet nearly a year after being announced, Trackey still isn't for sale, thanks to bickering between Ford and California environmental regulators.

In theory, the system changes more than 200 engine parameters using software installed by dealers that give the 302 Boss a racing personality, including such useful tricks as launch control. By tying it to a key and software, all the owner has to do once off-track is simply start the car with a regular key, restoring the everyday personality of a 444-hp Mustang. As Ford said when it announced Trackey last November, "anything that could possibly affect all-out performance is deleted from the TracKey calibration."

That's where California comes in. Because it's an add-on part that affects engine emissions, Ford needed to have Trackey approved by the California Air Resources Board. Doing so required Ford to meet CARB's three big rules for aftermarket parts: They can't worsen emissions, affect the engine's durability or mess with on-board computer diagnostics.

So far, Ford hasn't been able to do that.

CARB and Ford declined to be more specific about the issues with Trackey. John Swanton, air pollution specialist with CARB, did tell Jalopnik manufacturers often have a little room to boost the performance of their standard vehicles with bolt-on parts without worsening emissions — but that the rules are clear.

Another thing about CARB: Like a license office, it handles approvals on a first-come, first-serve system. If someone gets to the front of the line without having their papers in order, they have to go to the back of the line and wait, which is what Mustang Boss 302 owners will have to do for some time to come. At least they can make Hitler screaming videos while they wait.

 

It is true that Cali. is holding up track key, but this statement is false:

 

What makes you think changing A/F ratios, ignition timing, and cam timing/valve overlap - all of which are needed to tweak the most out of an internal combusion engine - wouldn't affect emissions?

 

Just don't release the key in California? Who lives there anyways?

 

im not buying this, parts labeled for off road use only don't need CARB approval do they? if they did drag racing wouldn't be very lively in Cali. the key clearly states off road use only when started. Ford already has to make specific cali emissions, so give states that can have track key the fracking key and sort out carb later. this whole thing just doesn't smell right to me.

 

There is absolutely NOTHING new in that article. Move along...

 

The problem with CARB approval is not just passing emissions. If it won't pass emissions, it will damage the cats. Which brings me back to my post on the other thread. The boss needs better cats. Won't be cheap for Ford to replace all the Boss cats out there. Something the engineers must have missed.

 

I remember that. Interesting.

 

The main objective of the PCM and its programming is to control emissions. Power and efficiency are secondary. Even limp mode is not designed to protect you engine, it's there to try and control the emissions and the cats specifically.

 

Yes, Move along, these are not the droids you are looking for!

 

here's the deal though, a car that runs leaner actually needs less fuel, which is why many are going to direct injection for more efficient burning of fuel (at least that is what i read about that). my tune on my car gave me 6 mpg more lead footing it all the time. leaner = better mpg so with obamathmatics that means a tuned stang is more green than stock right!

 

No? I hadn't seen the California-being-the-holdup story until this one. My bad in posting, sorry.

 

Seriously we've known about the CARB issue since March 2011.

 

Lean means hotter exhaust temps and will damage the cats. You can get better efficiency and more power running a bit lean. But it does produce more heat.

 

You're welcome

 

 

ugh...

 

ROFL

I am waiting for somebody to reply and say that their red key starts the car, therefore they must have trackey. Or, they talked to their dealer, paid them a service charge and their dealer programmed trackey for them last week.

Once that happens, this thread is complete.

 

My dealer has the track key programming but he's not allowed to install it yet, he needs Ford's approval.
He did however install it in my car and let me drive it for the day. At the end of the day I had to return the red key to him and he locked it in the dealership's safe. He will release to key to me once he gets approval from Ford.

 

How did it drive?