5-Star Tuneup or other engine enhancer results?

There was some talk awhile back about the 5-Star engine software modification.   I'm thinking of trying to get back the 1 MPG (other than driving 40 MPH all the time) I lost by pulling the toad.  Could those of you who have done it give an update to your performance improvements? Has anyone  used any of the other performance "chips"  that are out there?  This one looks interesting: https://www.ultrarvproducts.com/Ford-V10-UltraPower-Custom-Tuning    My mechanic had concerns about the transmission potential damage, he says a performance muffler will give the same results +/-. (He has the same E450 in his RV.)  Appreciate the comments!
Dougn

Plugged my 5star unit in tonight and loaded the program. No test drive yet, but I was sick of waiting for a dyno sheet.

https://5startuning.com/product/7015fs/[/img]]  Scroll down for some of the media coverage. Rather thorough real world testing.

GREAT features. I wandered around the menus for a bit..

- can be setup to monitor many functions 'realtime' , my favorite is transmission temperature!  Many other selections. The throttle position from the TPS is not on the list, or at least I never found it. Long term and short term fuel correction can be shown for both banks, however. This is a GREAT indicator of economical driving, and the short term correction gives a fairly timely update. Many other selections to monitor, it shows 8 comfortably on the screen.

- many factory settings can be changed. RPM limit (both in gear and in neutral), idle speed, and top speed among others. The top speed answered one question i had with my coach - it just couldnt get above 85. Took a while to get to 85, but got to 80 quickly. Well... the top speed was set for 85. Defeated 'feature' for now.  testing will continue. 

- reads and clears diagnostic codes. Not sure if it does only  gov't mandated or has factory also.

- has a couple things I have to google. This camper was new last time I was in a diagnostic class.   

Going to have a permanent mount for it, you can also customize the screen orientation, color, theme etc etc. Very flexible unit. Looks like it uses a HDMI connector, so if I want to extend the cable *might* be easy..

And I have not even driven it yet.    IT saved the original programming, and reflashed the ECU. Started up!    Its plugged in with construction debris still present, so not ready for test drive yet.



This unit was tested in a class A, and subject to wheel dyno tests. 75 ft/lbs and 45hp increase.. at 3200 rpm.    A performance muffler on an otherwise stock drivetrain will give you a 10% peak HP, and I am being generous. So you would gain ~25HP at 5000 rpm.    Thats some spinning.  And ~1/2 of what these folks got at 1800 PM lower.   

I was and still am a bit skeptical. I *really* wanted some dyno sheets as a baseline, but for some reason there is a shortage of dyno's here that take motorhome height.  go figure.  Will use the old A** dyno and see.



RE: transmission - the number one enemy is heat, and the primary generator of heat in an automatic is slippage. Raising line pressure a bit and firming up shifts should help tranny life. I have a gauge to tell me if its getting hot now. 

Thanks for the info!
I'm sure you'll notice the performance improvements, even in the Florida flatlands.
Looking forward to hearing if you have a MPG improvement too.

Dougn

Thanks for the info!
I'm sure you'll notice the performance improvements, even in the Florida flatlands.
Looking forward to hearing if you have a MPG improvement too.

Dougn

Welcome!  Hope to drive it in to work tomorrow. Hope to see a noticeable difference.

Well hey!  Actually drove the camper with the new tune... LOVE IT.

The first thing I noticed was more power...at idle?!?!? We have a large drive, and I seem to always be moving trailers, etc. Moving the tandem enclosed with the camper was easy...  aim careful, give a little gas to move. Repeat as necessary.  NOW.... even easier. Same idle RPM, but there is enough power to move the trailer around with NO ADDITIONAL THROTTLE!  Thats a definite improvement, as often I did the 'one foot on each pedal' as I moved things to ensure control. Now its smooooooth moving, and a foot on the brake. Nice.

Shifting on the road is much more positive, it doesnt seem unsure as to what gear it wants like it was before. I wouldnt mind the shifts a tad crisper, but I imagine most would not.

Downshifting is no longer 'wait too long and drop 2 gears down'  like it was. It goes down a gear when it 'feels right' and doesnt hang on to top gear forever...before dropping to 3rd and rpm's to 4K...

Driving down city streets with large speed humps was interesting. It felt like it was trying to find the perfect gear as I worked over them, actually getting into third on top of the bump when I let off.

Taking off you can feel the extra torque. For testing purposes, of course, I tried a few 'fast' launches.    WHOA!  I didnt use a stopwatch, but the 0-60 happens much quicker, much to traffics surprise. Loved seeing them switch lanes when I pulled out...and never catching up.    Did a stretch of 30 miles city/suburban driving then the same back on the interstate. I was driving aggressively just to see how it felt...and it feels good. I imagine mileage suffered with my driving style, but this was testing.

The 85mph governor is disabled also.  Almost got to 100 before my exit. Got to 85 quick and smooth, I think aerodynamics were starting to be a serious factor. I need an air dam. 

Leaving thursday for a ~700 mile trip with the trailer behind. Will get MPG then.  Was 9 mpg with a loaded trailer last time. Speeds 70-85.

Taking i75 also. Lots of rolling hills, and gave the cruise control fits last time. 5-3 shifts near the top of every hill... I had to disable cruise to avoid going crazy. Hoping for improvement there also.

(yeah, yeah I know you mountain folks are all  about 'hills' in florida ..works for us.  Lets talk coastline and beaches...*  )

* OK, Alaska wins. But any other state.. 

Volkemon,  thanks for the report.    Been considering this and sounds like you're a satisfied customer.        Good job also on the  TV mount tutorial.    Wish i had half your expertise.

I am one happy camper!

The tune did a lot for the shifting. Still drops down as needed, but doesnt bog down then drop to third.

9 MPG on the way up, that did have a headwind the WHOLE WAY that was noticeable. I have yet to fill up after getting home last night, but the gauge reading tells me about 9 mpg again.

For cruising with a trailer at 70-80, I am pretty happy. The extra power does make it easier to drive, also.

I can't answer the mileage question because I don't track mileage. The performance changed dramatically. Seat of the pants tells me more horsepower and more torque. Transmission shift point improvement is most noticeable on my five speed tranny. No more hunting for gears, revving to 4500 RPM and late down shifts. A pleasant improvement for the money. Even my co-pilot noticed the difference!

Bit of advice. Always carry your 5 star programmer in the motor home. If at any time you need to take your rv to a Ford dealer Always change out the 5 star tune for the OEM tune before getting there. It only take 5 minutes or so. If you do not and for any reason the mech upgrades your tune for say a factory update your 5 star tune is wiped out and lost.


Five star is the best upgrade I’ve made dollar for dollar to date on my PC. I installed mine while on a trip in Colorado. The improvement it makes in shifting thru the mountains alone is worth twice the price! Now I just need to pony up and install a decent AC, namely from advanced RV.