5 Star PCM Tuning for Ford V10 Gas

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by HaRVey

Absolutely correct that I can't speak to every RV, combined weight or environment performance which is precisely why Ford left so much potential untapped, and also a primary reason 5-Star only optimized for 87 octane fuel and not premium...
I suspect 5-Star could provide specific feedback to anyone cared to inquire about their specific RV and usage.
If you're happy with yours the way it is, congratulations!

You can ask 5-Star for a performance tune that is optimized for premium.

When I bought the 5-Star tunes for my F-350 (before our Axis) it came with 2 tunes. I elected to have a power tune for towing and an economy tune for when I wasn't.

I ended up just leaving the power tune on--the truck was just too much fun to drive LOL.

[Sweetbriar]

I'm in my fourth year with the new ECU programming from 5 Star. Well worth the cost. The big change, for the five speed transmission, was the shift philosophy that reduces the rapid down shift out of OD on minor incline into third gear and 4000 RPM. Regarding fuel mileage and general performance increase I haven't noticed either. If the mileage did improved I'm probably killing it with the better acceleration and throttle response.

What I don't know is how effective the change is for the V10 with a 6 speed transmission so if you chassis is 2016 and newer not sure if the cost is worth the change.

[Chance]

Ford is also getting into “tune” game. Maybe that’s their way to keep guys from modifying their engines.

Originally Posted by From Ford

Two unique engine calibrations for the all-new 7.3-liter V8 engine let E-Series customers choose the best horsepower and torque application for their needs.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Squerly

Classifieds? We have a classifieds page?

[Squerly]

lol, I seriously did not see that. I need to slow down and take a look around. Thank you, 16ACE27.

[SuperD]

I purchased the 5 Star Tune for our 2017 Windsport, better performance and surprisingly a little better gas mileage! Our Windsport needed to have the ECU reflashed for the lack of engine braking, the Tune corrected the problem. Highly recommend the Tune for anyone!!!

[Pete'sMH]

Recently installed on my 2016 f53 (2015 chassis). It made a REALLY nice improvement in drivability. Biggest difference, as noted, is the transmission shift points. I’m really happy and believe it is well worth the cost. I remain a bit nervous about warranty issues but I’m in it to stay.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Recently installed on my 2016 f53 (2015 chassis). It made a REALLY nice improvement in drivability. Biggest difference, as noted, is the transmission shift points. I’m really happy and believe it is well worth the cost. I remain a bit nervous about warranty issues but I’m in it to stay.

Thank you Pete'sMH. Mines a 2004 so warranty issues are not a concern.

I've made up my mind to make the plunge, just need to make up my mind where to buy it.

Thanks again!

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by SuperD

I purchased the 5 Star Tune for our 2017 Windsport, better performance and surprisingly a little better gas mileage! Our Windsport needed to have the ECU reflashed for the lack of engine braking, the Tune corrected the problem. Highly recommend the Tune for anyone!!!

One more - me too. It took three tries to get the engine performance and shifting program, I wanted in my coach. After installing the tune shipped with the controller I was quite dissatisfied with engine response to a change in throttle position and the early shifting. i e-mailed Five Star and noted my complaints. A week later i received an e-mail with a new tune. Wow what a difference. The second tune was just a little too aggressive tune, so I ask for a the third tune just a little less aggressive. The third tune was exactly what I wanted. I got the feeling they would continue supplying me with tunes to give me what I wanted. After three years and 25,000 miles I an completely satisfied. If I were to buy a new gas coach, the Five Star tune would be the fire=st modification I would make.

[pmbreaux]

Well, I have always "tuned" everything I've owned. This 5-Star tune totally changed the feel of my MH, from initial touch of accelerator off-idle, to transmission shift points, lack of downshifting when climbing overpasses and small bridges, to jake braking when tow/haul mode is on.


I have also gained ~10% with stock ECU tune from 5-Star, but I also added the Banks CAI and they sent a new version of tune w/ upgrade.
Every Dodge Cummins I've owned had some sort of tune or piggy back programmer, ALL my Harleys, 09 Night train, 2010 CVO Ultra, 2009 CVO Road Glide, 2004 CVO Electra Glide....All increased HP and Tq. The numbers were greater in my 2010 Dodge 3500, hat was getting 15 mpg while towing my 32'TT that we had before our MH.


So, in short, I'm a tuning fan and can see the difference in everything I've owned, and most were Dyno tested ...

[Sanford]

One of the best RV investments we've made. More power, smoother transmission. Have not seen any improvement in gas mileage.

[Pete'sMH]

I went with 5 Stars recommended (standard) tune and I’m happy with it. I ordered direct from 5 Star and was happy with that too. Let us know what you think when you jump. Ive got about a year of drivetrain warranty left but I expect I’ll be fine. No worries!

[10scDust]

This discussion was in a different Thor Forums thread last fall.
5 Star handed out a discount code for the Thor Forums.
A different forum called : IRV2, was given a better discount price.
That's the one I went with, cost wise, the IRV2 discount.
Y'all that are interested, may want to do a search in these forums, as I do not recall the thread title, the discount codes may still be valid.

The information provided with my tune from 5 Star, said something to the affect, the warranty they provide only goes to the original purchaser.
I would think about that before buying one on the used market, if you have any issues, you might not be able to go to 5 Star for a fix.

[10scDust]

Here you go, I knew it was around Christmas time.

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f10...ore-15745.html

[Pete'sMH]

When I called 5 Star with pre-order questions I mentioned that I’d seen discounts offered on line and in the FMCA magazine and I just asked for a discount. I think I paid $450.

[funmoneypit]

I have run tunes on many of my vehicles. I bought the 5 Star for our 2004 MH and it made a huge difference. The shifting strategy for the 4 speed trans is so much better. When we sold the 2004 I returned it to stock. I then bought a tune for our '19. Seeing how I already had the programmer, a new tune for the '19 only cost $100. It has been on the '19 since the second week of ownership (almost a year now and over 4k miles). The improvement wasn't as dramatic with the 6 speed as it was with the 4 speed. I am pleased with the tune but not as much as I was when I tuned the '04.

If you have an older MH with the 4 speed trans, I would not hesitate to get a tune. It makes the rig so much better to drive.

[Judge]

I installed the 5-Star Tune for my 2018 Outlaw 29H a few weeks ago. I do like the smoother shifting and less over-revving. I did take about a gallon per mile hit in fuel economy.

We just took our longest trip since we have had it..... about 7 straight hours of driving in 90 degree weather..... and my wife uncovered another benefit of the time.

About 5 hours in she said..... “that fix you did made the floor cooler.”

I said.... “I didn’t do anything to the floor.”

She said.... “No... that thing you did to make it shift smoother. The floor used to get very hot but now it is not as hot as it used to be.”

She typically takes her shoes off and is in bare feet when we’re driving so she could really feel the heat in the floor from the engine. She said the floor is still warm but not nearly as hot as it was before the tune.

[Metalman]

I don't understand the cooler floor. If you are burning more fuel per mile, it seems that you would also be creating more heat per mile.

I try to encourage the transmission to shift sooner by lifting my foot from the throttle for an instant, when I think it should shift. I have a Scangauge and sometimes the sooner shift results in better instantaneous fuel mileage and sometimes it doesn't. I think I prematurely shift the transmission because I don't like to know that it's revving the engine so high.

[Judge]

I’m wondering if it is because the engine isn’t over-revving? Higher RPM’s do create more heat and in the hills of PA and some of the other places we go, pulling hills was causing a lots of higher rev’s with the stock shifting.

[JamieGeek]

The V-10 is an overhead valve engine as such it just loves the high RPMs. There is no issue with letting it ring out.

With our old combo: F-350 + 5er (and a 5-Star tune) I would frequently find myself passing people going uphill with the V-10 running 4500+ RPM no problems. (The F-350 we traded in for the Axis with about 80,000 miles on it and a prior truck--F-250--traded in for the F-350 with 138,000 miles on it--both V-10s ran like the day we bought them when traded in.)