V-10 Powerchip Questions

[maxacceleration]

I have been looking & searching for powerchips on this site.
Seems 5 Star Tuning is the name for this type of work.
Looks like this company is in the south?
Do they ship out powerchips or the like for a super tune or do you have to bring it to them for a hands on tune & maybe dyno?

Any west coast tuners for the V-10? (I live in Seattle)
2010 E350 to be specific.

My van could use the type of work 5 Star advertises.
I feel shifting is not realistic (I have to let off for the tranny to upshift in most cases) and I would like to get that extra power of course.
The same or slightly better mileage would be great when soft pedaling (easy driving).

West coast tuners like 5 Star out there?

Thanks.

[maxacceleration]

Thanks for the pm from a member on another tuner.
It was in Texas.

Anything in Wa, Or or CA, maybe Id???

Guess not many people do this.

[bluedog225]

Sorry. Can't help you with personal experience. I do wonder though if it is not a better long term strategy to leave the engine as designed and just improve the tranny. I understand there are some good rebuild options that may get the end result you want. Also, those guys modding the diesels seem to be placing a lot more strain on the engine and contributing to reliability problems. I've never needed more power or more speed in the SMB or my trucks. I have a sports car for going fast. YMMV

[maxacceleration]

Originally Posted by bluedog225

Sorry. Can't help you with personal experience. I do wonder though if it is not a better long term strategy to leave the engine as designed and just improve the tranny. I understand there are some good rebuild options that may get the end result you want. Also, those guys modding the diesels seem to be placing a lot more strain on the engine and contributing to reliability problems. I've never needed more power or more speed in the SMB or my trucks. I have a sports car for going fast. YMMV

You may not be understanding my needs bluedog. I'm not looking for a sports car out of my van.
I will be pulling a 22' trailer much of the time.

IMHO the V10 is confused.
A big block should have torque. I'm sure the V10 torque numbers are decent.
But why a big block has to spin like crazy to pull decent is just odd to me.
I hear thats how it runs.

My V10 dogged pulling a medium size U Haul trailer (maybe 2000# loaded with furniture) over Tehachapi pass.
Ok it did 60-65 over the pass... at 4500 rpm!!??
That is stupid rpm for a pulling rig (which mine is).
I would like to get that extra 30 lbs of torque or hp and do something about shift points.
My travel trailer is 4500# dry.

Even unloaded my E350 will not shift entering a freeway without letting up slightly on the accelerator pedal.
WTF Why??
Loaded or in tow/haul mode it just will hang in a lower gear, rev to the moon and not shift.
(I think I have figured tow/haul is mainly for holding a gear and speed on downhills.)
When I do let off, get it to the next gear, it does pull, without bog.
It will do it.

I am not trying to mod the internals of the motor. Only open it up slightly.
There is power to be had out of most vehicles these days just with computer/chip tuning.
I'll check with my dealer and see if there are any warranty issues with chips or re-calibrating shift points.

I think I have seen the instruments to tune my motor.
I guess I am looking for that west coast tuner.
Yes I will search the Seattle area locally.

Thanks.

[carringb]

I don't understand the opposition to letting it rev? That's how it works.

I can pull 14,000 up a 6% grade at 60 MPH. Sure, it's revving, but it's not hurting anything.

Mine is chipped. But 4.56 gears was the change that really allows it to pull hard without downshifting. With a more reasonable 8000 pound trailer, I can pull most grades in Direct.

Yes, Ford can deny warranty claims if you run a tuner under warranty.

[maxacceleration]

Thanks carring. I'm just trying to get the most out of it... reasonably.

Are you happy with stock shift points?
Did you alter shift points?

'Shift schedule' 5 Star calls it.

My vans 4x4 conversion was just completed in Aug '10 with 4.10's.
I don't think I can swing 4.56's. Sure wish I could.

I agree, diff gear ratios are the key to the best use of power.

My van/trailer is at 13,000-14,000 in weight (estimated).
I am not trying to push max GVWR or GCWR with my set-up.

[carringb]

I did adjust the shift points. With the Predator, I can only adjust the WOT shift points, but I discovered that part-throttle shift points are based on a % of the OD shift point. So I raised the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts to 5200 RPM, but lowered the 3-OD shift to 4200, to lower the partial throttle shifts in all gears. I don't know if the 5-speed will respond the same way. It has much more complex programming.

When I'm towing heavy, I'll let it go over 5400 RPM sometimes, by holding the shifts manually. The EGR system sure makes a racket, but the engine is holding up fine. I'm at 296,000 miles now.

[JIMAPAL]

Maxacceleration---- Check your PM's for info!
Jim P

[maxacceleration]

Thank you Jim. This is info I am looking for.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by maxacceleration

Thank you Jim. This is info I am looking for.

What info...secret???