5 Star tuned V10 review

WhitH · 03-28-2019, 08:55 AM

In a motor home but for those with a V10, worth watching.
https://youtu.be/z9N5M2WhIiI

REDOVAL · 03-28-2019, 12:06 PM

Who else wishes the 3V 6.8 and 6 speed was available in an Econoline chassis? I feel the 4 speed 4R100 leaves way too much to be desired even with the 5 Star Tune. Stock...not even driveable in my opinion.

Scott

86Scotty · 03-28-2019, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDOVAL

Who else wishes the 3V 6.8 and 6 speed was available in an Econoline chassis? I feel the 4 speed 4R100 leaves way too much to be desired even with the 5 Star Tune. Stock...not even driveable in my opinion.

Scott

I dunno, I was pretty happy with my last V10 van (98 with 4r100 and 2 valve) but it was empty. I never got as far loading up to 10k of camper van additions to it. That said I would REALLY like to drive a tuned 3v V10.

I did have a 26' Class B+ with the 5r110 and a 5 star tune, still a 2 valve. It drove like a car, I mean it would accelerate like no motorhome I've ever seen and still got 10 mpg.

Kibo · 03-28-2019, 12:35 PM

I've only driven the 2V/5R110, but I've been very happy with it. Is the performance significantly different than the 4R100? I still want to do a 5 Star tune, but more as a nice-to-have than a need.

86Scotty · 03-28-2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kibo

I've only driven the 2V/5R110, but I've been very happy with it. Is the performance significantly different than the 4R100? I still want to do a 5 Star tune, but more as a nice-to-have than a need.

In my mind it's not that as much different as it is just newer and better because it's newer. It's smoother. 5r110 is a 5 speed vs. 4 speed for the 4r100, which replaced the 4 speed e40D. Each successive one has been better, someday we'll be driving 10 speeds and thinking the 5r110 is a dinosaur.

Kibo · 03-28-2019, 01:59 PM

That makes sense. I suspect my impression is skewed by having a light van--the build is incomplete, and even then it's going to be "transformer lite". Fun video, it never even occurred to me to use Tow/Haul mode.

REDOVAL · 03-28-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

In my mind it's not that as much different as it is just newer and better because it's newer. It's smoother. 5r110 is a 5 speed vs. 4 speed for the 4r100, which replaced the 4 speed e40D. Each successive one has been better, someday we'll be driving 10 speeds and thinking the 5r110 is a dinosaur.

The 4R100 does a rather poor job of letting the V10 rev enough to make efficient power. My setup has 4.56 gears on 35" tires and it's nowhere near low enough. I'd guess a 5.13 ratio would be better as the engine becomes more efficient the closer it gets to torque peak. Driven manually, my setup is great...but the trans shifts very low in the rpm range and locks the converter. Conversely, in tow mode it does not lock the converter and the trans temp rises significantly even with a much better cooling circuit in place and working correctly.

I have heard very positive things about the 5R110/V10 2V combo that lead me to believe the trans is the thorn in my driveline's side. I've been contemplating the Gear Vendors overdrive/gear splitting unit, but at $3200 it seems a little steep for the added complexity. My research doesn't show an independently controlled Ford 5 or 6 speed swap into the older platform due to the PCM interface, but it seems there are people that may be able to make it work.

Scott

carringb · 03-28-2019, 02:54 PM

I recently put the 5-Star on my van, after my DiabloSport tuner got submerged (luckily I was able to return the stock tune... But I didn't want to push my luck long term).

I think the 5-star is great, and I wish had to done it earlier. I will say, that even though the DiabloSport was tuned more for speed than towing... It was VERY noticeable how much worse things are on the stock tune when you go back.

My van has the Banks PowerPack and AFE intake. 5-star has a tune for both of those. It works very well in combination, but I do suspect the tuning gains are not as dramatic on a stock van.

I have also contemplates a Gear Vendors unit, because of the large spacing between ratios on the 4R100. But I'm hoping the aftermarket will come out with a controller for the 10R80. It seems to hold up fine in the Raptor, so I think it would be fine in a van too.

Flux · 03-28-2019, 03:06 PM

The 5 star 87 performance was the best upgrade I did to my 2013 V10. It's just better. got another mpg too. Winds the gears out, handles cruise control so much better, and knocked a couple hundred rpm off 78mph where I like to drive it on highway. I have yet to try the 91 but am told I might get some more mpgs out of it. but higher price at the pump

Offroading_is_Fun · 03-28-2019, 07:17 PM

I had a bit of a laugh watching the motorhome video. Impressive gains, all things considered.

I realize this is for the Triton 6.8L V10, but it's essentially a 5.4L V8 with two extra cylinders... right?

Can anyone speak to how well this works on a 1997 5.4L? Not looking to make a race car, but if my mileage is going to be 13 @ 60 mph and 10.5 @ 80 mph, I might look into having a little more "oomph" under the skinny pedal.