Finding a local - what to ask?

[Iceman]

Though i am very pleased with the set up and tune I have in my GT500 currently (still Lund tune and monoblade TB with 2.8 KB, headers, lower pullery, etc.) I have recently experienced a challenge getting in contact to request some changes (and a tune for just regulare 93 octane pump gas) which along with some of the other things I have heard makes me think that the best option for me may just be to have a local tuner as an option should I decide (or when) to make any changes to the new Raptor....potentially even with the GT500.

I was hoping that some of the smart people might be able to share some of the questions I would want to ask a tuner to help decide where to go. There are a number of local options and a couple more between here and the cabin but I have not gotten to the point I feel comfortable letting people mess with my car that really are not proven....I am starting to see places close and then not be there to offer support etc. I don't know enough to do any of this myself and I am just not feeling like sending any of my cars away or driving 12+ hours is going to be the option I want to get into going forward.

So what would be the questions people ask and what is the answer you are looking for (and why)? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[68fastback]

Chris, the most important question is whether they mess with the MAF transfer function curve, etc. Unfortunately, as long as you have that monoblade a tune has to mess with that since there's no way to have the car idle properly since the mono is simply not compliant with Ford TB engineering. Then once the transfer function is boogered the whole rest of the tune has to mess with dozens of things to try and work around that ...which can be done but your risks are escallated, especially at WOT under conditions the tune-developer did not anticipate (because the baked in functions assume the MAF function is dead-nuts). There are over 3000 logic points in a GT500 tune (BOSS has about 5000) so the odds of tuner working aorund a mis-calibrated MAF for *all* conditions is about zero. That said, your car runs very well under many/typical-use conditions with the many 'accommodations' and work-arounds ...likely including shutting-off dozens of TB safetys, etc. So, asking the tuner questions as a way to assess their ability to tune is problematic sinc ethe 800# grilla question (MAF curve) will be aa yes. Maybe the best question to ask is: if I had a 100% Ford-compliant TB on this car and we had the intake path professionally flowed, would you use that flow data verbatim to create the MAF transfer function curve (you want a "yes") and would you tweak it further (you want a "no") and then tweak the A/.Fs to target good ratios (youn want a "no"). Of course this implies properly calibrated injectors in the tune and all the other things good tuners already know how to do, but given your present set-up it will be problematic for sure.

[Iceman]

Thanks Dan,

I'm not really too worried about the current set up with the GT500 as i am likely keeping it the same. I am still hoping to get a dialed down straight pump gas (93 Octane) tune just to not have to put an addative in all the time.

I am more looking at potentially if I want to put in a tune for the Raptor....I have a twin 72MM L&M that will likely fit on the Raptor...certainly when/if a TVS goes on there too but I really want to get someone local that I have easy access to and can be around when needed for changes. I have a few people at the top of my list pretty locally but before i decide on anything I want to make sure the safeties on the raptor are not turned off as it will be a daily driver for me so i view it as really imprtant to maintain the reliability factor.

[Iceman]

to continue - I'd be starting from stock (new Raptor) and just want to have local access to the tuner as opposed to a canned mail order tune. I have options I know for canned tunes that I feel are good, just feel like I want to try to find a local person for the raptor.

[68fastback]

Ah ..understand, Chris ...didn't realize it was re the Raptor. Hope you can find someone local you're comfortable with.