by "Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
Published 12/29/2017 at 09:57
by "Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
Published 12/29/2017 at 09:57
Tags: Should I tune or should I go
; To tune or not to tune
; ask oppo
; tuning
; Ford
; Fusion
; Steeda
STARS: 0
So, I’ve got this 2012 Ford Fusion SEL 2.5. It’s my daily. Gets me through my 30/45 minute commute to and back home from work every day. It’s had it’s issues, with it’s funky electrical overload on the A/C system. And the quirky transmission. But it does it’s job.
However, I have the incessant need to modify. So I’ve been looking into mods for this thing that will improve it as a daily, and not ruin it. So I’m not going to slam it, or try to build the motor, or anything like that. Instead, I’ve been looking at getting a tune from a company called Steeda. Apparently they’re pretty big with the Fords. According to Steeda, the tune should increase HP and Tq. by 12-17 each, as well as improve the MPGs a little bit. Nothing to write home about.
BUT, the part that caught my interest is that it’s supposed to reprogram the TCU as well, changing the shift points and pressure. One of the biggest faults of this car is it’s transmission, which from what I’ve found in my research, is all down to the way the TCU is programmed from the factory. From what I’ve read in various forums, Ford issued a software update that you have to pay something like $400 for, and it doesn’t really fix the issues. I’ve talked to a few people with this tune and they say it completely fixes it and makes the car much more enjoyable to drive. No more jerky shifts or lag in downshifting. This is exactly what I’m looking for. The downside is that all of those people have the earlier version of the gen 1 Fusion, which had the 2.3 and the 5 speed (auto), whereas I have the 2.5 and the 6 speed (auto). I haven’t been able to talk to anyone who has the gotten the tune on a 2.5.
The tune is packaged with a cold air intake, and the is currently listed for $609.95. With a 10% coupon they emailed me, I could get the whole deal for $548.95. So again I come to you Oppo. Should I tune it? Or am I smoking the crack?
"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
12/29/2017 at 14:11, STARS: 2
Tune it.
Have fun, be responsible.
"I have another burner, try to guess it!" (ihaveanotherburner)
12/29/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 1
I’d do it. Steeda isn’t a company I’d think would sell crap to make a quick buck. Also I use to have a boss who did a similar thing to his Taurus and he said the trans tune really changes the car.
"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
12/29/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0
Yeah, I was doing some more research on them, and it seems you can even get some of their parts directly through Ford dealerships. So I definitely feel like I won’t be getting ripped off with this.
"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
12/29/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 1
Have fun, be responsible.
But of course... *insert devilish grin here*
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/29/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 1
If it was just a bit of power, I’d say don’t bother. If it’s going to fix a bunch of issues with the trans too though, that seems like it’d be money well spent
"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
12/29/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
That was my thought process exactly. 12-17hp isn’t going to make any difference in a commuter sedan.
It doesn’t actually mention the transmission part on their website strangely enough. That’s something I read in one of the forums. I then reached out to Steeda to confirm, and they said the tune changes the shift points and pressure, as well as increases throttle response. Lack of throttle response, and unwillingness to downshift being the two biggest issues I have when I’m trying to change lanes to pass someone, merge onto the interstate, etc., is why I’m seriously considering it.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/29/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 2
Sounds like it will make a big enough difference in daily driving to be worth the price.
"Jason Spears" (shadestalker)
12/30/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
The 2012 was apparently available with a 6MT. What would a swap entail and cost, and would you prefer to live with that versus the tuned automatic?
"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
01/02/2018 at 09:31, STARS: 0
I’ve looked into it, and it would cost nearly as much as buying a 6MT car to do the swap (these cars are pretty cheap these days). As this is my daily, I first off can’t afford the downtime needed to do the swap and the subsequent trial and error of getting everything set just right. And second, I sit in a good bit of stop and go traffic on multiple steep bridges every day to and from work, so the 6AT is preferable for that. I’ve got my Trans Am project car to give me my 6MT fix, so I’m perfectly fine with a 6AT daily.
"Jason Spears" (shadestalker)
01/02/2018 at 11:50, STARS: 0
Well there you go. The tune is a nice fit for you, and now it sounds like a steal!