To bama tune or not?

[NZERO21]

Hi Everyone,

So I have been hearing alot of people talk about a specified tune to the coyote engine mustangs to help improve the response of the car. My question to y'all, how much of an improvement does it really make and how much do they usually cost. So far I am only familiar with the chip on the older mustangs but I know its a bit different now with the coyote engines. Typically my goal is to have 3 different tunes that I can easily select.

The following are
-Daily Driving (Gas Saver)
-Sport Driving (Confort Driving but with some kick)
-Full Race (Taking it to the track and saying...woah baby!:drool2:)

Now I also heard of other possible tunes that I can go with other than BAMA but I want to get everyone's expertise on this one. Keep in mind that this will be for a car with an automatic transmission.
(Yes I know manual is the way to go but I heard some pros in having an automatic transmission).

ALL OF YOUR IMPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!.

If you know of a great place and price of where I can get a tune, I would also be appreciative. I am a working professional DJ who has worked at radio stations such as CBS radio and will return the favor with a mix of songs of your choice of course. :)

I was also thinking of adding some 3:73 gears to get a sharp response on the car but I keep going back and forth between the tune and gears.

I'll also be contributing more to the forum as I will be videotaping an install of some HID fog lights on a CS 2011 mustang. I have not been able to find one on youtube so I figured I put one out there for everyone to see.

Thanks again everyone and I look forward in reading everyone's response.

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[Dominic Toretto]

I haven't actually heard a negative comment about a BAMA tune but, I do hear people claim that a dyno tune would be more "precise" to your engine. I'm still trying to figure out that one since these (and all other mass produced engines) are built on assembly lines so tolerances, clearances, materials, factory specs would all be the same across the entire engine build. Anyway again, I have neither but, have heard that a custom tune is the way to go but, nothing wrong with BAMA. Custom tunes from a shop normally run about $500.

-Alex

[03MachMe]

Haven't heard anything bad about Bama tunes? Guess you don't read much. Bama is know to be the worst of the mail tunes out there. Like 29deg of timing bad

[03MachMe]

When I get a tune it will be AED Lund or Kevin

[zsommer79]

When I get a tune it will be AED Lund or Kevin

Kevin?, more info please.

I have been looking around too lately and AED and Lund both seem to have pretty good track records.

[NZERO21]

I have read around and well, some say its good and others talk about other types of tunes, and of course I also hear about the shop tune. Then I come across the Ford Racing Boss Power pack, where you get the tune, air intake, and the boss manifold to increase the hp to about 50-60 hp. So I figured I ask the experts and see what your guys take was on it. Its hard to really make the decision but thanks to your feedback I will begin further research on custom tune with a shop. I mean even American Muscle stated that they will provide free tunes for life on the Bama tune so it got me thinking.

Sounds to me that this is one to get further research since the Power Pack runs about 1k so I wanted to see if I should get the tune, inake manifold, and air intake seperately or all in one pack.

If anyone has done a tune, let us know what you though of it and share your experience.

[Dominic Toretto]

Haven't heard anything bad about Bama tunes? Guess you don't read much. Bama is know to be the worst of the mail tunes out there. Like 29deg of timing bad

Oh wow! I didn't see that. Also keep in mind, since I am not looking to tune so I am not searching for information on that either. So the information I have seen hasn't been negative regarding BAMA. I don't imagine their tunes are that off across the board though. But that's enough to deter me from trying once, yikes. Don't suppose you might have a link to that particular thread would you?

-Alex

[Dominic Toretto]

Kevin?, more info please.

I have been looking around too lately and AED and Lund both seem to have pretty good track records.

From what I have read, Lund is the best.

-Alex

[rriddle3]

Each of us that has a tune will swear that company is the best and that's why we went with it. There are several good ones out there without a nickel's difference between them.

Since you have an automatic I recommend not changing the rear gear ratio from factory. The transmission gearing for your first two gears are plenty low already. Ford made an impressive set-up with the auto trans system.

[rlhay2]

I do not have a Coyote based Mustang, so take this with a grain of salt.

Any tune is only as good as the customer service and after-sale support.

When making this decision, there is no such thing as too much information.

My experiences with mail order tunes is exactly why I appreciate my relationship with local shops!! Strongly consider fostering a relationship with a local entity before you go mail order.

But if you insist on using a mail order tune: VMP > Lund.
This is primarily due to BJ's level of customer support.

[JDMLOL]

Opinions and attitudes towards Bama will change depending on who you talk to. These cars used to have issues with cylinder eight taking a shit. Some say in the earlier days of the coyote that people with Bama tunes had an increased likelihood of this issue and the tunes could cause other issues as well. Others will say the number eight issue was because of a shitty factory tune that could cause a too lean condition in cylinder eight and an aftermarket tune would correct the problem. So there are a lot of mixed opinions on the matter. I don't care because Bama now stands behind their tune with a warranty. If and when I go forced induction I'll change to someone with more experience with FI but for now I have no issues with my Bama tune.

[re-rx7]

Ive had a Bama tune for quite sometime and no problems. If you just have simple boltons a mail order tune is just IMO.

[Darkhelmet22]

My car runs fine on my bama tune. I'm going to do some data logging on my car but I'm not getting bent out of shape on all timing comments.

[NZERO21]

That is some great feedback guys. All information is greatly appreciated and that is the reason we have forums. To get the experience from one another and help each other out. So here is a simple video explaining the bama tune and the Boss Intake. I'll try to see the information regarding the tune but I like all information posted here. I think it will be helpful for those who will be or are thinking of pulling the trigger on the tune.

[re-rx7]

What vid?

[NZERO21]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LIoPXtMrq0g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[NZERO21]

HERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DESCRIBING A TUNE WITH A BOSS INTAKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIoPXtMrq0g

[re-rx7]

I looked all over and the mph for all tunes is damn near the same. SO really just take your pick.

[NZERO21]

So I guess I am still debating if I should start out with a tune or just wait and get the whole package with boss intake, tune, and JLT intake. We will see. :challenge:

[re-rx7]

The boss intake isnt worth the cost unless you plan on upgrading a few other things. WBT on here had a great writeup.

[Dominic Toretto]

I would not go with a Boss manifold.

Cobra jet > Stock > Boss.

-Alex

[DirtyD]

I would not go with a Boss manifold.

Cobra jet > Stock > Boss.

-Alex


It depends on what you want to do.

Boss Manifold > stock manifold if you will be doing heavy road racing, because you will live in the upper RPMs. Same goes for a Cobra jet manifold, except for drag racing.

Stock manifold is great for an all around fun car that will see a mix of everything.

[03MachMe]

It depends on what you want to do.

Boss Manifold > stock manifold if you will be doing heavy road racing, because you will live in the upper RPMs. Same goes for a Cobra jet manifold, except for drag racing.

Stock manifold is great for an all around fun car that will see a mix of everything.

This. Boss intake is not made for drag racing. I will be doing the boss eventually for this very reason

[hatchttu]

From what I understand, Doug, who started Bama is now tuning for C&L.

[jayman33]

Shot you a pm brother, skip the Bama tune

[re-rx7]

Shot you a pm brother, skip the Bama tune

Why? I did a AFR on mine and its sopt on, maybe even a tad rich. It not worth the extra cash (right now) with bolt ons to get a dyno tune.

[jayman33]

Why? I did a AFR on mine and its sopt on, maybe even a tad rich. It not worth the extra cash (right now) with bolt ons to get a dyno tune.

There's more to a tune than AFR.

[03MachMe]

There's more to a tune than AFR.





This...

[DirtyD]

Why? I did a AFR on mine and its sopt on, maybe even a tad rich. It not worth the extra cash (right now) with bolt ons to get a dyno tune.


Check your timing...

[re-rx7]

Omg Jesus. I've been running it for close to 15k miles now. No issues. I pointed out afr because not long ago, there was a post about the afr being to lean. I've tuned plenty of my own cars including my rx7 which had split timing. Now that's a bitch. If you can squeeze out 5more hp and better drivability then is that worth 500? I consider the drive ability on mine to be pretty good.

[Darkhelmet22]

The logic about timing numbers seems a bit odd to me. The knock sensors are on with the bama tune so if they see knock they will cut timing until it stops. This is standard on all cars. As there Is no set "safe" timing number. You could have a target of 25 degrees timing but if you get bad fuel this number becomes "unsafe" If the fuel is good enough like e85 you can increase timing allot because the fuel has a very high octane. So if we see 29 degrees of timing and the knock sensors are not pulling timing how is this not ok? The fuel seems to handle that much timing or the knock sensors would pick it up. If the knock sensors do see knock they pull timing. So if they pull timing and the timing is still at 29 degrees that means they pulled timing until it stopped. So how is this senario not ok? Running quality 93 with knock sensors just seems a bit far fetched that a current tune ruined your engine. This is all assuming your AF ratio is correct. Where the cyl 8 problems with melting the piston or cracking it? I've heard both. Also from my understating some tuners including bama were turning off knock sensors in their early tunes. Which would explain cyl 8 failures from pre detention.

[DirtyD]

Darkhelmet, Yagermister recently datalogged another member's car of which was tuned by Bama. He was commanding 29° of timing on his car, and the knock sensors were pulling 4-5° on top of that timing. That's NOOOOOOOO bueno.

[Darkhelmet22]

Darkhelmet, Yagermister recently datalogged another member's car of which was tuned by Bama. He was commanding 29° of timing on his car, and the knock sensors were pulling 4-5° on top of that timing. That's NOOOOOOOO bueno.

My point was an email tune will not ever be that precise without sending data logs. Yes the tune on the situation above needs to be tweaked but that's why we have knock sensors. As long as they are doing their job his engine should be fine.

[03MachMe]

My point was an email tune will not ever be that precise without sending data logs. Yes the tune on the situation above needs to be tweaked but that's why we have knock sensors. As long as they are doing their job his engine should be fine.

I would rather not have to depend on the sensors to make sure my motor stays alive plus i don't want a tune in which my motor "should be fine".

[Darkhelmet22]

I would rather not have to depend on the sensors to make sure my motor stays alive plus i don't want a tune in which my motor "should be fine".

I say "should" only because nothing is ever certain with cars. And your engine does depend on sensors to stay alive. It's ok the use all the other sensors but not the knock sensors?

[re-rx7]

All these guys on here I've had failures and I've hear bad things about every tuner. I mean EVERY tuner.

[jayman33]

Omg Jesus. I've been running it for close to 15k miles now. No issues. I pointed out afr because not long ago, there was a post about the afr being to lean. I've tuned plenty of my own cars including my rx7 which had split timing. Now that's a bitch. If you can squeeze out 5more hp and better drivability then is that worth 500? I consider the drive ability on mine to be pretty good.

Please tell me where you're spending 500 for a tune? VMP's tune is 100 dollars and are a bit more efficient than AM's without running 30 degrees of timing. If you've tuned your own car in the past and on split timing why aren't you doing it to your Mustang? Tuning one car is pretty similar to tuning another, with all your experience I don't have to tell you how bad BAMA tunes are and you should be able identify more than "my afr was spot on".

What software and hardware were you using for tuning your Mazda?

[re-rx7]

Please tell me where you're spending 500 for a tune? VMP's tune is 100 dollars and are a bit more efficient than AM's without running 30 degrees of timing. If you've tuned your own car in the past and on split timing why aren't you doing it to your Mustang? Tuning one car is pretty similar to tuning another, with all your experience I don't have to tell you how bad BAMA tunes are and you should be able identify more than "my afr was spot on".

What software and hardware were you using for tuning your Mazda?

Haltec e6k. Kinda old but it was a steep curve for me. I only paid 700 for it 6 years ago. lol Tuning a rotary and then a piston is pretty difficult switch. I had more time back then to learn the ins and outs of the RX7 and the rotary. Doing it with the stang is possible but like I said is it really worth just a few extra ponies? I dont see Bama tunes as being bad. Thats the thing. I see others and see bad publicity on there tunes as well. I believe that they are all about the same and really comes down to servce. Now if I were to put a blower on my car I would most def learn the Coyote. Im just to lazy and busy to do so right now.

[DirtyD]

Haltec e6k. Kinda old but it was a steep curve for me. I only paid 700 for it 6 years ago. lol Tuning a rotary and then a piston is pretty difficult switch. I had more time back then to learn the ins and outs of the RX7 and the rotary. Doing it with the stang is possible but like I said is it really worth just a few extra ponies? I dont see Bama tunes as being bad. Thats the thing. I see others and see bad publicity on there tunes as well. I believe that they are all about the same and really comes down to servce. Now if I were to put a blower on my car I would most def learn the Coyote. Im just to lazy and busy to do so right now.
Because MOST of the people running Bama tunes have no idea whatsoever about how motors and tuning works. They just drive their cars.

[re-rx7]

Because MOST of the people running Bama tunes have no idea whatsoever about how motors and tuning works. They just drive their cars.

This is true but judging by their rep, you dont see many failures. Ive seen failuers associated with every tune out there. BEing that BAma sells more 3-1 compared to their closet rival, it would stand to reason that it would seem they have had more failures when they havent. Hell the stock tune fails lol.

[Slowstang1_jgw]

I have a BAMA and Lund ghost cam mail tune, all race tunes and all feel the same with my mail order tunes. I run a real time AFR gauge in my car and have checked advance timing during acceleration. All close to the same, the ghost tune runs lean AFR gauge bouncing around 15.2- 16.0 idle.

Only failures I have seen on #8 is with stock tunes and Ford has warrantied them.

[Darkhelmet22]

did a quick data logging. 60 degrees outside temp, spark was 24 degrees with knock sensor at 4 degrees. This morning at 45 degrees outside temp timing was 30 degrees with 0 degrees on the knock sensor. af lambda was .83 or 12.2 af ratio. The computer should increase timing until it sees knock. And look how much different the numbers are with a big change in outside air temp. Yes 30 may be "to high" but with knock sensor at 0 there should be no cause for worry.

[jayman33]

did a quick data logging. 60 degrees outside temp, spark was 24 degrees with knock sensor at 4 degrees. This morning at 45 degrees outside temp timing was 30 degrees with 0 degrees on the knock sensor. af lambda was .83 or 12.2 af ratio. The computer should increase timing until it sees knock. And look how much different the numbers are with a big change in outside air temp. Yes 30 may be "to high" but with knock sensor at 0 there should be no cause for worry.


Good example but this is just one vehicle, we also talk about failures but with AM there have been failures with just basic N/A mods. When we look at Lund, VMP and the like the failures have been caused when pushing the stock block to the limit.

When a company doesn't have the ability to tune a car when going F/I or anything above 100 shot of nitrous I think this is saying something. The don't have the data record to write these tunes. I very well think none of their tunes are custom... rather they're just pulling from the record books.

[Darkhelmet22]

Good example but this is just one vehicle, we also talk about failures but with AM there have been failures with just basic N/A mods. When we look at Lund, VMP and the like the failures have been caused when pushing the stock block to the limit.

When a company doesn't have the ability to tune a car when going F/I or anything above 100 shot of nitrous I think this is saying something. The don't have the data record to write these tunes. I very well think none of their tunes are custom... rather they're just pulling from the record books.

Where the failures on AM tunes recent or was this when the 5.0 came out? I agree there is something to be said about them not tuning FI cars. I wonder if they just said well we do some many NA tunes it's not worth the risk with FI.

[re-rx7]

Where the failures on AM tunes recent or was this when the 5.0 came out? I agree there is something to be said about them not tuning FI cars. I wonder if they just said well we do some many NA tunes it's not worth the risk with FI.

When you start getting into FI and Spray I believe that you should have a tune for that particular car. It was when the 5.0 came out.

[Darkhelmet22]

When you start getting into FI and Spray I believe that you should have a tune for that particular car. It was when the 5.0 came out.

I agree.

[DirtyD]

It was when the 5.0 came out, and also after Mike Wilson left Bama, IIRC. Bama was trying to do things on their own instead of asking for a little help and guidance from the other tuners in the country and they paid the price.

[Darkhelmet22]

Not to get off topic but how do those Michelin super sports do in your car DirtyD? Are they 255? Or did you squeeze a 275 on?

[re-rx7]

OFF TOPIC: I see you still have the chrome 5.0 badges. Im stripping my plasti dip off now. LOL

[DirtyD]

Not to get off topic but how do those Michelin super sports do in your car DirtyD? Are they 255? Or did you squeeze a 275 on?
Never tracked or AutoX'ed them, but I will find out how they do at the end of this month in Crandall. Daily driving wise, they are stout, handle well, and ride well.

255/40 on the front and 275/40 on the rear.

OFF TOPIC: I see you still have the chrome 5.0 badges. Im stripping my plasti dip off now. LOL
:lol:

[NZERO21]

Wow, this is a great topic that much of us are eagerly attempting to get the final solution. Now I do understand that it may sound that a shop tune may be better than a bama tune, simply for the fact that each car is different and you get an opportunity to discuss your options with the expert while he is looking at your car in that moment in time. As much as I would like to say that I want to hit the track, I generally will use this car for daily driving purposes but if lets say a "camaro" or "corvette" were to line up next to me, I would like to be able to have a lil something to show for it. Keep in mind that even though the 412 hp is advertised on these 2011 mustangs, I fully understand that its much less when it hits the floor. However, like many of us, we are cost conscious about what we want to do so we also feel that we don't want to break the piggy bank for an extra 5 hp in comparison. Its all about choices.

Personally, since i am just starting out and still have warranty on the vehicle with 23k on the odometer, I am hesitant as to what I should get. Still thinking about the ford racing intake and possibly the JLT air intake to go along with it. Eventually doing the tune once those puppies are installed with possibly some hooker headers and h-pipe.

Love the feedback. Let me know what you guys think?

[Grandpa]

Truestreet tuned my car over a year ago and it's been flawless. No drivability issues, decent power gains and throttle response.

As for remote/email tunes, some tuners are certainly better than others. A remote/email tune can be done very well, but there is something to be said about a tuner actually sitting in the car feeling how the car is behaving as its doing it rather than looking at the datalogs post-pull.

A mass email tuner like Bama generally throws a tune together from a previous car based on mods that should be close to yours throws it out to you, then re-tweeks it to even out the tune. Sure, the car might run abit better, but it's far from an optimal tune and it's being done by God knows who with the revolving door of tuners they have going in and out of that place.

[fordplay]

I love my bama tune, of the 4 I've had its the best, tunes for life and customer service? I've had at least half a dozen tunes from them and they have never taken more than a day to get back to me. They speak to you on the phone and keep a file of you on the system, and they encourage you to request a new free tune from time to time as they are refining the tunes.. try that with any other tuner.. that being said.. If I go Fi or add nos. I'd use their tune to get me to a local tuner to look at it real time.. you can data log and get back with bama and work it out but... I'd want a local guy to say "yes your tune is good"

[NAVAG]

I have a BAMA Tune
89 Street
93 Performance
93 Race

My mustang is a daily driver and I had it on "Street" for one day. Didn't see any MPG savings and it had the engine running so lean that after nearly stalling while going up the tall ramp from 635 to I30 by Town East I switched over to "Race"

While on "Race" I notice my Air/Fuel ratio stays around 13.5 and drops to about 12.5 with the throttle wide open where stock settled in around 14. MPG dropped like a ton of bricks and I didn't feel much difference between the "Race" and "Performance" tunes. There might be a small difference, however, I haven't done any pulls on a dyno yet to see.

I leave it on "Performance" most of the time. I can feel a good increase in HP over 4000 RPM compared to stock and I average 26-28 MPG on the highway.

I feel like I got more gains from the CAI than I did with the BAMA tune with normal driving until I get on it. But then again, I'm not setting this car up for racing. If I were then I would drop some serious coin on a blower and a custom dyno/tune. Bama tune just helps the stock engine with moderate bolt-on mods reach its potential.

[re-rx7]

While on "Race" I notice my Air/Fuel ratio stays around 13.5 and drops to about 12.5 with the throttle wide open where stock settled in around 14.

What?

[NAVAG]

While waiting for my tuner to arrive I selected Air/Fuel Ratio under "Gauges" and watched it for a while. I figured that this is where I would notice the most difference after the tune, other than how it felt while driving it. It tended to stay around 14.0 and didn't drop much under hard throttle. After installing the Race tune it stayed around 13.5 and would drop as much as 1.0 under hard throttle. I figured they were just programmed to dump more gas in the mix. If I had more data I would know what else they "tweaked"

anyway, the performance tune works great. The race tune worked just as well but seemed to waste more fuel.

[Soulowd]

What about BBR tune? I have one in my tuner that I got when I bought my sct tuner from Late Model Resto but havent put it on Yet. Anyone here ever used it?