Livernois Tune Times...

[Brennan]

First pass on a drag strip in the 2017 MKZ Drivers package... 12.662 @ 109.46 mph.  Only had time for one pass. 

1. Livernois 91 tune, yes just the 91 tune... no 93 near me ? 
2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4's all round 
3. Steeda modded intake 
4. Ultimate Performance Rear Motor Mount for wheel-hop control 
5. Exhaust cutouts open to reduce rear muffler back-pressure 

Track prep was not great as most cars were spinning significantly. The best a new BMW M4 was getting on that track prep was 13.3 and a fire-spitting Supra was pulling 12.62.   I brought the MKZ up against the torque converter to about 50% throttle just before launch to get the turbos spinning. I was scared WOT would wheel-hop. I probably could have gone WOT if the track prep was better to get the boost up even higher for launch. I shifted at about 5800 rpm in first and second as I was worried I was going to get wheel-hop like I do on the street. Didn't get any wheel-hop though. 

With good track prep, the Ultimate Performance Intercooler and Transmission Mount for a WOT launch, a larger Throttle Body, the GFB DV+ to hold the boost, the 93 tune and fuel, and shifting later...  I think this sleeper just might squeak into the 11s!  Anyone gone better than 12.5 yet? 

[Loki-MKZ]

I only have the tune, when cold it jerks into 2nd and sometimes 3rd which is frustrating and once when going WOT from a light the rev limiter kicked in at 5500rpm and I had to back off. It hasn't done that since but I worry about drag racing the car as my 2018 A10 GT transmission blew at the drag strip so I'm a bit gun shy right now.

12.6 is very nice! I'm hoping for a 13.0 with the 93 tune with nothing else done.

[Zalvern]

2 hours ago, Loki-MKZ said:

I only have the tune, when cold it jerks into 2nd and sometimes 3rd which is frustrating and once when going WOT from a light the rev limiter kicked in at 5500rpm and I had to back off. It hasn't done that since but I worry about drag racing the car as my 2018 A10 GT transmission blew at the drag strip so I'm a bit gun shy right now.

12.6 is very nice! I'm hoping for a 13.0 with the 93 tune with nothing else done.

Dang, stinks to hear your Mustang's transmission failed. I hope it got better for you afterwards.

It is, the nature of the beast with drag racing, and why I don't make too much of a big deal how well a non-drag focused vehicle performs. Without drag-focused radials, the vehicle is already bottle necked by its rubber if rolling street tires. MKZ will require this along with good overall track prep and DA readings to hit high 11's. Otherwise, won't see that kind of performance on a time slip.

The MKZ and other cars in general will just be more true to their abilities outside of the strip. So the nice thing is whatever time slips one pulls off, its actually doing better than that on real life roads. Of course, always drive responsibly and respectfully!

[Loki-MKZ]

That's why I go to the drag strip, to let it all hang out and have fun so on the street I can be mellow. The Mustang ran that 11.7@121 on the stock craptastic Goodyear All Weather tires so she she could easily have gone 11.5 with real tires. The car is still at Ford because apparently very few people know how to rebuild the 10r80 so I'm in a line, this year is looking to be a low miles year so I'm looking at the positives.

My MKZ on the street doesn't have wheel hop issues, thankfully they just squeal a bit and the car is off like a rocket. I haven't and don't street race my cars but it's nice to know what they're capable of. Car and Driver calls the 400hp MKZ hilariously over powered, I call it hilariously entertaining. :)

[drolds1]

On 6/24/2019 at 1:21 PM, Brennan said:

First pass on a drag strip in the 2017 MKZ Drivers package... 12.662 @ 109.46 mph.  Only had time for one pass. 

1. Livernois 91 tune, yes just the 91 tune... no 93 near me ? 
2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4's all round 
3. Steeda modded intake 
4. Ultimate Performance Rear Motor Mount for wheel-hop control 
5. Exhaust cutouts open to reduce rear muffler back-pressure 

Track prep was not great as most cars were spinning significantly. The best a new BMW M4 was getting on that track prep was 13.3 and a fire-spitting Supra was pulling 12.62.   I brought the MKZ up against the torque converter to about 50% throttle just before launch to get the turbos spinning. I was scared WOT would wheel-hop. I probably could have gone WOT if the track prep was better to get the boost up even higher for launch. I shifted at about 5800 rpm in first and second as I was worried I was going to get wheel-hop like I do on the street. Didn't get any wheel-hop though. 

With good track prep, the Ultimate Performance Intercooler and Transmission Mount for a WOT launch, a larger Throttle Body, the GFB DV+ to hold the boost, the 93 tune and fuel, and shifting later...  I think this sleeper just might squeak into the 11s!  Anyone gone better than 12.5 yet? 

Outstanding!

[Dismonkey1]

Brennan- Thanks for sharing your slips. I have basically the same vehicle as you (2017 same color-driver's package). I don't have the exhaust cut-outs or the rear motor mount. In addition to the modified Steeda, I have the GFB diverter,  the UP Intercooler, and the Unleashed 93P tune. Since I probably won't make it to a track, it is fun to see what you got out of your mods. One of these days, I really have to figure out how to launch one of these though....

[Loki-MKZ]

My MKZ has the Livernois 93 octane tune. I took off early from work to wash the MKZ and get it ready for going to GLD. I met my buddy at his house and we departed for GLD. We stopped for gas so photo op of course, that ZL1 is a beastly looking machine!

I didn't wait long after they opened the staging lanes, the car was still hot from the almost 2 hour drive so when I got to the line I turned TCS off, put her into Sport mode and I stalled to 2,000 rpms and launched her with a very uneventful run.

The MKZ ran the 1/4 mile as if she were on a luxury cruise until the end leaving me think I ran a high 13 seconds. As I'm heading down the return road I see my buddy with both hands in the air, I'm wondering why he is doing this so when I get to the time sheet shack he hands me a time slip with a 12.997@106.25 and I'm thinking to myself, WTF?? My 1985 LX 5.0 Notch felt like a fire breather at 14.6!! This Lincoln felt like it was on a Sunday stroll.

I then lined up against a Black Hemi SRT Challenger that had an upgraded exhaust and I was thinking, well this should be an interesting loss for me but I know I'll get out there first! The tree came down and we both launched and I'm looking to my left and nobody is there, I check the mirror and it's 2 cars back! WTF?!?! I ran a 13.158@107 to her 13.641@102!!

I decided to hot lap it, so did the SRT, we lined up again and this time she red lights and gets a 2 tenth head start. The MKZ squeals all 4 tires and rips off a 12.88@106 to her 13.5@103 and I can't believe it. I ran her 4 times, she was not happy.

It turns out the MKZ likes to run hot, if I let her cool off she slowed down, it would hold power on the 1 to 2 shift which boggles my mind but over all I couldn't be happier.

My buddies ZL1 had issues with traction, I mean 600ft smoke shows no matter how he launched it would start smoking the tires even if he got out clean, it would bang into the next gear and blow the tires away so his best was an 11.8@126. He'll get that thing figured out in no time, with tires that monster should be good for 10's.

 

[DeviLSh]

Nice times! Any shift/trans modifications done on the Livernois tune? Any future mods planned? How much fuel did you have in the car for these runs? (sorry for all the questions haha)

Had my 3.7 out at GLD a few weeks back, let me know next time you go i'd love to tag a long and represent Lincoln with you there. ?

[Zalvern]

5 hours ago, Loki-MKZ said:

It turns out the MKZ likes to run hot, if I let her cool off she slowed down, it would hold power on the 1 to 2 shift which boggles my mind but over all I couldn't be happier.

Dealing with drag strip DA can always change up the output expectations, so sounds like your MKZ is doing very well.

The 3.0 engine is a good hot block. Nice and reliable when everything is operating as expected. It is only torque management that's such a hassle to learn.

One mod I've been curious about is swapping Continental 3.39 gears in place of the MKZ's 3.16 stock. I won't ever get to test it, but throwing that out there as another option for those into drag strip play.

[DeviLSh]

^^ noted, for when my day comes ? 

[Loki-MKZ]

2 hours ago, DeviLSh said:

Nice times! Any shift/trans modifications done on the Livernois tune? Any future mods planned? How much fuel did you have in the car for these runs? (sorry for all the questions haha)

Had my 3.7 out at GLD a few weeks back, let me know next time you go i'd love to tag a long and represent Lincoln with you there. ?

 

The DA was 2480 and temp was 72f. The Livernois tune is not all that and a bag of chips, when cooled off or first thing in the am 1 to 2 is harsh and 2 to 3 isn't much better. 

I had 1/2 a tank in the car, I'm not sure about future mods, I have a 2018 Mustang GT so that is my fun car, the MKZ is my daily and it blows my mind that it runs into the 12's!

What did your 3.7 run at GLD? I'd love to go up there again, perhaps in September when it cools down? 

[Loki-MKZ]

1 hour ago, Zalvern said:

Dealing with drag strip DA can always change up the output expectations, so sounds like your MKZ is doing very well.

The 3.0 engine is a good hot block. Nice and reliable when everything is operating as expected. It is only torque management that's such a hassle to learn.

One mod I've been curious about is swapping Continental 3.39 gears in place of the MKZ's 3.16 stock. I won't ever get to test it, but throwing that out there as another option for those into drag strip play.

Agreed, I wish she liked to run cooler, if I want to race somebody I'll need to tell them to wait while I go do a run and then we can race, it's hard to wrap my brain around. I'd love to go better intercooler, better CAI, better but not louder exhaust. I was so happy with the performance, especially when  the Hemi red lit and I squealed all 4 tires and went by her, she was not happy!!

I shouldn't be building this car up but damn, an intercooler, CAI exhaust and tune should get her deep into the low 12's.

[Zalvern]

2 hours ago, Loki-MKZ said:

Agreed, I wish she liked to run cooler, if I want to race somebody I'll need to tell them to wait while I go do a run and then we can race, it's hard to wrap my brain around. I'd love to go better intercooler, better CAI, better but not louder exhaust. I was so happy with the performance, especially when  the Hemi red lit and I squealed all 4 tires and went by her, she was not happy!!

I shouldn't be building this car up but damn, an intercooler, CAI exhaust and tune should get her deep into the low 12's.

If you want to max out on bolt ons, have at it. Unlike the Mustang, the MKZ only has a few in comparison to "optimize".

I'm not surprised at triumphing over the SRT though. Dodge's NA pushrod engines have fallen behind in technological advancement, most likely in favor of production costs. If I was staying stock and accept the vehicle for what it is, the Dodge vehicles are fine then. But any mods will shine on Ford/Lincoln vehicles and make them grow more powerful in comparison.

[DeviLSh]

16 hours ago, Loki-MKZ said:

 

The DA was 2480 and temp was 72f. The Livernois tune is not all that and a bag of chips, when cooled off or first thing in the am 1 to 2 is harsh and 2 to 3 isn't much better. 

I had 1/2 a tank in the car, I'm not sure about future mods, I have a 2018 Mustang GT so that is my fun car, the MKZ is my daily and it blows my mind that it runs into the 12's!

What did your 3.7 run at GLD? I'd love to go up there again, perhaps in September when it cools down? 

Good to know, thanks for humoring all my questions! I too have "other cars I should be messing with first" but I just cant help it. ? 

I ran a 14.7 in my MKZ, it was a pretty hot afternoon/evening too (upper 80's, pretty humid). I would love to go again. I would be down for a Sept get-togeher, maybe I can bring my LS out again. Be sure to let me know on here if you are gonna go, and Ill do the same next time I plan a trip. 

I cant get into a 3.0TT soon enough, and this thread is a bad enabler. 

[Loki-MKZ]

On 7/31/2019 at 10:15 PM, Zalvern said:

If you want to max out on bolt ons, have at it. Unlike the Mustang, the MKZ only has a few in comparison to "optimize".

I'm not surprised at triumphing over the SRT though. Dodge's NA pushrod engines have fallen behind in technological advancement, most likely in favor of production costs. If I was staying stock and accept the vehicle for what it is, the Dodge vehicles are fine then. But any mods will shine on Ford/Lincoln vehicles and make them grow more powerful in comparison.

I actually felt bad for her, the last two runs when she red lit and I still just waltzed by, not fun for somebody with a Hemi.

I remember back around late 1985, I had my brand new Ford Mustang Notch 5.0 LX at GLD it ran a 15.0@92 until I tweaked timing etc which got her into the 14.5's, this is what most of the performance cars ran back then. I remember seeing a guy with a Vega, huge tires, headers, sounded mean as hell and it ran 12.9@105 and I was thinking how the hell do I get to that?!?!

Fast forward and I crank out a 12.8@107 in a luxury car that feels like it isn't even trying. My buddy said when I launched all he heard was a "whooooosh" and it was gone. 

I may look into other tweaks but with the extended warranty I don't know if I want to push it, 12.8 was pretty sweet. My Mustang goes 11.7 so I'm pretty happy there as well.

[Loki-MKZ]

On 8/1/2019 at 12:14 PM, DeviLSh said:

Good to know, thanks for humoring all my questions! I too have "other cars I should be messing with first" but I just cant help it. ? 

I ran a 14.7 in my MKZ, it was a pretty hot afternoon/evening too (upper 80's, pretty humid). I would love to go again. I would be down for a Sept get-togeher, maybe I can bring my LS out again. Be sure to let me know on here if you are gonna go, and Ill do the same next time I plan a trip. 

I cant get into a 3.0TT soon enough, and this thread is a bad enabler. 

I am definitely going in September! Driving the MKZ on the tollway, you need to go around somebody, you push just a little on the throttle and boost takes you around everybody, no need to push hard, she just goes. Amazing.

[Loki-MKZ]

On Saturday 10/26 I ran 12.7, 12.8 and two 13.0's, the car just sat too long between runs and would heat soak waiting for cars in front to get going. New issue, on the way to the dragstrip I went to pass two cars, as I hit the gas and started to pass the car fell flat on its face and lost speed, I take take my foot off the gas and gently lay into it again or it would again fall on its face. Ran fine at the track and on the way home, no clue what caused this, I'm using good gas.

[hrlinc]

Hi all,

 

I had my 2017 3.0TT at the "local" track yesterday for Black Friday Test/tune. ($20.00 to race!). It was about 35*F so perfect for turbos. I ran 12.49 at 109, 12.61@108.5, and 12.83@106.5. first two were my fastest ever. Attached is the best one.

So run 'em when you can! Lots of surprised reactions when I run.

 

Regards,

HRLinc

[rubyinla]

Ha!!  I can get zero to 60 mph in under an hour 45 all day, any day or temp in my Hybrid ?

But I will pass you at the off ramp for the gas station ?  

Yeah, it sux.  Coming out of an EcoBoost Mustang it's frustrating as hell.

[DeviLSh]

18 hours ago, hrlinc said:

Hi all,

 

I had my 2017 3.0TT at the "local" track yesterday for Black Friday Test/tune. ($20.00 to race!). It was about 35*F so perfect for turbos. I ran 12.49 at 109, 12.61@108.5, and 12.83@106.5. first two were my fastest ever. Attached is the best one.

So run 'em when you can! Lots of surprised reactions when I run.

 

Regards,

HRLinc

 

 

 

Nice times - what mods and tires? 

[Loki-MKZ]

On 11/30/2019 at 5:50 PM, hrlinc said:

Hi all,

 

I had my 2017 3.0TT at the "local" track yesterday for Black Friday Test/tune. ($20.00 to race!). It was about 35*F so perfect for turbos. I ran 12.49 at 109, 12.61@108.5, and 12.83@106.5. first two were my fastest ever. Attached is the best one.

So run 'em when you can! Lots of surprised reactions when I run.

 

Regards,

HRLinc

 

I got a lot of people walking up to me asking what was done to the car, I explained it's bone stock save for the 91 octane tune, blows their minds, lots of guys in SRT's, Camaro's and Mustang's the MKZ is beating and they don't understand how. I'd love to get to the low 12's but I don't see me modding it any further.

 

 

[Smokestone10]

The fact the company is called Livernois is fitting... the original Lincoln factory, where every Lincoln from 1920 to 1952 was built, was located on the corner of Warren and Livernois streets in Detroit. It was a National Historic Landmark until much of the original structures were demolished in the early 2000's. There. Useless tidbit for you.

[Blackhawk]

On 12/3/2019 at 10:13 AM, Loki-MKZ said:

 

I got a lot of people walking up to me asking what was done to the car, I explained it's bone stock save for the 91 octane tune, blows their minds, lots of guys in SRT's, Camaro's and Mustang's the MKZ is beating and they don't understand how. I'd love to get to the low 12's but I don't see me modding it any further.

 

 

 

On 7/31/2019 at 12:29 PM, Loki-MKZ said:

My MKZ has the Livernois 93 octane tune. I took off early from work to wash the MKZ and get it ready for going to GLD. I met my buddy at his house and we departed for GLD. We stopped for gas so photo op of course, that ZL1 is a beastly looking machine!

I didn't wait long after they opened the staging lanes, the car was still hot from the almost 2 hour drive so when I got to the line I turned TCS off, put her into Sport mode and I stalled to 2,000 rpms and launched her with a very uneventful run.

The MKZ ran the 1/4 mile as if she were on a luxury cruise until the end leaving me think I ran a high 13 seconds. As I'm heading down the return road I see my buddy with both hands in the air, I'm wondering why he is doing this so when I get to the time sheet shack he hands me a time slip with a 12.997@106.25 and I'm thinking to myself, WTF?? My 1985 LX 5.0 Notch felt like a fire breather at 14.6!! This Lincoln felt like it was on a Sunday stroll.

I then lined up against a Black Hemi SRT Challenger that had an upgraded exhaust and I was thinking, well this should be an interesting loss for me but I know I'll get out there first! The tree came down and we both launched and I'm looking to my left and nobody is there, I check the mirror and it's 2 cars back! WTF?!?! I ran a 13.158@107 to her 13.641@102!!

I decided to hot lap it, so did the SRT, we lined up again and this time she red lights and gets a 2 tenth head start. The MKZ squeals all 4 tires and rips off a 12.88@106 to her 13.5@103 and I can't believe it. I ran her 4 times, she was not happy.

It turns out the MKZ likes to run hot, if I let her cool off she slowed down, it would hold power on the 1 to 2 shift which boggles my mind but over all I couldn't be happier.

My buddies ZL1 had issues with traction, I mean 600ft smoke shows no matter how he launched it would start smoking the tires even if he got out clean, it would bang into the next gear and blow the tires away so his best was an 11.8@126. He'll get that thing figured out in no time, with tires that monster should be good for 10's.

 

 

 

Did you mean to say it wouldn't hold power on the  1-2 shift above ?  if so I saw the same thing where the car would hit the rev limiter on the 1-2 and dump boost.  When I was at GLD a week earlier it was warmer out and didn't have the same problem.  The day I had the problem the track was packed and I had a bunch of time in between runs.

 

What I've seen on the Facebook is a couple people had the same problem but overfilling the transmission by a half quart should help.  Apparently the fluid rushes to the back of the pan on launch so it has problems building pressure for the 1-2 shift.     I'll see come spring if it helps me at all.

 

 

[Blackhawk]

On 11/30/2019 at 5:50 PM, hrlinc said:

Hi all,

 

I had my 2017 3.0TT at the "local" track yesterday for Black Friday Test/tune. ($20.00 to race!). It was about 35*F so perfect for turbos. I ran 12.49 at 109, 12.61@108.5, and 12.83@106.5. first two were my fastest ever. Attached is the best one.

So run 'em when you can! Lots of surprised reactions when I run.

 

Regards,

HRLinc

Damn, very nice and a great 60FT on a cold track.  What's your mod list?

[hrlinc]

On 12/5/2019 at 12:40 PM, Blackhawk said:

Damn, very nice and a great 60FT on a cold track.  What's your mod list?

Just the Livernois 93 performance tune.

 

On 12/5/2019 at 12:40 PM, Blackhawk said:

Damn, very nice and a great 60FT on a cold track.  What's your mod list?