colinsz Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Any updates on the tune? How the shifting been? Looking to purchase this tune as early as next week. Also interested again now that I've found a mod-friendly dealer with a mod dedicated tech. All being well I should have a tune early this summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 (edited) Any updates on the tune? How the shifting been? Looking to purchase this tune as early as next week. The shifting has been perfectly fine the whole time. It's the PCM retarding engine power anytime it may feel sluggish. Poor intake/charge air temperatures and fuel quality are the prime suspects. Can be seen easily with a data logger tapping into the air temperature sensors and seeing how rough temps may spike under high load. Part of my hobby is vehicle optimization and now the tune lets me discover what is the next bottleneck to improve on for better performance: Cooler Charge Air temps is my next goal. With that said, if really wanting this vehicle to become a standstill line launcher: An Intercooler upgrade will be needed. But it will be a speed dragoon while in motion. Going 60 - 100 feels better than 0 - 60 because of air flow helping with charge air temperatures, post tune. So 0-60 times do not change much sadly since its hard to "spring" the power from standstill (heat convection is bad). Livernois tune on its own in stock form still will become more enjoyable especially if you drive long distance or highway a lot. When air temps are good and fuel is as well, it's ever so enjoyable how much a sleeping lion this MKZ is. I have had fun investigating on how to remove the front bumper in order to access the Intercooler for future upgrades. The 2017 is going to be more involved, as you have to remove both front wheels and fenders just to access a front bumper bolt screw to pop it out. Both my 2014 Ford Fusion and MKZ are tuned, and the Fusion has some mod enhancements like an Intercooler. It was by far the best bolt on mod to do compared to anything else, and will be even better for the MKZ I suspect because that is where Ford/Lincoln cuts corners on "production daily cars". It flat out launches better even though the MKZ will out muscle due to higher horsepower once up to speed. I want my MKZ to become a bat out of hell from standstill though, so will plot ways to reduce intake and charge air temperatures. Edited March 18, 2017 by Zalvern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schteve Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 A quick and easy way to do that is an intercooler spray bar.. that helps the iat off the line then once at speed it's not needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 It seems to me that the grill shutters would be a drawback. I wish they were completely open at WOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 (edited) Grille shutters are no issue actually. The Active Grille Shutters (AGS) do assist with air flow and turbulence and only "shut" when constant cruising speed is detected (little to no throttle). Shutters open immediately, and often stay open after the car is idling or has warmed up to operating temperature. There is a sensor reading in the PCM system stating the AGS status. Under WOT, or sitting idle...they stay open and the "fins" make for better air flow. Anytime I wanted to WOT from idle, they were fully open so I can rule them out as being problematic. I only seen them completely close when using cruise control while on the highway. Stop n' go low speed traffic, they frequently adjust partially. The real culprit is the poor aluminum quality of the Intercooler itself. It's just terrible at heat convection as it "grips" onto heat more strongly compared to higher quality variants. I don't even think an Intercooler spray bar would help much either, as under WOT all that exhaust air from the turbochargers just gets ignored from any cooling. Nearly hit 200 F at one time on a real long road pull at night time. The 3.0T makes better power at half throttle than full, having me suspect the turbochargers are too powerful (which ironically is a good thing) for the intake system at hand. This is why we get "effortless performance" without mashing the pedal, whereas the ECU manages the engine and turbos from getting too out of control. Levels Performance made a great Intercooler for the Fusions (have one my 2014) and its the most important bolt on upgrade there is. C-PE's version is better for allowing one to retain the ACC and AGS systems, yet deliver equal performance. C-PE I know plans to provide a market for the Fusion Sport which is good news for us 3.0T owners with tunes. I'll definitely buy C-PE bolt-on Intake, Intercooler, Charge Pipes, Downpipes, and Exhaust if they come into fruition. Edited March 20, 2017 by Zalvern colinsz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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