I would cost check with your Ford dealer, maybe see what Ford Performance has to offer.

Basically, anything you modify is no longer covered without a battle.
If you have a good relationship with your dealer you can get away with a few things.
If you add a tuner got instead and there is an issue with the engine in the future Ford Corp would be involved and things get dicey.
Often Corp requires the dealer to send them copies of the engine files which can reveal all kinds of bad things..



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I believe if you do any Tunes etc. your Warranty is in Danger.
but,
If your Ford Dealer does the Tune. I believe your Warranty’s are Safe.
Ask Ford Customer Svc. Your dealer may or may not know the correct answer?
You may check out what the 3.5 HO Raptor parts can boost your Horses..
Remember,
Speed Costs Money.
How Fast Do You Want To Go?

 

Performance wise, the only thing you can really do is things you can put 100% back to stock. If you change the intake (which provides questionable gains at best) never take it to the dealer that way - return it to stock. You could add one of the Pedal Commander type widgets which improves performance somewhat, but still, have to take it off when you take the truck in.

Ford can absolutely tell that your truck has been flashed. Pulling the batteries isn't anywhere close to good enough.

If you're worried about warranty and have the funds, there's always the option of a 5Star tune with a warranty (5/60 for $1K).

 

I had a similar question for my 2018 3.5 F150 which is still under warranty. I went with the 5 Star Ngauge and tunes with the 60k warranty. I did a ton of research and they are highly recommended. It costs more but safer. I also ordered a oil separator and Mishimoto intercooler both of which I can return to stock if needed.

 

Good advice here. I happen to own to twin turbo vehicles. My 3.5L eco boost and an Audi RS7. The Audi can get 100 additional HP easy from a tune. It’s a 4.0 L V8. But I won’t tune I like my warranty too much.

Intakes don’t do much and honestly neither do exhausts.

If you don’t want to void warranty just leave as is.

 

Don't let your friends punk you into doing anything you might regret.

 

Thanks guys for all the great information. From the sounds of it there’s no tuner out there that doesn’t flash the ECM other than 5* and their warranty. I guess I’ll have to make a decision whether I want to take the chance or not. I do plan on only keeping the truck for 1-2 years. I just don’t want any issues at trade in.

 

I just bought 2020 F-150 XLT and emailed 5 Star and asked them if Ford would know if I put one of there tunes on and they said as long as I returned the truck back to stock anytime I take it back to Ford they would never know? But Like @tvsjr said you are flashing the ECU so how would they not know right?

 

Buying a new truck and only keeping it for a year or 2 ? 🤔

 

@Cmule a mechanic friend of mine that works for KIA told me that there might be tuners out there that don’t flash the ECM. So far I haven’t found this to be true.

@Arkansas Eco I get a company allowance to buy any vehicle I want. So there’s time and mileage constraints. It just makes sense to trade in the vehicle every year or two. Also since I’m in the construction industry it makes sense to buy a truck since I have to pull onto construction sites on a daily.

 

Lease ?

 

This..
Also, pretty sure you can see "mileage since last ecu reset". It may not be a sure way to tell it's tuned, can only imagine it'll just raise flags if you had a claim.

 

I run a 5* tune and had to get my phasers done. I flashed back to stock, drove for a month and took it in. They asked if the truck was stock at drop off. I told them other than suspension and tire/rims that it was stock. I never heard anything again.

As far as performance. 18+ trucks just need a tune to gain 100 hp. Everything else on your list wont do much. Get a good intercooler and a tune and call it a day.

 

have you noticed the stock performance of have you noticed the stock performance of the 3.5 twin turbo to be lacking in some way? Put it in sport mode and punch it and you'll find that there is a significant amount of performance available in stock trim. Without any worries about warranty. Louisiana widespread

 

Ever rode in a tuned 18+? It's night and day from stock sport mode...

 

@Arkansas Eco it is financed.

@VegasFX4 what are your phasers? I would like 100hp ultimately. That would make me happy. As long as no headaches come with it VIA major detonation of the motor or trans and warranty issues.

 

Cam phasers for the variable valve timing. Common issue. Your truck has the updated parts so hopefully not an issue for you. I had to get a strategy revision after Ford flashed my ECU but I have not had issues with the tune. Change your spark plugs every 20-30k and all is well.

 

If your not locked into the 2020 yet, just wait a little while and get a 2021 and you will get the factory tune, 400hp. and 500fps torque. If that wont be enough power for you then
I don't know what els to tell you LOL.

 

... and get the limited since the company will be buying it ... heck, just get a new Limited every year 👍🏼

 

I could be wrong but the efforts to increase power via "Raptor Parts" will most likely reveal that the performance claim differences are more marketing than actual substance.

Or it can be argued that with 93 Octane fuel in the non Raptor, the difference in factory power claims shrinks dramatically.

That doesn't mean that there aren't any differences physically, but the biggest separation between them is perhaps transmission strategy, timing, due to auto-octane software being leveraged, and MAYBE some minor tuning itself.

I'm sure the tuning pro's have actually seen the differences in the tables themselves.

But I don't think the Ford Parts Counter is going to have much OEM Raptor bolt-on performance upgrades to offer you.

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The only way to guarantee that you won't be denied warranty is not alter the truck in any way. Seriously. The bottom line is this is at the discretion of the dealer who does the work, some care, some don't, some will blame a tune, CC or even a CAI (Yes it has happened), or worse yet - the type of oil put in the truck! So if you don't know where your local dealer stands on the modifications, it's best to just not alter the truck, this way there is no "excuse" the dealer can throw at you for why you were denied. It really just depends on the dealer. But if you want a "guarantee" that you won't be denied a warranty repair, don't alter the truck, it's that simple.

 

Well put.

But a perfect example of the sacrifice we are required to make in an effort to demand guarantees. Or to eliminate risk.

I don't fault those that desire such a thing more than I do, but I DO wonder how much can be missed out on? Lol

On my eventual gravestone, I can assure you that it will not say "He played it safe".

I can't imagine never having experienced motoX in my life. For example, you walk into the dealership and purchase a KTM and it's stunningly expensive, compared to most of the competition. You inquire about the warranty and the honest salesman will tell you it's warrantied until we strap it down in the bed of your truck. [emoji846]

Truth is, it's worth the risk!

But, not for everyone. I get that.

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So I just had a thought. What if you bought another ECU and installed your stock tune, then just switch them out?

 

You have the mind of a genius outlaw. [emoji846]

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I have 20k tuned trouble free miles so far...

 

@kicker338 I would be happy with 475-500 hp. I could also always trade in next year to upgrade for the new specs. I know I’ll probably get shot for this but the guys and I at work today we’re talking about the Dodge TRX truck. 702hp whew! That’s pretty damn nice for the price. I’m just not a Dodge fan. Would prefer Ford or Chevy.

 

You won't get shot by me?
If that's what tickles your fancy and you want it with a Ford Badge, there are several dealers that will sell you a factory warranty Coyote/blown F150 at incredibly low price. (relatively)

2020 SUPERCHARGED F-150 FOR $39,995 | Lebanon Ford Performance

Browse pictures and detailed information about the great selection of 2020 SUPERCHARGED F-150 FOR $39,995s at Lebanon Ford Performance.

www.lebanonfordperformance.com

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@Wichitagreg I know what you mean. I have a 1900 hp Nova drag car. I know my truck will never be anywhere near that. But I would just like to have my daily driver be a little more fun that’s all.

 

@VegasFX4 I just need 30k and a year and a half and I’m trading it in. 😈

 

@VegasFX4 I just need 30k and a year and a half and I’m trading it in. [emoji48]

Call 5*! Send it!


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@Arkansas Eco a limited would be nice, however I am “limited” on my monthly allowance. No pun intended lol. I get $900 a month. Anything over that is out of my pocket and I still have to pay for insurance.

@snakebitten I like that idea! Didn’t know about that. Maybe next year it will be considered if the money is there.

 

So a buddy of mine is going to sell me his SCT BDX tuner for $150. Is it worth it? Without tunes of course. I just don’t know where to get tunes from.

 

I have read in a TSB that the Ford Technicians can look at the amount of Key on Cycles from the last time a ECU was changed. If the number is low then it will tell them that the ECU was recently changed/modified. They can tell if it is a Factory ECU Strategy or an aftermarket ECU Strategy, and then depending on the reason that someone would be brining in the truck into the dealership then would suspect that there has been performance mods to the truck. If the warranty repairs do not have to do with hooking up to the truck and looking for that type of information, then that would be a reason why people can do a tune and then take it off and not have the dealership know about the tune.

 

I have read in a TSB that the Ford Technicians can look at the amount of Key on Cycles from the last time a ECU was changed. If the number is low then it will tell them that the ECU was recently changed/modified. They can tell if it is a Factory ECU Strategy or an aftermarket ECU Strategy, and then depending on the reason that someone would be brining in the truck into the dealership then would suspect that there has been performance mods to the truck. If the warranty repairs do not have to do with hooking up to the truck and looking for that type of information, then that would be a reason why people can do a tune and then take it off and not have the dealership know about the tune.

while nothing is guaranteed in life there have been so many people who have had major warranty work done that were tuned it’s not even funny, over the past eight years I’ve been in the EcoBoost world.

Of course there are steps you have to take and you have to be smart about it.

But yeah, If it’s something you’re going to be stressed on all the time 5 star warranty is the perfect option, unless you plan on turning your 5.500 pound truck into a race/track truck, competitive racing, off-road downpipe ‘s and tires over 35 inches will void the warranty as it’s clearly stated in black-and-white in the information for it.


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5 star tune with warranty.
Easy 100 hp and no worries. Done