Roush Phase 1 with aftermarket tune, which tuner?

Which tuner to use for my e tune on my Roush SC?


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5.0Black

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Hello,

I recently purchased a Roush Phase 1 SC. While I am awaiting my shipping date, I have a few questions around it in regards to an aftermarket tune. I hear the Roush stock tune is mediocre and that an aftermarket tune/e-tune is highly recommended. My problem is I am unsure which shop to go with it. The top 3 that come up are Brenspeed, VMP and Lund.
I will be moving to CA in September for 2-3 years then back to VA/NoVa for the more long term. Because I am going to be in CA for at least 2 years I went with Roush as their phase 1 kit is 50 state legal.

Here are my goals:

-The tune needs to be capable of running 91 and 93 octane. Given it is in VA currently 91 isn't all too common and once moving to CA it needs to be capable of 91 octane safely.
-I know once going SC "safety" is a relative term, but a lot of these units are pretty safe from what I have read up on and I would like my tune to be "safe" while adding extra power.
-In addition to the point above the tune needs to handle daily driving smoothly as well as some local track days here and there. Track days would be 1/4 mile and Leguna Seca would be my local course once moved.
-The tuning box used would be my X4/SC4 unit that came with my Bama tune back in 2015 for my Mustang. Idea would be to store the Roush tune onto the box for potential emission reasons.
-I am hoping to have this wrapped up in late April to mid May at the latest. My Mustang stays in NoVa in my parents garage bay as I don't have space for it down where I live currently from a garage perspective. All in all it is a 6-8 hour round trip for me pending driving.

Questions:

-Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback in regards to these tuners?
-Does anyone think one tuner would be better than the other in terms of my goal for my car and in providing quick response times?
-What power figuers could I expect? I ask as I am wanting to buy an exedy mach 500 stage 3 clutch. It seems to be the right feel, engagement point and a good all around clutch for my needs. My only concern will be the tq rating.
I look forward to everyone's responses!
 
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tones_RS3

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Between those 3 tuners,.................VMP perfomance all the way.
IIRC, VMP works, or worked very closely with Roush. Not to say the other two are bad, but VMP would be my choice between the 3 three you have listed. Plus, you car will still pass emissions after being tuned by VMP. No worries there.
Check out some of the VMP videos on Youtube.
 

TType85

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I run a VMP tune in my setup (Roush Phase 1 + 82mm pulley) and love it. It drives nice for cruising and rips when you put your foot in it.
 

TVSed GT

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Agree 100% with these two guys, VMP all the way. And like tones said definitely check out their videos, awesome content and a bunch of knowledge being put out by those guys
 

TVSed GT

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Also if you’re looking for some additional octane with 91 pick up some boostane. I got some recently and its pretty awesome
 

5.0Black

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Thanks for the response everyone! I will most likely need to replace my clutch and fly wheel. I was looking at the exedy mach 500 stage 3. Seems to offer OEM like stiffness, the engagement point I want and forgiving. I do have a few concerns though. I want to make sure that the unit can handle the Phase 1+ VMP tune power as well as an upgrade to phase 2 with VMP tune again? Also for tuning purposes would you recommend doing the clutch the same time as the super charger or after the tune is sorted? Seems like most clutches need 500 miles to break in.
 

TVSed GT

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I'm also running the exedy stage 3 with 82mm pulley and no issues yet. If you plan on turning it up in the future go rst rxt or mantic. I'd do the clutch and break it in first because once you get the sc the urge to beat on it will be tough to resist.
 

5.0Black

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I'm also running the exedy stage 3 with 82mm pulley and no issues yet. If you plan on turning it up in the future go rst rxt or mantic. I'd do the clutch and break it in first because once you get the sc the urge to beat on it will be tough to resist.
Well I won’t go beyond a phase 2 with an aftermarket tune. From what I’ve read phase 1 and 2 are both 85mm. Would I still be good with phase 2 and a stage 3? If so I’ll order one ASAP as my Roush unit should ship soon
 

FJohnny

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Here's a really unpopular suggestion for you. How about install the Roush kit with the Roush included tune and drive it for awhile to see how you like it? I understand the excitement of new stuff and it's always fun to do it all at once. But it sounds like you are going to daily drive this car and would like to keep it in one piece for a bit.

Roush worked directly with Ford Racing (Ford Performance now) to develop these kits. There is a lot of know how built into them. Sure, it's not the ultimate in what is capable but it is designed for perfect street manners and longevity. Are you sure you want to reinvent this before you even give them a try?

I put the Ford Racing 2.3 Whipple on my '14 GT. Was going to get Lund to 'fix' Ford's tune as well. They said, "Sure, we can get a bit more out of it as it sits. Mainly in the low to mid torque. If I wanted more I had to be prepared to get bigger injectors, Boost a Pump, and a few other goodies to make it work." I figured that sounded great.

Then I drove it on the street with the stock Ford/Whipple tune. Dropped two pulley sizes due to altitude where I live to get it to the design 9 psi with no tune mod as per Whipple's advice. It blows the tires off in third and more torque/power would be of little use without wheels, tires and more suspension mods. So, no aftermarket tune until it needs it for me.

Suggest you give it a go. Even if you really want/need more you don't lose. You get to have a 'new' car with the Roush and then get to have a new one again with the new tune and other stuff. And, you get to enjoy the car and get used to driving the extra power over a slower, more graduated pace. Win/win!

Have fun, you'll love it.
 

clinton2003

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Here's a really unpopular suggestion for you. How about install the Roush kit with the Roush included tune and drive it for awhile to see how you like it? I understand the excitement of new stuff and it's always fun to do it all at once. But it sounds like you are going to daily drive this car and would like to keep it in one piece for a bit.

Roush worked directly with Ford Racing (Ford Performance now) to develop these kits. There is a lot of know how built into them. Sure, it's not the ultimate in what is capable but it is designed for perfect street manners and longevity. Are you sure you want to reinvent this before you even give them a try?

I put the Ford Racing 2.3 Whipple on my '14 GT. Was going to get Lund to 'fix' Ford's tune as well. They said, "Sure, we can get a bit more out of it as it sits. Mainly in the low to mid torque. If I wanted more I had to be prepared to get bigger injectors, Boost a Pump, and a few other goodies to make it work." I figured that sounded great.

Then I drove it on the street with the stock Ford/Whipple tune. Dropped two pulley sizes due to altitude where I live to get it to the design 9 psi with no tune mod as per Whipple's advice. It blows the tires off in third and more torque/power would be of little use without wheels, tires and more suspension mods. So, no aftermarket tune until it needs it for me.

Suggest you give it a go. Even if you really want/need more you don't lose. You get to have a 'new' car with the Roush and then get to have a new one again with the new tune and other stuff. And, you get to enjoy the car and get used to driving the extra power over a slower, more graduated pace. Win/win!

Have fun, you'll love it.

I'm with Johnny with this. Run the Roush tune, see how you like it. it will be a great tune. If you dont like it you can always get a different tune, but give the roush tune a chance.
 

5.0Black

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They’re not wrong. Each next step will be like A 5 year old opening a Christmas present. I’m more of an all or nothing kind of guy, probably not a good quality haha
Yea I am the same way. It also doesn't help that my Mustang is not down here in Norfolk with me so when I go up to the NoVa/DC area to see family and enjoy my car I try to jam pack as much as I can. I have messaged VMP telling them my goals and asking a few questions. Ready to buy multiple things, but I want to make sure the exedy stage 3 Mach 500 clutch will handle phase 1 and 2 power with an aftermarket e tune.
 

TVSed GT

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Yea I am the same way. It also doesn't help that my Mustang is not down here in Norfolk with me so when I go up to the NoVa/DC area to see family and enjoy my car I try to jam pack as much as I can. I have messaged VMP telling them my goals and asking a few questions. Ready to buy multiple things, but I want to make sure the exedy stage 3 Mach 500 clutch will handle phase 1 and 2 power with an aftermarket e tune.
I believe it’s rated for just under 600ftlbs torque so should hold up fine. Again if you can ever imagine taking things further look into one of the clutches above.
 

5.0Black

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I believe it’s rated for just under 600ftlbs torque so should hold up fine. Again if you can ever imagine taking things further look into one of the clutches above.
Well I think my concern about clutches above is drivability. The Mach 600 seems to be less forgiving and more stiff. I could get something like a Mantic, but.....unsure if its worth that level of money lol. RXT is in the running too.
 

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