5 Star 93 Octane Tuned | 2020 F-250 7.3L Tremor | Road Test
The 2020 Super Duty Tremor has certainly piqued the interest of the SVTP Community. Not since the introduction of the original SVT F-150 Raptor have we seen this much interest in a new Ford truck, and there’s good reason for it. The Tremor (a badge that Ford has been known to dust off from time to time) delivers on the desire for a more muscular and off-road capable package than the Super Duty has ever been equipped with. We’ll have a complete review of the Tremor package in the coming weeks, but today we wanted to focus on a very special truck.
What we have here is the very first 2020 F-250 Tremor 7.3L V8 with a 5 Star 93-Octane tune. It’s tuned with HP Tuners software and loaded in with an nGuage. The driveability of this tune is very similar to the 87 Octane 5 Star tuned truck we tested a couple weeks ago. This particular truck definitely felt stronger on the bottom end than the STX truck, but it’s difficult to parse the percentage of the gains that come from the bump in octane versus the difference from 3.55 to 4.30 gears. Then you have to take into account the fact that the Tremor has taller tires, which wipes out some of the advantage of the lower gearing.
Let's take the 5 Star Tuned 7.3L Tremor for a Road Test
Interested in seeing how much simplier the 7.3L gas engine is than the 6.7L Powerstroke?
Check out this walk around tour of the features of the 2020 Tremor Super Duty Truck, and how it differs from the standard model.
Interested in seeing how much simplier the 7.3L gas engine is than the 6.7L Powerstroke?
Check out this walk around tour of the features of the 2020 Tremor Super Duty Truck, and how it differs from the standard model.
Ultimately, what you’re really after with a tune like this is throttle response and transmission tuning. 5 Star’s tunes really shine there. Everything feels much more ‘crisp’ than the stock calibration. Now the power under the curve is some really big news. On an otherwise stock truck with the 93 go-juice in the tank 5 Star has picked up 42HP and 59TQ right in the meat of the RPM range. Overall they made more than 400RWHP and 460RWTQ. Strangely, the tuning makes this truck feel much lighter than on its feet than its 7,000+ pound curb weight would lead you to believe.
Check out those gains under the curve. Right in the RPM range you'll be using when towing heavy on a grade.
Does your tuner test their truck tunes? 5 Star Tuning is testing theirs with this trailer full gravel weighing 15,500 pounds.
Damn, this is a good looking truck. Makes me want to head to the dealership.
Finally, the Super Duty gets a great looking off-road wheel and tire combo from the factory.
The down-pipes and cats look very efficient.
These 'Raptor" style running boards are a great addition to the Tremor. Much better than the standard equipment.
The Tremor trucks get the newer style Dana Metric rear axle.
On the Tremor we still have the Dana Super 60 up front, but now equipped on limited slip differential.
This shorter front air damn improves approach angle and looks tremendously better than the standard version.