Advice on Tuner for GT with Automatic Transmission

[1TUF2005GT]

I am looking for feedback based on actual experience for those of you who have a GT with Automatic Transmission and have added a Tune and CAI.

I picked up an 05 vert in November (I'm in Minnesota) and looking at getting it ready for spring and have been reading a lot of the past threads on CAI's and SCT Tunes. Car is completely stock with the 3.31 automatic, not looking to do any extensive future mods but for now am getting ready to pick up a kit with CAI (probably JLT) and SCT Tuner. I plan to go with a 92 octane daily drive tune and I've read a lot of good things on Tillman (All Out Tune) and Brenspeed 92 (I'd consider Bama if they were shipping!). My question(s)/concerns are:

1. Are shift so abrupt that even under part throttle accleration am I going to be spinning/chirping everytime it shifts?

2. From a performance perspective it would seem unnecessary wheelspin in 2nd, 3rd, etc. may hurt performance - any thoughts on this?

3. Any comments on each of these tuners and how they perform with the automatic in terms of overall drivability, etc.

4. After I get a tune from one of these companies can I manually adjust the shift firmness via the SCT without getting a whole new tune file from them?

5. Anybody have any real 1/4 mile times for auto's before and after these tunes?

Any other comments greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[ViperNuge]

Dude I got you covered. I have an 06 auto trans, 3.31 gears and ran 13.92 to 13.97 stock. Then added a jlt cai and brenspeed tune. I also changed my tires from stock 235's to KDW 285's. Street tires not DR's. My best run was 13.48. Range was 13.65 to 13.48. Thats almost a half second faster!

Car will spin the tires into second and third but only under WOT. It is by far the absolutly best $500 you can spend on your stang by. Bang for the buck its huge. Its a completly different beast now.

Not sure if I can adjust the firmness. I surely would want to IMO. It does shift much harder but in a good way.

I also just added 4.10 gears and now its really torquey. It shaved almost another tenth off my times..........again I am on street tires.

You cant go wrong ..............go for it sooner than later!!!

patrick

 

[DMSIA07GT/CS]

snow bound in iowa

oh baby 4.10 with auto works my sct tune works perfectly on 89 octane with great gas mileage. drove to texas with 23mpg last fall, doing about 75, and 3500 rpm the stang loved it. you might look into afront tower strut brace next for the converible it really tightens thing up. axile back free flowing exhaust is a must, more air in needs an exit.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

I had 4.10 gears installed when my '07 GT Automatic was brand spankin' new, so I had to buy a handheld tuner to adjust the speedo. Had a 92 octane tune done with regular shifts and another done with firm shifts. The firm shifts is the way to go. You have to have the vendor (or dyno shop) adjust the line pressure for shifts (you can't do it in the tuner itself). Ask any transmission technician and he'll tell you that firmer shifts will prolong transmission life, so it's a win-win (longer/softer shifts generate more heat since you're slipping the trans to make it a smooth shift).

Stock GT Automatics typically run in the high 13's (13.8-14.1, depending on conditions) at roughly 99-100 in the 1/4 mile.

With 4.10's and 92 octane tune, I was running 13.30's @ 102+ on drag radials. Definitely a great mod, like Patrick mentioned above.

 

[1TUF2005GT]

Thank for everyone that has replied so far

To sum up - Tires only chirp on shift at WOT, and overall the firmess of shifts are a good thing! Also, 4.10 seem to be the gear of choice for the Auto (not sure if i will pull that trigger or not this year).

Also had positive comments about Brenspeeds tune with the Auto (thanks ViperNuge!). Anyone have any experience with the Tillman ALL OUT TUNE for the Automatic? If so please post some feedback and let me know if you feel you have the best tune possible!

Thanks again!

1TUF2005GT

 

[whyask]

Auto here, and pretty much have every after market part for it save a SC. I cant comment on the Brenspeed or Tillman i ended up with BAMACHIPS when they were still rocking it back in the day. BUT ive heard nothing but amazing things from Brenspeed customers ( 2 of which our my little brothers) and they swear by the tune ! CAI+TUNE+GEAR = WHOLE NEW CAR !! Do them all at once and be prepared to always be the one volunteering to runs earns !

 

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

I am looking for feedback based on actual experience for those of you who have a GT with Automatic Transmission and have added a Tune and CAI.

I picked up an 05 vert in November (I'm in Minnesota) and looking at getting it ready for spring and have been reading a lot of the past threads on CAI's and SCT Tunes. Car is completely stock with the 3.31 automatic, not looking to do any extensive future mods but for now am getting ready to pick up a kit with CAI (probably JLT) and SCT Tuner. I plan to go with a 92 octane daily drive tune and I've read a lot of good things on Tillman (All Out Tune) and Brenspeed 92 (I'd consider Bama if they were shipping!). My question(s)/concerns are:

1. Are shift so abrupt that even under part throttle accleration am I going to be spinning/chirping everytime it shifts?

2. From a performance perspective it would seem unnecessary wheelspin in 2nd, 3rd, etc. may hurt performance - any thoughts on this?

3. Any comments on each of these tuners and how they perform with the automatic in terms of overall drivability, etc.

4. After I get a tune from one of these companies can I manually adjust the shift firmness via the SCT without getting a whole new tune file from them?

5. Anybody have any real 1/4 mile times for auto's before and after these tunes?

Any other comments greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I have an 06 auto with the JLT and SCT combo from Brenspeed. I run the 91 octane tune. I do not go to the track at all but I sure like to get up to the speed limit fast
When I installed mine I couldn't quit grinning. It felt like a whole new car. The throttle response is SO much better. It shifts hard but, like another poster stated, in a good way. You can change the shift firmness with the tuner. CAI + Brenspeed tune = awesomeness!!

 

[Jet Mek]

In my opinion, if you are not going to do the gears right away at least do the CAI, tuner, & exhaust. When I baught our 05 GT vert. it only had the pipes and the day 2 day driveability was a little "jerky" at low throttle. When I did the tuner & JLT CAI it smoothed things out a lot, not to mention that at WOT with 5% shift firmness it chirps in 2nd & 3rd. If you look hard enough you may find the tuner & CAI here or on other forums for 1/2 price, thats where I found mine. Enjoy the new to you ride!

 

[1TUF2005GT]

Update on Auto GT Tune Advice

I pulled the GT out a week ago from storage and put on new 18" Sport Muscle Tach Chrome rims (they look great) on with new 255 Bridgestone RE760's - Great Tire and Rim combo and now I have a tire that actually hooks.

I just installed a JLT CAI and American Muscle Bama 91 Race Tune on 3/18. No issues with install of anything and quite easy for a novice like me.

Overall I'd say there is more total power and car feels stronger and a great benefit for just over $500. Under WOT I get a little 2nd gear spin, and have heard a chirp in 3rd once with two people in car but I've gotta say I think these new tires offer a lot of grip and just wont smoke em like the prior stock PZERO's.

Overall throttle response on the Race tune is touchy at first but under normal driving at various speeds seems totally fine.

Coupe of things- ANY COMMENTS FROM OTHER GT AUTO OWNERS APPRECIATED:

1. Why won't the car downshift into 1st gear while rolling at about 30mph with stock gears? Is this programmed in the tune or a limit of the transmission? 1st Gear runs to about 45 mph and it seems like it should drop all the way to 1st (my 00 vette used to drop into 1st at 35mph and would shift into 2nd at about same 45mph)? Anyone?

2. Under one run while under WOT when car hit 2nd it seemed to shut down (saw TCS light on speedo flash) - think it was the TCS kicking in and pulled me back. Anyone else experience this? Should I run with TCS off?

Again - Anyone else with Auto's and Tune feel free to comment on above.

I'll post more once I get some more time driving under various conditions.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

i have an auto 07, last night i cut this with a JLT, brenspeed tune, and doug thorley shorties with no other mods, still stock 3.31's
R/T .512
60' 1.995
330 5.569
1/8 8.490
MPH 84.22
evidence enough that with a better 60' and little more gearing 12's are easily capable in the 1/4
barked hard into 2nd, chirped into 3rd and pulled HARD on the top end, i think with adjusting air pressure i can get into the 8.2's if i can drop my 60'

 

[ViperNuge]

I always drive with tcs off unless the roads are wet. I like feeling that tire spin every time I drive! Lol
I have that no downshift thing too. One of the pitfalls off an auto.
Patrick

 

[STANGmole]

You can't downshift to first at 30mph with the 5spd manual, why would the auto be different?

 

[1TUF2005GT]

My experience with other Automatics including my past C5 Corvette dropped into 1st up until about 35mph. With the 3.31 gearing in the Mustang Auto 30 mph is only about 4000 RPM's. I think if i punch it down at 50 mph it drops to 2nd and is actually at a higher RPM.

My main question though is this a function of the "tune" or a limitation somewhere else in the car or transmission?

 

[STANGmole]

I'm totally guessing...but I think it's a limitation of the transmission.

If you're sensitive about downshifting testdrive a Camaro SS...the pig of an automatic transmission they put in that car almost never downshifts when you want it to.

 

['08GTcaRED]

The manual has a lockout that will not allow you to shift into first once you are past 15mph I believe, though I have tried at 10mph and it is extremely difficult... Whether the auto is the same