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Old 01-08-2022, 10:25 AM   #1
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UPFord - Power upgrade F53

Anyone used the power tune provided by ultrarv products, called UPFORD - Ford V10 Ultrapower upgrade? I am constantly battling shifting uphill and down that seems unnecessary, somewhat harsh and stress-inducing. I am not too concerned about gaining gas mileage, although that would be a nice benefit. I really just would like a smoother engine experience in my 2011 Sightseer 35J. It seems to want to scream at me sometimes! Thanks in advance...Chris
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Old 01-08-2022, 04:37 PM   #2
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I have the 5-Star tune. It mostly makes my 2017 faster from a start. And it does use a little more gas. However, you have the 5-speed transmission which why you have this problem. I have the 6-speed which came out in 2016. And this makes a huge difference.

I’ve owned RVs with both the 5-sp and the 6-sp and there is a world of difference in the shift mapping.

When I owned the RV with the 5-sp I did not buy the 5-Star, but I’ve been told since that it does wonders for the 5-Sp shifting profile.
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Old 01-09-2022, 12:51 PM   #3
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That's good info...I appreciate it and I think I'll give it a shot! Chris
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Old 01-09-2022, 03:07 PM   #4
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The 5-Star tune helps a lot with the shift patterns on the 5 speed transmission. I don't think it makes a difference on gas mileage or power, but I wasn't looking for that anyway. It does help with that extremely annoying downshift from 5th to 3rd and 4900 rpm at every slight uphill, which to me is worth the price.
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Old 01-10-2022, 07:45 AM   #5
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The 5-Star tune helps a lot with the shift patterns on the 5 speed transmission. I don't think it makes a difference on gas mileage or power, but I wasn't looking for that anyway. It does help with that extremely annoying downshift from 5th to 3rd and 4900 rpm at every slight uphill, which to me is worth the price.
Thanks for that...that's exactly what I'm concerned about also!
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Old 01-10-2022, 09:14 AM   #6
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I have a 2013 F53 V10 (22k GVW) with the 5 speed trani, and the 5-star tune made a world of difference. Now when I come to a small hill I hear the engine start to growl, but not shift to the high revs. And even on actual hills it drops down to around 3K RPM, not 4-5K! It has more power, and I get slightly better mileage. I also have a ScanGauge display, and the MPG at high RPMs is always lower than at lower RPMs, so the increase in MPG makes sense. All good. Get the 5-star and calm your driving experience. Made the DW happier as well - priceless!
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Old 01-10-2022, 01:33 PM   #7
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Great feedback from all...Yes, I think $500 is worth the wife not screaming at me and demanding why the RV is screaming at her!!! I went ahead with the purchase and look forward to putting the tune in place for our upcoming trip from OK to Key West.
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Old 01-10-2022, 03:13 PM   #8
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I went ahead with the purchase and look forward to putting the tune in place for our upcoming trip from OK to Key West.
Heck, that trip is all downhill you don’t even need an engine on the way to Key West. Going home maybe a bit different but hey, it’s Key West! Just sell the RV and live there.
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Old 01-10-2022, 03:21 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by wyocamper View Post
The 5-Star tune helps a lot with the shift patterns on the 5 speed transmission. I don't think it makes a difference on gas mileage or power, but I wasn't looking for that anyway. It does help with that extremely annoying downshift from 5th to 3rd and 4900 rpm at every slight uphill, which to me is worth the price.
The same for me. It also improves the in town shift pattern. For me it was WELL worth the money.
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Old 01-13-2022, 10:04 AM   #10
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I can say that this tuner was the best $500 spent on my RV. It remaps the transmission shift points and adjusts the timing. It holds a gear longer and does not downshift so early. The timing adjustment increases HP a little, but the trans reprogramming is the most valuable. I have about 5K miles using it and really like what it does.
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Old 04-23-2022, 12:27 AM   #11
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Creativepart:
I am using a 6.8L V10 in a 2017 Class C Cambria and thinking about the UPFORD Tuning System. Would like to know if you are still happy with that Tune System. We are NOT in Key West, but have a 1800 mile trip uphill to Quebec City at the end of May. Keen to hear your comments on the System. BTW, am a little concerned about the V10s reported tendency to eject spark plugs. Unsure if there is any connection but want to be safe as we all do. Thoughts???
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Old 04-23-2022, 07:23 AM   #12
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Well, I don’t have the Upford Tune, I have the 5-Star Tune. So I can’t really answer your question. Also, since you have a 2017 I’d assume you have the 6-speed transmission.

The change from the previous 5-sp to 6-sp transmission on the 2016 Ford F53 chassis (most 2017 RVs) took away much of the most positive benefits of these engine tune products.

I don’t consider my 5-Star Tune all that important.

And, I’ve never heard of the spark plug ejection problem to be related to tunes in general or even to be that common an issue. But I’m no expert.
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Old 04-23-2022, 10:00 AM   #13
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Ultra RV products

As I noted, this retune is a dramatic improvement in both engine performance and trans shifting.
Give it a try!
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Old 04-23-2022, 01:49 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by cthiggy View Post
Creativepart:
I am using a 6.8L V10 in a 2017 Class C Cambria and thinking about the UPFORD Tuning System. Would like to know if you are still happy with that Tune System. We are NOT in Key West, but have a 1800 mile trip uphill to Quebec City at the end of May. Keen to hear your comments on the System. BTW, am a little concerned about the V10s reported tendency to eject spark plugs. Unsure if there is any connection but want to be safe as we all do. Thoughts???
My understanding is that problem was in much earlier version of the V10 and not related to the V10 in a 2017 coach.
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Old 04-23-2022, 03:25 PM   #15
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Perhaps give them a call. They are good people.
Your newer vehicle may not benefit enough to warrant the tuner alone.
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Old 04-24-2022, 08:44 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cthiggy View Post
Creativepart:
I am using a 6.8L V10 in a 2017 Class C Cambria and thinking about the UPFORD Tuning System. Would like to know if you are still happy with that Tune System. We are NOT in Key West, but have a 1800 mile trip uphill to Quebec City at the end of May. Keen to hear your comments on the System. BTW, am a little concerned about the V10s reported tendency to eject spark plugs. Unsure if there is any connection but want to be safe as we all do. Thoughts???
Hi,

Yes, it did help and avoided the huge shift while climbing and the engine SCREAM. I'm not sure if it helped with gas mileage as that wasn't my main concern. Overall, I'm pleased and would recommend it. I haven't heard of anyone that provides negative feedback and think it's a safe bet that it will improve your overall driving experience.
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Old 04-24-2022, 09:00 AM   #17
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,Yes, it did help and avoided the huge shift while climbing and the engine SCREAM.
Because your RV has the 5-speed transmission the various engine tunes make a massive improvement in hill climbing and their main benefit is changing the shift points that caused the transmission to make a huge downshift on hills.

In 2016 Ford changed the transmission to a 6-speed and this has alleviated that huge downshift on hills. Not all of it but most of it, at least. As a result these tune products are not nearly as much of an improvement for RVs made in 2017 and later.

(The chassis in our RVs is usually a year older than the RV model year, so even though Ford changed the transmission in 2016, this change doesn’t usually appear until the 2017 model year.)
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