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Changing tune on a Boss 302- red key question

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I have a 2012 Boss 302 with red and black keys that both work properly. I bought the car last year and tracked ut a few times and it has gone into limp mod a lot. Misfires etc. I expect it needs a crank sensor relearn. I though i wouls but a SCT X4 to do the relearn. They run $400 and i could buy it with some custom tunes. Note- car is stock intake to exhaust. Just springs, shifter, racing seat, and brake upgrades.
The question- I would like to be able to retain the red and black key functionality should I ever sell the car. Can I buy the sct x4 with some custom tunes, flash it , and be able to return it to stock in the future? And red and black keys work again ? The fact that there are 2 tunes in it as I understand has me concerned. So what do the experts think ?
Thanks !

Secondary question would be - who's tunes do you suggest ?


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I’d make sure you have the code issue resolved before installing a tune.

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Ok. Will do.
Thanks

Im assuming I can use the X4 on my stock tune to relearn crank sensor position .
Than swap tune.

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steveespo

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SCT X4 can be used to do crank relearn procedure without changing stock tune. With Red key tune it is possible to change to an aftermarket tune which will store the stock tune Red/Black key in the X4 until you switch back. If you are having misfire codes and limp modes you should investigate what those problems are prior to uploading any performance tune. Any reputable tuner will ask for data logs of the current configuration before writing an upgrade tune, and even then will ask to have new tune logged to fine tune. Shaun at AED is one of the best and will insist on this prelogging. This is to protect your engine and the tuners reputation, tuning an ailing motor is a sure way to have a broken motor. Check all of your spark plugs and wiring at the coils and fuel injectors. Also if misfires are specific cylinders, swap coil pack from the one that misfires to one that doesn’t. If Mia fire moves it is possibly the coil. If coils are bad replace as a set as they most likely will continue to fail.


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SCT X4 can be used to do crank relearn procedure without changing stock tune. With Red key tune it is possible to change to an aftermarket tune which will store the stock tune Red/Black key in the X4 until you switch back. If you are having misfire codes and limp modes you should investigate what those problems are prior to uploading any performance tune. Any reputable tuner will ask for data logs of the current configuration before writing an upgrade tune, and even then will ask to have new tune logged to fine tune. Shaun at AED is one of the best and will insist on this prelogging. This is to protect your engine and the tuners reputation, tuning an ailing motor is a sure way to have a broken motor. Check all of your spark plugs and wiring at the coils and fuel injectors. Also if misfires are specific cylinders, swap coil pack from the one that misfires to one that doesn’t. If Mia fire moves it is possibly the coil. If coils are bad replace as a set as they most likely will continue to fail.


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Thank you for that detailed information ! That's exactly what i wanted to know.

I get random misfires occasionally but mostly on track. Seems like the crank sensor needs to be recalibrated. There is no consistent cylinder. Figured I'd give this a try. Can't hurt anything. If the silver lining is possibly more power from a good 93 tune, even better !
I'll give him a call tomorrow

Thanks !!
Lee.

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Well looks like I need a plan b. This is the email I got back from Shawn. What fuel do you guys run with the red key? I run 93.




I will not tune road race vehicles on pump gas, and those using the track key on the road course with pump gas we regularly see engine damage from. The track key is for use with Race gas, not pump. That tune runs exceedingly lean and disables proper knock detection.



Shaun

AED



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After I blew the motor in my Boss 302 I only ran race gas on track after that...
Red key ? What caused the motor failure? Burn a hole in piston ?

If a car is running lean, why not just add 5% fuel across the board ? If it's detonating, then you add octane. Im surprised Shaun can't tune it for 93. You pull timing or add fuel. Not every car on a track requires race fuel . odd.

Anyway, I really dont want to run race fuel all the time. And I thought the red and black keys both made the same power so wouldn't the black key run lean too? Im surprised Ford would sell a track car that you can't run without race fuel. Maybe I missed it in the owners manual. Can I run it with the black key on 93?


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Damn! That sucks! Glad it was covered. I dont want a repeat of that so......gotta figure this out. I'll have to call shaun to discuss.
If a motor is low on fuel quantity, the octane doesn't matter. Octane is only detonation resistance. So, maybe he meant the lean was from a timing stand point and not fuel volume. He did mention no detonation feedback so more than likely thats what he meant. Adding Octane would help in that scenario. So are we talking 100 octane ? 96? 110?
What fuel are you running ?

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Thanks for the info ! I consider myself lucky at this point. Solid 24 hours of
on-track time on 93 red key and no problems so far.

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Gents,
I've run into a problem and need some expert opinions. I'm in the middle of my winter mods and just finished installing Kooks LT headers, catted H pipe and JLT series 2 CAI. Then when I tried to load my new Bama x4 custom tune an error message appeared stating that "This vehicle is not supported". Called the folks at Bama (SCT) and they said since my Boss has the Trackey, which is an aftermarket tune provided by Ford Performance, they cannot overwrite an aftermarket tune. They can only overwrite factory tunes. Only solution offered is to go to the Ford dealership and have them load the Boss factory tune (silver key only). Then the Bama tune will be able to load. Of course, my Trackey tune will be lost forever. Only other option offered is to return the tuner for a refund. Does AED and others have this same problem? Let me add that I tried both keys, silver and red, and the same error code appears.
 
Thanks. I'm moving down the path of reloading the factory tune. I've taken the Boss to two Ford dealerships and both were unable to load the factory tune. Good news is that they have been in contact with the Ford Service hotline (experts) and now have the proper procedure. Waiting for my service appointment later this week and hoping it all works out.
 

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