What did you do to your Boss 302 or S197 today?

[BackInBlack]

I got some pretty tragic news. It might be irrelevant to most people but long story short I put a 13 boss cluster in my 12 boss 5 years ago and til today was not able to get parameters like cylinder head Temps, oil Temps etc. I took it to a local dealer about a year ago and the master tech tried a few things with no luck. The bad news came in the form of my red key. I tried to use it after the master tech worked on it and the key wasn't programmed anymore. He tried to reprogram it with no avail. I took it to Galpin auto sports and they called ford performance and they told us we a SOL! Apparently ford discontinued the red key and if you take you boss to the dealer they deactivate it! This sounds ridiculous but it's the words coming straight from the guy at GAS. I'm baffled, and womdering if it is even legal for a company to do that to my property?? Im thinking my only option now is to tune the car so I can use it at the track which I was reluctant to do.

It sounds like Ford just reflashed the stock tune in efforts to fix your cluster problems. The Trackey manual has this message at the bottom:

** CAUTION: Do not reflash the PCM back to a production calibration unless specifically directed to do so by
the Ford Performance Techline (not FCSD). Once the PCM has been flashed back to a production calibration
you will not be able to re-install TracKey without a new voucher number.

Regarding your cluster, my understanding of that mod is that in order to get it working 100% you have to flash your car's PCM with a Ford 2013 tune -- and also have a compatible PCM (along with a 2013 VIN number to program it with). I know there are some who have done it successfully. IMO the payoff isn't worth the risk and effort.

I know there are a couple of places still selling the Procal / Trackey tune. Some are saying they were unable to redeem the voucher and I remember there's one guy here on TMO who was able to get one by speaking directly with Ford Performance.

I haven't done any of this stuff myself, just telling you what I've read. Considered doing the cluster myself but decided against it. Still thinking on taking a chance on getting a Trackey.

 

[Narek Nikoghosyan]

Thanks! I let the GAS guys know about the voucher, let's hope they can figure something out.

Regarding the cluster, I've given up for the most part, I've been chasing it for so long and I've only gone backwards.

 

[302BOB]

Good luck on your mission to get your trackey back......you will probably have to settle for an aftermarket tune of some kind............Trackey was the talk of the day when I ordered my Boss but I never came on board for a few reasons...........Number one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it wasn't an option I could get when I ordered my Boss and be ready to go When My Boss finally arrived......Big negative there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.........Number two......very few dealers had a clue how to enable Trackey once you got a voucher and lastly I never tracked my Boss so where was I going with this anyway???????????????.............I never had it so I will never miss it.............I just enjoy the Boss I got everyday............................................

 

[Narek Nikoghosyan]

Honestly only cool part of red key if you don't track it is the ghost cam haha it sounds soooooo good.

But on track I felt a huge difference with engine breaking and Throttle response. I drove without it on big willow and was absolutely struggling

 

[302BOB]

it is the ghost cam haha it sounds soooooo good.

The early versions of what Ford envisioned and wanted for the "lopey idle/ ghost cam for Trackey sounded wickedly awesome...........There was a vid of it back in the day, but I can't find it now.........That's what kept my interest in Trackey going !!!!!!!!!!.............Alas, Cali would have none of that and so we ended up with the Trackey we got..........better than nothing but not better than it could have been.................that sums up a lot of stuff............right????

 

[gusnav]

Honestly only cool part of red key if you don't track it is the ghost cam haha it sounds soooooo good.

But on track I felt a huge difference with engine breaking and Throttle response. I drove without it on big willow and was absolutely struggling

I second that, that engine breaking with the throttle response combination on the track only as a driver can be appreciated, I think break pedal pressure for me was less longevity on break pads that helps, and the throttle response on tight change of direction turns its a-lot of fun.

 

[WVTrakPak]

Been on the hunt for a Watson all year. Got one on here and just got it back from the powdercoater. Now to spend a bunch of time on YouTube. May just have my shop do it.

 

[BackInBlack]

@Narek Nikoghosyan Just wanted to mention -- I've heard that if you had previously backed up your OEM tune that had Trackey enabled, that it can be reflashed from your handheld tuner. This is not something I know from experience -- just something I've heard.

 

[BlazeBoss302]

@Narek Nikoghosyan Just wanted to mention -- I've heard that if you had previously backed up your OEM tune that had Trackey enabled, that it can be reflashed from your handheld tuner. This is not something I know from experience -- just something I've heard.

Yeah I’m in the exact same boat as the OP since my BCM fried i’ll need a new flash. My red key was tuned with Addiction and hopefully when I just reload it my red key is back. FP said im screwed lol

 

[cobrarob]

Started winter weight savings. Took off about 60 lbs. Everything gone but the inside skin.Gutting stock hood also hopefully another 15-20…we’ll see.
Lexan from Amazon for transport and winter cruzes

 

[BackInBlack]

Road trip!

 

[302BOB]

Is that somebody hitch hiking?????????????.............Don't forget the ice..............it may come in handy along the way..............happy Trails.............where ever they my lead.................

 

[wdrlaw]

Installed a four-point roll/harness bar from CMS. Hardest part was removing and re-installing the front seats. Other than cross-threading one bolt this was easy-peasy--even with my sixty-nine-year-old back. Definitely feeling @blacksheep-1 this morning--hope you are on the mend!

 

[Mike_FL]

Installed a four-point roll/harness bar from CMS. Hardest part was removing and re-installing the front seats. Other than cross-threading one bolt this was easy-peasy--even with my sixty-nine-year-old back. Definitely feeling @blacksheep-1 this morning--hope you are on the mend!

Do you have any pictures? Would like to see how it bolts to the car. Can’t seem to find much about the CMS bar in the S197

 

[wdrlaw]

Do you have any pictures? Would like to see how it bolts to the car. Can’t seem to find much about the CMS bar in the S197

I'll try to post one on my build page tonight. You can download the installation instructions at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jlom...ions.pdf?rlkey=9eo6qenpbkbw6hcivphs9jax8&dl=0

The instructions are clear, except that the second reference to rear seat belts should be to rear shoulder belts. Since the upper mounting bolt for them is all but inaccessible, CMS says tape the buckle to the belt and hide it behind the trim panel. I was a little concerned that the rear post (CMS calls them kickers) attaches to the floor with a single M8 bolt, but the entire assembly feels stout as hell. I don't have a rear seat delete installed yet, so I hear every squeak, creak and groan from the trunk. Next project.