5 Star Tune

[DGShaffer]

Reading a thread in another forum here on IRV2 about the power available in the Ford V-10 one reply spoke about the advantages of this product.

To be honest, I'm actually happy with the amount of power that my V-10 puts out. Having an Outlaw, there are times I have it loaded down while pulling my Jetta on a tow dolly and still, I find it acceptable.

However, what I always have an issue with is the way it shifts. I find myself more often controlling it with pedal position as well as using the shift lever. Leaving the cruise control engaged on anything but near flat terrain is out of the question.

So I looked up and read every review I could find on the internet about this product and what I found was pretty rare for a company that's been in business for as long as they've been, not a single regret or complaint from anyone that cared to take the time to write about their experience. An this is not a product specific to RV's but rather specific to our little V-10 engine (although they do offer products for diesel motors).

My next step was to contact the name thrown about on the internet with great admiration, Mike. As they all wrote, he's a great guy to deal with. Very knowledgeable about his product as well as the engine and transmissions his product was designed around.

Trying to keep from being an impulse buyer, I asked questions and got a comfortable feeling about the man and his product and then said my good byes. I read some more, thought about it over night, thought about it during the day today, and finally called him back. Dang... voice mail! No message, I'll try again later and hung up. Five minutes later the phone rings and it's Mike, returning a missed call.

After a brief conversation where he told me how he actually took the time to go through my photos and commented about my travels we got down to business and finalized my order. I'm told that the unit will go out tomorrow and I should have it Tuesday. I leave Jersey for a 2400 mile round trip to the Gulf for Christmas in 8 days!

I'll be sure to record my mileage to see if there's any affect there but what I'm really looking for is to see how the power and transmission shifting is affected.

[rbracing60]

would be interested in hearing about your results, keep us informed.

safe travels

[DGShaffer]

As promised, the unit was shipped on Friday and arrived on Monday.

I installed it per the directions and it took all of about 15 minutes to complete. I can already notice a difference in engine acceleration just by punching the pedal sitting in the driveway.

I'm excited to see what the transmission feels like.

More to come!

[DGShaffer]

So here it goes.
I'm 1,280 into my trip with the Outlaw and my newly installed 5 Star Tune. I have to say that it feels like a different motor home. The amount of raw power seems to be improved greatly however It may be due to the change in the shifting characteristics.

I'm thoroughly impressed with this product. For the price, I'll go as far as to say this was the best addition I've made to my Damon. I'm actually able to use my cruise control without having to pull it off when coming to an incline.That in itself is worth the price of admission! Not once did it shift to where the RPM jumped into that 4,000 plus gear that made it sound like it was going to explode. Pulling up hills at near 60 MPH running at 3,200 RPM was just incredible.

If Mike had a way to allow me to use this for the trip and then told me when I got back that it would cost $1.000 to keep it, I'd write him a check.


If you have a stock V-10 and feel like you're unhappy with the power and the annoying shifting schedule, you need to get this tune. Read the reviews, talk to Mike, ask question. You'll not find a single reason not to do this.

[coffeeman]

If you have a stock V-10 and feel like you're unhappy with the power and the annoying shifting schedule, you need to get this tune. Read the reviews, talk to Mike, ask question. You'll not find a single reason not to do this.

Agree with you completely, product and support well worth the $$$. I had an issue 3,000 miles from home with the engine bogging while in the Canyons and Utah Thought it may be too lean for elevation so I emailed Mike. He responded thinking it may be an air sensor. Anyway drove it for a day and as soon as I hit higher elevation it bogged again. Found a shop in Glendale,UT and the MAF was shot. Point I'm making is not only did Mike respond he also diagnosed correctly. I'm very please with 5 Star and their team. The tuner really makes the drive more relaxing as well

[rbracing60]

thaks for keeping the information comming, it is always good to hear about real world experiences. Will have to look into the mod for myself.

thanks again

safe travels

[BpK9Miami]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGShaffer So here it goes. I'm 1,280 into my trip with the Outlaw and my newly installed 5 Star Tune. I have to say that it feels like a different motor home. The amount of raw power seems to be improved greatly however It may be due to the change in the shifting characteristics. I'm thoroughly impressed with this product. For the price, I'll go as far as to say this was the best addition I've made to my Damon. I'm actually able to use my cruise control without having to pull it off when coming to an incline.That in itself is worth the price of admission! Not once did it shift to where the RPM jumped into that 4,000 plus gear that made it sound like it was going to explode. Pulling up hills at near 60 MPH running at 3,200 RPM was just incredible. If Mike had a way to allow me to use this for the trip and then told me when I got back that it would cost $1.000 to keep it, I'd write him a check. If you have a stock V-10 and feel like you're unhappy with the power and the annoying shifting schedule, you need to get this tune. Read the reviews, talk to Mike, ask question. You'll not find a single reason not to do this.

Darn, wish I had watched this thread before I came down from Texas. I've had that same annoying shifting pattern since the day I brought the HH home from the dealer. Going through the Smokies last year drove me nuts with the shifting, although the power was never an issue. Looks like I'm going to be making a call to Mike about my Diesel.

Y'all have convinced me.

[howdja]

I heartily concur with the positive results from 5 star. Mine has been in about 9 months and I continue to be extremely satisfied with both the acceleration and the much improved shift points. I've saw no immediate MPG improvement after install, but have been seeing a .5 or .6 mpg increase lately. Probably due to the motor getting broken in. While it's a 2006 coach, it only had 3,000 miles on it when we bought it. Now have 14,000 and am seeing the MPG get a little better.

[DGShaffer]

I may have gotten slightly better mileage but I would attribute it to greater power through the hills requiring less throttle combined with a more efficient shifting schedule.

No matter though since it just fells a whole lot better than it did.

[Pirate]

I was a bit paranoid about having a faulty program which could lock me out of the computer, a no-start situation. Mike assured me that there are procedures to take care of such unlikely situations. I can't wait to take mine on a trip. It's reprogrammed, needing some highway time now.

[DGShaffer]

I brought my X3 unit with me on my trip just in case. It's easy to upload your stock program

[Pirate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGShaffer I brought my X3 unit with me on my trip just in case. It's easy to upload your stock program

I'll do you one better. I downloaded the stock program (copied) from the X3 to my confusers just in case......

[billyb]

well i got my x3 last wednesday and got it done and just drove to mb ,525 miles and the mh never shifted down to 3rd on the trip, and mostly only went up to 2500 rpm when dropping down. gas mileage looks to be about .06 0r so better as i held my speed to 55 to 56 mph. 57 gallons to go 525 miles , seems great so far.

[DGShaffer]

Glad to hear it. i installed mine before a 2300 mile trip where I traveled down and back through the Appalachians in Virginia and Tennessee. I've made that trip a few times prior to the install and the difference was well worth the price and more in my opinion.