I finally installed the Whipple tune on my Bronco Raptor with 2400 miles and without any other modifications to the powertrain. I have driven about 70 miles with the tune installed over 4 beautiful 40 degree days. I have the Whipple Intercooler ready to install over the winter but wanted to initially just try the tune in cold weather.
You first need to purchase the Whipple Tomahawk tuning device, but it arrives without a tune, yes an empty SD card. You need to follow the Tomahawk included directions and hook it up to your Bronco Raptor for the Tomahawk to read the VIN number *.REQ file, then email that file to Whipple. Appears this *.REQ file simply captures the VIN # for confirmation for Whipple to associate to the tune. Whipple emailed the tune file to me within a day of the request. Once you have the tune file from Whipple the remaining portion of the installation/tuning process is on your time schedule. The process is easy just follow the included directions.
Installation of the tune with the Whipple Tomahawk device took less than 10 minutes before receiving the highly anticipated “Module programming complete!” message.
Simply follow the prompts:
As it's programming there is this status count to 100%
Per instructions I had the Tomahawk read for DTC errors, there wasn’t any found, but I choose to delete (clear) anyways, can’t hurt right... Instructions advised there may be possible errors at startup, I didn’t receive any.
First time driving the exhaust modes didn’t work, restarted half dozen times but didn’t resolve. So I decided to try installing the tune a second time because I was concerned of what else could be missing that’s impossible to easily identify like the exhaust modes. The 2nd tune (retune) also resulted in no DTC errors, however upon startup I did receive errors that just as quickly vanished on the digital instrument panel, I wish I would have been taking a video, but now the exhaust modes worked. I then cautiously proceeded to drive another 10 miles to my next stop. After restarting and no visible errors I started gaining confidence with the tune installation success.
Normal mode seems to hold the gears a little longer, downshifting about the same but overall this seems like a much better Normal mode for a performance vehicle. I typically only drive in Normal mode until engine is close to its optimum operating temperature, keeping engine RPM’s lower allowing the engine internals to get hot and comfy. Then it’s Sport mode, and in my case that’s “R” mode.
So far, I’ve only used Normal and Sport mode in my Bronco Raptor. Sport mode is considerably more Fun post tune. You don’t need test numbers to notice the drastic increase in performance. The torque delivery is smooth and by 3k the increase is very obvious in sound, speed, and the force planting your back into the seat. The acceleration in the 3-5k rpm range is quite fast with quick/solid shifts, this is your WOW moment as you remind yourself you’re in a 6000 pound off road 4x4 with 37 inch tires. That mid-range acceleration is very similar to most modern day sports cars.
The upshifts seem quicker, appropriate to your acceleration, however the downshifts while still offering the rev-matching are softer. It’s ok and maybe better for the driveline, but I wish it was the same as stock. I would like to know if it’s a relatively easy programming change to restore the more aggressive solid downshifts.
Prior to the tune, the air inlet vs air charged temp was usually in the 5-15 degree differential, with the air charge temp always warmer. However post tune, at any steady driving speed the temps are identical and sometimes the air charge temp is even lower. For some reason post tune the shutters are staying open, this seems to be a Good thing. On acceleration in the 3-5k range the air charge temp will get to ~20 degrees higher but quickly cools down when you stop accelerating which doesn’t take very long. When I tried full throttle once it exceeded 5k the air charge temperature with the stock intercooler starts rising rapidly even in 40 degree weather, one run to ~6300 took air charge temperature to 120 degrees quickly. I proved to myself we really don't need the exterior shutters on the intercooler, at least for performance. I now know I really need to install the Whipple intercooler.
I never noticed the air/fuel ratio in stock tune to vary from 14, or maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention, but now at a steady speed it toggles between 14 & 13, so a little richer mixture. On off-throttle coasting it will go as high as 25 and I have seen as low as 11 momentarily. I wish I would have taken notice in stock tune.
As expected, under 2k rpms there doesn’t seem like much noticeable difference in power as seen in the dyno graph below. At 2500 rpms the Whipple tune continues to increase in HP & Torque over stock, this is exactly where I feel the Bronco Raptor continue to pull hard. Overall very happy with the Whipple tune but I’m expecting to be happier post the larger Whipple intercooler installation.
Above dyno source: SVTPerformance
Update: 11/14/23, added below dyno chart from Whipple, note both these dyno charts include pulls with the Whipple intercooler and tune.
Based on Ford's ratings of 418 HP and 440 ft/lbs Torque, with the pull above using 93 Octane that is an estimated 490 HP and 530 ft/lbs Torque.
Updated May 14, 2024
Whipple Mega Cooler installation and lessons learned.
www.broncoraptor.com
You first need to purchase the Whipple Tomahawk tuning device, but it arrives without a tune, yes an empty SD card. You need to follow the Tomahawk included directions and hook it up to your Bronco Raptor for the Tomahawk to read the VIN number *.REQ file, then email that file to Whipple. Appears this *.REQ file simply captures the VIN # for confirmation for Whipple to associate to the tune. Whipple emailed the tune file to me within a day of the request. Once you have the tune file from Whipple the remaining portion of the installation/tuning process is on your time schedule. The process is easy just follow the included directions.
Installation of the tune with the Whipple Tomahawk device took less than 10 minutes before receiving the highly anticipated “Module programming complete!” message.
Simply follow the prompts:
As it's programming there is this status count to 100%
Per instructions I had the Tomahawk read for DTC errors, there wasn’t any found, but I choose to delete (clear) anyways, can’t hurt right... Instructions advised there may be possible errors at startup, I didn’t receive any.
First time driving the exhaust modes didn’t work, restarted half dozen times but didn’t resolve. So I decided to try installing the tune a second time because I was concerned of what else could be missing that’s impossible to easily identify like the exhaust modes. The 2nd tune (retune) also resulted in no DTC errors, however upon startup I did receive errors that just as quickly vanished on the digital instrument panel, I wish I would have been taking a video, but now the exhaust modes worked. I then cautiously proceeded to drive another 10 miles to my next stop. After restarting and no visible errors I started gaining confidence with the tune installation success.
Normal mode seems to hold the gears a little longer, downshifting about the same but overall this seems like a much better Normal mode for a performance vehicle. I typically only drive in Normal mode until engine is close to its optimum operating temperature, keeping engine RPM’s lower allowing the engine internals to get hot and comfy. Then it’s Sport mode, and in my case that’s “R” mode.
So far, I’ve only used Normal and Sport mode in my Bronco Raptor. Sport mode is considerably more Fun post tune. You don’t need test numbers to notice the drastic increase in performance. The torque delivery is smooth and by 3k the increase is very obvious in sound, speed, and the force planting your back into the seat. The acceleration in the 3-5k rpm range is quite fast with quick/solid shifts, this is your WOW moment as you remind yourself you’re in a 6000 pound off road 4x4 with 37 inch tires. That mid-range acceleration is very similar to most modern day sports cars.
The upshifts seem quicker, appropriate to your acceleration, however the downshifts while still offering the rev-matching are softer. It’s ok and maybe better for the driveline, but I wish it was the same as stock. I would like to know if it’s a relatively easy programming change to restore the more aggressive solid downshifts.
Prior to the tune, the air inlet vs air charged temp was usually in the 5-15 degree differential, with the air charge temp always warmer. However post tune, at any steady driving speed the temps are identical and sometimes the air charge temp is even lower. For some reason post tune the shutters are staying open, this seems to be a Good thing. On acceleration in the 3-5k range the air charge temp will get to ~20 degrees higher but quickly cools down when you stop accelerating which doesn’t take very long. When I tried full throttle once it exceeded 5k the air charge temperature with the stock intercooler starts rising rapidly even in 40 degree weather, one run to ~6300 took air charge temperature to 120 degrees quickly. I proved to myself we really don't need the exterior shutters on the intercooler, at least for performance. I now know I really need to install the Whipple intercooler.
I never noticed the air/fuel ratio in stock tune to vary from 14, or maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention, but now at a steady speed it toggles between 14 & 13, so a little richer mixture. On off-throttle coasting it will go as high as 25 and I have seen as low as 11 momentarily. I wish I would have taken notice in stock tune.
As expected, under 2k rpms there doesn’t seem like much noticeable difference in power as seen in the dyno graph below. At 2500 rpms the Whipple tune continues to increase in HP & Torque over stock, this is exactly where I feel the Bronco Raptor continue to pull hard. Overall very happy with the Whipple tune but I’m expecting to be happier post the larger Whipple intercooler installation.
Above dyno source: SVTPerformance
Update: 11/14/23, added below dyno chart from Whipple, note both these dyno charts include pulls with the Whipple intercooler and tune.
Based on Ford's ratings of 418 HP and 440 ft/lbs Torque, with the pull above using 93 Octane that is an estimated 490 HP and 530 ft/lbs Torque.
Updated May 14, 2024
Whipple Mega Cooler installation and lessons learned.
Whipple Mega Cooler Install - lessons learned
Installed the Whipple Mega Cooler Intercooler over the winter. Since it was in winter storage I took my time and tried to maximize the directed airflow thru the intercooler to increase it's efficiency. I did this installation by myself and here are a few things I learned along the way. You do...
www.broncoraptor.com
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