Ford’s encrypted Mustang difficult to tune

AS ONE of the most ‘tuned’ cars in history, Ford’s Mustang has been a favourite of performance car enthusiasts for decades with countless modifications added under the pony car’s bonnet to make it faster and quicker. 

This extends from a simple muffler change for a sporty exhaust note right through to force feeding or an engine transplant to a larger capacity ‘race’ motor with 1000hp (735kW).

Modified ‘Stangs became so popular, Ford itself got in on the act decades ago offering their own performance enhanced models and options, something that has continued to this day.

That choice may all be coming to an end as Ford complies with federally enforced emissions regulations coming into play across the US.

So-called “locked” Electronic Control Units (ECUs), are quickly being adopted in the US to help manufacturers, including Ford, comply and to prevent third party changes to a car’s factory tune.

It has implications not only for performance tuners but also the non-OEM repair industry.

The clampdown on tuneable ECUs in the US is forcing software providers to withdraw online information associated with performance tuning. 

Cobb Tuning, one of the largest US (and global) suppliers of tuning software and components for enthusiasts, has restricted access to specific engine tables and emissions-related systems via its Accesstuner software. 

It means that tuners can no longer modify or remove components such as O2 (oxygen) sensors, exhaust gas temperature sensors, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) systems, or diagnostic trouble codes.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has become more active in pursuing the automotive aftermarket of late and OEMs are responding in advance.

Ford has taken matters into their own hands relating to the tune-ability of the new S650 Mustang and has, according to Mustang’s chief engineer made it, “much more difficult to tune,” due to the adoption of new electrical architecture, which is totally encrypted. 

According to US publication Road and Track (R&T), the new Mustang that debuted in the US a month uses largely carried over powertrains but the electrical architecture switches over to Ford's Fully Networked Vehicle (FNV) architecture.

Bad news for a legion of third-party tuners globally.

R&T says Mustang’s Chief Engineer, Ed Krenz told a Ford forum that the switch to FNV means the entire electrical system is encrypted (purportedly) to protect user data, and if the system suspects someone is trying to modify its code, it can shut a component or the whole vehicle down entirely. 

For hard core tuners it means you could make extensive modifications and upgrades to your S650 but you won’t be able to tune it for optimum performance… simple as that.

According to R&T, this doesn't mean there won't be ways to extract more from your S650 Mustang. They'll just have to be factory-sanctioned. 

Ford offers factory-approved tunes for the current Mustang's 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder and a number of aftermarket upgrades for the 5.0-litre V8.

Through Ford Performance the company even sells a supercharger kit for the V8. R&T says those sort of offerings will likely continue for the new Mustang, and Krenz added that Ford is open to working with additional third-party tuners, but Ford is totally in the driver’s seat in this regard and will structure any changes to suit their own and federal US emissions regulations.

R&T says it's a bit of a mixed bag for consumers and performance car enthusiasts as there will still be ways to get more out of the Mustang, but there won't be as much choice as before.

The publication says: “It's the same story with the new Corvette, which also uses a modern and well-locked-down electrical architecture.”

“For tuning companies, it's tough. As automotive electronics advance and the need for greater security increases, tuning companies will need to comply with automakers, and that's only if the automakers are willing to entertain performance enhancement in the first place.”