Mustang Evolution Forum banner

BAMA- What are you really getting from them?

66K views 616 replies 59 participants last post by  RAIDERBILLT 
#1 ·
Hey all, as some of you know, I am starting a write-up on BAMA tunes, my experience with them, how they compare to MPT, and everything else outside and in between.
Alex from AM was kind enough to hook me up with a free trial tuner (Shout out to AM for all they do for us forum guys), and it arrived today. I made my car bone-stock for a few weeks leading up to this so I could really get a good comparison and feel for the tune. (I have 3.31 gears from the factory).
Customer service - Bama was nothing but polite when I spoke to them on the phone, quick and easy, polite, even helped me find my 4-digit computer code in my engine bay. Friendly, talkative, an overall positive experience. That was Monday in the late afternoon, and they started work on my tunes on Tuesday. Thursday afternoon it shipped.
Today, Friday, the tuner arrived (24 hours from them to me, being in NY has its advantages for once). I put in my Airaid Cold Air Intake, and drove that around for a bit. No noticeable gains or difference besides the "whoosh" noise, which really isn't that loud IMO. When I got back, my private parts delivery man (AKA UPS guy) had just dropped off a package from AM, the tuner ( SCT SF4/X4).
I plugged it into my car, selected 93R tune, and began the tuning process. Couldn't be easier, literally "plug-and-play". After it loaded, I waited a few seconds, turned the car on, and sat for a few minutes watch my RPMs. No idle surges. Stock my car would actually idle surge a bit, with the tune it did not once in 3 timed minutes I watched it for.
After letting the car run for a bit, I took it for a quick spin before work. It just FELT better driving around side streets, the shifts were much better, and that god awful kicking-from-behind shift at low speeds was gone thank God. I took it on a few 1/8 mile long straight-aways where I could gun it, and HOLY JESUS, I was blown away. This thing is not the same car. I even picked my dad up to show him, and he was blown away too. It is much, much quicker in a straight line, once you hit 3,000 RPMs you shoot like a rocket, I had to be careful as the tires were trying to break loose and I was on a public road at 3PM.... down the block from a school.... maybe not the best test area... LOL. Anywho, I did that a few times and my 0-60 times were much improved. Bone stock I clocked in at 0-60 in 5.9, 3 times. With the CAI only, I got 5.8, 6.0, and 6.1. With the tune + CAI, I got 5.3, 5.1, and 5.25. I used the g-tac and pocketdyno apps for Iphone to time myself, and it is as close to accurate as I can get on an iphone. I have an OBDII dongle in the mail from amazon to get some "dyno" HP/TQ numbers in next week.
I will be testing it out once I get out of work tonight, and go on a few highway cruises and do some more testing. I am hoping for some "dyno" numbers next week, and I will be taking a long road trip up to NH and will get some MPG numbers for you all. Any questions, comments, suggestions, you name it leave 'em here, I'm always on and have the app for my phone so I will respond ASAP always.
 
See less See more
#494 ·
I just bought a automatic 2014 v6 and it doesnt peel out, it should have 305hp and I have turned the traction control off and the advance track off aswell and put it in sport mode and the tires dont even chirp! Will getting a bama tune solve this little probem?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Mustang Evolution mobile app
 
#496 ·
I just bought a automatic 2014 v6 and it doesnt peel out, it should have 305hp and I have turned the traction control off and the advance track off aswell and put it in sport mode and the tires dont even chirp! Will getting a bama tune solve this little probem?
LECHERO369-Bama can absolutely get you to burn some rubber! Shoot them a call and they can get you set up!

Cool !! Thanks man. I think my tune is very simple, just a CAI and muffler delete.
That shouldn't be an issue for them what so ever!

Alex
 
#498 ·
Even tho I love my MPT tune I'm finally gonna give Bama another try. I will try out these new tunes after my gear install tomorrow. While I won't be hotting the dyno again for awhile we shall see how it compares to my MPT tune. I will say this tho, if it doesn't work out this time it will be my last time doing anything with Bama! Promise you that! Lol
 
#499 ·
Good luck, deff. work with Paul the head tuning specialist!

I need to get these headers on and dyno!!! Just need my buddy to get some time off work :(
After that I really don't know where to go next.... I guess front bumper conversion then save up for FI.... or trade in for a GT in a year or 2
 
#502 ·
Hoping to get my headers installed this Thursday/Friday. Haven't had a chance recently.

I did pass my police test though!! And the physical. I am going for fingerprinting and investigation tomorrow morning !!!

Sent from my 831C using Mustang Evolution mobile app
 
#505 ·
Goytcha, we congrats anyway. If I ever end up in Long Island I'll be glad I know you! ;-)

You'll love the way the headers make the car feel. Plus the soumd is much more muscular.
 
#506 ·
So I tried out the new Bama tunes and while they are getting better they are still way behind MPT performance wise. There customer service seems to be better through email (even though I'm still waiting 3 days later for a response to do datalogs). Power seems to be available through the entire rpm range but nothing I would rave about. My MPT tune with push you in your seat and has great throttle response and more power throughout the rpm range. Also my Bama tunes cause a rough start up. This has always been the case with them and I was hoping this would be fixed. I will give them one try to do some datalogs and if they never get back to me then oh well. Doesn't matter to me as long as I have my MPT tunes.
 
#507 ·
Hook me up with your info and I'll make sure that Bama's lead calibrator looks at your logs. The Bama team has and is continuing to put a ton of effort into the 2011-2015 V6 tunes and I know we've had a ton of reports of our tunes feeling the same or stronger than multiple competitors. I'm sure they'll get you squared away!

Shoot me an email to chris[dot]rose[at]americanmuscle[dot]com with your order number and I'll make sure it gets escalated!

Make sure that you report back here in the thread and let us know how the datalogging went and how the tunes are performing for you!

Chris
 
#514 ·
I guess Bama is either getting really busy or they are understaffed because I sent for some new tunes to correct the idle issue I'm having. The email confirmation says it will be 5-7 business days before I get it! Used to be 2-3.... :-/
 
#515 ·
Yeah the last time I got one from them it took a good week. Wasn't too worried about it as I had my MPT ready to go. I only got the new Bama so I could keep a tune for my winter wheels/ tires as I only bought 1 MPT tune.
 
#518 ·
You probably could but the shorties really aren't that much different than the stock manifolds as far as flow.

Not sure how much good it would do, but it's free to do it so why not.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Mustang Evolution mobile app
 
#519 ·
Oh datalogs can help anyone. Even people with identical setups will get different results from dataloging. I really need to get one done, but alas I don't have a computer lol
 
#520 ·
Random question: can you do a datalong without using your laptop? In other words, through your phone/tablet? - I have torque app, ans I downloaded TSX app, already have bluetooth OBD 2 adaptor but couldn't do anything as far as data logging go. Don't have sct x4 either.

|| ~BlackOnBlack~ ||
 
#523 ·
Not sure about Bama but MPT requires you to have a laptop connected during datalog because of the file they send you to log with. It's very accurate and helps them more than using just the tuner if the tuner you have is capable to log. That's what remote tuning is basically and it's the best way to get email tunes dailed in to your preference imo as your using actual conditions unlike a dyno with a fan.
 
#529 ·
Yeah like VIG said the cats would likely clog with over rich exhaust and then you'd have bigger issues down the line.

As for adaptive learning, I've asked Bama, MPT, Steeda and Lund. They all say no it can't be turned off. It can be overwritten but it will start to adjust itself over time.

I'm wondering if what that guy meant was turning off Skip Shift?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Mustang Evolution mobile app
 
#530 ·
Hmm makes sense folks, but I'm still wondering whats the role of front o2 sensor then? - is it before cats?

Joey: I'm pretty sure he meant adaptive learning since I was talking about doing a dyno pull on stock tune, before and after pulling fuse 47 out due to adaptive learning. This is where he was like you should get it turned off in your tune (he know I have a manual). He knows mustangs inside out, and he's the best tuner around.

|| ~BlackOnBlack~ ||
 
#531 · (Edited)
The upstream sensors (front ones before cats) affect how the car runs. It's measuring the oxygen and fuel in the exhaust. The downstream ones (back ones after cats) are for measuring catalytic converter efficiency. The upstream and downstream numbers are fed to the ECU and it compares the numbers between them to determine catalytic converter efficiency.


Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#534 ·
Love reading this post! Really make me want a tuner on my mustang but it's bone stock right now. Maybe down the road after some mods. First things on the list are CAI and better exhaust. I was a bit skeptical about getting the v6 but it has been a blast to drive!!! I can only imagine how good it will be when I start adding things. I would love to hear about some experiences with tunes and the manual v6's. Pretty much anything I've read has been guys with autos. Can't wait to see the dyno results too. Also, I have the utmost respect for Alex from AM. His effort with everyone has definitely won my business. Keep up the good work!!


Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#535 ·
I'd get the tuner first. Get that and with BAMAS free tune for life every time you do a modification you can just send in for a new tune no problem. Now you could get shortie headers with out really needing a tune and an intake will give you some sound and a small boost in power but set you back more than half the cost of the tuner which is where your going to get the best performance for your money. Even if your stock the timing changes and throttle response improvements will have you grinning like a school boy on his first roller coaster :lol:
 
#537 ·
street performance and race


Flowmaster force 2 exhaust, jlt cai, x4 bama tuner, carbon fiber dash overlay kit, modern retro shift knob, mmd hood and side scoops, classic quarter louvers, gt500 spoiler, 3.7 and pony emblems, mustang rocker stripes, eibach anti sway roll bar kit
Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#539 ·
+1 other mods in previous car may not match yours plus a computer number specific to ur cars engine


Flowmaster force 2 exhaust, jlt cai, x4 bama tuner, carbon fiber dash overlay kit, modern retro shift knob, mmd hood and side scoops, classic quarter louvers, gt500 spoiler, 3.7 and pony emblems, mustang rocker stripes, eibach anti sway roll bar kit
Sent from my iPhone using Mustang Evolution
 
#547 ·
Awesome! I just got a datalog tune back from Bama and so far it's 100x better than before. Still a bit slower up top but that's prolly cause I need my intakes ported.
 
#544 ·
Late nights and country roads man.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top