Do or Do Not --- Livernois Powerboost add-on?

[PowderBoost]

Welp. I splurged and got the Livernois PowerBoost tune with the e-boost option. Here goes nothin'. I will likely run the eco/tow tune most of the time as I usually run 87, sometimes costco 91 (costco in Canada only has 87 or 91 and both are up to E10). "I am one" with my truck so I will definitely notice any changes particularly with the e-boost option, which I am especially excited for.

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[Samson16]

Welp. I splurged and got the Livernois PowerBoost tune with the e-boost option. Here goes nothin'. I will likely run the eco/tow tune most of the time as I usually run 87, sometimes costco 91 (costco in Canada only has 87 or 91 and both are up to E10). "I am one" with my truck so I will definitely notice any changes particularly with the e-boost option, which I am especially excited for.

I want a full report now!

 

[BUDXR7]

Has the Intelligencia determined the $99 is money well spent or are there constraints/conditions to take into consideration before considering such a move? Warrant concern is already understood and not part of my query.

Isn’t the real return the price of the tuner + the add on? If you place more priority on efficiency versus performance, does this make sense verse other modifications?

 

[Eskram]

No one is spending the money for efficiency or ROI. For me, it's more power when desired and better smoothness and overall drivability.

The electric experience is enhanced to some degree, but the 'Fuck you, get out of my way!' smile when you get on the throttle, will keep you coming back for more.

 

[BUDXR7]

No one is spending the money for efficiency or ROI. For me, it's more power when desired and better smoothness and overall drivability.

The electric experience is enhanced to some degree, but the 'Fuck you, get out of my way!' smile when you get on the throttle, will keep you coming back for more.

Fair. And I like driving fast as much as the next guy. Ive had my fast cars. But this is just a truck to me. From my perspective, it’s plenty fast out of the box - faster than most of my “fast cars” ever were. The reason I got the power boost was for efficiency and utility.

 

[Samson16]

Fair. And I like driving fast as much as the next guy. Ive had my fast cars. But this is just a truck to me. From my perspective, it’s plenty fast out of the box - faster than most of my “fast cars” ever were. The reason I got the power boost was for efficiency and utility.

Same. I don’t think a tune is needed for that. The drivability in electric only may be extended but the HVB needs to charge eventually one way or another. I used to tap the brake and trick my PB into electric only, and then I would idle in the parking space at 1300 rpm to recharge the HVB. Now I just let it be and charge while I drive. My throttle control has improved such that the transmission holds second gear and behaves more smoothly than a year ago.

 

[BUDXR7]

Same. I don’t think a tune is needed for that. The drivability in electric only may be extended but the HVB needs to charge eventually one way or another. I used to tap the brake and trick my PB into electric only, and then I would idle in the parking space at 1300 rpm to recharge the HVB. Now I just let it be and charge while I drive. My throttle control has improved such that the transmission holds second gear and behaves more smoothly than a year ago.

Assuming 20,000 miles per year at 22 mpg, that’s 909 gallons of fuel. Let’s imagine 87 octane remained $3.50/gallon. That’s $3181 per year in fuel. If this tuner gets you to 24 mpg, that’s a 9% improvement. A $262 annual savings. Return on investment is $880/$262 = 3.35 yrs. Not bad. This scenario is based on the operator getting a performance tune and then absolutely NEVER taking advantage of it to achieve the improved economy. Seems like a waste.

I only clock about 10,000 miles per year so I’m probably out considering a 7 yr ROI.
If there’s a cheaper tuner that remaps shift points and BMS/electric driving, and disregards additional power, I’m all ears.

 

[HammaMan]

Same. I don’t think a tune is needed for that. The drivability in electric only may be extended but the HVB needs to charge eventually one way or another. I used to tap the brake and trick my PB into electric only, and then I would idle in the parking space at 1300 rpm to recharge the HVB. Now I just let it be and charge while I drive. My throttle control has improved such that the transmission holds second gear and behaves more smoothly than a year ago.

There are small things the driver can do to boost mileage / EV running by turning off the ICE as soon as possible for known stops. I've found the best gains to come from such situations. If you have regular routes you drive, which you should, spend a little bit of time playing with throttle applications and brake tapping to get the ICE on/off as you want. Eventually you can start tying it to land marks like street signs, or certain trees and it becomes second nature.

I'm a tad aggressive, particularly at traffic lights as pulling away from 'the pack' gives you options further ahead. We're a +10 state in that you can't have a traffic case held against you for doing limit +10mph which is where my auto cruise is set. I'm often at +12 because it's not until +14 that really starts getting attention. At +12 if a cop wanted to a dick about it I'd reprogram the tire size and go get a "speed check" to negate it, have it reduced and thrown out.

There are times where I like to get into the throttle and that's where EVs and PB shines. Lots of acceleration, none of the popo attracting noise. This is one of the reasons I've gone from nicely sounding V8s w/ exhaust to modern quiet engines as I get to dick around a whole hell of a lot more and completely avoid the attention of the window-cracked police looking for the loud dipshits. EVs and tuned PBs are 4 second 0-60 vehicles that are rather quiet getting there. I've had far more popo attention in loud V8 coupes than either of my 2 current DD fleet and have not only begun to appreciate the very quiet nature of the vehicles, but also the lack of popo attention the silence brings.

 

[RickBullotta]

If you want fuel economy, might be best to get a Maverick.

 

[BUDXR7]

If you want fuel economy, might be best to get a Maverick.

This is a disingenuous statement. A maverick is not in the same ballpark capability wise and you know it. It’s like saying, if you want a truck get a peterbuilt.

 

[notabot]

The reason I got the power boost was for efficiency and utility.

I got it to tow my 6000 lb camper and power my house or camper when necesary. Toting generators around and keeping them fueled up is zero fun...

 

[BUDXR7]

I got it to tow my 6000 lb camper and power my house or camper when necesary. Toting generators around and keeping them fueled up is zero fun...

Yes, that’s part of the “utility”. I’ll note for the previous poster - a maverick can not tow a 6k lb trailer.

 

[astrand1]

Has the Intelligencia determined the $99 is money well spent or are there constraints/conditions to take into consideration before considering such a move? Warrant concern is already understood and not part of my query.

What is $99? Last I checked the tuner was just under $800. What am I missing?

 

[RickBullotta]

This is a disingenuous statement. A maverick is not in the same ballpark capability wise and you know it. It’s like saying, if you want a truck get a peterbuilt.

Of course. It's sarcasm. That said, if you bought a PB to get a 3/4 ton with better fuel economy, you likely bought it for the wrong reasons. The main benefits of course are raw power/performance and the ProPower system, at the expense of payload. I find that the "fun to drive" factor leads to a heavier foot, which leads to lower fuel economy in the end. "YMMV".

 

[notabot]

What is $99? Last I checked the tuner was just under $800. What am I missing?

My understanding is you have to spend an additional $99 to get the powerboost tuning. So, $800 + $99

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