How Far Can a Custom Tune Take a 2024 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost? Christian's Desert Build Found Out
Christian G.'s 2024 F-150 XLT in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Customer story · 2024-2026 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost
Christian started on our 87 Daily-Tow file and couldn't stop grinning. Then he got serious about dialing it in. A summer of data logs, a bigger intercooler and several revisions later, his desert-dwelling XLT shifts cleaner and pulls harder than it ever did stock.
The short version
- The truck: 2024 F-150 XLT with the 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost, 35-inch tires and 3.55 gears
- The tune: MPT 91 PR-X and 87 Daily-Tow, flashed with an SCT BDX
- The mods: S&B cold air intake, AWE cat-back, and a CVF Titan V2 intercooler added along the way
- The process: Data logs reviewed by Ross, James and Jose, with a new revision each round
- The result: Smoother 1-3 shifts and no gear hunting on his test merges
- In his words: “Every time I hit the accelerator, I cannot stop smiling.”
Is a tune worth it on a 2024 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost?
Christian wasn't sure. He'll tell you that himself. He ordered a 91 PR-X and an 87 Daily-Tow for his 2024 XLT this spring, got his files in May, flashed the Daily-Tow first, and then wrote to us.
“I've been using the 87 Trailer tune and already noticed a huge difference. Now my goal is to get it fine-tuned... I was skeptical at first, but every time I hit the accelerator, I cannot stop smiling.”
Christian G., North Las Vegas, Nevada
He calls it the 87 Trailer. We call it the 87 Daily-Tow. Smiling either way.
It's not his first MPT tune, either. Back in 2024, he had us tune a 3.7 V6 Mustang. So he knew what he was getting into when he came back for the pickup.
How much horsepower is a 2024 F-150 3.5 hiding?
Our dyno-tested 2024-2026 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost calibrations add over 100 horsepower and over 100 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane, with no PCM swap or unlock. Ethanol blends like E30 or E85 can make more. After a few months of logs on Christian's truck, Jose put his 91 PR-X in the ballpark of 450 horsepower and 550 lb-ft at the wheels. That's an estimate from his data logs, not a dyno sheet, but it gives you an idea of what a 3.5 with a few bolt-ons can do.
What does fine-tuning with data logs look like?
This is the part a lot of people don't know about. Every MPT order includes 90 days of preference-based tuning and log reviews. You drive and record logs, tell us what you'd like changed, and we send a new version.
Christian took that seriously, and I love him for it. His first logs were recorded with the wrong config, so Ross pushed our MPT config to his BDX through the cloud and walked him through it. The next round showed intake temps climbing way too high in the Nevada heat, which was making the truck noticeably slower. Ross sent back a revised file that kept the grille shutters open.
“I do live in the desert. Would a larger cooler be ideal?”
Christian G., emailing Ross
“100% yes, it would be. Heat is the enemy of power, and you'll want the extra cooling protection as we rapidly approach the hottest parts of the year.”
Ross, MPT calibrations and support
Christian ordered a CVF Titan V2 intercooler from us and pulled the grille shutters. James built him a new revision to match the setup, then Jose took over and worked on traction. Those Nitto Terra Grapplers are great all-terrains, but the logs showed them spinning through third gear, so the next version helped the truck hook up better up top.
Did the revisions fix the shifting?
By midsummer, Christian's main complaint was a hesitation when he stood on it at 45-50 mph to merge. Jose sent over another revision to try.
“I do believe the shifting got so much smoother between 1-3, as it felt a bit clunky before. I was able to merge into traffic 2 times without the transmission searching for the proper gear under acceleration.”
Christian G.
Merging without the truck thinking about it first. That's the stuff that matters every day.
“Thank you again for all the assistance and quick response.”
Christian G.
He's now about 3,000 miles into his tune and still asking smart questions. That's exactly the kind of customer I want.
What other 2024-2026 F-150 3.5 owners say
Christian isn't the only one with a fresh 3.5 grinning behind the wheel. I'm grateful every time a note like these lands in the inbox. I matched each one to a question we get from 2024-2026 shoppers.
Is MPT better than the tuners I've already tried?
“This is my second truck I have had tuned with MPT. I have used other tuners, and hands down MPT is superior to them all and the only one I trust with my trucks. Instant gratification as soon as your foot hits the pedal, and it makes it impossible to want to drive anything stock after. Awesome work, guys!”
Brad B. from Aurora, Colorado · 2025 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
How much quicker will it be?
“I got another Dragy time, and I'm running 11.91 and 3.7 0-60. I'm more than happy with it!... You guys did a great job. I'm going to be ordering another BDX and tune from you guys in a few months for my wife's '25 Expedition.”
Matthew O. from Port St. Lucie, Florida · 2025 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
Matthew's buying one for his wife's Expedition too. The household that tunes together...
“I'm very happy with how the truck feels. Power levels seem to be up, and it's running two tenths quicker in the quarter mile!”
Kevin G. from Oxford, New Jersey · 2026 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
“Truck is running awesome. I swapped on some bigger tires and entered a 150 ft dirt drag race. Of course I won. No one came close, including a Cybertruck on 35-inch Super Swamper Boggers.”
Jackson Q. from Burley, Idaho · 2025 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
Will I feel it right away?
“Hey, I love the tune, thank you guys! It feels great driving this truck now!... Your guys' tune is freakin' awesome! Thank you!”
Arshaun M. from Oregon City, Oregon · 2024 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
From Christian's submission
“Recently purchased my tunes in May 2026. Ordered the 87 Trailer and 91 PR-X. I have been using the 87 Trailer and already noticed a huge difference. Now my goal is to get it fine-tuned... I was skeptical at first, but every time I hit the accelerator, I cannot stop smiling.”
Christian G. from North Las Vegas, Nevada · 2024 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
Shop this combo
Here's what's on Christian's XLT, most of it from us.
MPT Tune
MPT Custom Tune, 24-26 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost
Custom files for the 2024-2026 3.5, Tremor included, with no PCM swap or unlock. Christian runs a 91 PR-X and an 87 Daily-Tow, and the first 90 days of log reviews are where his story really happens.
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Tuner
Loads his files, logs the runs we review, shows live gauges like intake air temp, and puts the truck back to stock any time you need.
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Intercooler
CV Fabrication Titan V2 Intercooler
Direct bolt-on with over 82% more core volume than stock. Christian ordered his from us after Ross saw how hot his intake air was getting in the desert.
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Intake
S&B Cold Air Intake 75-5122 (Oiled)
Fully enclosed airbox with a washable filter, fits 2018-2026 F-150 2.7 and 3.5 EcoBoost. It was on Christian's tune form from day one.
Shop itAlso on Christian's truck: an AWE non-resonated dual cat-back exhaust and 35x11.5 Nitto Terra Grappler tires on 3.55 gears.
What 2024-2026 F-150 3.5 owners ask us
Can MPT keep adjusting my tune after I install it?
MPT keeps adjusting your tune for 90 days after you install it, based on your data logs and how you want the truck to drive. Christian G. from North Las Vegas, Nevada used that window to get smoother 1-3 shifts and fix a hesitation when merging onto the highway.
Do I need a bigger intercooler if I live somewhere hot?
A bigger intercooler is a smart upgrade if you live somewhere hot. When Christian's logs showed high intake temps in the Nevada heat, Ross told him heat is the enemy of power and recommended more cooling. He went with a CVF Titan V2.
Will I need a new tune after installing an intercooler?
Installing an intercooler doesn't require any tune changes on its own. If you also remove the active grille shutters, tell us, and we'll account for it in your file like we did for Christian.
Can I load SCT tunes with a Mac?
Loading SCT tune files with the Device Updater software requires a Windows computer with an Intel or AMD processor, so a Mac or a Snapdragon laptop won't work for that step. If your BDX is on WiFi, ask us to send the files to SCT's cloud instead.
Can the tune account for 35-inch tires?
MPT can account for bigger tires like Christian's 35s when you list the tire size and axle ratio on your tune form. He also asked for his odometer to be adjusted for the 35s, and SCT tuners like the BDX can handle speedometer correction on some trucks.* *Tuner features like speedometer correction vary by vehicle. Call us at 407-636-7077 to confirm what's supported on yours.
How much power does a tune add to a 2024-2026 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost?
Our dyno-tested 2024-2026 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost tunes add over 100 horsepower and over 100 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane, with no PCM swap or unlock. Ethanol blends like E30 or E85 can make more. Based on his logs, Jose estimates Christian's 91 PR-X with bolt-ons is in the ballpark of 450 horsepower and 550 lb-ft at the wheels.
Can I get a 91 octane tune instead of 93?
You can get a 91 octane tune instead of 93 if that's what your stations sell. The fuel in your tank needs to match or beat the octane of the file, which is why Christian's performance file is a 91 PR-X.
Want your 3.5 dialed in like Christian's?
Order the tune, drive it, send us logs, and we'll keep working with you. Questions first? Call 407-636-7077 or email us. We're happy to go over your setup with you.
Shop the 24-26 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost tuneDownload the PDF: Christian's 2024 F-150 3.5 story