2011-2014 F150 EcoBoost Performance Packages

Stage 3's F150 EcoBoost Phase Package FAQ

Saving money while getting a bunch of powerful EcoBoost performance parts and tuning is a pretty sweet deal, especially when it comes to the EcoBoost F150s and their massive power potentials. Still, our Phase Kits come with a lot of parts, a lot of options, and have a whole bunch of information that goes along with them, so things do tend to get confusing pretty quick. It's also why we get more questions about our "Phased" EcoBoost Packages than just about anything else on the site. So, we'll try to clear a few things up:

What's all this I hear about needing new spark plugs?

The stock spark plugs, especially in the 2011 and 2012 F150s, rolled out from the factory with a fairly large gap. While this is fine for stock boost levels in most applications, it becomes a problem with the higher boost pressure and more aggressive timings that custom tuning brings to the table. Both ourselves here at Stage 3 and the folks over at 5-Star Tuning strongly recommend grabbing a new set of of Motorcraft SP-534 spark plugs, or gapping your current SP-534s down to a maximum of .030". The iridium tips of these plugs are less susceptible to increased pressure and heat from the tuning that comes with these packages. The smaller gap prevents spark blowout, letting your truck's motor run strong throughout its entire RPM range. Later 2013 F150s and all 2014 F150s came with SP-534s, so you should just need to regap, though new plugs may be a good idea, if your truck has a decent amount of miles on its current plugs.

Why don't you offer 87 performance as a possible tuning option?

The sad fact is that the power gains just aren't there with 87 octane and low-grade fuel, especially given the types and amount of performance parts that we throw at your truck with our performance packages. The timings and fueling that both the tuning and the performance parts require just don't do well with 87 octane as performance tune. We can, however, provide 87 octane towing and fuel economy tunes without an issue.

Will these packages void my truck's Powertrain Warranty?

Technically, you're protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in that your dealership would need to prove that your tuning or performance parts directly caused a given part to fail in a court of law, but out in the real world, things can go sideways in one hell of a hurry. For that reason, we here at Stage 3 tell you straight up that using these packages is a "de facto" void of your Ford factory powertrain warranty. If you're concerned at all about warranty issues or fighting your dealership or Ford itself for a claim, you can invest in one of our own aftermarket Powertrain Warranties. Our warranties are available as a 2-year/24,000 mile, a 5-year/60,000 mile, or a 6-year/100,000 mile warranty. These warranties from Stage 3 cover your truck after it's been tuned by 5-Star and even considers a ton of your truck's modifications, so that you can get a huge increase in power while still being protected if the worst happens. You can read all about our warranties over on our dedicated warranty page.