94-95 (ish) Mass-Air trucks with E40D Electronic Transmission VEX1 WAY1 HOG0 U4X0 TIP1

Categories: Ford - setups

Introduction

94-95 MAF Trucks are an interesting breed.  They feature sequential fuel injection, a distributor for spark delivery, Mass-air flow (MAF) sensors for air metering and most importantly are set up to control an E4OD electronically-controlled automatic transmission.  Aside from their original application, these ECMs are commonly used for speed density->MAF conversions on speed density trucks and Broncos that had E4OD transmissions.   With little more than programming, they can use used to run everything from a 460cid big block (or larger) to a simple 302 or a 5.8L Windsor engine.  All of the ECMs in the name of this article use the same strategy/operating system, all run E4OD transmissions and can be considered functionally equivalent for tuning.   VEX1 / WAY1 / AHACB strategy depending on the vendor.  (different names for same thing)  The ECMs all use the “SMD-221” hardware type. Some processor codes / hardware IDs:

HOG0 (F4TF-12A650-AAA) VEX1/AHACB
TIP1 (F5TF-12A650-GB) TIP1/AHACB
IVY0 (F4TF-12A650-ABA) VEX1/AHACB
U4X0 (F4PF-12A650-AA) VEX1/AHACB
VEX1 (F5TF-12A650-HB) VEX1/AHACB
WAY1 (F5TF-12A650-JB) VEX1/AHACB

Hardware for Tuning

  • QuarterHorse – integrated device brings unique functionality to the table.  It is a “chip on steroids” that allows you to make changes while the vehicle is running and (with supporting software) log live data from the vehicle.  Any tunes developed using a QuarterHorse can be programmed to F3/F8 chips for long term use.
  • F3 – simple chip module that can store one or two tunes and switch between them while vehicle is running.  Requires Jaybird programmer or BURN2+FA.
  • F8 – fancy chip module that can store eight tunes and switch between them while vehicle is running.   Can also be programmed while installed – no need to remove chip to reprogram it.  Requires Destiny programmer
  • BURN2 + FA + FE – generic chip programmer with Ford adapter (FA) and ECM interface (FE) that can be used to read the current program from EECIV and EECV ECMs on the bench.

Software for Tuning

The AHACB strategy is used on these ECMs.  Both Binary Editor and EEC Editor support editing this strategy.  Only Binary Editor supports datalogging at this time.  It does not make sense to buy a QuarterHorse unless you’re also willing to buy Binary Editor and one of the available strategies for it.

  • Binary Editor ($100 – $171 available from Moates.net) is a Ford-specific graphically oriented tuning software that supports many EEC-IV and EEC-V processors.  There are several options for BE2012:
    • EEC Analyzer ($50 available from Moates.net) is an optional companion program to Binary Editor to assist with analyzing data and automating tuning tasks.
    • The optional dongle for Binary Editor allows you to use the software on more than one laptop instead of being locked to a single machine.($+71)
    • Core Tuning definition (available through Coretuning.Net or ben@coretuning.net ) – uses same standards for organization as other Core Tuning defs, very complete, includes full datalogging.
    • Derek Fenwick’s AHACB definition ($25, contact him ) supports these ECMs.  Usually complete and extremely functional.
  • EEC Editor ($20 available from Moates.net) has basic editing support for the these ECMs.  EEC Editor is a basic application for tuning Fords.  There is no logging support at this time. (1/2015)

Recommended Combinations

Looking at what’s available, there are 3 1/2 combinations that make sense:

  1. EEC Editor ($20) w/ WAY1 def, Jaybird ($75), F3 ($60)
    Option 1 gives you the cheapest way to tune your EC<.  You will NOT have logging – just editing.  You will NOT have realtime tuning – you’ll have to shut down, program chip, reinstall chip each time.  EEC Editor is a very basic application without many graphics or frills but it’s mostly functional as an editor.  (you can download it and check it out from the Tuning Software section of our website)
  2.  QuarterHorse ($249), Binary Editor ($100) with Derek Fenwick definition ($25) and optionally dongle for BE ($+71) and optionally Jaybird+F3
    Binary Editor is better software.  Derek generally makes very good definitions.  The combination of QH + BE + Def is going to give you realtime tuning while the vehicle is running AND datalogging to see engine and transmission parameters.  It’s still a good idea to have a chip for long-term use but chip tuning hardware is optional, at least from a getting started perspective.
  3. QuarterHorse tuning package from Core Tuning definition ($495) and optionally Jaybird+F3
    Option 3 is somewhat similar to #2 except Core Tuning provides a “one stop” shop experience, directly through them.  Their definitions are generally really well laid out, well defined and have a large selection of parameters to choose from.  They’re a US company with great support.  Again, chip tuning hardware is optional but recommended.

Note: I’ve not seen either Derek nor Core’s defs personally so I can’t give you a meaningful comparison between the two.

The “half combo” I refer to is including the chipping tools (Jaybird+F3) as well as the QH in #2 and #3 above.