Ford's Securely Locked ECU Is Now Open For Tuners To Have A Field Day
HP Tuners Finds A Way In
The Ford MG1CS036 ECU used in the latest-generation S650 Ford Mustang has been quite the challenge for tuners wishing to extract more power from the car, much as it was for Nissan GT-R tuners when the R35 arrived. Thanks to the Blue Oval's Fully-Networked Vehicle electronic architecture, which must protect against hacks in cars with over-the-air update capability, getting around the ECU's security measures without turning the entire vehicle into a paperweight is tricky.
But thanks to HP Tuners, no longer do owners need to fit an aftermarket ECU or go through Ford. As noted by Ford Authority, Palm Beach Dyno is already exploring the new possibilities, and at this early stage, the mildly modified Mustang delivers an extra 30 horsepower and 20 lb-ft of torque.
Mustang Owners Aren't The Only Beneficiaries
HP Tuners' work cracking the ECU can also be applied to a number of trucks and SUVs, so there's a great opportunity to build a mild sleeper here. Palm Beach Dyno's various tuning packages range in price from $319-$750, and the company says it can offer custom tunes for cars fed by 91 octane, 93 octane, E85, and race gas, whether those are naturally aspirated or boosted by Whipple Superchargers, Prochargers, Vortech Superchargers, or Hellion Twin Turbo kits. Numerous engines benefit, with the full list of compatible vehicles below:
2024-2025 S650 Ford Mustang GT, Dark Horse (5.0L V8)
2021-2023 Ford F-150 (2.7L, 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, 5.0L V8)
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R (5.2L supercharged V8)
2021-2025 Ford Bronco (2.7L EcoBoost V6)
2022-2025 Ford Bronco Raptor (3.0L EcoBoost V6)
2022-2025 Ford Ranger Raptor (3.0L EcoBoost V6)
2022-2023 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost V6)
Simplified Tuning Is Just The StartFor now, the main benefit is that Mustang owners can finally tune their cars through the OBDII port - no need to pay $99.99 for the Ford MG1 upgrade service offered by HP Tuners, which required the customer to remove their powertrain control module/ECU and wait for it to be returned. Now, an S650 with no hardware can get a few more ponies, and those considering more serious upgrades like the aforementioned fueling and boost solutions can take an expensive aftermarket ECU out of the equation. With custom tuning now possible, expect to see loads more seventh-generation Mustangs taking to your local drag strip, and expect their power to increase as the limits are inevitably pushed over the coming months.
Ford's Securely Locked ECU Is Now Open For Tuners To Have A Field Day first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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