Applicable Vehicles:

The following vehicles designed for and sold in all regions unless otherwise noted are supported:

• 2014-2019 Fiesta ST (USDM Only)

• 2013-2018 Focus ST

• 2016-2018 Focus RS

• 2015-2017 Mustang EcoBoost

Introduction:

The Ford EcoBoost control strategy uses a variety of modeled systems and coefficients to translate torque and load requests into actual turbo and wastegate behavior.  These models and coefficients are highly specific to the exact specifications of the turbo in use.  Now, just like you need to tune injector characterization when swapping to a different injector, installing a different turbocharger would require that this turbo characterization data be changed.  Unfortunately, this type of turbo characterization data is generally unavailable from any turbo manufacturer.

Enter COBB Custom Features (CCF).  Through the implementation of our custom code on CCF Gen2 vehicles, we have created a variety of control strategies that will allow you to quickly and easily tune a big-turbo EcoBoost.  Many of these features will feel familiar to OEM tuning tables/methods used on other vehicles with less complex factory boost control systems. 

This guide will cover the tables, settings, and monitors necessary to configure a base map for a big turbo Ford.  The example vehicle we will use to demonstrate these features is a 2016 Focus RS.  We will also review your options for sub-system control strategies and available compensations.  Note that these CCF features are not to be considered a short-cut for tuning a stock turbo vehicle, nor this guide a replacement for learning and understanding the OEM boost control strategy.  Those with mastery of the OEM system will more efficiently use and understand our CCF features on big-turbo vehicles.  Please reference our Ford tuning guides to learn more about the factory system.

Configuring a Base Map:

Step 1: Select a COBB OTS map

We recommend that you start with a COBB OTS map that best fits the modifications for the car.  The vehicle used for our example tune is a 2016 Focus RS.  This vehicle is equipped with a COBB intake, intercooler, turbo-back exhaust, and a Precision turbocharger running on 93 OCT/98 RON fuel.  We chose to start with the Stage 2+ 93 OCT or 98 RON v301 map.

Step 2: Enable and configure CCF Wastegate controls

To bypass the OEM wastegate controls, we will need to flip some enable switches for the CCF control system.  We’ll start with ‘Master Switch (CCF WG Features)’:

This setting will activate the use of several CCF Features applicable to wastegate control and pressure targets/limits. If ANY of these features are desired, this switch must be enabled.

Next, we’ll configure ‘Enable Switch (5-Way WGDC Base)’.  This switch enables the use of the CCF WGDC Base tables – note that up to 5 different WGDC base tables can be configured in different map slots, and can be tuned in real-time.

The WGDC Base tables have axes of RPM (Y) and Pressure (X), and will output a feed-forward WGDC.  The pressure source is configurable with the table ‘X-Select (5-Way WGDC Base)’.  For now, leave the tables zeroed-out.

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The default setting for ‘X-Select (5-Way WGDC Base)’ is 0, which will use MAP as the x-axis in the WGDC Base table; 1 will use TIP Desired, 2 will use TIP Actual.

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With the feed-forward WGDC Base tables enabled and configured, we’ll next look at what sort of compensations we would like to enable for the tune.  The choices that are available to you depends on the vehicle you’re tuning.  Within the Fords that we support, the OEM boost control strategies can be categorized as either “Canister Pressure Strategy” or “Airflow Strategy”.

To enable use of CCF WGDC Compensation, first find the table ‘Enable Switch (5-Way WGDC Compensation Mode’.  Configure this table to ‘1’ to enable the feature set.

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Canister Pressure Strategy Vehicles:

These vehicles have the option of running one of four compensation configurations.  Two of these compensation modes utilize the factory WGDC Base table, and two use the COBB CCF WGDC Base table.  Here are a breakdown of the individual mode differences:

• Mode 1 – USES STOCK WGDC BASE TABLE; functions like stock, but with added Barometric Pressure compensation and an X-Select (Temperature) compensation.

• Mode 2 – USES STOCK WGDC BASE TABLE; incorporates Mode 1 functionality + additional compensations for Charge Air Temperature, TIP Boost Error, and Load Error.

• Mode 3 – USES COBB CCF WGDC BASE TABLE; uses identical compensations as Mode 1

• Mode 4 – USES COBB CCF WGDC BASE TABLE; uses identical compensations as Mode 2

Airflow Strategy Vehicles:

These vehicles have the option of running one of six compensation configurations.  Three of these compensation modes utilize the factory WGDC Base table, and three use the COBB CCF WGDC Base table.  Here are a breakdown of the individual mode differences:

• Mode 1 – USES STOCK WGDC BASE TABLE; functions like stock, but with new clipping points available for the P-term and PI-error. Also includes Barometric Pressure and an X-Select (Temperature) compensation.  These clipping points do not exist in the OEM implementation of boost control and allow for limiting of the range for PID response on the P-term and the response of the I-term.

• Mode 2 – USES STOCK WGDC BASE TABLE; incorporates Mode 1 functionality + additional compensations for Charge Air Temperature, TIP Boost Error, and Load Error.

• Mode 3 – USES STOCK WGDC BASE TABLE; disables the OEM P-term and I-term. This method only uses the OEM WGDC Base table + COBB Barometric Pressure, Temperature (AAT/IAT/ECT), Charge Air Temperature, TIP Boost Error, and Load Error compensations.  This is meant for those that do not with to use, or have not had positive results with the OEM P/I controls.

• Mode 4 – USES COBB CCF WGDC BASE TABLE; uses identical compensations as Mode 1

• Mode 5 – USES COBB CCF WGDC BASE TABLE; uses identical compensations as Mode 2

• Mode 6 – USES COBB CCF WGDC BASE TABLE; uses identical compensations as Mode 3

Our example vehicle – a Focus RS – is a canister pressure vehicle, so we’ll choose between modes 1-4.  Since we also want to use the COBB CCF WGDC Base table for tuning, we’ll choose between modes 3 and 4.  For this vehicle, we chose Mode 4 – note that you do not need to tune all active compensations, as they will default to a multiplier of 1 and will not change WGDC.

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In summary, we have configured CCF wastegate control to:

• Enable ‘Master Switch (CCF WG Features)’

• Enable ‘Enable Switch (5-Way WGDC Base)’

• Left all ‘WGDC Base (Slot 1-5)’ tables at 0% WGDC

• Enabled ‘Enable Switch (5-Way WGDC Compensation Mode)’

• Selected Mode 4 for ‘WGDC Compensation Mode Slot 1-5)’