Monster Adapt-X tuning review and development thread 2.0

[TORQUERULES]

I recently decided to go with the Monster Adapt-X tune (using the @COBB Tuning Accessport) to see what all the fuss on the Focus ST/RS and Ecoboost Mustang communities has been about with this tune that uses a different way to do things based on Ford's octane learning strategy. Some of the things that people will talk about are how smooth the tune is and how it feels almost like it came from the factory without all the rough edges of other tunes you would. This will be the fourth custom tuning company that I have worked with, btw.

I ordered both the 93 octane Adapt-X tune and the E30 Adapt-X tune. We are currently on version 6 of the 93 tune are getting ready to start the E30 tune. One of the things I noticed is that during the logging and revision process, Monster has been very receptive to my questions and are very good about making sure to monitor different things each time to try to get things as precise as possible.

As for how the tune is going, it is fantastic. Very smooth. But also fantastic power whenever you give it the gas. I did have him add the Cobb Sport TCM map for the transmission because he has not developed his own transmission tuning yet, but I know that he plans to work on it.

I'll report back here once everything is complete, but right now I'm very pleased.

https://monstertuned.com/collections/maverick

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[TORQUERULES]

Did my first WOT with E30 today. For the initial map, the pull was ultra smooth.

 

[Snox801]

Nice, will that allow for multi octane then? I have that function from Livernois and it’s my favorite not as big of power as a dedicated 93 tune but it’s super convenient for fueling while traveling.
I use that the most and when I know I want more I’ll load the e30 and play.

 

[Snox801]

Never heard of monster but it’s always a good thing when new companies come along because it forces them all to get better. Keep us updated on the progress.
I just hit 100k of tuned miles on mine and that’s a lot of towing and e30 ripping. Lots of off road stuff also.
So these tunes can be very reliable. As much or more so than factory.

 

[TORQUERULES]

Nice, will that allow for multi octane then? I have that function from Livernois and it’s my favorite not as big of power as a dedicated 93 tune but it’s super convenient for fueling while traveling.
I use that the most and when I know I want more I’ll load the e30 and play.

Considering I am logging and we are revising this multiple times, this is no different than any other custom tune I have had. Now I know the intent of this tune, if you go by the Focus community for instance, is a one and done adaptive tune, but for me we are doing quite a bit of fine-tuning which I am sure will help him further develop the best tune possible for everyone else. I'm not 100% sure if this is the intent of us doing all of this, but that would be my guess and I honestly am glad. I pushed to get this tuning as quick as possible and he didn't even have it on his site but I said I would be willing to do logging, so I am confident he will take advantage of what he learns from my truck.

This tune makes as much if not more power than the other custom tunes I have that have the same amount of revisions. Plus, I have the added confidence that this would adapt to a possible bad tank of gas if that happens. The first revision of the E30 tune, if any indication, makes me confident that it is also going to be very badass once we get everything done.

So don't worry about losing any power. It is definitely there.

 

[Snox801]

Considering I am logging and we are revising this multiple times, this is no different than any other custom tune I have had. Now I know the intent of this tune, if you go by the Focus community for instance, is a one and done adaptive tune, but for me we are doing quite a bit of fine-tuning which I am sure will help him further develop the best tune possible for everyone else. I'm not 100% sure if this is the intent of us doing all of this, but that would be my guess and I honestly am glad. I pushed to get this tuning as quick as possible and he didn't even have it on his site but I said I would be willing to do logging, so I am confident he will take advantage of what he learns from my truck.

This tune makes as much if not more power than the other custom tunes I have that have the same amount of revisions. Plus, I have the added confidence that this would adapt to a possible bad tank of gas if that happens. The first revision of the E30 tune, if any indication, makes me confident that it is also going to be very badass once we get everything done.

So don't worry about losing any power. It is definitely there.

He probably is building a better base with all those revision. Would be interesting to see this tune when done vs others on the same dyno.

But to be clear I can say that after being in the ecoboost game a long time. First thing that stands out is they are not the only company as they claim that uses the adaptive logic ford does.
Number two adaptive octane does not create as much power as a dedicated octane tune does.
I also did not dyno mine with a dedicated tune and adaptive so I couldn’t say how much different on my truck.
Now the real issue is does the dedicated small gain become worth it. That’s up to the user.
Sorry the intent is not to be challenging or combative. Just to make sure that all data we are providing is as accurate as possible. Unfortunately coming from the focus Community this was a big problem with tuners and users.

 

[Ben2023L]

i might give this a try

 

[TORQUERULES]

He probably is building a better base with all those revision. Would be interesting to see this tune when done vs others on the same dyno.

But to be clear I can say that after being in the ecoboost game a long time. First thing that stands out is they are not the only company as they claim that uses the adaptive logic ford does.
Number two adaptive octane does not create as much power as a dedicated octane tune does.
I also did not dyno mine with a dedicated tune and adaptive so I couldn’t say how much different on my truck.
Now the real issue is does the dedicated small gain become worth it. That’s up to the user.
Sorry the intent is not to be challenging or combative. Just to make sure that all data we are providing is as accurate as possible. Unfortunately coming from the focus Community this was a big problem with tuners and users.

Oh I know, just letting you know that compared directly to what I already have, I am seeing similar results and the smoothness is definitely noticeable.

 

[TORQUERULES]

I am also seeing the truck carry more boost up to redline compared to other tunes I have and due to my intercooler, etc. charge air temps are very good. I know that he said that if there was a lot on the table looking at the compressor map of this turbo if there was a wastegate swap available for these turbos with the fully electronically actuated wastegate. Too bad they are not like the old Focus ST and RS where they still have a good old vacuum wastegate that I could swap out for a Turbosmart version.

 

[jmccain19]

I've just started looking into what can be done with ForScan. But wondered about using an aftermarket tuner.

As a software engineer by trade do you think he would be open to another user willing to provide logging, etc?

I've got a 2024 Tremor and am looking for performance boosts and other quality of life improvements.

Just starting down this journey. But what you've shared sounds really promising.

 

[Ben2023L]

I've just started looking into what can be done with ForScan. But wondered about using an aftermarket tuner.

As a software engineer by trade do you think he would be open to another user willing to provide logging, etc?

I've got a 2024 Tremor and am looking for performance boosts and other quality of life improvements.

Just starting down this journey. But what you've shared sounds really promising.

You should reach out and let
us know. I remain curious about the lack of TCM vs OTS cobb tune per the original poster; but this - still sounds really interesting given the knock learning ‘adaptation’ for safe/ automatic boost increases.

i have yet to do a custom tune and have noticed at least a 1 psi drop — in boost (down to about 21.5 vs closer to 22.8 psi peak) — since I installed the cvf downpipe. I am thinking about doing the adaptive x; comparing it to cobb ots sport. Then in December— going to try for a custom tune w/ panda. Then i can compare this adaptive x and panda custom tune. I still need to install my full cat back. Running stock 2.5in from down pipe to muffler. Doing the stainless exhaust over thanksgiving (that’s why i am holding off w/ panda).

There is Some interesting stuff about the adaptive x guy on reddit. Hard to tell what’s people being haters vs. reality.

My take is the guy and his company are legit and worth a try even if it’s just to have an extra tune. One downside with Cobb is you’re pretty limited in customizing stuff without a professional (probably that is good for someone like me lol). I don’t think $300 is that bad of a price to have an additional option in your tuning library. There’s a limited number of eTuners out there for the maverick as it stands. I won’t run e30; but that seems
to be the best option for easiest HP increase w/ tune. Hopefully the OP keeps us in the loop on how e30 tune goes.

 

[Ben2023L]

You should reach out and let
us know. I remain curious about the lack of TCM vs OTS cobb tune per the original poster; but this - still sounds really interesting given the knock learning ‘adaptation’ for safe/ automatic boost increases.

i have yet to do a custom tune and have noticed at least a 1 psi drop — in boost (down to about 21.5 vs closer to 22.8 psi peak) — since I installed the cvf downpipe. I am thinking about doing the adaptive x; comparing it to cobb ots sport. Then in December— going to try for a custom tune w/ panda. Then i can compare this adaptive x and panda custom tune. I still need to install my full cat back. Running stock 2.5in from down pipe to muffler. Doing the stainless exhaust over thanksgiving (that’s why i am holding off w/ panda).

There is Some interesting stuff about the adaptive x guy on reddit. Hard to tell what’s people being haters vs. reality.

My take is the guy and his company are legit and worth a try even if it’s just to have an extra tune. One downside with Cobb is you’re pretty limited in customizing stuff without a professional (probably that is good for someone like me lol). I don’t think $300 is that bad of a price to have an additional option in your tuning library. There’s a limited number of eTuners out there for the maverick as it stands. I won’t run e30; but that seems
to be the best option for easiest HP increase w/ tune. Hopefully the OP keeps us in the loop on how e30 tune goes.

I just read that they recommend reverting to stock air box. That seems like a step back. Just emailed them asking how necessary that is…

 

[Snox801]

Oh I know, just letting you know that compared directly to what I already have, I am seeing similar results and the smoothness is definitely noticeable.

Nice perfect post really. I just like to make sure everyone knows and again. I think the flex octane tune is the best of the tunes for ease of use and gains.

I've just started looking into what can be done with ForScan. But wondered about using an aftermarket tuner.

As a software engineer by trade do you think he would be open to another user willing to provide logging, etc?

I've got a 2024 Tremor and am looking for performance boosts and other quality of life improvements.

Just starting down this journey. But what you've shared sounds really promising.

Let me say that the tune is by far the first thing I do and the best mod i do. Everything drives better and seems to have zero negative long term effects as long as you use a good tuner.
forscan is cool but the tunes just make the truck what is should have been.
Let us know if you do it and what you think.

You should reach out and let
us know. I remain curious about the lack of TCM vs OTS cobb tune per the original poster; but this - still sounds really interesting given the knock learning ‘adaptation’ for safe/ automatic boost increases.

i have yet to do a custom tune and have noticed at least a 1 psi drop — in boost (down to about 21.5 vs closer to 22.8 psi peak) — since I installed the cvf downpipe. I am thinking about doing the adaptive x; comparing it to cobb ots sport. Then in December— going to try for a custom tune w/ panda. Then i can compare this adaptive x and panda custom tune. I still need to install my full cat back. Running stock 2.5in from down pipe to muffler. Doing the stainless exhaust over thanksgiving (that’s why i am holding off w/ panda).

There is Some interesting stuff about the adaptive x guy on reddit. Hard to tell what’s people being haters vs. reality.

My take is the guy and his company are legit and worth a try even if it’s just to have an extra tune. One downside with Cobb is you’re pretty limited in customizing stuff without a professional (probably that is good for someone like me lol). I don’t think $300 is that bad of a price to have an additional option in your tuning library. There’s a limited number of eTuners out there for the maverick as it stands. I won’t run e30; but that seems
to be the best option for easiest HP increase w/ tune. Hopefully the OP keeps us in the loop on how e30 tune goes.

You should try and find a dyno. I would be very curious to see the difference in the tunes on a measuring device.
You will find certain tuners get crap because they are not what everyone else uses. Some are very bad and are ones to avoid. But I can say I have complete faith in Livernois, and tunewerks. Both get hate from some guys but they seem to never dive past the school boy banter.
both companies had to the detriment of sales told me to save my money and been truthful even if it’s a bad look for the tuning software they run.
so basically they are as honest as they come both have been in the ecoboost game forever and are what I consider the safest tuners. Tuners used to be the tuner for mountune.
As for monster the only thing I noticed to “hate on is the claim to be the only company offering flex octane since several companies have done it for a long while. So benefit of the doubt he simply didn’t know. Which may be the case so I won’t apply malice were it simply may be lack of knowledge about others.

 

[Snox801]

Btw why no e30? Its works very well and you don’t have to be exact. I run a lot of close to e30 mix and I have almost 300k on my wife’s edge 2.0 running just the e30 tune. And I run the e30 a decent amount in mine and think it’s pretty neat.
Just curious is all but understand as I went a full summer on my rs with having the time on my calibration device before I tried it.

 

[Ben2023L]

Btw why no e30? Its works very well and you don’t have to be exact. I run a lot of close to e30 mix and I have almost 300k on my wife’s edge 2.0 running just the e30 tune. And I run the e30 a decent amount in mine and think it’s pretty neat.
Just curious is all but understand as I went a full summer on my rs with having the time on my calibration device before I tried it.

it’s just bit of a hassle to get it where I live; I could be missing something. I’ve thought about having sunco just get me a 45 gallon drum. It’s only $500. Direct delivery. also similar reason i don’t like running meth - having to keep it filled. But, yeah I really should have that option if i want to push some quarter mile limits. The only place am tracking that has e85 is 30 to 50min from home and not in any direction I travel everyday.

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