Learn me Bama/Diablo tuners for Mustangs

So I bought this 2006 Mustang V6.

Yeah, I'll wait while you stop laughing.

But seriously, this thing runs really well and I'm very happy with it as a DD. It runs so well that I suspect Ford has left some power on the table so that it didn't cull GT sales by being too good. It kind of falls flat on the RPM scale at what to me seems like an unusual place. Shopping American Muscle they offer tuners that you can get with 3 pre-loaded tunes for the car. More than that and you buy a package of "tunes for life" for significant dollars.

I see these come up used on the various Mustang sites and I understand the whole locked/unlocked thing. What I haven't been able to grasp is can I buy just any of these used tuners (for about half what a new one goes for...this is GRM after all) and it will have the 'standard' 3 V6 tunes in it? Or do I have to buy one that was bought for a V6?

Or, do I just buy one and then buy the pricey Tunes For Life package? But I'm not sure what/how I get what I need from that. Keep in mind I don't plan on turning this car into something else (no boost enhancement). All I'm seeking is getting the most out of the stock vehicle as possible...for as little coin as possible. What I could waste on silly cold air intakes and billet everything will easily equal the price of one of these tuners that actually does something.

Ymmv but I've seen on a lot of the ford tuners the work with any ford, I don't know how it all works I just remember seeing hypertech and the likes sold just one for all fords. Only reason I know this is cause dad only buys himself and mom white fords, it's funny they have 3 now, all modulars

Stick or autotragic?

Used, depends on the original tune placed in the programmer and if it was returned to stock or not. If the tuner hasn't been modified back to original condition/configuration, it's junk. You are better off buying a fresh tuner from a reputable place. The bama tunes are alright but still leave something on the table imo because they are still a mass marketed/produced product. I'd personally find a local tuner using the product you wish to use and communicate what you want done and let it go from there. I know a few guys that remote tune but you have to be on the dyno with a datalog for them to do anything.

Ymmv

The tuner will come in handy to reflash the ECU after you put gears in it. :)

ddavidv wrote: I understand the whole locked/unlocked thing.

Reading is FUN-damental!

Yes, perhaps some day I will swap a Traction-Lok rear into it. Until then I'm just looking for answers as posted above.