Ferrari SF90 Stradale ECU Tuning Guide — F154CG 4.0T V8 Hybrid | Stage 1 & Stage 2 | 2026

Ferrari SF90 Stradale — The Hybrid Supercar Redefined

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is Ferrari's first series-production plug-in hybrid, and it rewrites the rules for what a mid-engine supercar can deliver. Combining the F154CG 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors, the SF90 produces a combined 986 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque — making it the most powerful road-legal Ferrari ever built at launch. It sprints from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and tops out at 340 km/h.

Despite its hybrid architecture, the SF90 is a serious candidate for ECU calibration on the internal combustion side. At YPG Motorsport, we specialize in extracting additional power from the F154CG V8 while respecting the hybrid management system that governs all three electric motors.

F154CG Engine Overview

The F154CG is the most advanced variant of Ferrari's F154 twin-turbo V8 family. Key specifications include:

• Displacement: 3,990 cc (4.0L)
• Configuration: 90° V8, twin-turbocharged
• ICE Output: 769 HP at 7,500 RPM / 590 lb-ft at 6,000 RPM
• Electric Output: 217 HP combined from three motors (one MGU-K at the rear, two at the front axle)
• Combined System Output: 986 HP
• Redline: 8,000 RPM
• Fuel System: Direct injection with 350-bar rail pressure
• Turbochargers: IHI twin-scroll units with electronic wastegates

The F154CG shares its DNA with the F154CB found in the F8 Tributo and the earlier F154CD in the 488 Pista, but adds higher-flowing turbos, revised intake manifolds, and a bespoke ECU calibration to integrate with the hybrid powertrain.

ECU Tuning — What Is Possible on the SF90

Tuning the SF90 focuses exclusively on the ICE (internal combustion engine) side of the powertrain. The three electric motors are governed by a separate hybrid control unit (HCU) that manages battery state-of-charge, regenerative braking, and torque-fill strategies. We do not modify the HCU — doing so would compromise the hybrid system's safety protocols and battery management.

What we do modify is the main engine ECU, which controls fuelling, boost pressure, ignition timing, cam phasing, and throttle mapping for the F154CG V8.

Stage 1 ECU Calibration

Our Stage 1 tune for the SF90 targets conservative but meaningful gains on the V8:

• Power Gain: Approximately +50 HP on the ICE side (769 → ~820 HP ICE, ~1,036 HP combined)
• Torque Gain: +30-40 lb-ft across the mid-range
• Modifications: Optimized boost targets, revised ignition timing maps, refined fuel trims, adjusted throttle response
• Requirements: No hardware changes — 100% software

Stage 1 is designed to work on completely stock hardware, including the factory exhaust, catalysts, and intake. The gains come from removing the conservative safety margins Ferrari applies to account for poor fuel quality and extreme ambient temperatures. Running 98-100 RON fuel is required for optimal results.

Stage 2 ECU Calibration

Stage 2 builds on the Stage 1 calibration and requires supporting hardware modifications:

• Power Gain: +80-100 HP on the ICE side (~850-870 HP ICE, ~1,070-1,090 HP combined)
• Requirements: Sport catalysts or cat-delete downpipes, high-flow intake, upgraded intercooler (where applicable)
• Additional Calibration: Higher boost ceiling, extended rev limit (where safe), aggressive cam phasing profiles

Stage 2 on the SF90 pushes the F154CG closer to its mechanical limits. We validate every Stage 2 calibration on the dyno or via datalogging to confirm safe air-fuel ratios, exhaust gas temperatures, and knock margins.

Hybrid System Considerations

The SF90's hybrid system adds complexity that does not exist on the F8 Tributo or 488. Key considerations include:

• Torque Fill: The electric motors provide instant torque during turbo spool-up. Our calibration accounts for this to avoid torque spikes that could stress the 8-speed DCT.
• Battery SOC Management: The HCU manages battery charge independently. We ensure our ICE calibration does not create conflicts with the regenerative braking or charging strategies.
• Drive Modes: The SF90 offers eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify modes. Our calibration enhances all ICE-active modes (Hybrid, Performance, Qualify) without affecting eDrive operation.

Bench Tuning Process

The SF90 uses a Bosch MED17.3.5 ECU that requires bench tuning — the ECU must be physically removed from the vehicle, opened, and read via direct connection to the circuit board (BDM/boot mode). Here is what the process looks like:

1. ECU Removal: The ECU is extracted from the vehicle by an experienced technician or at one of our authorized partner workshops.
2. Bench Read: We connect to the ECU via bench harness, reading the full flash memory including calibration data, security keys, and immobilizer information.
3. Calibration Development: Our engineers modify the calibration maps using professional tuning software, adjusting boost, fuel, ignition, and torque limiter tables.
4. Flash & Reinstall: The modified calibration is written back to the ECU, which is then reinstalled in the vehicle.
5. Validation: We require datalog feedback from the first drive to confirm all parameters are within safe operating windows.

For customers outside our local area, we offer a ship-your-ECU service — you remove the ECU (or have a local shop do it), ship it to us, and we return it calibrated and ready to reinstall.

Supporting Modifications

To maximize the SF90's potential beyond Stage 1, we recommend:

• Sport Exhaust / Downpipes: Reduces backpressure, unlocks Stage 2 boost targets. Akrapovič offers a titanium system for the SF90.
• High-Flow Intake: Improves airflow to the turbochargers, especially at high RPM.
• Upgraded Intercooler: Reduces intake air temperatures under sustained high-load driving (track use).

Browse our full range of Ferrari performance parts for compatible upgrades.

Why Choose YPG Motorsport for SF90 Tuning

At YPG Motorsport, we have extensive experience with the entire F154 engine family — from the 488 GTB through the F8 Tributo and now the SF90 Stradale. Our calibrations are developed in-house, validated on real vehicles, and backed by ongoing support. We understand the hybrid integration challenges unique to the SF90 and calibrate accordingly.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your SF90? Contact us to discuss your build, or explore our F154 engine guide for a deeper look at the platform.