Hey All,
I just bought a 2021 Explorer XLT 4X4 with the 2.3 ecoboost. Its got 20k miles on it and still under warranty but I want to start planning some eprformance mods. First things coming to mind are cold ait intake (thinking about the K&N) and a tune and blow off valve. Any recommendations on tuners? Im seeing 5 Start tuning a lot on line but not sure how that works. How much HP can I get out of this thing? Thanks! Excited to be in the Explorer club!
John
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I recently acquired a 2023 ST-line. I am also exploring some mods. I traded in my 2018 Mustang Eco (Ecostang) on the Explorer. My Ecostang served as a daily driver and a HPDE (track day) car. Along with a host of suspension, brake, aero, and cooling mods, I did make a couple basic mods to the engine; a larger intercooler and a COBB tune. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be as much aftermarket stuff available for the Explorer as there is the Mustang, understandably. Also, for some reason Ford went with a slightly detuned version of the 2.3 Eco for the Explorer vs the Mustang, 300hp/310lbft vs 310hp/350lbft. Having said that, my concern is more with the transmission logic than the engine. I installed a throttle switch module, set it for 50% gain, and that seems to help a bit (just opens the throttle more for any given throttle input, no change in max power). I also find that driving in Tow Haul mode is a slight improvement for me (holds gears longer, less upshifting).
I don't think a cold air intake will have any impact on power, unless you have a highly modified engine exceeding 400hp. I say this because the intake airbox/filter is the same for the 3.0tt as it is the 2.3t. But, the cold air intake may add a little intake sound, which might be pleasurable. It is also worth noting that both the 3.0 and the 2.3 use the same intercooler. So again, probably not much to be gained from a larger intercooler either (for the 2.3). If you just want a little more power and (hopefully) better shift logic, an aftermarket tune is probably your best bet. Since my Explorer is brand new, I won't do this for a couple years, but that is probably all I will do with respect to the engine.
Note: My experience with the Ecostang was great. I did at least 30-40 track days with that car. I'm a HPDE instructor, so I was not "Sunday driving" around the track either. No issues with the motor. Without a doubt, this influenced my decision to get an Explorer with a 2.3.
