2.3L Engine Upgrade Priorities / Lowest Hanging Fruit

[Sauce]

Im considering some upgrades to boost power, but also want to make sure that power increases are matched with corresponding upgrades to make sure that I maintain reliability. Is there any consensus around the order of upgrades and what is needed to support those upgrades?

Im going to start with the Ford Performance Calibration, and will then consider an S&B intake (once it is available, and would use a dry filter). After that it seems like the downpipe is the next step, and probably a larger undertaking than I'm looking to take on. Is there other low hanging fruit that I'm overlooking and should be considered? As much as I'd like a better sounding exhaust, that seems to be a very limited (or no) performance upgrade? Charge pipes?

At what point is an upgraded intercooler recommended?

This is largely a theoretical topic - and I am likely to just stop after the tune. Posing this question out of curiosity and to better understand the engine.

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[superj]

i have no experience on this engine, minus the tune, but on my son's focus st we did the intercooler after he did a sound sympo something mod and the intercooler made a huge difference with heat soak when he was autocrossing and kept intake temps down during daily driving. we have a scangage and some other plug in deal that reads all that stuff and mounts to the dash so you can see it all the time.

the intercooler was very easy to swap in on the focus st

 

[NickyFlippers]

I'd say the Ford Performance Tune will be your best bet. Intakes, intercoolers, charge pipes and exhaust will likely just lead to performance decrease. The 2.3 exhaust will be a downgrade no matter what considering what it will sound like if it become less restricted. Factory backpressure and A/F is already tuned, so disturbing that balance will just cost money for little to no result.

Most important thing is to just be happy with what you've got. Stroking or increasing boost will be about as fruitful as getting blood from a stone unless you're going fully built.

 

[Sauce]

I'd say the Ford Performance Tune will be your best bet. Intakes, intercoolers, charge pipes and exhaust will likely just lead to performance decrease. The 2.3 exhaust will be a downgrade no matter what considering what it will sound like if it become less restricted. Factory backpressure and A/F is already tuned, so disturbing that balance will just cost money for little to no result.

Most important thing is to just be happy with what you've got. Stroking or increasing boost will be about as fruitful as getting blood from a stone unless you're going fully built.

Totally hear and agree with you. I'm not inclined to go fully built, but was more just curious for those that had done it. Ive never tuned or modified a car in my life, and this one is really just a fun second vehicle for me. Just interested to learn more about it.

 

[superj]

i am a huge fan of the ford ecoboost engines and i think they are very well designed. performance is stellar for the size and gas mileage is excellent.

what you might want to do, @Sauce , is to look into suspension mods for what you actually use the truck for. if its actually going to be on the road for 95% of the time, maybe get a rear sway bar since our trucks don't have them. for on road vehicles, a rear sway bar makes it feel like a different vehicle. that is my plan

 

[Sauce]

Im already there. The truck lives in a dirt road and beach driving environment (island). Its already leveled with bigger wheel/tire setup for additional beach clearance and traction while I wait for a full suspension kit / lift. Hopefully optimizing for faster dirt roads / washboards / whoops / loose sand. Not particularly concerned with on road performance since there are few opportunities to get over 45 mph and zero road trips. But adding some power (particularly torque) is still nice.

 

[superj]

Oh yeah, you need the engine stuff than

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