Explorer ST Adapt-X Tune (OEM Octane Learning and drivability)

What is Adapt-X and what makes it better than the competition?

The only Explorer ST tune on the market with true factory level octane learning and reliability!

Our Adapt-X line of calibrations are essentially an improved version of the OEM Ford calibration. We start from the OEM stock map and increase the vehicles ability to target higher engine loads/torque at wide open throttle. The result is a calibration that maintains 100% stock OEM feel and reliability, but maximum power that the car is capable of at wide open throttle. Despite being significantly safer than competitor maps, our calibration allows for maximum power possible, and typically outperforms competitor calibrations.

Specific to the Ford calibration strategy, our Adapt-X tunes work by utilizing the factory octane adjust ratio logic and factory timing model. Our calibration relies on knock based octane learning like factory to get the timing and load curve optimal, then at wide open throttle the car will add in or remove timing using spark based knock advance for maximum power. Our calibration will support 87 through 93 octane like the stock calibration, however if you are not running 91 or higher you will not see any power gains. We recommend using only premium fuel (91+ octane) in your Explorer ST.

All Adapt-X calibrations are emissions compliant and will pass emissions testing. Removing or tampering with emissions equipment on your vehicle will result in a check engine light and the vehicle failing an emissions test.

One of the largest benefits of Adapt-X is that you can continue to modify your vehicle with out changes to your calibration. Adapt-X will support most bolt on modifications and when a part is changed you can re-flash the calibration or perform a KAM reset using the SCT BDX tuner so that the vehicle can re learn turbo and airflow parameters stored in the KAM table.

All of our Adapt-X calibrations drive as smooth as stock with improved turbocharger response during throttle in conditions as well as offering a driving experience unlike anything offered by the competition.

Adapt-X Calibration Features:

• 100% Ford Refined OEM drivability
• Factory fuel economy performance
• Factory level reliability with inferred octane learning (Only tune on the market with this functionality)
• Improved engine cooling over factory
• Less knock over competitor tunes with advanced knock control strategy
• Adaptive boost control strategy designed to be compatible with most bolt on modifications, and more responsive than factory controls
• All the power of a pro tune with out the cost or the turn around time
• 1 month of tuning support is included with the purchase
• Same day tune delivery during business hours after receiving the tuning form response

Requirements:

• SCT BDX Tuning Device
• Premium fuel recommended (91+ octane)
• Stock Turbo
• Stock wastegate actuator
• Stock fuel system (No fuel system modifications or auxiliary fuels like WMI)

Compatible Modifications:

• Intake (Stock is recommended for best performance)
• Intercooler
• Downpipe
• Exhaust
• Charge pipes
• BOV or Upgraded BPV

What kind of power should I expect?

The power that you get will be heavily dependent on cooling and fuel quality. We highly recommend keeping the factory airbox (and with the oem lid) as it flows very well up to 450 whp while keeping temps very low, and provides a fresh air feed from the grill. After market intakes may see a reduction in power due to increased intake air temperatures.

Power figures will vary depending on fuel quality and are measured at the engine crankshaft. Multiply numbers by 0.84 for dyno numbers.

• Stock: 400 HP
• 91 Fuel: 480 HP
• 93 Fuel: 510 HP
• E30 Fuel: 570 HP

*** Ethanol Mix Notes ***

The explorer st gas tank is 20.2 gallons. For our Explorer ST E30 tunes we require mixing 7 gallons of e85 to a full tank of 91/93 octane fuel. This essentially comes out to 1.7 gallons of e85 per 1/4 tank which makes mixing fuel much easier and you'll never need to use a calculator again. Depending on what comes out of the pump this will result in a mix between e30 and e35 which will ensure the car has enough ethanol mixed for safe operation. More ethanol is better than too little ethanol.
When mixing always allow 15 miles of driving for the fuel to mix before going wide open throttle. Failure to allow the fuel to properly mix can result in excessive knock.

For E85 pumps that do not state an e70 minimum statement we recommend testing your fuel at least once a month using an ethanol test kit.

Tune Only : https://monstertuned.com/products/Explorer-ST-Adapt-X-Tune-p445742625

Tune + BDX bundle: https://monstertuned.com/products/Explorer-ST-Adapt-X-Tune-BDX-Bundle-p428112163

Our Adapt-X tunes have been available for the Focus ST since 2020 and Fiesta ST since 2021. We are the first to bring a tune to market for the Ecoboost platform that supports Ford factory octane learning without sacrificing any performance offered by a performance tune.
You are only limited on performance based on your fuel's knock resistance.

What people are saying:

Hey, just saw this thread. Wanted to drop my experience so far with the tuning.

Preface: I've know Tim for years through both the ST community and from mutual hobbies. I've also had experience with other tuners whom I shall not name. He's tuned my 2021 Explorer ST as well as my prior GTX 2860r gen 2 aux fuel 2014 Fiesta ST.

Regarding the overall experience, I can say that he takes a lot of care in his process. I was sort of his test bench for these platforms and despite that, he managed to exceed expectations. The turnaround for revisions is exceptional and he is flexible. His communication is also top notch. I don't know if this is just because we're friends, but I wanted to make note of it anyway

The tune: He is obsessive about his work. Always chasing the next fraction of a second on Dragy. However I never feel like he's asking too much of the vehicle. You might call his Adapt-x tune "OEM plus", but it's so much more than that. It unlocks the vehicle's true potential and is never trying to "fight" the vehicle or the driver. You can tell that a lot of work and knowledge went into creating these tunes. He even pushed SCT to refine the parameters available to him as a tuner that weren't available initially.

The vehicle makes noticeably more power and torque in every part of the RPM range. Dragy times are also down from 13.87 1/4 mile to a 12.87 1/4 mile on 93 octane. That's an entire second faster on pump gas in a loaded vehicle at altitude.
Once we started putting in ethanol, we got down into the low 12s. This is all on a completely stock vehicle.

Overall, I think this is a tune everyone should consider. The SCT BDX is nice because you can use it as a boost gauge, etc. Tim clearly knows what he's doing and is a serious player in the very competitive tuning game. Thank you a lot, Tim.

The vehicle above is 100% stock car picking up 6-7 mph in the 1/4 mile, full weight ST with sunroof. Jason is also at elevation.

Are there any members on the forum that have tried this tune or worked with any of their other Adapt-X tunes? Feedback/Thoughts?

@ThatThiccST replied above

Thanks and I did see that. I was hoping for some additional feedback and inisghts as well.

Unfortunately we are new to the explorer st platform so the support from others will be limited. We have been specializing in ecoboost tuning since 2016 and first to market with a tune that utilizes fords factory octane learning while still being an all out performance tune. I know these ECU's in and out.

Thank you for the feedback

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

I'm unsure if linking to another forum is allowed, but here's our original Adapt-X post that stays at the top of the forum.

https://www.focusst.org/threads/foc...g-and-reliability.162290/page-20#post-2675446

You'll see nothing but positive feedback for 20+ pages.

Thanks I will read through those as well

Color me intrigued. Like RapidRedST, I’ll read through the linked thread and see what it says. Understand that there is a wealth of Fiesta ST and Focus ST data out there, just wish there was more Explorer ST feedback other than the two that are posted here but understand that this is new to the Explorer platform.

2 possible stupid questions;
1. What happens when you put the vehicle into a different mode?
2. How does this effect the MPG? Or is that solely based on driving style?

Customers are reporting 15-20% increase in fuel economy averaged due to our spark advance strategy.

Drive modes are unaffected the vehicle will drive, and act like a stock tune vehicle until you go wide open throttle 90%+ on the gas pedal. This means no impact to towing or any other modes. The horsepower increase is in drive/sport mode.

Right up until you posted this message, I was willing to stay quiet and see where this was headed. But then you posted those numbers. So I'll assume you're talking about highway driving since in-town traffic conditions, etc are nearly impossible to measure unless you're doing some fixed CAFE test. You're saying your tune will move my ST from a little over 25 mpg (measured over multiple tanks on long road trips) to 28.75 to 30 mpg? Right. Is there a particular fuel one should use to achieve this miracle? Are you also saying your HP gains are specific to "sport mode"?

The additional torque request is for the drive torque request tables, you will see the power in normal or sport. You do not need to use sport mode.

In regards to MPG, our tunes make no claims for increased MPG, you can find this "Factory fuel economy performance" in both the post above and our website product listings. I simply stated customers are reporting an increase in fuel economy 15-20%, I'm not going to enforce a customer to follow a CAFE test. But both thiccst and the customer screen shot review above both to have claimed to see an improvement in fuel economy with thiccst seeing 20 vs 18 when on the stock calibration which is roughly a 15% increase in their averaged fuel economy. We don't need to perform any CAFE testing, because we do not claim the increased MPG, this is just review information provided from the customer.

I think the proper takeaway here is that if following the same driving pattern, both the stock calibration and our calibration under normal driving conditions (non-wot operation) will perform the same fuel economy wise.

So my guess is that any increase in fuel economy claimed by end users can be attributed in part to the tune, a change in driving habits and mostly moving to a higher octane level fuel than they were using. Not saying that the tune doesn’t help but that there are other factors playing a role in what people are seeing.

Also, if I’m reading your comments correctly, it sounds like the tune only plays a role in both Normal and Sport mode but all other modes remain at their stock configuration. If that’s the case, what if any difference is there between Normal and Sport or are they basically the same? Sorry if I’m missing the obvious here.

The tune has changes to knock advance to help find the knock threshold sooner than the oem tune would. The logic from ford has 2 advance rates, fast and normal. The car will advance quickly until 1 knock count then switch to the normal rate, finding the optimal spark quicker will result in improved fuel economy.

I can't really provide any more details than that to protect my tune.

Understand and appreciate the response but in a nutshell (without giving the tune away) Sport starts out with the fast advance rate until knock occurs and then drops back to normal advance while Normal starts out at the normal advance rate using your tuning specs to find the optimal spark rate in both cases. So that would be the difference.

Drive modes have nothing to do with it, "sport" mode has no meaning outside of anything other than a differential in pedal translation and transmission settings. Fast and Normal knock rates have no correlation to drive modes