What Have You Done To Your Explorer ST Today

jeffreybehr · May 15, 2024

Installed the new centercaps on the new wheels.

Ordered them from Etsy...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1469732792/4pcs-set-mustang-high-quality-hand-made?ref=yr_purchases
Mine are 72mm; yours may be different.

These are self-adhesive, and they stick very well.. Have had them on the Ex for months.

CoHPhasor · May 16, 2024

Warpath said:

NICE.
I have to put on my Whipple and am waiting for my AFE setup too. Im sticking with the stock airbox, but doing hot and cold.
How is it, feeling a difference? Did you do tune as well? (Im going stock, curious of the change)

CoHPhasor · May 16, 2024

The aFe strut tower brace came in from Lethal, it looks nice and subtle.
I have to say - if you run the stock brace, you might as well remove it. The flex is laughable - my wife broke out in laughter.

Suprawill1 · May 16, 2024

CoHPhasor said:

You're not going to experience any more performance with the IC or the tower brace. The IC will help your engine last longer and help prevent heat soak. It's more preventative than additional. There are many upgrades that claim more HP but that is contingent on help from other mods. A tune is your first and best bang for the buck.
There's no bottleneck with the ST's intake, exhaust, turbos and intercooler under stock conditions. All those stock parts will flow more HP as is. It's the ECU programming that keeps the power back. That's why a tune is your first line of modification for more oomph. It opens up the possibility of adding more power.

CoHPhasor · May 17, 2024

Suprawill1 said:

That is all mostly true, and I'm already aware.
Honestly, the heatsoak and easing breathing was reason enough for me to do the upgrades. (Adding a tune in the future and unleashing tons of performance gives future benefits)

Can the OEM parts run at its current HP levels and above? Of course - it is the same for most powertrains.
The thing is that inefficient parts of the powertrain create parasitic HP/Tq losses, and inhibits performance of the engine at some points in the RPM range, etc.

Obviously, when you tune the engine's performance by changing the tune, you get "the most" benefit, so I wouldnt expect a lot, but there is a change.

As for changing the strut tower bar - HP doesnt influence its uaage nearly as much as hard driving/track days

Suprawill1 · May 17, 2024

CoHPhasor said:

Yes, I'm sure you're aware of most of this. I've seen some of your posts confirming that.
And yes, if you're anticipating future upgrades/tune etc, then these other parts may contribute down the road. (so to speak)
For instance, I'll be upgrading turbos and down pipes in the future but I'll be keeping the cat back exhaust system stock only because I appreciate the quiet and in the same breath, won't at all inhibit performance even at that level. Stock exhaust will handle up to 700HP. Even out of the mouths of tuners, they don't suggest upgrading the air intake 'unless' you're going to upgraded turbo power levels or just like the looks and possibly sound of an upgraded CAI. They're not seeing the parasitic losses before that point. At least, not on the engine design. You'll run out of stock turbo before you run out of air intake.

In mentioning the strut tower bar, I'm only speaking of handling. Anyone who I've seen post here after upgrading says there's no handling difference. Most of that comes from upgraded sway bars, springs, rear subframe lockout kits etc.

gsachsel · May 17, 2024

Many thanks to team JDM in New Jersey! Intercooler install and 93 tune today. Their passion for the ST shows. Tell your friends...

Warpath · May 18, 2024

CoHPhasor said:

Definitely felt a difference in spool up. I drove it without a tune for a bit. Then got a ZFG tune, and man what a difference wow.

njtta150 · May 18, 2024

gsachsel said:

What did they charge you ? If you don't mind sharing the cost breakdown.

Sent from my SM-T307U using Tapatalk

BigAnt75 · May 18, 2024

What tune did you go with? I got the 93 Performance tune and I’m definitely impressed!! Was thinking going 93 racing tune down the road but don’t know if it will make a huge difference since I’m still practically stock.

Warpath · May 18, 2024

BigAnt75 said:

I went with the 93 and 91 DMS tunes. They're awesome!!

Suprawill1 · May 18, 2024

Warpath said:

Agreed! 93 DMS here also. I think the DMS tunes are the way to go. Not only does it give you the most power of the tune choices but it lets you customize what mode profiles you want in your mode selector.

BrooseDaMoose · May 18, 2024

It’s a little more money but I think it’s worth it to be able to tune it down when you don’t need it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CoHPhasor · May 20, 2024

This week I added a Mishimoto oil catch can, and finally installed my 2nd hand Whipple intercooler.
I also seapped the front blue oval with black while it was out.

A few things on the Whipple:
1. Rivets on the bottom of the radiator shroud are STUPID.
I drilled out the rivet holes larger, ordered a rivet nut gun and stainless hardware and installed M6 hex bolts

2. I was missing the blue nylon rings for the intercooler standoffs so I wrapped the posts in a bunch of teflon tape.

3. The Whipple also didnt come with a bolt for the MAP sensor, but the factory one threaded in.
I had it torqued down, but it still wiggled! I put a washer between the factory torx screw and the MAP sensor and it torqued down nice and snug.

4. The 10mm bolts in the wheel well for the fender, are awful. tons of loctite, and black oxide bolts lends itself to messy threads.... thankfully the bolts are set at a terrible angle, have rounded corners, and are a huge PITA

EDWYER · May 24, 2024

Turbosmart dual port BOV installed!

.

Midnight · May 26, 2024

Well, just yesterday I installed my whipple Intercooler into my 2023 Explorer ST. It might just be "placebo effect", but it does feel like I have more consistent power and maybe more power. So Far since December 2023, I have added a Steeda Strut tower Brace, Mishimoto catch-can, steeda vertical link brace, aFe momentum gt 5r intake, AWR Dif Brace and Lethal performance differential bolt upgrade. I have more to come in the future.

Chamorro85 · May 28, 2024

Always enjoy popping into this thread after a couple weeks. Finally had some time to tint the lights. Not sure about doing the front corners but happy with how it all turned out. Love that Lethal's kit has everything!

Chamorro85 · May 28, 2024

Posting photos here is kicking my butt today. Hope those work.

23 Explorer ST · May 28, 2024

Chamorro85 said:

Photos loaded and your ST is looking awesome!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Psyko_323 · May 28, 2024

Warpath said:

Where did you get this hitch cover from? TIA

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