2022 Ford Explorer Platinum ST

[PlatinumST]

As I understand, in 2022 Ford upped the ante on the Platinum trim level and gave it the same tune as the ST. I'm a sucker for the nicer trim and opted to go with the Platinum and will soon begin the process of blacking it out and modifying it to take on a Hellcat. I'm new to this and am very open to comments or suggestions.

Currently I'm planning on doing the following:
Exhaust
SPD Catted Downpipes
Thermal R&D 2.5" DP Back Exhaust System

Engine
Whipple Explorer Mega Cooler - EB-8130
aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake Kit
FenFabrication Charge Pipe with Turbosmart BOV kit
UPR Dual Valve Catch Can plug N Play with ECSS
Black, w/catch can drain kit, add 2 pro check valves + billet pcv fitting
ZFG 91/E50 Tune

Suspension
Steeda Explorer Ultimate Handling Package - 555 2138
Steeda Explorer Pro-Action Front Strut Kit - 555 8436
Steeda Explorer Pro-Action Rear Shock Kit - 555 8437
FenFab Rear Toe Links
AWD Racing Rear Diff Mount

As I mentioned, I'm open to comments or suggestions. I realize there aren't any turbos on here yet...I am currently undecided on who to go with. Also, if anyone knows of any good Ford Performance shops in Utah, I'm all ears!

Thanks in advance!

Edit: Removed all the crossed out parts which I replaced with others based on feedback.

 

[GearHead_1]

That's all I've got to say about this.



https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...s/awr-racing-rear-diff-mount-2020-explorer-st



https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...xplorer-st-cat-back-exhaust-2020-freeshipping

 

[MikeyP]

The ST has lower gears, so the Platinum will always have that disadvantage.

 

[PlatinumST]

That's all I've got to say about this.

View attachment 11731

https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...s/awr-racing-rear-diff-mount-2020-explorer-st

View attachment 11729

https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...xplorer-st-cat-back-exhaust-2020-freeshipping

What makes this dif mount better than the one made by FenFab?

 

[PlatinumST]

Posted this in builds, but thought this may be a better place for this...
As I understand, in 2022 Ford upped the ante on the Platinum trim level and gave it the same tune as the ST. I'm a sucker for the nicer trim and opted to go with the Platinum and will soon begin the process of blacking it out and modifying it to take on a Hellcat. I'm new to this and am very open to comments or suggestions.

Initially I'm planning on doing the following:
Exhaust
FenFabrication Catted Downpipes - #DD-DEPD20-CAT
Thermal R&D 2020+ Explorer ST 2.5" DP Back Exhaust
Also considering MBPR or Corsa, but am undecided.

Engine
Whipple Explorer Mega Cooler - EB-8130
FenFabrication High Flow Air Intake Kit - FF-FEAI2021 Aztec Blue
FenFabrication Charge Pipe for Stock BOV - FF-FECPIPE Aztec Blue (I’m wanting to keep this more as a sleeper, is there a better recirculating BOV that’d you’d recommend over the OE?)
UPR Dual Valve Catch Can plug N Play with ECSS
Black, w/catch can drain kit, add 2 pro check valves + billet pcv fitting

Suspension
Steeda Explorer Ultimate Handling Package - 555 2138
Steeda Explorer Pro-Action Front Strut Kit - 555 8436
Steeda Explorer Pro-Action Rear Shock Kit - 555 8437
Steeda Explorer Adjustable Rear Toe Links - 555 4118
Woosh AWD Racing Rear Diff Mount in Black

As I mentioned, I'm open to comments or suggestions. I realize there aren't any tunes or turbos on here yet...I am currently undecided on who to go with. Also, if anyone knows of any good Ford Performance shops in Utah, I'm all ears!

Lastly, what are your thoughts on meth injection over running an ethanol blend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GearHead_1]

I think you've selected a lot of really good products. You may already be aware of this but there is no actual BOV on a 2022.

https://www.explorerst.org/threads/2021-st-bov.2576/

If I were choosing between the exhaust systems you have listed I'd point you towards the complete Thermal R&D Catback system. This system will limit the potential issues related to the OE flex pipes. There are of course other ways to do this but this complete system will do this right out of the box. Having said this there are other ways to get a little more noise and black tips for less money.

 

[PlatinumST]

https://www.explorerst.org/threads/new-product-alert-the-awr-racing-rear-diff-mount.3637/#post-46058

Good question, I found this helpful, then I placed an order for the model from AWR.

Thanks for the article. I found another thread related to these mounts after posting the question. Lots of knowledge around here

 

[UNBROKEN]

Some thoughts:
IMHO the non-adjustable toe links FenFab is working on will be better for less money. There’s no need to adjustable links when there’s already an eccentric there for adjustment.
And in case you didn’t pick up on it…the Steeda struts and shocks are just oem ST parts…price shop those to try to save some money.
If you’re buying a new 2022 it doesn’t have a bypass valve…they were eliminated. Check your car before you buy the charge pipe because you may need one with an added BOV.
The aFe intake flows more air at the chargers than the FenFab as measured by Adam at ZFG.
ZFG should be your only choice for a tuner.
After all that you still won’t have the lower gearing of an ST and will likely be in the high 11’s on E50.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Is there really a need to two identical threads? PM an Admin to move one where you want it and kill the other.

 

[PlatinumST]

Thank you for the feedback! I'll make some adjustments on the parts you mentioned. I wasn't aware the Steeda shocks and struts were ST OEM. I'll definitely shop those. Has anyone come across any that are better than ST OEM yet?

I'm regards to the gearing, if I've read correctly, the transmission is the same in both. So if I understand correctly the gearing in the axles is where the disadvantage lies? Is this addressable or a casualty of my ignorance of buying the Platinum over the ST?

Lastly, does anyone have opinions regarding meth injection vs ethanol blends?

 

[PlatinumST]

Is there really a need to two identical threads? PM an Admin to move one where you want it and kill the other.

my bad! Sent a message to get that taken care of. Sorry.

 

[PlatinumST]

I think you've selected a lot of really good products. You may already be aware of this but there is no actual BOV on a 2022.

https://www.explorerst.org/threads/2021-st-bov.2576/

If I were choosing between the exhaust systems you have listed I'd point you towards the complete Thermal R&D Catback system. This system will limit the potential issues related to the OE flex pipes. There are of course other ways to do this but this complete system will do this right out of the box. Having said this there are other ways to get a little more noise and black tips for less money.

Thanks for the heads up! Great info there. Since this is a duplicate post, I'll be having this thread removed. Thanks for the input!

 

[Cruising68]

The gearing change is in the diffs. You could certainly re-gear to match the ST if you wanted to.

 

[PlatinumST]

The gearing change is in the diffs. You could certainly re-gear to match the ST if you wanted to.

I wanted the ST for performance, but the Platinum for the trim...trim won out with the hope I could modify things to catch up to the ST. Sounds like that's the case. Excellent news! Thank you.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Probably would have been cheaper to swap the interior parts to Platinum pieces honestly.

 

[PlatinumST]

In hindsight, it probably would have had a better resale as well...oh well. Lessons learned.

 

[Cruising68]

Hey your money. I like that you are going to get what you want.

 

[PlatinumST]

Me too! Initially I wanted the Durango Hellcat, but the interior on the Dodges feel too plastic. We'll see how close we can get performance wise with the Explorer...hopefully without breaking the bank. I hope it'll be a fun long term project

 

[PlatinumST]

Ford shipped the Explorer. Should see it the week of May 8th. Hustling to get all the parts ordered so we can get this show on the road!

 

[2PAC]

Me too! Initially I wanted the Durango Hellcat, but the interior on the Dodges feel too plastic. We'll see how close we can get performance wise with the Explorer...hopefully without breaking the bank. I hope it'll be a fun long term project

Durango would have had the best resale and the least amount of modifications.

Only reason I didn't grab one is because of the god awful money factor on the leases.

St feels like a bargain on the performance aspect and a few steps up in terms of tech and interior. Honestly a better daily driver with about 60-70% of the performance.

As for modding to beat a hellcat good luck, if I slap radials on my charger I'm running a 10.7ish, not to mention from a roll. On the streets from a dig awd will almost always do better than rwd until it hooks.