New guy here, but not to the ST world

[usmarineret2005]

Hello everyone. Proud new owner of a 2023 Explorer ST. Picked it up on 11/02 and since then have installed the, pretty much required, oil catch cans and ceramic coated it. I said I wasn't going to modify this, but Black Friday got the better of me.

Not new to the ST community though. I purchased a 2013 Tangerine Scream Focus ST on 1/1/2013 as a new years present to myself. I did all the performance upgrades that made sense to it. Hellova fun car. Unfortunately, it became victim of a rollover accident in Feb 2014. I fell asleep behind the wheel after a couple of 18 hour days at work.

I am pretty impressed with this Explorer ST. It has exceeded my expectation of what I thought it would be. I think Ford did a nice job with these. I actually prefer this over my Focus ST (RIP).

Anyway, that's my story for now.

Tony

 

[Blue Beast]

Hello everyone. Proud new owner of a 2023 Explorer ST. Picked it up on 11/02 and since then have installed the, pretty much required, oil catch cans and ceramic coated it. I said I wasn't going to modify this, but Black Friday got the better of me.

Not new to the ST community though. I purchased a 2013 Tangerine Scream Focus ST on 1/1/2013 as a new years present to myself. I did all the performance upgrades that made sense to it. Hellova fun car. Unfortunately, it became victim of a rollover accident in Feb 2014. I fell asleep behind the wheel after a couple of 18 hour days at work.

I am pretty impressed with this Explorer ST. It has exceeded my expectation of what I thought it would be. I think Ford did a nice job with these. I actually prefer this over my Focus ST (RIP).

Anyway, that's my story for now.

Tony
View attachment 20644

Welcome to the forum.

 

[STFan]

Congrats and welcome aboard!

 

[WaferTech]

Nice color, Did you have to wait very long to take delivery?

 

[usmarineret2005]

Nice color, Did you have to wait very long to take delivery?

Thank you. I love the color in the morning and evening the best. Nope. I knew what I wanted. It was sitting on the showroom floor. I've been wanting one since 2020. The wife hit a deer in her car and that was enough to make me pull the trigger on this.

 

[FORZDA3]

Thank you. I love the color in the morning and evening the best. Nope. I knew what I wanted. It was sitting on the showroom floor. I've been wanting one since 2020. The wife hit a deer in her car and that was enough to make me pull the trigger on this.

Yes, welcome to the forum! I do recommend a simple drive mode specific (DMS) tune from ZFG. It will make your ExpST run circles around your previous FoST, or drive basically stock, depending on how you want the drive modes set up. If you don’t mind mixing the gasoline with 50% corn whiskey (ethanol) it can run 0-60 in 4sec and low 12s to high 11s in 1/4 mile. Mine (also red) ran 12.01 loaded with support items (heavy car seats, rear seats video system, & toys) for 3 granddaughters. A larger intercooler is recommended, but not required unless you run at WOT for miles. The Explorer ST has a wide range of performance capability for little money.

 

[usmarineret2005]

Yes, welcome to the forum! I do recommend a simple drive mode specific (DMS) tune from ZFG. It will make your ExpST run circles around your previous FoST, or drive basically stock, depending on how you want the drive modes set up. If you don’t mind mixing the gasoline with 50% corn whiskey (ethanol) it can run 0-60 in 4sec and low 12s to high 11s in 1/4 mile. Mine (also red) ran 12.01 loaded with support items (heavy car seats, rear seats video system, & toys) for 3 granddaughters. A larger intercooler is recommended, but not required unless you run at WOT for miles. The Explorer ST has a wide range of performance capability for little money.

Thank you for the advice and welcome! I did some reading and watching about that DMS tune. I like the ability to change modes on the fly. It's more like the JB4 tune I had in a BMW. My wife daily's this, for now, so she won't be going to all the different modes, very often. She may mess with the modes once in a while but it will be mostly me.
These 3.0's seem to be pretty reliable but I'm sketchy about the warranty. I have been thinking about the Ford Performance tune and let Ford install it. I'm putting the Thermal R&D mid-back set up and a tune that's about it. Maybe an FMIC later. Bang for the buck bolt on items don't really bring anything to the table unless you UPGRADE not "upgrade."

I'll give that tune some serious thought though. Thank you.

Tony

 

[WaferTech]

Will a Intercooler help without a tune? I assume that's what FMIC means. Still sorting thru the aftermarket tune information.

 

[GearHead_1]

A larger intercooler arguably doesn't increase HP, but it does allow you to maintain what you have by either preventing or prolonging heat soak. If you want to maximize what you have, an intercooler will help and really shines once an engine tune is added. FMIC (Front Mount InterCooler).

 

[WaferTech]

A larger intercooler arguably doesn't increase HP, but it does allow you to maintain what you have by either preventing or prolonging heat soak. If you want to maximize what you have, an intercooler will help and really shines once an engine tune is added. FMIC (Front Mount InterCooler).

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. They seem to block most of the radiator, I guess that's not an issue?

 

[GearHead_1]

Theoretically, not enough to cause a problem, some claim they do. I know a couple of folks who have monitored the change and say they see no appreciable difference. It's very difficult to do an accurate A/B test with real-world conditions.

 

[Cajun Heat]

Hello everyone. Proud new owner of a 2023 Explorer ST. Picked it up on 11/02 and since then have installed the, pretty much required, oil catch cans and ceramic coated it. I said I wasn't going to modify this, but Black Friday got the better of me.

Not new to the ST community though. I purchased a 2013 Tangerine Scream Focus ST on 1/1/2013 as a new years present to myself. I did all the performance upgrades that made sense to it. Hellova fun car. Unfortunately, it became victim of a rollover accident in Feb 2014. I fell asleep behind the wheel after a couple of 18 hour days at work.

I am pretty impressed with this Explorer ST. It has exceeded my expectation of what I thought it would be. I think Ford did a nice job with these. I actually prefer this over my Focus ST (RIP).

Anyway, that's my story for now.

Tony
View attachment 20644

Congrats and welcome to the forum.