ecoboost_xsport Consolidated Build/Maintenance Thread

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Put me down for one of these! Will this be added to the X-Sport store? The weakest link in my fuel system is definitely the in tank pump DW300C. It became obvious how inferior it truly was once I added Xtreme-DI 2000cc injectors and EVO HPFP.

Haha, yeah, not sure I'll be providing these kits as I don't have a dealer or reseller license. I'd have to mark it up a bit higher than you could get it yourself. Not to mention the platform is slightly different....

But it's a thought, lol...

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Put me down for one of these! Will this be added to the X-Sport store? The weakest link in my fuel system is definitely the in tank pump DW300C. It became obvious how inferior it truly was once I added Xtreme-DI 2000cc injectors and EVO HPFP.

I do have a Vortech FPVB sitting here... haha

 

[802SHO]

I do have a Vortech FPVB sitting here... haha

Of course you do. You’ve got a treasure shelf of parts

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Built Long Block Part 03

Built Long Block Part 01: https://shoforum.com/index.php?thre...maintenance-thread.142193/page-4#post-1554309

Built Long Block Part 02: https://shoforum.com/index.php?thre...maintenance-thread.142193/page-4#post-1554310

Small update. Things have been slow going, but I finally got the engine onto an engine stand...you might find it interesting, LOL.

Well here's the fancy engine stand I ended up getting. Sunex 8300GB, 1/2 ton stand with oil drip pan. I wanted one with an actual gear-reduced crank handle because, well...I'm lazy, LOL:

And even more entertaining is my engine hoist:


My Kubota BX25...how you like THEM apples? LOL





Got a hold of some metric Grade 12.9 (yes, it's a thing) hardware. I custom-made some stainless sleeves to take up the slack in the larger diameter engine stand brackets. Makes for a super tight fit and no "slop".




Everything has anti seize on it! Sleeves and all...


Getting it loosely mounted:




I like to get the center line of the crankshaft lined up with the center rotation point of the engine stand.

And mounted!






Rotated...just because I can...


And finally, all tucked away for the time being:


And for those wondering what that shiny orange flexplate is all about...I'll let @bpd1511 elaborate. All the credit goes to him for getting that brought to market!

 

[802SHO]

I was looking at that thinking....did he get the same flexplate?? Very nice!

 

[Jordan_R]

I inquired about the flex plate a little while back and it's definitely a nice touch. Once I picked up my own though and felt how light it was I decided against it. Did you ever get a chance to weigh the new one?

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

I inquired about the flex plate a little while back and it's definitely a nice touch. Once I picked up my own though and felt how light it was I decided against it. Did you ever get a chance to weigh the new one?

Good point. I'll be honest with myself on what's to be gained from it and I feel a bit like it may be an inconsequential mod, especially if the weight difference isn't noteworthy.

But yes, I weighed it. I haven't weighed the stock one yet as it's still on the car. But if you have a decent scale, weigh it up and qe can compare notes...

 

[Jordan_R]

Good point. I'll be honest with myself on what's to be gained from it and I feel a bit like it may be an inconsequential mod, especially if the weight difference isn't noteworthy.

But yes, I weighed it. I haven't weighed the stock one yet as it's still on the car. But if you have a decent scale, weigh it up and qe can compare notes...

Mines not in my hands currently otherwise I'd let you know lol. It's definitely better than stock no question there I've just been pretty **** lately about removing rotating mass lately lol. I was ecstatic to hear my upgraded rotating assembly was less than stock when they were balancing it ha

 

[802SHO]

When I took mine off, I told my buddy how there’s an aftermarket one to get, he said the stock one basically weighs nothing and sometimes if you go too light it can cause issues. I’d have to ask him since I don’t remember the specifics but he was quick to dismiss replacing it with an even lighter version

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

When I took mine off, I told my buddy how there’s an aftermarket one to get, he said the stock one basically weighs nothing and sometimes if you go too light it can cause issues. I’d have to ask him since I don’t remember the specifics but he was quick to dismiss replacing it with an even lighter version

Well, we'll find out here soon enough, lol...

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Mines not in my hands currently otherwise I'd let you know lol. It's definitely better than stock no question there I've just been pretty **** lately about removing rotating mass lately lol. I was ecstatic to hear my upgraded rotating assembly was less than stock when they were balancing it ha

I like that you balanced all the rotating parts together. Wasn't able to do that...

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Mines not in my hands currently otherwise I'd let you know lol. It's definitely better than stock no question there I've just been pretty **** lately about removing rotating mass lately lol. I was ecstatic to hear my upgraded rotating assembly was less than stock when they were balancing it ha

Anybody got a stock one laying around that they can weigh fairly accurately?

 

[Jordan_R]

It was an absolute hassle to get her balanced.. had to go between a couple different machine shops but hopefully the finalized product will be as good as possible. There is other things I would had liked to do but didn't have the funds / the cost to effectiveness ratio was not favorable enough

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Access The PCM And/Or Wiper Motor

In case anybody wants to access the PCM and/or the wiper motor. It's actually pretty easy and accessible.

First thing to do is remove the wiper blades. At the base of the blades are bolt covers. They just snap onto 3 sides of the six-sided nut. Just get a flat-tip screwdriver and pop them straight up:

Once those are off, you'll have to remove the nuts off the wiper arm studs. Once those are removed...


They likely will be pressed on there pretty good. Flip the wipers up to give you some ability to wiggle the base. It's possible to remove them by hand, but easier if you use a tool to pull them off, usually comes in a nice puller set like this::

Here it is, ready to pull:


They pop off easily, usually with a loud "pop" sound, so just be ready for it. Once those are off it's time to remove the upper cowl piece. There are 6 plastic clips that need to be removed:


Just use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the center section of the clips. Sometimes they just spin without coming up. Just use your other hand to pinch the outer portion from underneath. It's also clipped into slots on the bottom of the windshield. Just pull the cowl directly up with some force and they pop out.

Here it is removed and showing the lower cowl:


To remove the lower cowl, you'll need to slide out to metal clips on either end of it, where it sits on the metal frame:


They are in there with some "bite". I used this tool to pull them straight back towards you::


Then there are 2 white clips more toward the center of the cowl, same place where the cowl meets the frame:


These just need to be popped up. It may tend to fall back into the hole, so you can remove them if you'd like by pulling it straight out. Don't loose them, LOL. Here is what it looks like when it's off the car:

Last thing to do before it will freely come out is, open the clips that hold the washer fluid line and pull the hose out. A small flat-tip screwdriver will open the clips, no need to remove them from the cowl:


And now you have access to both the PCM and the wiper motor, whichever component you are working on.

WIPER MOTOR



Pretty easy,actually. Just disconnect the connector for the motor:


Then remove these two bolts:


And here it is out of the car:




PCM



Also very easy, just undo both the main connectors. Do this carefully by lifting the hold-down/lock handle:


Then remove these two nuts:

And pull the assembly out. Here it is free of the car:


And that's it! Assembly is reverse.

 

[Jordan_R]

What you up to in there?

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

What you up to in there?

I'm trying to finish up this methanol kit install that I've been procrastinating on. Last 3 wires need to tie into the PCM or pass through into the cabin near that area...just been lazy or sidelined with other projects and now I'm finally getting to it.

 

[Jordan_R]

I'm trying to finish up this methanol kit install that I've been procrastinating on. Last 3 wires need to tie into the PCM or pass through into the cabin near that area...just been lazy or sidelined with other projects and now I'm finally getting to it.

Ah! Good stuff. Yeah I routed mine through there also, but drilled a hole on driver side to run power to the battery lol

 

[802SHO]

Ah! Good stuff. Yeah I routed mine through there also, but drilled a hole on driver side to run power to the battery lol

I drilled a hole through the firewall too

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Laptop Mount

OK, this was a project that came about last minute and spur of the moment. I frequently datalog with my SCT and use the laptop to accomplish this. Typically, I just put it in the passenger seat and do what I need to from that angle. It always bothered me as I would have to turn my head very far away from the road as I start and stop the logging and it was typically very awkward. This wasn't really too big of a deal and I normally just dealt with it.



Well, fast forward to one of my datalogging attempts where I was also testing out my Dragy device and doing a 60-0 braking test. That didn't go over too well because as soon as I hit the brakes, I wasn't prepared for the laptop to fly forwards into the floorboard at full speed. Well, it pretty much destroyed the laptop, cracking the screen, keys broken off and my data cord ripped out to the wire. Needless to say, I was pretty upset.

Luckily I was in the process of moving everything over to a new laptop anyway as that broken laptop was my old one. So, not wanting to break my new laptop, I decided to take advantage of the fact that the Ford Explorer is also used as a police vehicle, with many options to mount police communications gear available on the market, to include laptop mounts.

So after doing some research, I decided to go with the RAM Mount. It's inexpensive, well made, has a good reputation and also made in the USA...

So here's the passenger floorboard before installation:


Pop off these 2 covers with a flat-tip screwdriver:


You'll expose the front mounting bolts. And it's easier to make room if you remove the T-20 Torx screws, but it isn't necessary:


After having assembled the base...


...you will need to loosen the 13mm front seat bolts. You won't need to take them out, but will need to back them out pretty much the entire way, right before they come out. Once they are loose, you can slide the base bracket between the floor pan and the seat mounting bracket. The outside one is easy, but the one closest to the center console may need to be pried up and hammered in with a soft hammer or dead-blow.


Once it's in all the way, you will re-torque the bolts to 35ft-lb as specified by Ford.


Here is the base installed:


This is how I will drive 95% of the time as it allows full range of motion for the passenger seat, full access to the glove box and generally not in the way of anything.




After assembling the remainder of the components, here is the mount installed as intended:


And finally, I love the easier access and control of the laptop:


As mentioned, I won't typically drive with it, but when I do, it's very surprisingly sturdy with large tightening knobs and heavy steel brackets:


It does shake/rattle a bit while driving down the road after hitting bumps. Not much but it would likely get on my nerves if I was driving with it full time. Luckily, I'm not. If I were looking for a full time laptop mount, there are more expensive options such as the Havis Standard or Havis Premium mounts as well as an option from Gamber-Johnson. I'm sure there are a few more.

One of the things I like about the RAM mount is that it doesn't interfere with removal of the WeatherTech floor mats.

Anyway, one of those mods that make life a bit easier, but not 100% necessary.

 

[802SHO]

I know you’ve been weighing things as you swap them out with lighter parts, what does this RAM mount weigh as you added it back to the tally?