Engine upgrades - anything I'm missing?

[The_Auto_Tech]

Hey guys, currently have:

SCT Livewire TS+ with Unleashed tuning
Motorcraft 2.5bar MAP
Reische 170 degree thermostat
NGK LTR7IX-11's and gapped to 0.026"
Accel yellow coils
EcoPowerParts powdercoated red dual intake with silicone rear turbo hose
EcoPowerParts powdercoated full hot pipe kit with factory BOV mounts
Motorcraft towing package radiator
Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit
Super Start AGM battery
Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Motorcraft filter
SHO engine cover (Flex doesn't come with it)

I don't plan on installing a catch-can setup since I live in Iowa and I have seen issues with them collecting moisture and freezing causing gasket blow-outs. Wasn't sure if there were any other potential upgrades that are available that I don't have yet. Thanks!

 

[kryptto]

Hey guys, currently have:

SCT Livewire TS+ with Unleashed tuning
Motorcraft 2.5bar MAP
Reische 170 degree thermostat
NGK LTR7IX-11's and gapped to 0.026"
Accel yellow coils
EcoPowerParts powdercoated red dual intake with silicone rear turbo hose
EcoPowerParts powdercoated full hot pipe kit with factory BOV mounts
Motorcraft towing package radiator
Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit
Super Start AGM battery
Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Motorcraft filter
SHO engine cover (Flex doesn't come with it)

I don't plan on installing a catch-can setup since I live in Iowa and I have seen issues with them collecting moisture and freezing causing gasket blow-outs. Wasn't sure if there were any other potential upgrades that are available that I don't have yet. Thanks!

Why no 3 bar map? I ask because many of us here dump the 2.5 map for a 3 bar for more boost.

 

[kryptto]

Also replace the plastic pipes to aluminum- EcoPowerParts

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Why no 3 bar map? I ask because many of us here dump the 2.5 map for a 3 bar for more boost.

The Taurus has a 2 bar map that we dump to be able to run more than 14 lbs of boost. The Flex has a 2.5 bar map that will allow him to run 22 lbs of boost.

 

[kryptto]

The Taurus has a 2 bar map that we dump to be able to run more than 14 lbs of boost. The Flex has a 2.5 bar map that will allow him to run 22 lbs of boost.

Stand educated once again. Thanks

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Hey guys, currently have:

SCT Livewire TS+ with Unleashed tuning
Motorcraft 2.5bar MAP
Reische 170 degree thermostat
NGK LTR7IX-11's and gapped to 0.026"
Accel yellow coils
EcoPowerParts powdercoated red dual intake with silicone rear turbo hose
EcoPowerParts powdercoated full hot pipe kit with factory BOV mounts
Motorcraft towing package radiator
Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit
Super Start AGM battery
Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Motorcraft filter
SHO engine cover (Flex doesn't come with it)

I don't plan on installing a catch-can setup since I live in Iowa and I have seen issues with them collecting moisture and freezing causing gasket blow-outs. Wasn't sure if there were any other potential upgrades that are available that I don't have yet. Thanks!

Depends how far you want to go. If you want to start running E30+, you can look at a HPFP and LPFP. Upgraded turbos are available. Methanol injection. GearHead intercooler if it crosses over to the Flex. Downpipes. Outside of motor performance, they have the Whiteline sway bars. I am not sure if they cross over to the Flex.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Why no 3 bar map? I ask because many of us here dump the 2.5 map for a 3 bar for more boost.

The Taurus has a 2 bar map that we dump to be able to run more than 14 lbs of boost. The Flex has a 2.5 bar map that will allow him to run 22 lbs of boost.

Stand educated once again. Thanks

Besides that information, it's also what Unleashed recommended to use with their tuning.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Also replace the plastic pipes to aluminum- EcoPowerParts

Between the dual intake and hot pipes kit all of the plastic pipes have been replaced with metal pipes and silicone couplers.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Depends how far you want to go. If you want to start running E30+, you can look at a HPFP and LPFP. Upgraded turbos are available. Methanol injection. GearHead intercooler if it crosses over to the Flex. Downpipes. Outside of motor performance, they have the Whiteline sway bars. I am not sure if they cross over to the Flex.

I actually have the PPE catless downpipes ordered and they should be shipping next week.

Won't be running methanol injection on this one, it's the wife's daily driver and need to keep things easily managed without giving her another thing she needs to check and keep track of, plus I'm not sure there's a great place to keep the methanol tank.

As far as E30+ goes - I'm assuming that means having to try and blend 91 octane and E85 together at the pump to create it? If so, that's probably out as well, again because the wife drives it and I need her to just be able to put fuel in it and drive.

I think the GearHead intercooler maybe crosses over to the Flex but can't remember.

What's the options for upgraded turbos and what supporting mods do they need? I've been thinking about them for when one of the turbos or both do eventually let go.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I actually have the PPE catless downpipes ordered and they should be shipping next week.

Won't be running methanol injection on this one, it's the wife's daily driver and need to keep things easily managed without giving her another thing she needs to check and keep track of, plus I'm not sure there's a great place to keep the methanol tank.

As far as E30+ goes - I'm assuming that means having to try and blend 91 octane and E85 together at the pump to create it? If so, that's probably out as well, again because the wife drives it and I need her to just be able to put fuel in it and drive.

I think the GearHead intercooler maybe crosses over to the Flex but can't remember.

What's the options for upgraded turbos and what supporting mods do they need? I've been thinking about them for when one of the turbos or both do eventually let go.

I am running TurboBay Stage 3. I already had a HPFP because i will do E30 eventually. I am not sure if you need the HPFP for the extra boost. I also put the TurboSmart wastegate actuators on at the same time. GearHead also has some.

Methanol could be added with a non-dependent tune. Going that route would help clean the intake for not have the catch can, add a little cooling and octane. Just top off the tank every so often and if she runs it dry, the tune doesn't require it.

E30+ until you get to E85 does require mixing.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

I am running TurboBay Stage 3. I already had a HPFP because i will do E30 eventually. I am not sure if you need the HPFP for the extra boost. I also put the TurboSmart wastegate actuators on at the same time. GearHead also has some.

Methanol could be added with a non-dependent tune. Going that route would help clean the intake for not have the catch can, add a little cooling and octane. Just top off the tank every so often and if she runs it dry, the tune doesn't require it.

E30+ until you get to E85 does require mixing.

E30+ I would say is out then. Unless I can just pump fuel into it mixing fuels ain't gonna happen.

I'm not worried about cleaning the intake valves honestly. I just did the first manual cleaning on them a couple weeks back, and I highly doubt the small bit of methanol is going to do anything to fix that due to how hard the carbon is packed on. Also, I didn't have any actual issues with it running badly because of it. It doesn't seem like methanol injection is worth it unless you're tuning for it and actually using it, and if that's the case, then it's another thing she would need to pay attention to.

I assumed maybe it needed upgraded HPFP, but I'm also not really sure how much larger those turbos are than the stock ones. The wastegate actuators is probably a good idea when changing the turbos out.

 

[David Klopper]

Meth injection is surprisingly easy to install and quite low maintenance actually.

If you’re looking for a basic kit you can get yourself the AEM v3 kit which is waterproof so you can mount the 1.15 gal tank right next to the horns in the front bumper and run a tube to fill it from under the hood.

It only activates when on boost, which you can control, so a tank can last a while.

Here’s a video to give you an idea

If you want to make any more power then you’ll need more octane. The water/meth and/or e30 will give you that.

 

[BradM]

Hey guys, currently have:

SCT Livewire TS+ with Unleashed tuning
Motorcraft 2.5bar MAP
Reische 170 degree thermostat
NGK LTR7IX-11's and gapped to 0.026"
Accel yellow coils
EcoPowerParts powdercoated red dual intake with silicone rear turbo hose
EcoPowerParts powdercoated full hot pipe kit with factory BOV mounts
Motorcraft towing package radiator
Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit
Super Start AGM battery
Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Motorcraft filter
SHO engine cover (Flex doesn't come with it)

I don't plan on installing a catch-can setup since I live in Iowa and I have seen issues with them collecting moisture and freezing causing gasket blow-outs. Wasn't sure if there were any other potential upgrades that are available that I don't have yet. Thanks!

Exhaust and intercooler would be next. Upgraded fuel and turbos would only come after that IMHO. You can see from my build that you can get really far with OEM hot pipes, ignition, and injectors.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Meth injection is surprisingly easy to install and quite low maintenance actually.

If you’re looking for a basic kit you can get yourself the AEM v3 kit which is waterproof so you can mount the 1.15 gal tank right next to the horns in the front bumper and run a tube to fill it from under the hood.

It only activates when on boost, which you can control, so a tank can last a while.

Here’s a video to give you an idea

If you want to make any more power then you’ll need more octane. The water/meth and/or e30 will give you that.

Sure, the fill might last a while, but my question would be how would that integrate properly with the ECU control? The only time it seems to be worth using methanol injection is if you tune the car to run it, otherwise there's really no benefit it seems. If the pump or injectors were to fail, would the ECU be able to compensate for that? Is there any way to know if they aren't operating properly without physically checking it?

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Exhaust and intercooler would be next. Upgraded fuel and turbos would only come after that IMHO. You can see from my build that you can get really far with OEM hot pipes, ignition, and injectors.

After hearing Ecoboost vehicles with cat-backs I am most definitely not sold on it sounding anything good, especially on the Flex where resonance can be a real problem due to the interior open space. I think doing the catless downpipes and leaving it stock would be best. The turbos will stay stock until they fail, and then I'll probably look into upgrading them. Sounds like I don't need to worry about changing the fueling unless I plan to run E30+, but I don't want to mix fuels for that. I'll check into the intercooler as well.

 

[BradM]

After hearing Ecoboost vehicles with cat-backs I am most definitely not sold on it sounding anything good, especially on the Flex where resonance can be a real problem due to the interior open space. I think doing the catless downpipes and leaving it stock would be best. The turbos will stay stock until they fail, and then I'll probably look into upgrading them. Sounds like I don't need to worry about changing the fueling unless I plan to run E30+, but I don't want to mix fuels for that. I'll check into the intercooler as well.

Upgraded turbos just don't give you your moneys worth IMHO. OEM got me to where the torque management system was not happy (even with it tuned). Going any further just isn't worth the cost. Exhaust and intercooler give good returns on investment.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Upgraded turbos just don't give you your moneys worth IMHO. OEM got me to where the torque management system was not happy (even with it tuned). Going any further just isn't worth the cost. Exhaust and intercooler give good returns on investment.

The turbo options available don't really seem size-wise that they would really make much more power that it would be worth it. I'll be doing the catless downpipes for sure, and am looking into the intercooler.

 

[David Klopper]

Sure, the fill might last a while, but my question would be how would that integrate properly with the ECU control? The only time it seems to be worth using methanol injection is if you tune the car to run it, otherwise there's really no benefit it seems. If the pump or injectors were to fail, would the ECU be able to compensate for that? Is there any way to know if they aren't operating properly without physically checking it?

If you run the GearHead auto octane tune you can ask Matt to write you a meth non-dependent tune that adds timing if the knock sensors like it.

That allows you to run 91 octane gas with the benefit of the extra cooling and octane that comes with water/meth. Iirc, auto octane can adjust up to something like 95 octane.

The way you’ll know everything is working safely is you’ll see negative knock at WOT on your data logger and your meth kit’s LED bulb will illuminate when spraying for extra visual verification.

In the AEM kit, which I have, that same LED bulb will pulse if the fluid level is running low.

There are other kits that have even more features.

 

[HMINUS3505]

Hey guys, currently have:

SCT Livewire TS+ with Unleashed tuning
Motorcraft 2.5bar MAP
Reische 170 degree thermostat
NGK LTR7IX-11's and gapped to 0.026"
Accel yellow coils
EcoPowerParts powdercoated red dual intake with silicone rear turbo hose
EcoPowerParts powdercoated full hot pipe kit with factory BOV mounts
Motorcraft towing package radiator
Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit
Super Start AGM battery
Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic oil and Motorcraft filter
SHO engine cover (Flex doesn't come with it)

I don't plan on installing a catch-can setup since I live in Iowa and I have seen issues with them collecting moisture and freezing causing gasket blow-outs. Wasn't sure if there were any other potential upgrades that are available that I don't have yet. Thanks!

What are the part numbers for the Motorcraft towing package radiator and Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit?

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

What are the part numbers for the Motorcraft towing package radiator and Motorcraft towing package oil cooler kit?

Oil cooler parts -

8S4Z-19L523-A KIT - T 298030
AT4Z-6881-A Adaptor 393667
8A8Z-6A642-A Oil Coo 369764
8A8Z-8075-A Hose AS 373189
-W503283-S437 x 4 Bolt - 827132
-W503277-S437 x 4 Bolt - 535788
8A8Z-8286-A Hose 373188

Towing radiator -

DA8Z-8005-B

I don't know if these fit an SHO as this is from a Flex.