quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Here’s an article by Garrett that starts to explain air/fuel and the efficiency island.

https://www.garrettmotion.com/...ance/choose-a-turbo/

How to read a turbo map:
http://www.superstreetonline.c...turp-compressor-map/

Compressor size and maps:
https://www.enginelabs.com/eng...zing-a-turbocharger/

Thanks! I’ll definitly be reading this weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
I seriously would just recommend going with Livernois. They've already done a lot of work with the Ecoboost engine since its debut and they're a proven aftermarket supporter of the platform. Plus, their customer service is top notch. Once you select a package from them and you receive your tuner, they'll provide free updates to your tune if you make more modifications.

And they've got every modification available for the Ecoboost. From simple tunes to full blown race engines, they've got you covered.

I looked into Livernois a little last night and they may be at the top of my list. Thanks for that.

Ok. New exhaust. Lord these Ecoboost trucks sound like “ricers” when they have those cat back exhaust and a tune. Who’s got the best sounding exhaust?

I'm using a Corsa exhaust. Sounds pretty good. Quiet when cruising and loud when on the gas.

The best sounding exhausts I ever had on turbocharged vehicles, was straight pipes. No cats, no resonators. The turbos act to silence the exhaust some. Just as well, when tuned for the exhaust, it is a decent power upgrade. I had a clip of the WRX (crappy old video camera from years ago) and I just uploaded a couple of the Bimmer for you to hear. It’s just 3” straight pipes, from the turbo back. Both were made from heavier gauge stainless. The WRX had single wall tips IIRC. The Bimmer had really nice fully welded, heavyweight titanium (not burned and ugly) tips. The titanium tips actually changed the sound considerably. They were also slightly flared which also changed the sound.

Flat 4, WRX with straight pipes:

https://youtu.be/tyMo9PhUk40

Inline 6 with twin scroll turbo, BMW with straight pipes:

https://youtu.be/sm67gbFQm6A

https://youtu.be/epZEICy1GxQ

Roush would have something as well. They are a factory approved item, though I’m not sure about all the details. If warranty is a consideration it might be your best option.

I am pretty sure you are stuck with SCT or Bully Dog units that utilize Derive software.

5Star tuning is who you want most folks to with the SCT X4 tuner.
These folks pretty much rule the 3.5L EcoBoost TRUCK market.
Livernois is good to but they are more focused for the car side of things.

The
Pretty much everyone on the EB Expedition forums run 5Star.
I’ll be going 5star eventually as well.

The S&B closed housing intake with a dry filter is likely your best bet for cost.

The AFE Stage two would be my choice if it utilized a closed housing. It’s nearly $600 too.

Oh, there's always Hennessey. They had a package similar to Livernois' for the SHO but kinda passed it over in favor of the Raptor EcoBoost.

Hennessy is as crooked as a dogs hind leg. He’s a thief and sheister. Do not trust anything from that squad of fools.

Just a follow up on my OP.

I have decided against a tuner for various reasons. I may upgrade my exhaust but that will be about all in the near term.

While investigating the various tuners and the pros and cons I saw reports indicating that the 2011 model year (maybe other early Gen 1 Ecoboost's too) had some not-so-good plugs that were gapped way to wide. The new and improved plugs are now gapped around .032 to .035 I believe. (People getting tuners from MPT and the other well known shops are gapping their plugs around 0.028.)

Ford also reprogrammed the computer. Wow. What a difference new plugs and new tune has made - plus the new CAI I recently got. Still not what a new tuner would give me but much better.

The Ford tech reminded me to run high quality gas (like Mobil or Chevron), synthetic oil, and to give it an Italian-tune regularly (meaning to put your foot into it). You can't drive these turbo charged engines like an old man - which I typically have been doing.

Time will tell if I gain any in MPG but as they say, these engines should be called Eco-or-boost. You don't get both at the same time.

I don't know what that Ford tech is talking about but you definitely should not beat too hard on your engine. I have been flogging my Taurus since the day I bought it. Around 20k, it developed very slight oil leaks in both turbos. Even after addressing the issue, when I run it hard I get an overpowering smell of burning oil. Fortunately, I am not losing oil and it hasn't gotten into the cylinders. But it is something to be cautious about.

I've avoided this thread since I think for street use screwing with the factory stuff is nuts (* I race things and then all is ok). But FWIW I take our ambulance to the local Ford dealer for service and since it has stuff that we can't easily remove I have to accompany it. Which means we go back into the bowels of the service department. Due to various issues on our 6L (really bad ford engine) I have been there lots lately. What I see is nothing but ecoboost engines being replaced. lots and lots of them. FWIW>

Got my SCT tuner and tunes from 5 star tuning the other day.
I also got a K&N Cold Air Induction filter. We installed the K&N and then drove it. The pedal response was noticeable. Have not put any of the tunes in to try yet...maybe Sunday.
Am going to Indy for the convention on Saturday all day.