Ford Explorer ST gets an official Performance Calibration kit, too

Dragoon

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I thought this was interesting since the Bronco Raptor shares a similar power plant with the Explorer ST.

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Days after it announced a Performance Calibration kit for the 2.3-liter-powered Bronco, Ford Performance released a similar upgrade for the Explorer ST. The tune adds about 30 horsepower to SUVs built between the 2020 and 2022 model years without voiding the warranty.

Stock, the hot-rodded variant of the Explorer is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 rated at 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Ford's tune injects up to 30 horsepower and 35 pound-feet of torque into the driveline, raising the six's output to 430 horses and 467 pound-feet of twist. The Blue Oval also notes that the Performance Calibration kit improves the throttle response throughout the rev range. The tune optimizes the 10-speed automatic transmission's shift schedule as well, though performance specifications aren't available.

There are several catches, however. First, these benefits can only be unlocked by filling the tank with premium gasoline. Second, installing the tune on a 2022 Explorer ST is illegal in California, where regulators began cracking down on software that alters a car's ECU in 2021. It's legal on 2020 and 2021 models in California and on every ST regardless of model year in the rest of the nation.

Ford Performance developed the software in-house and it's covered by a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty plan that starts on the vehicle's in-service date. On sale now, the Ford Explorer ST's Performance Calibration kit costs $825 including a ProCal 4 hand-held tuner.

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That's a nice power bump! I would be pretty excited if I owned one.
 
That's a nice power bump! I would be pretty excited if I owned one.
I do own one, but I'm turning it in when my Warthog arrives...so unfortunately a couple years too late for me.
 
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I do own one, but I'm turning it in when my Warthog arrives...so unfortunately a couple years too late for me.
You're going to get that power bump one way or another :cool:
 
There is a nice write up and quite a few posts on the Explorer ST forum about it. Good info on the Dyno results and the use of 87 octane vs 93 octane and what the true gains are from this Ford Performance tune. I have a 2020 ST, but it has got quite a few mods and a Tune. These ST's are capable of making some nice power, well over 500 hp to the wheels but with power you have to consider the transmission, rear end etc... I believe there is one ST putting over 700 hp to the ground.
 
There is a nice write up and quite a few posts on the Explorer ST forum about it. Good info on the Dyno results and the use of 87 octane vs 93 octane and what the true gains are from this Ford Performance tune. I have a 2020 ST, but it has got quite a few mods and a Tune. These ST's are capable of making some nice power, well over 500 hp to the wheels but with power you have to consider the transmission, rear end etc... I believe there is one ST putting over 700 hp to the ground.
Also what helps the Explorer ST's performance is that the 2020-2023 Explorer chassis is the New 2024 Mustang S650 chassis.
 

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