Ford Open Doors With EcoBoost Tuning To Gain Power
Ford revolutionized the American performance car (and truck) market in 1999 with the supercharged SVT Lightning. Recognizing the potential of supercharged engines, Ford boosted the ever-popular 2003-2004 Cobra, the Ford GT supercar, and the Shelby GT500—all the way up to 662 horsepower. Ford has now steered away from crank-driven compressors—replacing them with the line-up of EcoBoost engines. Though small in displacement, these I-4 and V-6 turbocharged powerplants provide efficiency and excellent output. In fact, EcoBoost is offered in every high-performance nameplate and Ford Open Doors With EcoBoost Tuning to gain power.
According to Ford, additional horsepower and torque can be accomplished with hand-held programmers that adjust several engine parameters. Adjusting the parameters in the engine control unit (ECU) can result in dramatic gains of up to 90 lb.-ft. of torque in cars like Focus ST. This pairs nicely with items such as throttle bodies, cold-air kits and performance mufflers.
For many owners this relatively simple and affordable tuning trumps traditional forms of modifying, such as installing aftermarket heads and intake manifolds—which are currently not available for EcoBoost engines. Best of all, in many cases fuel economy can be increased. According to Ford, the advent of computer-controlled engines, tuners have begun modifying a vehicle’s original programming for increased engine performance in the areas they choose.
Ford EcoBoost engines are ripe for performance tuning. With technology such as direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging, you can greatly increase power and fun factor.
With said tuning, even a novice can increase the output of a Fiesta ST, Focus ST or EcoBoost Mustang with a programming handset from Ford Racing (or other aftermarket suppliers). Ford Racing’s unit are available for Focus ST’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and Fiesta ST’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost (Ford Racing is currently developing custom engine calibrations for the all-new Mustang 2.3-liter EcoBoost), with a product expected on the market by the end of 2015.
Ford Racing offers ProCal generally sells for under $600. They plug into the car’s diagnostic link connector port in the driver’s side footwell and allow you to modify your car’s performance. You can dial-in throttle response characteristics or idle speed, turbo wastegate control, and fuel curves and spark timing to name a few things. Using a Ford Racing tuner maintains the Ford-backed limited warranty.
Of course, there are other options, and Ford has committed to working with aftermarket tuning companies to enable the development of high-quality parts and accessories to maximize the performance of Ford vehicles. Aftermarket tuners have been used for decades to offer you a convenient way to increase the power of your vehicle, whether you want a basic tuning upgrade or a complete custom tune. Brothers Performance offers a complete line of hand-held tuners to suit all your performance needs.
Ford tells us it is working with respected turbocharging engine experts from around the world, including Mountune and Full-Race Motorsports. It’s impressive to see that Ford is continuing on with forced-induction performance—it makes us thing even better things are yet to come.
