2020 Explorer 2.3 First Steps

[BlazedAura]

Hi all, it's my first post on the forum, but I've been lurking for about a month and a half, just seeing what knowledge is out there.

I'm the type that can't leave any car untouched, and while my stock Explorer is a great commuter, it's missing the loud induction noises and grunty exhaust that my GTI had.

Few questions:

I'm not wanting to go too loud on the exhaust (maybe just muffler swap or muffler delete, catted DP maybe?), as it's going to be a long distance car, but I'd like to hear SOMETHING other than the fake vroom vroom noises that Ford thought were so genius. Ideas?

On the induction noise side, who wins the sound battle between S&B and K&N? I know the S&B has the side panel you can take off as well as an unrestricted intake tube, but will it match the noise volume of the K&N? Boost noises make my heart flutter like compressor surge, so I'll probably be chasing those until the end of time.

And for the performance-or-nothing crowd, yes I understand there's little to no power gains. It's already cold enough where I am to wait on the intercooler and tune for a few months.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Hi all, it's my first post on the forum, but I've been lurking for about a month and a half, just seeing what knowledge is out there.

I'm the type that can't leave any car untouched, and while my stock Explorer is a great commuter, it's missing the loud induction noises and grunty exhaust that my GTI had.

Few questions:

I'm not wanting to go too loud on the exhaust (maybe just muffler swap or muffler delete, catted DP maybe?), as it's going to be a long distance car, but I'd like to hear SOMETHING other than the fake vroom vroom noises that Ford thought were so genius. Ideas?

On the induction noise side, who wins the sound battle between S&B and K&N? I know the S&B has the side panel you can take off as well as an unrestricted intake tube, but will it match the noise volume of the K&N? Boost noises make my heart flutter like compressor surge, so I'll probably be chasing those until the end of time.

And for the performance-or-nothing crowd, yes I understand there's little to no power gains. It's already cold enough where I am to wait on the intercooler and tune for a few months.

Look at the FenFab intake. That one is the only one where you’ll be able to hear the intake. The other ones aren’t going to give you any sound or performance. Intercooler, downpipes and tune are really the only mods that will gain you worthwhile power on the 2.3. Those couple will get some pep in the 2.3.

 

[BlazedAura]

Look at the FenFab intake

I only see one for the Explorer ST, not the 2.3.

Edit: wouldn't an open element intake like K&N be the loudest? Or is the intake tube too restricted?

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I only see one for the Explorer ST, not the 2.3.

Edit: wouldn't an open element intake like K&N be the loudest? Or is the intake tube too restricted?

No the K&N is a closed element. Also, I am pretty sure the intake is the same on the 2.3 as the 3.0 ST engine so maybe a little research on that might help, I’m not sure.

 

[BlazedAura]

Also, I am pretty sure the intake is the same on the 2.3 as the 3.0 ST

From what I can see, the 3.0ST is different and has two intake tubes, while the 2.3 has 1 intake tube and occasionally a port for the fresh air duct, depending on the intake.

You think I could jimmy rig an ST intake or would that potentially send air the wrong way back out of the fresh air duct? I don't need an "outtake" haha!

 

[2020FordRaptor]

From what I can see, the 3.0ST is different and has two intake tubes, while the 2.3 has 1 intake tube and occasionally a port for the fresh air duct, depending on the intake.

You think I could jimmy rig an ST intake or would that potentially send air the wrong way back out of the fresh air duct? I don't need an "outtake" haha!

Whenever I’ve seen intakes off both cars they looked similar, I don’t think the design is different. Like I said, I’m not a 100% sure on it, but I would think they’d be the same off looks alone.

 

[Dale5403]

The K & N intake the filter is wide open.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

The K & N intake the filter is wide open. View attachment 456766

Wow what am I looking at.

 

[Dale5403]

Wow what am I looking at. View attachment 456767

That is for the 3 L

 

[2020FordRaptor]

And then it hits me. Please excuse my ignorance. You are correct the intakes are not interchangeable. The ST has twin turbos, 2.3 is one turbo. 2.3 only has one charge pipe and intake tube therefore. Gosh so dumb on my part.

 

[ChuckD23]

Here is my mod list:
K&N intake (you can hear it)
SPD downpipe
Borla catback
PIU shock, struts, and sway bar
Eibach springs
Ebay intercooler
JDM Engineering tuning
Catch can
Future plans:
Livernois HPFP
Focus RS cams
Ford Performance turbo