Trying to improve take-off from stop

[El Duque]

I moved recently, and I now have to cross over a 3-lane highway to make it home. I usually have to punch the throttle whenever there is a gap to make it through. I've noticed the Explorer "spools up" when flooring it from a stop, and it's very annoying. Turn off traction control, no help. I try power-braking, no help. I know the drivetrain is computer-controlled to prevent powertrain damage, so I'm wondering if there is anything I could do to help with this? Thanks
Car is 2010 EB 4.6, all stock

 

[banditxp]

so what i did, it will wake it right up. K&N intake kit and 3" catback Gibson exhaust. helped out a lot. Then if you want to get a tuner check out my post about that.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402238

 

[matsavol]

I agree with banditxp that the Gibson cat back seems the best mod. (I really did not expect more than better sound, but my personal butt dyno feelings and my 0-60 measurements confirm that the Gibson does improve power noticeably. Butt dyno says that most gains are at lower RPM torque, really where it matters most for day to day driving.)

The Diablo tuner makes the throttle response more responsive. It does not seem to increase WOT power, but does help to relieve the sluggishness syndrome.

No comment on the K&N intake. The stock airbox is already cold air intake and doesn't seem restrictive to me...

 

[banditxp]

also how many miles? if over 75K miles get new plugs in. you have the easy plugs in 2010.
but for me when i did the intake i felt more mid and top end and when i did my exhaust i felt more off the line and mid and top power, it just improved it all over. but for more snappy throttle response a tuner will help that a lot and also improve downshifts to.

I know all about Jersey driving too, lived there for 10 years a while ago lol. love those 50foot on ramps lol

 

[El Duque]

Thanks guys! I do have an SCT tuner from Henderson Performance, do you think that would be as good as the Diablo?

 

[banditxp]

I agree with banditxp that the Gibson cat back seems the best mod. (I really did not expect more than better sound, but my personal butt dyno feelings and my 0-60 measurements confirm that the Gibson does improve power noticeably. Butt dyno says that most gains are at lower RPM torque, really where it matters most for day to day driving.)

The Diablo tuner makes the throttle response more responsive. It does not seem to increase WOT power, but does help to relieve the sluggishness syndrome.

No comment on the K&N intake. The stock airbox is already cold air intake and doesn't seem restrictive to me...

agree, my thread on the tuner explains it all.

But far as the intake, that was my very first mod and trust me my butt dyno felt much better mid-high end power. its not about the Cold air all the time. its about how smooth the air flow is and also when you punch it how much air it can pull in. the stock airbox has a pretty small intake hole also the ribbed tube is not the best for airflow.

but my mods i did in this order.
1: K&N air intake kit
3 months later
2: Gibson 3: cat back
2 years later
3: Tuner

I did the tuner mostly because moving from sea level to 4,500 feet i lost a lot of power and the tuner gave me back about what i lost

 

[banditxp]

Thanks guys! I do have an SCT tuner from Henderson Performance, do you think that would be as good as the Diablo?

do do not know about that tuner. what did it say or promise far as power or changes?

my Diablo says 21HP and 24Tr and i did feel it.
i felt it more after i contacted there support to get them to fix the no CAT/ready error and they gave me a updated tune and it was even better.

 

[Explorer75]

Thanks guys! I do have an SCT tuner from Henderson Performance, do you think that would be as good as the Diablo?

I have that tuner for my 2010 4.0 V6. The canned tunes (included with tuner) didn´t do much. A custom tune from morepowertuning.com made all the difference in the world.

 

[banditxp]

see i looked into that tuner and i dont see anything for Explorers 2006-2010.
on Diablo they have the V6 and V8 explorer listed and what it does and how much power it gives on what tune you choose.

 

[Explorer75]

see i looked into that tuner and i dont see anything for Explorers 2006-2010.
on Diablo they have the V6 and V8 explorer listed and what it does and how much power it gives on what tune you choose.

Did you look @ www.sctflash.com ?

For some reason More Power Tuning doesn´t have it listed now. The web site is a little different so maybe they´ll add more vehicles later. Their main tuning is done to Mustangs and Pickups which usually have more engine mods than the explorer, but they do Explorer tuning, at least they did 3 months ago.

 

[matsavol]

agree, my thread on the tuner explains it all.

But far as the intake, that was my very first mod and trust me my butt dyno felt much better mid-high end power. its not about the Cold air all the time. its about how smooth the air flow is and also when you punch it how much air it can pull in. the stock airbox has a pretty small intake hole also the ribbed tube is not the best for airflow.

Interesting... Only problem for me just to test this is that they ask over $300...

K&N claims slight gains in HP and TQ across the whole RPM range:
http://www.kandn.com/dynocharts/57-2573_dyno.pdf

I have issues with the TQ curve shape: They say the max TQ (stock or with K&N) is already around 3K and start going downhill from there. My truck clearly has torque increasing until hitting peak around 4-5k. My truck engine behavior agrees with stock 4.6L 3V mustang dyno plot shape:
http://www.shopsupercharger.com/images/upload/2007-mustang-gt-stock-dyno.jpg

This is not to say the K&N wouldn't increase power, but the shown dyno plot is suspicious to me.

Sorry getting a little bit off topic...

 

[banditxp]

Interesting... Only problem for me just to test this is that they ask over $300...

K&N claims slight gains in HP and TQ across the whole RPM range:
http://www.kandn.com/dynocharts/57-2573_dyno.pdf

I have issues with the TQ curve shape: They say the max TQ (stock or with K&N) is already around 3K and start going downhill from there. My truck clearly has torque increasing until hitting peak around 4-5k. My truck engine behavior agrees with stock 4.6L 3V mustang dyno plot shape:
http://www.shopsupercharger.com/images/upload/2007-mustang-gt-stock-dyno.jpg



This is not to say the K&N wouldn't increase power, but the shown dyno plot is suspicious to me.

Sorry getting a little bit off topic...

well i have been doing mods and upgrades on all of my cars and trucks since i was 18 (31 now) and the first mod i always do is air intake. and every time weather i make it my self or get a pre-made one it always improves mid to top end power and the lag you sometimes feel when you Nail it WOT and it feels like its trying to suck air. N/A motors always will improve somewhat with a better flowing easier sucking intake since there is nothing pushing the air in. Its a Pump. easier in and easier out = more power.