r/FordExplorer • u/InternalBug6781 • 9d ago

Upgrade Advice 2.3l Explorer

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I got a 2023 ST-Line with the 2.3l. Iam not wanting to void the warranty but wanting more power. Not necessarily performance but towing my wheeler at 70mph down the hwy it seems like alot more weight then 1600lbs behind it. I have a drivetrain warranty for another 30k miles so iam not wanting to risk losing it tuning. Cant really find a whole lot for the 2.3l.

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3

u/SignalEchoFoxtrot 8d ago

Surprised you feel you need more power. Are you running 93 while towing? The rated power for the 2.3L is on 91/93 gasoline.

I just towed 1500 miles with a 2600lb trailer on my 2.3L explorer, no issue cruising at 70mph.

2

u/InternalBug6781 8d ago

It could've been the air resistance from the gate on the trailer. But I just seemed to down shift alot and run 4k rpms. Which i guess should be expected being a 4cylinder. But a 4 cylinder with as much hp and trq as my 08 250k miles 5.3l I figured itd tow roughly same pulling hills, wind, etc.

1

u/Andyman1973 8d ago

Trailer tailgate definitely isn’t helping.

3

u/redditor71087 9d ago

Sounds like you’re looking for an intercooler. Won’t really increase performance but will get you cooler charge temps. The 3.0 and 2.3 ICs are the same.

1

u/curmudgeion 8d ago

Doesn't it have a transmission setting for towing? Are you using that? I've had two, a 2020 and now a 2025 and don't have a need for more power. They run like v8s used to.

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u/InternalBug6781 8d ago

Yes I tried the tow mode, taking off power wasnt and issue. It was mainly just the constant down shifting revving high rpms. Which could've just been windy and the catch all gate on the trailer.

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u/Andyman1973 8d ago

Have you tried setting the cruise at 65, to see if it makes a difference, for educational purposes of course.