2025 2.3L Ford Performance Tune

[KreeHBronco]

Ford states 91 octane or higher which is pretty self-explanatory. These tunes simply aren't for people that don't like to pay for 91+ so if you are asking, it's probably not for you.

I have no issue paying for higher octane gas, but I was curious and from what I have read, it probably is OK, as noted pre-ignition will be detected and the timing will be adjusted - you just lose HP. Anyway since my 2026 has the MPC engine and I am in Calif. I will have to go with a different tune, one that is CARB, maybe this one.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-B23

Update: nope, this one is for pre-2025 engines, the M-9603-B23a is for post 2025 but not CARB so I am out-of-luck for now.

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[03SVTL]

You probably could run 87 for daily driving duties, but once you put any type of significant load (climbing a hill, maybe even a mild hill start from a stop, spirited acceleration onto on ramp etc...), it'll def pull timing. Performance is going to suck at that point.....which begs the question, why bother with this tune at all if you can't make use of the advertised power rating?

 

[KreeHBronco]

You probably could run 87 for daily driving duties, but once you put any type of significant load (climbing a hill, maybe even a mild hill start from a stop, spirited acceleration onto on ramp etc...), it'll def pull timing. Performance is going to suck at that point.....which begs the question, why bother with this tune at all if you can't make use of the advertised power rating?

Not sure about other folks, but there are days where I drive to get somewhere slow in heavy traffic because I have to ... not much room for spirited driving or fun. Performance really doesn't matter when you are bumper-to-bumper. Then there are days when I drive for fun. Luckily, I am retired so I no longer need to commute to work, so my fun days >> non-fun days. On fun driving days its great benefit from more performance and high octane. On non-fun days, getting from point A to B in heavy traffic, I would be just burning expensive gas for no reason. Always nice to have options.

 

[03SVTL]

You should check out the e85 tune thread if you want to save money but have the option to go WOT.

 

[KreeHBronco]

You should check out the e85 tune thread if you want to save money but have the option to go WOT.

Thank you! I have been following it.

 

[burgerking]

https://www.motorsport-developments.co.uk/Understanding-Ford-Ecoboost-OAR-Systems.html

I think you would be fine running 87. They would probably give you a minimum 91 octane sticker to put inside the fuel door if it wasn't safe. If you consistently ran 93 and switched to 87 you might want to let the timing adjust before you drag race it or something like that.

 

[KreeHBronco]

https://www.motorsport-developments.co.uk/Understanding-Ford-Ecoboost-OAR-Systems.html

I think you would be fine running 87. They would probably give you a minimum 91 octane sticker to put inside the fuel door if it wasn't safe. If you consistently ran 93 and switched to 87 you might want to let the timing adjust before you drag race it or something like that.

Thank you for the informative article. It is consistent with my limited understanding of the system and how it will adjust timing to eliminate pre-ignition. It is impressive what good engineering at Ford (and Cobb) is capable of!!

 

[23OBX2.7]

I had a wonderful HPP Mustang convertible that i experimented on for milage 87 VS 93. In the end, minimal cost difference sonce 87 milage was way worse that 93 in stop and go inner urban driving.

I would not run 87 in anything, not even a lawnmower, and certainly not in a FP tune vehicle.

Just get the dealer to reset to factory tune if dont want to pay for premium.

 

[burgerking]

I do about 1/3 tank E85 and 2/3 87. It's like the performance of 93 for less than the cost of 87. I would get a little better range from a full tank of 93 but I don't think it's enough to offset the higher cost. If the OAR gauge is maxed there's not much point in pushing higher octane than it can adjust for.

 

[Dave2020GT]

For the base factory engine I4, no tune, the engine can sense octane/pinging, that is why Ford rates the HP as 275HP on 87 octane and 300 on 93 octane. It changes the timing to avoid ping resulting in lower HP. So this tune somehow disables this ability?

Correct, but there has to be some pre-ignition before the knock sensor can send the signal to the ECU to cut timing. Even a short amount of detonation can start doing damage to piston rings.

 

[Dave2020GT]

I do about 1/3 tank E85 and 2/3 87. It's like the performance of 93 for less than the cost of 87. I would get a little better range from a full tank of 93 but I don't think it's enough to offset the higher cost. If the OAR gauge is maxed there's not much point in pushing higher octane than it can adjust for.

The issue with that is the amount of E content in the fuel. It can probably handle E30 with no issues but you would be pushing it. If you start to notice rough starts on cold days, this cold be the cause.
Sounds like you know what you are doing. Are you using Swampys calculator?

They would probably give you a minimum 91 octane sticker to put inside the fuel door if it wasn't safe.

I can't speak for the Bronco tune, but for my Mustang tune from Ford Performance I did get a sticker to go in the fuel door.

 

[Surge]

I alrady put 93 on mine, but I'm also curious what would happen if I can't put 91+. Last November I drove down the Baja peninsula and some gas stations didn't have premium gas. I want my vehicle to go on adventures, not drag race, but I do feel it could use a little more ooph.

Side question to those that already put the tune. How did it affect your gas mileage?

 

[burgerking]

The issue with that is the amount of E content in the fuel. It can probably handle E30 with no issues but you would be pushing it. If you start to notice rough starts on cold days, this cold be the cause.
Sounds like you know what you are doing. Are you using Swampys calculator?



I can't speak for the Bronco tune, but for my Mustang tune from Ford Performance I did get a sticker to go in the fuel door.

I used the more power tuning E85 calculator to aim for an E30 blend. I started adding like 1/4 gallon more E85 per tank until I found the limit. Above around E33 it threw a lean mixture code and went into limp mode a couple times. It could probably handle a little more since adding a water/methanol kit but I haven't really tried.

 

[burgerking]

Side question to those that already put the tune. How did it affect your gas mileage?

Initially it hurt gas mileage. I think the octane adjust goes to zero when you first reflash. The mileage improved by the second tank. Maybe 1 mpg or something. It's been a while I can't remember. Thats on a 2024 though

 

[Dave2020GT]

I used the more power tuning E85 calculator to aim for an E30 blend. I started adding like 1/4 gallon more E85 per tank until I found the limit. Above around E33 it threw a lean mixture code and went into limp mode a couple times. It could probably handle a little more since adding a water/methanol kit but I haven't really tried.

What year is your Bronco?

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