Building to 400hp on the 2.3 — am I missing anything

[JerryG]

How many repeated high speed stops are you making that the thermal capacity of the stock brakes is insufficient? Stock brakes, even with the stock pads, can easily lock up any 33” AT tire on dray pavement for at least two high speed stops a row. You could probably pad that to at least half a dozen with the right pad compound.

On the power side of things, people already safely make 350hp on the 2.5 duratec block stock, and that has weaker rods and pistons than the 21-24 bronco 2.3, and the same block architecture. I wouldn’t be too worried about it, especially if you up size the turbo and don’t get greedy about low and mid range torque.

I'm at 6000lbs and drive this as a daily onroad and rock crawling off roader. The Baer 13.5" makes a huge difference especially have moved from 35's to 38s. R

I noticed the difference right away. I'm running with a 57mm turbo, downpipes, wmi, 5.38 gearing, intercooler. I would recommend brake upgrades to anyone modifying their Bronco. A lift makes it less safe. Bigger tires make it less safe. IMO when I started with a Sasquatch I didn't think much about the brakes. They were adequate. Not so the moment I lifted an went to 38s.

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[Brian_B]

I'm at 6000lbs

I hate to be the one to say it, but you should think about laying off the cheeseburgers and thinking more about the salad bar.

 

[Brian_B]

I'm at 6000lbs and drive this as a daily onroad and rock crawling off roader. The Baer 13.5" makes a huge difference especially have moved from 35's to 38s. R

I noticed the difference right away. I'm running with a 57mm turbo, downpipes, wmi, 5.38 gearing, intercooler. I would recommend brake upgrades to anyone modifying their Bronco. A lift makes it less safe. Bigger tires make it less safe. IMO when I started with a Sasquatch I didn't think much about the brakes. They were adequate. Not so the moment I lifted an went to 38s.

I can definitely tell a huge difference between the brakes in my F150 and Bronco. Any time I get back in the truck, the F150 brakes feel like they are on a hair trigger. The Bronco is much more modulated. But if you stomp the pedal, the vehicle will stop - so I don't think it's the same thing as a lack of braking power; it's just got a lot more play in the pedal rather than acting like a binary stop/go pedal.

I always figured it was intentional on behalf of the engineers to give you more pedal for use on the trail when you are riding the brake more often than the gas. Even when I went to 5.38 and 38" tires, I can still lock the tires up and hit ABS at will if I want to, but there is a lot more play/modulation in the pedal than any other vehicle I drive.

I did upgrade my rear brakes slightly, but not to something like Baers. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from doing it - nor do I think this is a poor post or bad advice... to the contrary, anything that makes you a safer driver, I'm all for. And all the things you say about mods making the vehicle less safe over all - yup, that's absolutely true too. Some people just like the feeling of a sharper pedal - I see the same thing with the gas pedal too and Pedal Commander and all.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I'm at 6000lbs and drive this as a daily onroad and rock crawling off roader. The Baer 13.5" makes a huge difference especially have moved from 35's to 38s. R

I noticed the difference right away. I'm running with a 57mm turbo, downpipes, wmi, 5.38 gearing, intercooler. I would recommend brake upgrades to anyone modifying their Bronco. A lift makes it less safe. Bigger tires make it less safe. IMO when I started with a Sasquatch I didn't think much about the brakes. They were adequate. Not so the moment I lifted an went to 38s.

Where do youget Baer for Bronco? Ibe only seen Alcon...

 

[MWILD]

Building small displacement motors is fun…

Problem is Ford’s 2.3l are not solid enough…

here is a person that sells parts for 2.3l and other brands. Listen and see what high boost did the rods.. To build right you need to strip it completely and mod block, crank, rods, pistons, etc, etc, etc

Need to have the tuner strictly limit torque and avoid lugging—specifically high boost at low RPM. It is essential to use a competent tuner who understands the platform's specific weaknesses. That said, even with a good tune, an aggressively pushed 2.3L will inevitably face structural fatigue over time. I wish the host of the video explained how hard he pushed his 2.3. Per my tuner, A safe limit for torque is at 420 RWTQ.

 

[Q1svt]

Need to have the tuner strictly limit torque and avoid lugging—specifically high boost at low RPM. It is essential to use a competent tuner who understands the platform's specific weaknesses. That said, even with a good tune, an aggressively pushed 2.3L will inevitably face structural fatigue over time. I wish the host of the video explained how hard he pushed his 2.3. Per my tuner, A safe limit for torque is at 420 RWTQ.

With the exception of a true Race Vehicle no one does a competent tune... except the OEM that spends enough time, and $$$$$$$, other just screw with some fuel, timing etc... A turner that does road racing where you are on/off the gas all the time and need to manage fuel stops are good/better... most are a DRAG Race tune, push pedal to the floor ... here is your dyno sheet lol
JM2C

Here is the first part of his story on the motor... might need it on a faster speed to get though to all comment on the on motor




edited: here is a good example... if it so easy to do tuning why was it a Herculean effort on Ford Motor company to just change from automatic to manual transmission in Jay Leno's Bronco ;^)

 

[baseline mac]

Can anyone put me in touch with these vendors directly? I’ve tried DMs and emails. Nothing.

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