2.3 or a 2.7

[idontknow]

100 lb ft of torque is definitely noticeable. Noticeable to the tune of 1.5 second difference 0-60 in most tests. 1.5 seconds in a 0-60 is a massive difference.

I think this becomes more noticeable if you are adding weight to the vehicle. Batteries, fridges, passengers.

my 2 door 2.3 manual in sport mode running on 87 is very peppy but I’m the only one in the vehicle and all my camping equipment is backpacking sized….cuz I backpack. Not that you can’t go with backpacking stuff just for camping but the smaller footprint/lighter weight of the items is much more costly.

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[Pariah]

When I was shopping for a Bronco I wanted a 2.3. The plastic oil pan in the 2.7 put me off because of the problems I've had with them. I drove both versions and would have been happy with the 2.3, but it wasn't offered in the vehicles I could choose from. So far the 2.7 has made me forget all about the plastic at the bottom of the motor. (I hope that holds true.)

 

[Nc211]

When I was shopping for a Bronco I wanted a 2.3. The plastic oil pan in the 2.7 put me off because of the problems I've had with them. I drove both versions and would have been happy with the 2.3, but it wasn't offered in the vehicles I could choose from. So far the 2.7 has made me forget all about the plastic at the bottom of the motor. (I hope that holds true.)

You can always upgrade the oil pan with an aftermarket steel version too? They're not terribly expensive. I upgraded the plastic transmission pan on mine (PPE) for the ability to have a drain plug. Wasn't terribly expensive or difficult to do.

 

[Jackal]

Yes, I noticed the tuning difference.

Bigger difference, tho, was dropping the stupid CA-compilant exhaust and putting in a MagnaFlow Overland cat-back. HUGE difference.

The other difference-maker was adding Sport GOAT mode via FORScan. Not as big a difference as the MagnaFlow. About the same as the Performance tune.

Those three, together with the 4.7:1 7MT Sas gearing, make for head-snapping acceleration. Better than a 2.7? No idea. But man, fun is fun!

Again, your mileage may vary.

 

[KreeHBronco]

And a major difference in seat of pants feel.

I test test drove both and with the 2.3L & manual, the acceleration at the lower gears is pretty darned good vs letting the auto choose when to shift (I guess I could of manually shifted the auto, but for some reason I didn't). For me, manuals seem faster in the "seat of the pants" especially if you a lead foot but autos usually run faster times.

 

[tbone4253]

I test drive both the ‘25 2.3 and 2.7 and ultimately went with the 2.7. I also have a ‘22 Ranger with the 2.3 and FP tune. I loved the exhaust sound on the 2.7.

 

[Appalachia_Ewok]

People in this thread splitting hairs between the 2.3 and 2.7 lol. The 2.3 bronco has more horsepower than a stock foxbody with a 5.0 V8.

Granted Broncos weight twice as much, but it's definitely enough power for an offroad oriented SUV.

 

[FilmcoBronci]

We have loved our 2.3. In 6G world, ours is an early build.

NOTE: if you are potentially a high mileage user, know that the 2.3 is susceptible to a known Hole in the engine issue. The 2.7 initially had Valve issues but my 2.7 owner pals are pretty confident those have been resolved.

We are having a 2.3 engine block issue at 115k Miles. We are in the midst of dealing with Ford Corporate in partnership with our dealer who has verified 100% of our service has been OEM so there should not be a hole in an engine block.
Not confident I would do a 2.3 at this point unless it had a full coverage extended warranty..

 

[UncleBrad]

Most replies to this are probably going to be: "Because I wanted the manual."
I wanted the manual until I test drove a 2.3 manual and then a 2.7 auto back to back. The low end torque on the 2.7 is much better. You need to keep the rpm's up in the 2.3 to make it get up and go.
But that's highway driving... off-road either is great and you probably won't know the difference due to the slow rock crawling speeds.
If I didn't have a manual in my car, I would have settled for less grunt so I could row gears.

Another thing to consider that the ProCal tune yields more benefit in the 2.3L four. A little work on the intake and a simple Flowmaster axleback ehaust gets one into 2.7L performance, AND you can get it with the manual transmission. I get 23MPG on mine as well, which I would think would be hard to get with the 2.7L auto (I may be wrong).

On my 2.3L, that 350 crank HP (on paper) is nothing to sneeze at and the torque availability is definitely better than my old JK with the minivan PentaStar.

I drove a 2.7L once at the Tennessee Off-Roadeo last June. I liked the engine, but did not like the transmission, which surged unexpectedly in the worst situations. It could have been the software; don't know. Others around me experienced the same phenomenon, but there were no manuals available in the venue. For me having the manual is truly the deal-breaker. There are reasons why some folks want manuals, and its availability then becomes the deciding factor.

 

[Marc L]

Legitimate question...why would anyone WANT a smaller, less powerful engine?

Modern cars are already faster and more powerful than speed limits allow so why have a 12 cylinder bugatti as a daily driver vs. beep-beep small displacement roller skate?
My 1993 Honda Civic(1.5L 102hp) with a 5-speed manual is still the most fun car I've ever driven. Hard to get in trouble with the law, but very tossable, reliable, and fun to redline.
Why pay extra $ for things that provide no value? Bigger engines seem to be 20% more so that is a new car cost every 5 years of driving.

 

[ejpaul1]

So I have found some nice black diamonds with 2.3L but before I can buy they are gone. I now have found two bd with the 2.7 in them. I wanted a 2.3 but what's your ideas on a 2.7. How hard is it to find a low milage 2 door 2.3 bd that dealers will deal on. We like white and cactus Grey and AZ blue. Would I not like the 2.7 thanks.

I have the 2.7 in my 25 badlands and thr 2.3 in my 21 ranger. Love the 2.7 but honestly prefer the 2.3. No bad choice really

 

[FilmcoBronci]

Modern cars are already faster and more powerful than speed limits allow so why have a 12 cylinder bugatti as a daily driver vs. beep-beep small displacement roller skate?
My 1993 Honda Civic with a 5-speed manual is still the most fun car I've ever driven. Hard to get in trouble with the law, but very tossable, reliable, and fun to redline.
Why pay extra $ for things that provide no value? Bigger engines seem to be 20% more so that is a new car cost every 5 years of driving.

Agree. For the majority of our run, our 2.3 has been outstanding even in it's stock state and capable of excellent performance off road, and speeding tickets on road

 

[Oldhippie]

While I kind’a agree “driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow” (love driving my model A) but if ya actually use the bronco off road as designed hp & tq are BIG advantages (Especially in mud & sand) as is an auto trans (especially with modern lock-up converters and manual controls)…Winners of KoH have 2.7s & autos…it is always funny to me how folks justify their “inferior“ choices…but of course I over justify my 2dr choice (again KoH winners) too…party on!

 

[not on the rug]

Modern cars are already faster and more powerful than speed limits allow so why have a 12 cylinder bugatti as a daily driver vs. beep-beep small displacement roller skate?
My 1993 Honda Civic(1.5L 102hp) with a 5-speed manual is still the most fun car I've ever driven. Hard to get in trouble with the law, but very tossable, reliable, and fun to redline.
Why pay extra $ for things that provide no value? Bigger engines seem to be 20% more so that is a new car cost every 5 years of driving.

So you don't find any value in additional power?

There's no "smiles per gallon" factor for you that comes with the roar of a V8 or your entire body being pressed back against the seat as you accelerate? The screech of tires? Smell of rubber? Nothing?

You're either someone who lives on the wild side in some other way (skydiving, cliff diving, rodeo clown) or you're just dead inside.

 

[DALOLA]

My 1993 Honda Civic(1.5L 102hp) with a 5-speed manual is still the most fun car I've ever driven.

lol.... said no one, ever....

Get out & live a little, son.

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