Looking for 2.3 owners input

[Scott R Nelson]

I am looking for 2.3 owners input that have the Sasquatch package and 10 speed automatic. I am trying to decide on the 2.3 vs 2.7 and would like to hear what owners have to say about the power of the 2.3 using 87 octane. I am looking at a 4dr Badlands and wonder how the 2.3 performs as a daily driver and light off road use.

I have not read all of the responses here.

I have a 2.3 Sasquatch and Ford would not let me order the manual transmission for it for a 2021, so I got the automatic. I believe it actually works better off road with the 10 speed automatic than it would with a manual, and I like manual transmissions. I have never once wanted more power than the 2.3 has.

Probably 1/3 of the miles that I 've put on mine have been off road and again, it has plenty of power for everything that I've encountered so far.

A couple of gratuitous photos to show the kinds of places that I take it:

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[Brian_B]

https://www.motorsport-developments.co.uk/Understanding-Ford-Ecoboost-OAR-Systems.html
This article might be of some interest.

That's a really good article. It does say the computer doesn't start from "default" each time, it does retain some past information assuming you are running the same grade fuel between starts.

 

[Brian_B]

Thanks for posting this. I assume the Ford performance gauge "octane adjust" on the ProCal is the OAR reading discussed (can anyone confirm or deny?). He describes a driving procedure to try to get it to activate and adjust to your good fuel:

I just checked mine - it’s called Lrnd_Knk_Mod

The note for OCt adjust says it’s either off (0) or on (1) - so not sure what that is

I’ll say since I’m showing what mine is - I get 91 octane every time, mostly from one of 3 Top Tier stations near where I live. I do a lot of hilly driving and have a lot of extended pulls on grade at boost

 

[Brian_B]

From the article linked by @burgerking

If the engine knocks badly at any time, it will move the other way, towards its low octane tables, thus lowering load and ignition advance allowance. It’s position between these blending tables is indicated by the OAR Figure which will be somewhere between a best of -1.00 (High-97) and a worst of +1.00 (Low-93) A middle position is an OAR of 0.00 (95)

So I’m sitting at -0.63 — probably makes sense for 91 octane on ProCal. It as adjusted upwards some but didn’t hit the limit of max performance. I’d expect that number to slide closer to -1 if I ran 93, and slide positive if I ran non-premium fuel.

 

[crenca]

So I’m sitting at -0.63 — probably makes sense for 91 octane on ProCal. It as adjusted upwards some but didn’t hit the limit of max performance. I’d expect that number to slide closer to -1 if I ran 93, and slide positive if I ran non-premium fuel.

Thanks for posting this info - I just added Lrnd_Knk_Mod and mine is reading -1.0. My E85 mixing strategy must be enough. I make conservative assumptions, for example that the E85 I'm using is 99 octane (possible, particularly in winter, though it is probably higher). Perhaps my average tanks are closer to 93.5 or 94 thus I'm maxed at -1.0

@burgerking , are you mixing your E85 with premium (91 or 93) or regular 87?

 

[Brian_B]

So - thinking about this. I think I had the system pretty close in description. I didn’t know about the setting memory though - and now it’s been fairly confirmed it does.

So - does that change my recommendation on running lower-than-recommended octane fuel (with or without a tune, really does not matter)?

No.

I still would not recommend it. The knock reduction system will protect your engine (to an extent), and the OAR system will “remember” your octane rating between startups. So that does help. A lot actually. But it still won’t account for random changes in octane between fill ups, or if you decide to actually follow the recommendations one day and then go back to junky fuel the next fill up.

I’ve never intended to suggest that not following the fuel will grenade your engine instantly - it won’t, and I believe I’ve been pretty clear in admitting that. But I think a lot of people are conflating “won’t grenade” with “perfectly safe” — the damage comes from additional knock over time with the engine constantly (or maybe not constant, but certainly more frequently than otherwise) playing to downtune. OAR does mitigate that a lot, but doesn’t eliminate it, or negate the fuel octane requirements

That said - I only control my car. My advice is worth what you paid for it, and you do whatever you believe with your vehicle.

 

[Ducati1098]

Thanks for posting this info - I just added Lrnd_Knk_Mod and mine is reading -1.0. My E85 mixing strategy must be enough. I make conservative assumptions, for example that the E85 I'm using is 99 octane (possible, particularly in winter, though it is probably higher). Perhaps my average tanks are closer to 93.5 or 94 thus I'm maxed at -1.0

@burgerking , are you mixing your E85 with premium (91 or 93) or regular 87?

Y’all mix your E85?! That must suck

 

[userdude]

I just checked mine - it’s called Lrnd_Knk_Mod

The note for OCt adjust says it’s either off (0) or on (1) - so not sure what that is

I’ll say since I’m showing what mine is - I get 91 octane every time, mostly from one of 3 Top Tier stations near where I live. I do a lot of hilly driving and have a lot of extended pulls on grade at boost

I wasn't able to find the same screen (at least it didn't match yours), but here's my readings:

ACT2
122
KnkAdder
0.0
KnkSen1_Cnts
999
Lrnd_Knk_Mod
-0.95
Oct_Adjust
0

I use 93 exclusively since probably 3k miles, and get Buc-ee's primarily, but Exxon/Shell/Chevon/Mobile/Phillips 66 if I have to. I have a fillup right now of Buc-ee's but over the weekend had two straight fill ups elsewhere (Mobile and Phillips 66).

It seems like the Lrnd_Knk_Mod is good? Why would KnkSen1_Cnts be 999?

 

[Brian_B]

wasn't able to find the same screen (at least it didn't match yours), but here's my readings:

Oh I was just using the data logging screen - you can set whatever parameters you want there. You found the setting, I believe it’s in Spark or Ignition - can’t remember the exact name.

I dunno what the Counts fields are - some of it may be extraneous junk meant for use with other engines.

 

[userdude]

suggest that not following the fuel will grenade your engine instantly - it won’t, and I believe I’ve been pretty clear in admitting that. But I think a lot of people are conflating “won’t grenade” with “perfectly safe” — the damage comes from additional knock over time with the engine constantly (or maybe not constant, but certainly more frequently than otherwise) playing to downtune. OAR does mitigate that a lot, but doesn’t eliminate it, or negate the fuel octane requirements

Hopefully my characterization has been accurate; that's what I thought you were saying, at least, which makes sense to me. No grenading, just that unnecessary knocking can accumulate.

 

[crenca]

Y’all mix your E85?! That must suck

Straight E85? Now that's not in the manual that I can find

Perhaps the injectors can handle it, at least with a specific E85 tune? Frankly I would rather run straight E85 if possible but I have not even bothered with a basic Google search for such a tune...

 

[userdude]

Oh I was just using the data logging screen - you can set whatever parameters you want there. You found the setting, I believe it’s in Spark or Ignition - can’t remember the exact name.

I dunno what the Counts fields are - some of it may be extraneous junk meant for use with other engines.

Ok. I hope that doesn't mean it's counted upwards of a thousand knocks. I do notice some days it does feel like the engine is sucking wind.

I found the data under a couple menus, one was Datalogging > Gauges > Spark > Lrnd_Knk_Mod (which is what I thought you were talking about), and another one, I think ACT2? Not a very graceful device to work with.

 

[userdude]

Straight E85? Now that's not in the manual that I can find

Perhaps the injectors can handle it, at least with a specific E85 tune? Frankly I would rather run straight E85 if possible but I have not even bothered with a basic Google search for such a tune...

Ducati's got that stage 3 (?) turbo w/ZFGRacing tune, I don't know if that matters. Y'know, full on truck nutz territory. lol

 

[Ducati1098]

Straight E85? Now that's not in the manual that I can find

Perhaps the injectors can handle it, at least with a specific E85 tune? Frankly I would rather run straight E85 if possible but I have not even bothered with a basic Google search for such a tune...

Lol nah I’m just in the wrong section. I forgot the thread was originally about the 2.3.
If you have a 2.3, unfortunately straight E85 isn’t an option both because of the lack of custom tune and the stock fuel system couldn’t handle it.
I just figured I’d get a shot in as someone that has a 2.7 I’ll see myself out now haha

 

[crenca]

Well, the FP tune on the 2.3 does make a real difference in the 2-4k rpm range, but from 4-6k it runs out of breath, the additional 30HP not really adding that much over stock. However that mid range torque is worth it, particularly in-gear acceleration with a manual and its wide(r) spaced gears. A different turbo with more high end would be a upgrade, but so would the 3.0L Raptor engine

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