2.3 at Elevation experience

[Traillme]

I live on the east coast, recently took a trip down to New Orleans and continue to love my Bronco. Despite early reservations about going with the 2.3, I absolutely am happy with it, smooth and responsive, and think it will be perfect for me after tune.

Issue: I’m going to be moving to Colorado at the end of the year and I’ve heard the 2.3 on other vehicles at elevation is underwhelming. Has anyone experienced this in their Bronco? Am I destined to be disappointed and waiting for Ford to match the 7spd to a bigger motor (and then rewaiting for that to be delivered)

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[BlazinGTO]

Underwhelming is all a matter of opinion. But being a turbo vehicle, high altitude will not affect the Bronco like a normally aspirated vehicle would be. The turbo on the 2.3 is able to compensate for the lower oxygen available.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Underwhelming is all a matter of opinion. But being a turbo vehicle, high altitude will not affect the Bronco like a normally aspirated vehicle would be. The turbo on the 2.3 is able to compensate for the lower oxygen available.

Altitude still effects turbo motors, just not as much. My Escape with a 1.6 liter turbo motor is definitely weaker going over 7000 foot passes than down at lower elevations. I haven't taken the Bronco anywhere high enough to detect a difference, though. It has more than enough power for 2700 feet where I live.

 

[KingWillard]

I live at 7000’ and feel like my 2 door 2.3 with a manual is pretty strong. I’ve had it at sea level and did not notice much, if any difference. I’m sure there’s a difference technically, but I couldn’t really tell.

 

[Traillme]

Thank you all! Perfect

 

[dScott]

I live in CO, this was one of the reasons I opted for the bigger engine. Not sure how much difference it would make, but never regretted going bigger

 

[LHD]

I would think that Ford references manifold absolute pressure among other things and the turbo increases boosts ( up to a certain limit) to make up for the losses at altitude. i was impressed with my 2.3 in a recent 6000 mile cross country trip over the southern Rockies.

 

[mountainbronco]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/engines-at-altitude.6057/page-2#post-973062

Please read this

 

[mountainbronco]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2-3l-really-needs-to-be-tuned-better.27116/#post-937186

And this

 

[Wanted33]

I would think the 10 speed will keep you where you need to be going up those big hills. The 10 speed works great in my 2.3L Ranger.

 

[Butzy]

I don't know of any modern, on road vehicles that don't compensate for altitude. They have mass air flow sensors or manifold absolute pressure sensors to communicate with the pcm the density of the air which then changes parameters like injector pulse times and such to compensate.

 

[Rick Astley]

I live on the east coast, recently took a trip down to New Orleans and continue to love my Bronco. Despite early reservations about going with the 2.3, I absolutely am happy with it, smooth and responsive, and think it will be perfect for me after tune.

Issue: I’m going to be moving to Colorado at the end of the year and I’ve heard the 2.3 on other vehicles at elevation is underwhelming. Has anyone experienced this in their Bronco? Am I destined to be disappointed and waiting for Ford to match the 7spd to a bigger motor (and then rewaiting for that to be delivered)

AFAIK, Ford is still using their 4-bar MAP sensor which measures barometric pressure (in lose terms) and adjusts the mapping accordingly.

There should be little change in the overall output of the 2.3 at those elevations. Even Alma and Blue River are only at ~10,500' which shouldn't have a material impact at lower speeds (ie: not racing).

From what i've seen/read you need to be closer to 12,500-13,000' before modern engines have significant issues with elevation in terms of overall drivability. Obviously you start to loose some aspects earlier like fine throttle response and high-RPM air scavenging.

 

[Dusty]

I had my 2.3L Base Bronco at Super Celebration last year (Buena Vista, CO) and did a few high mountain passes with no trouble. Our mountains here in Southern California aren't quite as high but we play around in 6-7k elevations regularly with no apparent lack of power.

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