Little Engine, Big Power: My 2.3L Bronco Performance Modification Build

[MWILD]

Hey everyone,

Some of you might recognize me from my 2.7L EcoBoost performance thread, where I collaborated with ZFG Racing to build the first 12-second 1/4-mile 6G Bronco. While I originally planned to go even further with larger Garrett turbos on that build, I ended up selling it before reaching the finish line.

I’ve since moved on to a 2021 2-Door Base Bronco (2.3L + 7-speed manual). To be honest, a base model with no lockers wasn't originally on my radar, but I got it for a killer deal so I couldn't pass it up. My goal isn't necessarily to build the fastest 2.3L Bronco in all the land, but I’m going to have some fun pushing its limits and sharing the data with the community here and on my YouTube channel.

Vehicle Specs

• Year/Model: 2021 Ford Bronco Base w/66K miles
• Color: Velocity Blue
• Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost
• Transmission: 7-Speed Manual (Getrag MT-88)
• Gearing: 4.46 Gears

Non-Performance Modifications

• 2025 Sasquatch Wheels & 35” Goodyear Wrangler RTs
• OEM Bronco Raptor Amber Headlights
• Turn Offroad Hyperlyte Front Bumper & Skid Plate
• DV8 Crash Bar Caps
• Gloss Black Wildtrak Grille (UPR Matte Black letters),
• 2025 Gauge Cluster
• Hoss 3.0 Suspension (Coming soon)

Current Performance Mods

• Custom Tune by Ryan Martin @ Engineered Motorsport Solutions (HP Tuners w/ MPVI4)
• NGK 95605 Spark Plugs (Gapped to.026)
• MBRP 3” Cat-Back (Aluminized Steel High Clearance)
• CVFab Performance Intercooler
• Injen Cold Air Intake EVO9300
• CVFab Charge Pipes
• TurboSmart Kompact EM VR19 Dual Port (Plumb back)
• GPE Ported Intake Manifold & Ported Throttle Body (Links coming soon)
• UPR Catch Can

The "Waiting Room" (Parts to be installed)

• CVFab High Mount intercooler
• CVFab Catted Downpipe
• OEM Turbo modified by TurboBay Performance w/ T51R mod (Specs TBA)

Baseline Prep & Tuning Update

Before diving into the custom tuning process, I performed a full drivetrain service to ensure everything is fresh:

• Transmission: Drained and refilled with BG Syncro Shift II.
• Differentials: Amsoil Severe Gear Oil (Front & Rear).
• Transfer Case: Ford OEM fluid.
• Engine: Amsoil Signature Series 5W-30 Full Synthetic.

For those unfamiliar with Ryan Martin and EMS, he's widely regarded as a one of the best tuners for 2.0L and 2.3L EcoBoost platforms. His track record speaks for itself. He has tuned more 2.3L Mustangs than perhaps anyone else in the industry. EMS currently holds the title for the fastest and quickest EcoBoost Mustang in the world. Ryan offers a wide spectrum of tuning options, ranging from conservative street maps for drivability to dedicated off-road setups and high-output race tunes.

Ryan and I spent significant time troubleshooting the HP Tuners MPVI4 as we ran into some problems, but everything is all good now. I’m planning to put together a detailed write-up or video guide to showcase the process, but now that it's working it's really super simple.

We have officially started the custom tuning process and currently dialing in the 93 Octane map, with an E30 tune scheduled immediately after. Once the tunes are perfected, I’ll be heading to the dyno to pull official numbers for the stock, 93, and E30 setups. From there, I’ll begin a phased rollout of performance mods, returning to the dyno periodically to track the gains.

Stay tuned for updates as we progress!

Dragy: 0-60 & 1/4 mile

Baseline (Stock)
93 Octane

93 Octane Custom Tune
W/MBRP Exhaust, NGK plugs, and CVFAB Intercooler

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[EvilJim1971]

Following!

 

[JustWideman]

Whats the mileage difference?

 

[MWILD]

Whats the mileage difference?

Too early to tell. I'll give an update on that later down the road.

 

[TheKim]

Velocity Blue

 

[DrewBronc21]

It’s great we are finally getting custom tuning for the 2.3! Following.

 

[crenca]

Just to be clear, the 'baseline' video is numbers with Ryan/EMS 93 octane tune correct?

 

[Nickhick]

 

[MWILD]

Just to be clear, the 'baseline' video is numbers with Ryan/EMS 93 octane tune correct?

The baseline video is completely stock with 93 Octane. Even before the colder plugs and exhaust.

I'll do Dragy runs when 93 and E30 tune are finished.

 

[crenca]

The baseline video is completely stock with 93 Octane. Even before the colder plugs and exhaust.

I'll do Dragy runs when 93 and E30 tune are finished.

Looking forward to your results.

Since your upgrading your turbo, I would guess you are planning on exceeding exceeding 400 ft-lb from the motor, which is rumored to be the limit of the OEM clutch. I did not see a clutch upgrade in your list. Is it a wait and see situation for you? OR, are you and Ryan making plans to keep torque at or below 400 ft-lb and work to breath better up in rpm's for more HP?

 

[CarbonGrayBronco]

Velocity Blue with the blacked out grille and Raptor headlights looks sick

 

[MWILD]

Looking forward to your results.

Since your upgrading your turbo, I would guess you are planning on exceeding exceeding 400 ft-lb from the motor, which is rumored to be the limit of the OEM clutch. I did not see a clutch upgrade in your list. Is it a wait and see situation for you? OR, are you and Ryan making plans to keep torque at or below 400 ft-lb and work to breath better up in rpm's for more HP?

He's going to limit the torque due to it being the stock motor. I'd have to double check with Ryan, but I believe the limit is between 400-425 lb-ft for this generation of 2.3L. I'll upgrade the clutch if needed, but we'll see how much the stock one can handle. The purpose of the upgraded turbo is to push more top-end HP. I believe the stock turbo's limit is around 330-350 WHP and it runs out of steam around 5500 RPM. The larger turbo should get me close or slightly over 400 WHP or the limit of the stock motor? I may need more fuel, so we'll have to wait and see. Of course I'm still working with TurboBay Performance on the design, but we plan to go with a larger turbine and that will produce a bit more turbo lag. The T51R mod is just for cool noises and giggles . When all is said and done, TurboBay Performance will launch with larger compressor wheels and the T51R mod and larger turbine will be optional.

https://turbobayperformance.com/products/ford-ranger-ford-bronco-ford-explorer-2-3l-ecoboost-upprade

 

[crenca]

...The purpose of the upgraded turbo is to push more top-end HP. I believe the stock turbo's limit is around 330-350 WHP and it runs out of steam around 5500 RPM. The larger turbo should get me close or slightly over 400 WHP or the limit of the stock motor? I may need more fuel, so we'll have to wait and see....

Excellent! Sounds like a plan.

I'm running the Ford performance tune right now and mixing a little E85 into my local 91 to max out the timing advance map. Ford claims 385 ft lb and 330 horses on 93 with it, but my butt dyno and @popo_patty real dyno results indicates 360ish foot pounds and 300ish at the crank is the reality.

I plan to work with @GooseTuned when he is ready to work with the 2.3. However, truth be told, I don't really want to go down the extensive modification path. So at least initially my goal will be to max out the stock turbos/injectors... But that assumes they have anything left to give beyond the Ford performance tune. We will see.

The trick will be getting more out of this stock setup in that 4 to 6Krpm range, again, assuming it has anything more to give...

 

[MWILD]

Excellent! Sounds like a plan.

I'm running the Ford performance tune right now and mixing a little E85 into my local 91 to max out the timing advance map. Ford claims 385 ft lb and 330 horses on 93 with it, but my butt dyno and @popo_patty real dyno results indicates 360ish foot pounds and 300ish at the crank is the reality.

I plan to work with @GooseTuned when he is ready to work with the 2.3. However, truth be told, I don't really want to go down the extensive modification path. So at least initially my goal will be to max out the stock turbos/injectors... But that assumes they have anything left to give beyond the Ford performance tune. We will see.

The trick will be getting more out of this stock setup in that 4 to 6Krpm range, again, assuming it has anything more to give...

Awesome! Ford Performance tunes are rather conservative for all of the Bronco engine options, so I expect a custom tune to be quite a bit better. I'm only on the 1st revision and it already pulls quite a bit harder, but we'll see how she feels when the 93 tune is wrapped up.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

Hey everyone,

Some of you might recognize me from my 2.7L EcoBoost performance thread, where I collaborated with ZFG Racing to build the first 12-second 1/4-mile 6G Bronco. While I originally planned to go even further with larger Garrett turbos on that build, I ended up selling it before reaching the finish line.

I’ve since moved on to a 2021 2-Door Base Bronco (2.3L + 7-speed manual). To be honest, a base model with no lockers wasn't originally on my radar, but I got it for a killer deal so I couldn't pass it up. My goal isn't necessarily to build the fastest 2.3L Bronco in all the land, but I’m going to have some fun pushing its limits and sharing the data with the community here and on my YouTube channel.

Vehicle Specs

• Year/Model: 2021 Ford Bronco Base w/66K miles
• Color: Velocity Blue
• Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost
• Transmission: 7-Speed Manual (Getrag MT-88)
• Gearing: 4.46 Gears

Non-Performance Modifications

• 2025 Sasquatch Wheels & 35” Goodyear Wrangler RTs
• OEM Bronco Raptor Amber Headlights
• Turn Offroad Hyperlyte Front Bumper & Skid Plate
• DV8 Crash Bar Caps
• Gloss Black Wildtrak Grille (UPR Matte Black letters),
• 2025 Gauge Cluster (Coming soon)

Current Performance Mods

• Custom Tune by Ryan Martin @ Engineered Motorsport Solutions (HP Tuners w/ MPVI4)
• NGK 95605 Spark Plugs (Gapped to.026)
• MBRP 3” Cat-Back (Aluminized Steel High Clearance)

The "Waiting Room" (Parts to be installed)

• CVFab Cold Air Intake
• CVFab Charge Pipes & High Mount Intercooler
• CVFab Catted Downpipe
• GPE Ported Intake Manifold & Ported Throttle Body
• TurboSmart Kompact EM VR19 Dual Port (Plumb back)
• OEM Turbo modified by TurboBay Performance w/ T51R mod (Specs TBA)

Baseline Prep & Tuning Update

Before diving into the custom tuning process, I performed a full drivetrain service to ensure everything is fresh:

• Transmission: Drained and refilled with BG Syncro Shift II.
• Differentials: Amsoil Severe Gear Oil (Front & Rear).
• Transfer Case: Ford OEM fluid.
• Engine: Amsoil Signature Series 5W-30 Full Synthetic.

For those unfamiliar with Ryan Martin and EMS, he's widely regarded as a one of the best tuners for 2.0L and 2.3L EcoBoost platforms. His track record speaks for itself. He has tuned more 2.3L Mustangs than perhaps anyone else in the industry. EMS currently holds the title for the fastest and quickest EcoBoost Mustang in the world. Ryan offers a wide spectrum of tuning options, ranging from conservative street maps for drivability to dedicated off-road setups and high-output race tunes.

Ryan and I spent significant time troubleshooting the HP Tuners MPVI4 as we ran into some problems, but everything is all good now. I’m planning to put together a detailed write-up or video guide to showcase the process, but now that it's working it's really super simple.

We have officially started the custom tuning process with Ryan Martin making tweaks here and there. We are currently dialing in the 93 Octane map, with an E30 tune scheduled immediately after. Once the tunes are perfected, I’ll be heading to the dyno to pull official numbers for the stock, 93, and E30 setups. From there, I’ll begin a phased rollout of performance mods, returning to the dyno periodically to track the gains.

Stay tuned for updates as we progress!

Baseline Dragy: 0-60 & 1/4 mile

If you want to drive fast, buy a sports car.........not an SUV.

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