Looking for 2.3 owners input

[Smocaine]

I have a 7MT, so I was going to get the 2.3L either way.
However, I do think the 2.3 is the better engine, especially from a long-term reliability standpoint. It's based on the Mazda F and Duratec engines that have been around for decades. The oil pump is gear-driven directly off the crankshaft and the pan is aluminum.
The 2.7 has a belt-in-oil driven oil pump and a plastic oilpan - the automatic transmission has a plastic pan as well. I have not seen specific problems with either here, but they worry me.

If you don't plan to own this thing long past the warranty period, and/or don't want a manual, the 2.7 V6 is an attractive option, and it makes much more power and torque at low RPM which makes it feel much more responsive.
Otherwise, the 2.3 I4 is a fine engine and I wouldn't think twice about taking a Bronco equipped with it.

Sponsored

 

[mpeugeot]

I have a 7MT, so I was going to get the 2.3L either way.
However, I do think the 2.3 is the better engine, especially from a long-term reliability standpoint. It's based on the Mazda F and Duratec engines that have been around for decades. The oil pump is gear-driven directly off the crankshaft and the pan is aluminum.
The 2.7 has a belt-in-oil driven oil pump and a plastic oilpan - the automatic transmission has a plastic pan as well. I have not seen specific problems with either here, but they worry me.

If you don't plan to own this thing long past the warranty period, and/or don't want a manual, the 2.7 V6 is an attractive option, and it makes much more power and torque at low RPM which makes it feel much more responsive.
Otherwise, the 2.3 I4 is a fine engine and I wouldn't think twice about taking a Bronco equipped with it.

My 2011 F-150 has a plastic transmission pan (same material as the Bronco pan). I removed it recently to service the transmission and after more than 14 years and 250k miles, once cleaned, it shows no signs of degrading or imminent failure.

I wouldn't worry about the transmission pan, by the time you need one, you are likely to be driving something else. If you are truly concerned, replacement metal pans are available for when you finally destroy the factory pan.

Same thing applies to the plastic oil pan. It is not going anywhere. The only reasonable concern is the belt driven oil pump and I have no idea how long they will last... Mine is north of 100k miles already.

 

[Bill K]

The automatic has better torque multiplication than the manual.

Likely also gets better gas mileage based on more speeds…

 

[11811]

The belt driven oil pump was one thing that kept me from a 2.7

 

[Fordified1]

Likely also gets better gas mileage based on more speeds…

Possibly but torque converter slippage does play a factor. Usually std shift transmissions lend themselves to better fuel mileage because of reduced parasitic I loss. Though with a lock up converter this is reduced.

 

[JerryC]

Possibly but torque converter slippage does play a factor. Usually std shift transmissions lend themselves to better fuel mileage because of reduced parasitic I loss. Though with a lock up converter this is reduced.

Plus the auto has integration with the Bronco's systems and can manage shift points to match numerous variables such temp, speed, rpm, etc.

I like to figure that out on my own and it's why I enjoy driving a stick so much.

But yeah the computer and the auto can do it better most of the time.

 

[Richterman]

I have a 2.3 4 door badlands not a sas but I have 35s. The 2.3 is fine, you will be happy with it. If you have a choice, get the biggest engin. But that goes anytime with buying vehicles.

 

[buck_6G]

I am so happy with my 2.3L 10-speed w/ SAS setup. It's very quick off the line for something rolling on 35s, and has plenty of power for off roaring. I've done some fun whoops at Big Bend National Park at a good speed, and never felt like it was struggling to keep up.

It's great on the highway, as well as around town. Originally I'd placed two orders - one for a 2.7 and a backup for a 2.3, to see which would arrive first. I've never once wished I had the 2.7, especially given the catastrophic failures that were reported by owners of the 2.7.

This video from IAG has an excellent comparison of engine power output across the 2.3 and 2.7.

 

[xtreme_exploder]

I'm surprised not many people talked about the sound and feel of the engines. I drove the 2.3 and decided to get the 2.7 based solely on how much I hate the buzzy sound and feel of a 4 cylinder. It has plenty of power and arguably is a more reliable engine, but I couldn't spend $55k on something that sounds and feels like a 2000 Mazda 626 when you close your eyes. If that doesn't bother you then you'll be happy with the 2.3. I love the 2.7, smooth and effortless power but the 10 speed auto kind of sucks. Works fine 95% of the time but occasionally it will have very awkward jerky upshifts shifts and other odd behavior. Took to the dealer to update programming but it still isn't right. Aftermarket tunes seem to fix this issue but I'm not ready to ruin the warranty yet.

 

[crenca]

I drove the 2.3 and decided to get the 2.7 based solely on how much I hate the buzzy sound and feel of a 4 cylinder.

Did the 2.3 you drove have the ESE ("Engine Sound Enhancement") enabled?

 

[2021FordBronco2]

Did the 2.3 you drove have the ESE ("Engine Sound Enhancement") enabled?

I doubt it did because my 2024 sounds great and not buzzy at all, but beefy and quite good for a 4 cylinder. I am sure it is because of the ESE, typically I am not a fan of pipped in engine noise but on the Bronco, I was impressed. It doesn't sound fake, and you can't really tell its pipped in other than the fact that it sounds too good for a 4 cylinder.

 

[Tofudude]

I have a 2.3 manual sas and it’s very “good enough”. No issues passing people if needed, decent mileage and it’s apparently the most reliable. After driving the 2.7 at the offrodeo, i do like it a bit more for its punch off the line but its not enough to justify the price increase.

 

[NC_Pinz]

I daily a 2.3L with Squatch in 2 door form and it runs well. I had intended to get the 2.7L with my order but this was an abandoned order at the local dealer. I also use this as my long distance driver unless we're taking the RV. I like the 2.3L and feel its a solid engine. Lots more space under the hood with the inline 4. You can't go wrong with either engine, so get what you like.

 

[xtreme_exploder]

Did the 2.3 you drove have the ESE ("Engine Sound Enhancement") enabled?

Good question. It was a 2021 Big Bend so probably not. I despise fake engine sounds so that would've made me hate it more. Rode in a new Tundra that had that and it ruined the entire vehicle for me.

 

[TX_HillCountry]

I'm surprised not many people talked about the sound and feel of the engines. I drove the 2.3 and decided to get the 2.7 based solely on how much I hate the buzzy sound and feel of a 4 cylinder. It has plenty of power and arguably is a more reliable engine, but I couldn't spend $55k on something that sounds and feels like a 2000 Mazda 626 when you close your eyes. If that doesn't bother you then you'll be happy with the 2.3. I love the 2.7, smooth and effortless power but the 10 speed auto kind of sucks. Works fine 95% of the time but occasionally it will have very awkward jerky upshifts shifts and other odd behavior. Took to the dealer to update programming but it still isn't right. Aftermarket tunes seem to fix this issue but I'm not ready to ruin the warranty yet.

I purchased my 2.3l Black Diamond off a dealer lot in 2022 because I was too impatient to wait for the 2.7l I had on order to get scheduled. After installing the Ford Performance tune, the sound/feel of the engine is the only complaint I have. Power is not an issue for me, but that engine sound does take away from the driving experience IMO. Not enough to trade in for a new model though. Now that the 2.7 is not available on lower trims, It doesn't seem worth it just for this reason.

Sponsored