EcoBoost Challenges pt. 2: How Stage 3 Motorsports Solve The Top Three Most Common Ones

The Ford F150 EcoBoost has earned its reputation as a powerhouse, balancing performance and efficiency like few trucks can. However, common issues such as turbocharger failures, intercooler condensation, and fuel injector problems can occasionally arise. While these challenges are well-known, Stage 3 Motorsports offers solutions that not only address these issues but also give you the chance to enhance the overall performance and reliability of your truck.

Let’s dive straight into how our products, combined with strategic upgrades, can help you take your F150 EcoBoost to the next level.

Turbocharger Troubles: From Fixes to Upgrades

Turbos are awesome, and the twins on the EcoBoost are impressive. The downside is that heat and age kills turbos, and they won’t last forever. Besides, boost can be addictive, and most EcoBoost owners at least think about swapping out the stock turbos as they start to get some years on them. Here’s the lowdown, when your turbos start to head south…

• Upgraded Turbochargers: Our EcoBoost Ford Performance Turbocharger Upgrade Kit or our selection of BD Diesel Screamer Turbochargers aren’t just replacements; they’re improvements. Designed with durability and efficiency in mind, these upgrades deliver better airflow, increased boost, and a longer lifespan.
• Turbo Accessories: From high-quality turbo gaskets to heat shields, buying the complete kits versus “just” a turbo means you’ll have everything you need to install and protect your new turbos.

Additional Upgrades to Consider:

Nobody likes to spend money, we get it, but when you’re swapping out turbos, you’re in pretty deep, so that’s the time to consider what else you’ve got to touch or remove to get things out of the way, and you might as well consider those upgrades, too, and just do it all at once. Here are a few things to consider when you’re addressing older turbos:

• High-Flow Downpipes: Installing high-flow downpipes reduces exhaust backpressure, allowing the upgraded turbos to spool more efficiently, resulting in improved throttle response and increased horsepower.
• Performance Exhaust System: Pairing your turbo upgrade with a performance exhaust system enhances exhaust flow, contributing to better turbo efficiency and a more aggressive exhaust note.
• ECU Tuning: After upgrading turbos, an ECU tune or a purpose-built tuner recalibrates the engine's parameters to optimize performance, ensuring you fully capitalize on the new hardware's potential.
• Water Pump: Since you’ve probably had to get the charge pipes out of the way, it isn’t a terrible job to get to the 3.5 water pump (for a change) so it might be a great time to swap it out, too.

Swapping out a failing stock turbo with one of our performance upgrades restores power and enhances your truck’s capabilities, whether you’re towing, off-roading, or looking for an edge on the open road.

Intercooler Upgrades: Conquering Condensation and Heat

Intercoolers might be the most effective “dumb” part of the EcoBoost system. Basically, as long as they cool incoming air, they work, and if your boots are good, intercoolers tend to work forever. On the other hand, though, certain atmospheric conditions can make your intercooler a problem. Condensation (and, more importantly, getting rid of it) is a problem in most intercooler systems, and the EcoBoost is no different. With stock units, though, short of trying to get under them and drill a few drain holes, there aren’t a lot of solutions for addressing condensation or optimizing the cooling of the charged air into your engine.

• Aftermarket Intercoolers: Our upgraded intercoolers are engineered to handle the rigors of high-performance driving. With enhanced drainage systems and improved cooling capacity, they eliminate condensation issues and optimize airflow.
• Cold-Side Pipes: For even greater performance gains, pair your intercooler upgrade with reinforced cold-side pipes to ensure reliable, leak-free airflow.

Additional Enhancements to Explore:

Just like a turbo upgrade, you’re going to have to put in some work to get to your intercooler, so carefully considering what you’re removing to get to them might suggest some other upgrades to make.

• Cold Air Intake: A cold air intake system increases airflow to the engine, complementing the intercooler's efforts to deliver cooler, denser air, thereby enhancing combustion efficiency.
• Throttle Body Upgrade: A larger throttle body can improve the engine's air intake capacity, working in tandem with the upgraded intercooler to boost overall performance.
• Charge Pipes: Upgrading to reinforced charge pipes ensures reliable and efficient airflow between the turbo, intercooler, and engine, reducing the risk of leaks or pressure drops.
• Water Pump: Yes, we already mentioned this, but if you’ve got the intercooler plumbing out of the way, the water pump is RIGHT THERE. Go ahead and swap it out and save the aggravation later.

A better intercooler unlocks your engine’s full potential by delivering cooler, denser air for combustion. The result? Improved power, efficiency, and reliability.

Fuel Injection Upgrades: Keeping the System Clean and Efficient

It’s still funny to us that many people forget to think about how older fuel systems can get dirty, and how that dirt impacts performance. Back when carburetors ruled the road, no one thought anything of popping it off and cleaning it out every few years, but many drivers now believe an engine’s fuel system takes care of itself. The EcoBoost, with the high pressures in its fuel injection system, has been shown to need those injectors addressed every 50,000-70,000 miles to keep things running perfectly.

• High-Performance Fuel Injectors: Our upgraded injectors like these from DeatschWerks deliver precise fuel atomization and consistent flow, ensuring optimal performance under all driving conditions.
• Fuel System Accessories: Combine upgraded injectors with high-quality fuel rails and pressure regulators to further enhance your system’s efficiency and reliability.

Additional Maintenance Options:

• High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP): Upgrading the HPFP ensures consistent fuel delivery at higher pressures, supporting enhanced injector performance and overall engine output.
• Fuel Rail Upgrades: Enhanced fuel rails can provide a more stable fuel supply to the injectors, promoting better combustion and performance consistency.
• Fuel System Cleaning: Performing a comprehensive fuel system cleaning during injector replacement can remove deposits and improve fuel flow, contributing to smoother engine operation.

Upgrading your fuel injectors ensures that your EcoBoost engine runs smoothly and efficiently, even under demanding conditions. Whether you’re towing, hauling, or simply enjoying the ride, your truck will thank you.

Final Thoughts

At Stage 3 Motorsports, we’ve figured out how to make the EcoBoost platform not only last, but run better, no matter the history of your truck. When you address key areas like turbochargers, intercoolers, and fuel injectors, you’re tapping into our expertise and our catalog of solutions that not only fix common issues but elevate your truck’s performance and reliability.

Implementing additional upgrades during these repairs—such as high-flow downpipes, cold air intakes, or high-pressure fuel pumps—can significantly boost your EcoBoost’s capabilities. Whether you’re looking to replace failing components or upgrade for better performance, our product lineup is designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll discuss how to handle issues some of the internal issues that can crop up in any EcoBoost, like carbon buildup and timing chain stretch, with expert tips and strategies for long-term success.