1. Choose a Custom Performance Tune
Kicking off our list of must-have Ford Explorer ST mods is the custom tune – one of the best first mods to significantly boost your ST's performance (even with all stock parts). This mod will reprogram your vehicle's ECU, the brain that controls the parameters that affect your engine performance.
Why You Need a Custom Tune
At its core, a custom tune adjusts your Explorer ST's engine parameters to squeeze out every ounce of efficiency and power. Think of it like fine-tuning a musical instrument to get the best sound; only in this case, you're tuning for optimal performance. A high-quality tune can adjust the air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, boost pressure (for turbocharged engines like the ST's V6) and more, tailoring your vehicle's behavior to your driving style and performance goals. The benefits of a custom tune include:
- Increased Horsepower and Torque: One of the most immediate benefits you'll notice is an increase in power. Custom tunes can unlock horsepower and torque, which the factory settings keep under wraps.
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency: It might seem counterintuitive, but a well-executed tune can improve your fuel economy by making your engine run more efficiently.
- Personalized Driving Experience: Whether you prefer a more aggressive throttle response for spirited driving or a smoother curve for daily commuting, a custom tune can adjust these parameters to suit your taste.
A custom tune is a powerful starting point for Explorer ST upgrades, setting the stage for further modifications by ensuring your vehicle's engine runs at its peak potential. It's like unlocking a new level of performance, tailor-made for you and your driving needs.
Our Custom Tune Recommendations
If you're looking for a vetted, expert-backed custom tune for your Explorer ST, we recommend checking out the TunePlus Inc. Explorer ST 3.0L ProTune. This custom tuning service maximizes your vehicle's output, tailoring adjustments to your specific mods, fuel type and driving conditions. Unlike generic tunes, this personalized approach ensures you harness every ounce of power from the mods you have installed. The process is straightforward: order, request your tune, apply it, datalog and receive revisions until perfection.
2. Pick Up a Performance Intercooler
Following up on the heels of a custom tune, the next game-changer in our Ford Explorer ST upgrades list is a top-tier performance intercooler. While your stock intercooler does a decent job of cooling down the air entering your engine, pushing your Explorer ST to higher performance levels demands more efficiency. Here's where a performance intercooler comes into play, ensuring that your engine breathes cooler, denser air, which is key to getting more power out of every combustion cycle.
Why You Want a Performance Intercooler
Turbocharged engines like the one in the Explorer ST rely on forced induction to increase power. This process generates a lot of heat – if it's not properly managed, heat can lead to decreased performance and efficiency. A performance intercooler combats this by offering a larger surface area and more efficient core designs, significantly reducing the air temperature before it enters the engine. Cooler air is denser and contains more oxygen, which means more fuel can be burned and generate more power.
A performance intercooler can offer your performance build:
- Increased Power Output: By reducing the intake air temperature, a performance intercooler helps increase the density of the air charge, leading to noticeable gains in horsepower and torque.
- Enhanced Engine Efficiency: Cooler temperatures also mean the engine operates more efficiently, improving fuel economy under certain driving conditions.
- Reduced Heat Soak: During extended periods of driving, especially in warmer climates or when pushing your vehicle hard, stock intercoolers can suffer from heat soak, where they become less effective at cooling the air. A performance intercooler maintains its cooling effect, ensuring consistent performance.
Aftermarket intercoolers are a standout choice in your search for superior Ford Explorer ST performance upgrades. They not only enhance power and efficiency but also prepare your SUV for further modifications by ensuring it operates within safe temperature ranges, even under increased demands.
Our Top Intercooler Picks
Need a performance intercooler that means business? Check out our top picks for cooler temps and powerful horsepower and torque gains:
- Whipple Superchargers Mega Cooler: The Whipple Mega Cooler is one of the best intercoolers we've seen to date. Boasting a staggering 214% increase in volume and 259% more frontal area, it sets the industry benchmark for performance. Designed to fit within the stock layout, this bar and plate intercooler significantly surpasses stock numbers, with tests revealing up to a 70°F drop in temperature on the dyno. The real magic, however, is observed in practical use, where it delivers even more impressive gains.
- CVF Performance Intercooler: The CVF Performance Intercooler offers an impressive 85-degree reduction in charge air temperature in actual driving conditions. With 214% more volume and 260% greater frontal area than your stock intercooler, this upgrade promises superior cooling.
3. Get Your Hands On a High-Pressure Fuel Pump and Injectors
As we dive deeper into optimizing your Ford Explorer ST's performance, the spotlight turns to fuel delivery – specifically, the roles of a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) and injectors. These components are crucial for feeding your engine the right amount of fuel, especially after other Explorer ST mods have raised the stakes for power and performance.
Upgrading to a high-pressure fuel pump and performance injectors ensures your ST can meet its newfound demands, making this one of the key Ford Explorer ST performance upgrades for enthusiasts pushing their vehicles to new heights.
The Need for Enhanced Fuel Delivery
After introducing mods like a custom tune and a performance intercooler, your Explorer ST's engine will draw in more air than ever before. Your vehicle must match that increased air intake with an appropriate amount of fuel to maintain the optimal air-fuel ratio, especially under high demand.
Here's where the upgraded fuel pump and injectors come into play, providing the increased fuel flow necessary for maximum performance and efficiency. You can expect the following performance benefits from a HPFP and fuel injectors:
- Increased Performance: The right fuel pump and injectors can deliver the precise amount of fuel needed for higher performance levels, supporting greater horsepower and torque outputs.
- Improved Engine Response: Enhanced fuel delivery supports power and contributes to a more responsive and engaging driving experience with quicker throttle response.
- Optimized Efficiency: While the primary goal is often more power, ensuring that your engine receives the correct amount of fuel at the right time can also help maintain or improve fuel efficiency under certain conditions.
Upgrading your ride with a high-pressure fuel pump and performance injectors is crucial for anyone serious about high-powered drives. With the right components and expert installation, these Explorer ST upgrades will help your SUV achieve peak performance.
The HPFP and Injectors You'll Want
If you've got fuel on the mind, you'll need an HPFP and fuel injectors you can trust. If you're looking for a trusted solution, we recommend Xtreme's DI HPFP / Injectors. This advanced GDI high-pressure pump boosts fuel flow by up to 15%, supporting enhanced performance capabilities. Achieve maximum fuel pressures of 250BAR at 3600PSI with the XDI-EVO or 260BAR at 3800PSI with the XDI-HPFP60.
4. Purchase a Performance Exhaust System
Aftermarket Ford Explorer ST exhaust systems are some of the most commonly sought-after Explorer ST mods. There are many different types of performance exhausts, including axle-back systems, turbo-back systems and downpipes – but to get the best bang for your buck, we recommend picking up a catback ST exhaust.
This modification replaces the stock exhaust piping from the catalytic converters to the exhaust tips, integrating larger pipes and a performance-oriented muffler. It's a favorite among enthusiasts for the auditory thrill and the tangible performance enhancements it brings to the Ford Explorer ST.
The Benefits of an Aftermarket Catback Exhaust
The stock exhaust system on most vehicles, including your ST, is designed with several considerations, including cost, noise control and emissions standards. While this tends to be good enough for the average driver, these systems can restrict the flow of exhaust gases, holding back potential power. A catback exhaust system reduces backpressure, allowing your engine to breathe freely and expel exhaust gases more efficiently. This leads to several key benefits:
- Enhanced Performance: A catback exhaust system can slightly increase horsepower and torque figures by reducing exhaust backpressure. But it's not just a matter of improved numbers; it's about how the vehicle feels more lively and responsive under acceleration.
- Improved Exhaust Note: One of the most noticeable changes after installing a catback exhaust is the sound. This upgrade delivers a deeper, more pronounced exhaust note that many enthusiasts crave, adding an auditory improvement to your drives.
- Visual Appeal: Many catback systems come with stylish exhaust tips that enhance the vehicle's rear appearance, offering a more aggressive look that signals the performance within.
Selecting the Right Catback Exhaust System
When choosing a catback exhaust for your Ford Explorer ST, consider the following:
- Material Quality: Look for systems made from high-quality materials like stainless steel, which offers durability and resistance to corrosion.
- Sound Profile: Different systems produce different sounds. Some offer a subtle rumble, while others are designed to be louder and more aggressive. Consider what fits your taste and local noise regulations.
- Performance Gains: While the primary benefit of a catback exhaust is improved sound and slight performance increases, some systems are designed to optimize flow better than others. Research and choose based on the balance of sound and performance you desire.
Catback exhaust systems are excellent Ford Explorer ST mods that strike just the right balance between aesthetic appeal, auditory satisfaction and performance enhancement, making them a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking to personalize their ride.
Our Performance Cat-Back Exhaust Recs
If you're in the mood to give your ride a more aggressive roar, we have a few recommendations to get the most out of your investment:
- Corsa 2.5" Sport Cat Back Exhaust System: The Corsa 2.5" Sport Cat Back Exhaust is an excellent choice for top sound and performance gains. Exclusively offered by Corsa through Lethal Performance, this exhaust boasts 2.5" 304 stainless steel mandrel bent piping, ensuring a 74% increase in airflow compared to your stock system. Experience Corsa's signature "Sport" exhaust note, complimented with their exclusive no-drone RSC® technology for a drone-free cruise. Choose from 4" polished or black-coated quad tips to perfect the look and sound of your vehicle. Pair with Lethal Performance's 2.5" Stainless Steel Mid-Pipes for enhanced performance gains.
- Thermal R&D 2.5" Cat Back Exhaust w/ Mid-Pipes: The Thermal R&D 2.5" Cat Back is a great performance system that includes mid-pipes to optimize your exhaust flow, power and sound. It's crafted from T304 Stainless Steel and easily mounts to OEM catalytic converters/downpipes. The tubing, mufflers, and resonator feature a sleek brush finish, complemented by black ceramic-coated 3.5" dual-angle cut tips.
5. Find Yourself a Front and Rear Sway Bar
Moving on to the chassis dynamics of the Ford Explorer ST, one of the most impactful Ford Explorer ST upgrades for enhancing handling is the addition of front and rear sway bars. Also known as anti-roll bars, these components reduce body roll during cornering, leading to a more planted and confident driving experience. With the Explorer ST weighing in at a whopping 4,700 pounds, this upgrade is particularly great for those who enjoy spirited driving and want to stay firmly planted on the ground.
Understanding the Role of Sway Bars
Sway bars connect the left and right sides of a vehicle's suspension to counteract the natural tendency to lean (or "roll") in turns. By distributing the forces across the vehicle's tires more evenly, sway bars help maintain maximum contact with the road, improving grip and stability. This enhances the handling characteristics of the Explorer ST and contributes to safer maneuvering in emergencies. If you pick up a front or rear sway bar, or a set of both, you'll see some awesome benefits for your ride, including:
- Reduced Body Roll: The primary benefit is a noticeable reduction in body roll, which makes the Explorer ST feel more stable and agile when cornering.
- Improved Handling: With less body lean, the vehicle responds more predictably to steering inputs, offering a more engaging driving experience.
- Enhanced Safety: By improving the stability and handling of the vehicle, upgraded sway bars also contribute to overall driving safety, especially at higher speeds or during sudden maneuvers.
Incorporating front and rear sway bars into your suite of Ford Explorer ST mods significantly enhances the vehicle's handling and driver feedback, making every turn more rewarding. Whether navigating winding roads or simply looking for a more dynamic drive to the grocery store, upgrading your sway bars offers a tangible improvement in the Explorer ST's performance.
Lethal's Front and Rear Sway Bar Recommendations
Lethal Performance's 2020+ Explorer ST Adjustable Front and Rear Sway Bars boost your SUV's handling, control and performance during turns. Each is constructed with a strong steel bar (1-3/8 inch for front bars, 1 inch for rear bars) and CNC-machined billet steel ends for durability 30% stronger than OEM. Their 3-way adjustability feature allows for personalized stiffness settings, giving you the power to tailor your ride's control and handling precision to your liking.
6. Select the Perfect Pair of Performance Shocks
As we dive into the suspension system of the Ford Explorer ST, upgrading your shocks is one of the best things owners can do to refine their ride quality and handling precision. Shocks, or shock absorbers, are central to managing the movement of your SUV's suspension and, by extension, maintaining tire contact with the road. These Ford Explorer ST mods enhance driving dynamics, offering a balance between comfort and performance that the stock suspension cannot fully achieve.
The Importance of High-Quality Shocks
Shocks play a massive role in absorbing and damping road imperfections, ensuring your ride remains stable and controlled, even on less-than-ideal surfaces. By upgrading to high-performance shocks, you can achieve:
- Improved Handling: Premium shocks are designed to offer superior damping characteristics, which translates to tighter handling and reduced body roll in corners.
- Enhanced Comfort: While performance shocks are generally firmer, they are also better at managing the balance between absorbing bumps and minimizing unwanted suspension movement, leading to a smoother ride.
- Increased Stability: Upgraded shocks contribute to a more planted feel at higher speeds and during dynamic driving, enhancing driver confidence.
Considerations and Maintenance
After upgrading your shocks, you may notice an immediate difference in how your Explorer ST handles and rides. It's important to remember that new shocks will settle in after a few hundred miles of driving, at which point a final assessment of the upgrade's impact can be made. Regular inspections and maintenance of your suspension system will help prolong the life of your new shocks and maintain the performance benefits they provide.
Performance shocks are some seriously powerful Explorer ST upgrades for enthusiasts looking to push their vehicle's performance and comfort. Whether aiming for a firmer, more responsive ride or seeking to smooth out the bumps along your daily commute, high-performance shocks offer a tailored solution that significantly enhances the overall driving experience.
We Recommend: The Steed Pro-Action Rear Shock Kit
The Steeda Pro-Action Rear Shock Kit is a solid option if you're looking to replace your stock shocks. It's designed to enhance your vehicle's handling, offering a tighter, more responsive connection with the road. You'll also experience improved control over body roll in corners and minimized brake dive during stops without sacrificing the comfort you value on longer journeys. The Pro Action Shock Kit can also be installed on base, XLT, Limited and Platinum Explorers to equal the ST.
7. Cop Yourself a Cold Air Intake
If you're still itching for more ways to enhance your Ford Explorer ST, we recommend installing a cold air intake system – one of this list's most popular and affordable Explorer ST mods. This upgrade improves your engine's ability to breathe even better by supplying it with cooler, denser air, which can lead to better combustion and, consequently, increased performance.
It's a favorite first step for many enthusiasts due to its relatively simple installation and its immediate benefits in terms of efficiency and sound. However, we recommend starting with a performance intercooler if you want immediate and noticeable performance gains.
Why a Cold Air Intake Makes a Difference
The principle behind a cold air intake is straightforward: cooler air holds more oxygen than warmer air, and more oxygen available during combustion means more power. Replacing the stock air intake system, which often draws in warmer air from the engine bay, with a cold air intake that pulls in air from a cooler location helps achieve this. The results can include:
- Enhanced Performance: You might notice a slight increase in horsepower and torque thanks to the more efficient combustion of air-fuel mixtures facilitated by cooler air.
- Improved Throttle Response: A cold air intake can also quicken your Explorer ST's throttle response, making the vehicle more responsive and lively under acceleration.
- Increased Fuel Efficiency: Although gains can vary, the improved combustion efficiency may lead to better fuel economy under certain driving conditions.
- Richer Engine Sound: Many enthusiasts appreciate the deeper, more pronounced intake sound that comes with a cold air intake, adding an auditory element to the driving experience.
By upgrading to a cold air intake, you're unlocking a more engaging driving experience with improved power, efficiency and sound. It's an essential mod for those looking to get the most out of their vehicle's engine.
Our Cold Air Intake Picks
- AFE Momentum GT Cold Air Intake System w/ Pro 5 Media: The AFE Momentum GT features a 6” tall, 360-degree radial flow air filter with a 3.5" flange, utilizing a pre-oiled Pro 5R media. Its five layers of progressively finer cotton gauze are engineered for peak performance, outflowing the factory intake by 27% with a measured flow of 375 CFM @ 7" H20. You can expect significant gains with +15 HP and +17 lbs. x ft. of torque.
- S&B Explorer ST Cold Air Intake: If you're looking for a great deal and better performance gains, S&B's Explorer ST Cold Air Intake is up to the challenge. It features the manufacturer's high-quality oiled cotton filters, constructed with multiple layers of cotton gauze to maximize airflow and filtration. With its unique design, including deeper pleats and a larger surface area, it ensures optimal airflow and protection against debris.
8. Opt for an Oil Catch Can
An oil catch can is one of the best Ford Explorer ST mods you can use to maintain the long-term health and efficiency of your engine. The Explorer ST is excellent for long-distance drives and cross-country family trips, but all that use can wreak havoc on your engine health after years.
An oil-catch can protects your engine by capturing oil, moisture and other byproducts before they can re-enter the intake system. These are especially great in turbocharged engines like the STs, where blow-by can be more prevalent.
The Role of an Oil Catch Can
During combustion, small amounts of oil and unburnt fuel can escape from the engine cylinders. This blow-by is usually recirculated back into the intake, which can lead to carbon build-up and decreased performance over time. An oil catch can intercepts these byproducts, offering owners the benefits of:
- Reduced Carbon Build-Up: By capturing oil and other particulates before they can enter the intake system, an oil catch can help maintain clean engine internals and prevent the carbon accumulation that can degrade performance and fuel efficiency.
- Maintained Performance: Keeping the intake system clean ensures that your Explorer ST continues to perform at its best, safeguarding the performance boosts gained from other performance mods.
- Extended Engine Life: By reducing the potential for harmful deposits, an oil catch can contribute to the overall longevity of your engine.
Installing an oil catch can is smart for any Explorer ST owner looking to protect their investment and maintain peak performance. This mod helps keep your engine clean and complements other performance upgrades by ensuring that efficiency gains are not diminished over time.
The Best Oil Catch Can You Can Buy
If you want to keep your engine running clean and running for longer, we highly recommend UPR's Dual Valve Catch Can with Electronic Clean Side Separator System (ECSS). This ultimate oil separator solution integrates UPR's patented one-way electronic pressure sensor system, setting a new standard in performance and quality that no other manufacturer can match. The system's large capacity ensures that oil vapors are efficiently eliminated, whether your vehicle is naturally aspirated or equipped with power add-ons.
9. Invest In Some Interior Accessories
Enhancing the performance of your Ford Explorer ST isn't just about what's under the hood or how the vehicle handles the road. The interior plays a key role in your driving experience, so picking up some Explorer ST interior mods like floor mats and new seats is a great idea. These additions improve the aesthetics, functionality and comfort of your Explorer ST's cabin, ensuring every drive is enjoyable and your vehicle stays in top condition.
Upgrading with High-Quality Floormats
Floormats might seem like minor upgrades, but they're essential for keeping your vehicle's interior clean and protected – especially if you have young children. Here's why high-quality floormats are must-have Explorer ST interior mods:
- Protection Against Wear and Tear: High-quality floormats shield your vehicle's flooring from dirt, spills and wear, preserving the interior's condition and value.
- Custom Fit: Unlike generic options, mats designed specifically for the Explorer ST will offer a perfect fit, ensuring complete coverage and a sleek look.
- Durability: Premium mats are made from rugged materials that can withstand the rigors of daily use, from mud and snow to spills and debris.
If you're thinking about picking up some floormats, you can't go wrong with TuxMat. Their Explorer ST Floormats offer full coverage and excellent protection season after season.
Selecting Performance Seats
Upgrading to performance seats can transform your Explorer ST's interior from comfortable to cockpit-like, enhancing both comfort and control:
- Enhanced Support: Performance seats provide better lateral support for spirited driving, keeping you securely in place during sharp turns.
- Improved Comfort: Many high-performance seats are designed with ergonomics in mind, offering adjustable features to fit your body perfectly, making long drives more enjoyable.
- Interior Aesthetics: Beyond functionality, performance seats can significantly elevate the look of your Explorer ST's interior, adding a custom touch that reflects its high-performance nature.
10. Complete Your Build With Some Exterior Accessories
While the performance and interior upgrades significantly enhance your Ford Explorer ST's driving experience and comfort, you can't neglect your ride's exterior. Exterior Explorer ST mods like hitch covers and accessories like lettering are simple yet impactful choices for adding a personal touch to your Explorer ST's appearance.
Refine Your Aesthetic With a Hitch Cover
Ford's Explorer ST is notorious for shipping straight from the factory without a rear hitch cover. It's not the biggest deal in the world, but it doesn't look as good as it should. They also offer a dual function of protecting your hitch receiver from dirt and debris and providing an opportunity to personalize your vehicle:
- Protection: A hitch cover keeps the hitch receiver clean and protected from the elements, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion that can make attaching accessories more difficult.
- Personalization: With various designs available, hitch covers allow you to add a personal touch to your Explorer ST or showcase your interests and affiliations.
We recommend picking up the Zeus 3D Hitch Cover, one of our most popular sellers. It's extremely durable and available in five finishes. You can also choose from two designs and four customization options to match your style and preferences.
Customize Your Ride With Lettering
Vehicle lettering is another way to customize your Explorer ST's exterior. Whether you're accentuating the model name, adding a custom message, or highlighting aftermarket brands, lettering offers:
- Aesthetic Appeal: High-quality, custom lettering can complement your vehicle's color scheme and styling, enhancing its overall appearance.
- Brand Showcase: For enthusiasts who take pride in their performance upgrades, lettering is often used to display the names of the brands and parts you've incorporated into your vehicle.
If you want to pick up some lettering, we recommend you go with UPR. They carry Hood Badges, Tailgate Inserts, and Door Insert Letters engineered from durable, high-strength ABS meant to outlast your adventures. Forget flimsy vinyl that peels at the first sign of weather; these are built tough for the long haul, immune to sun, rain and the the car wash.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ford Explorer ST Mods
Still have questions about our list of Ford Explorer ST mods? No worries! Check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions below for more information.
Will Explorer ST Mods Void My Warranty?
Installing aftermarket Explorer ST mods can potentially void your warranty, depending on the modification and the warranty's terms. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act allows for aftermarket parts use unless the manufacturer can prove that the aftermarket part caused the need for repairs. However, it's always best to check with your dealer or read your warranty documentation carefully to understand how modifications may affect your coverage.
Can I Install Ford Explorer ST Performance Upgrades Myself?
Many Ford Explorer ST performance upgrades, like cold air intakes and exhaust systems, can be installed by enthusiasts with basic mechanical skills and tools. However, more complex modifications such as intercoolers and fuel systems might require professional installation to avoid damage and ensure safety and optimal performance. If you're uncertain about the installation process for a mod, consulting or hiring a professional is the safest choice.
How Can I Ensure My Ford Explorer ST Mods Will Work Well Together?
To ensure all your Ford Explorer ST mods are compatible, plan your upgrades around a specific goal (e.g., performance, handling, efficiency) and choose components known to complement each other.
Build the Ultimate Hot Rod SUV With Ford Explorer ST Mods From Lethal Performance
If you liked our top 10 list, you'll be happy to know that we carry all the Ford Explorer ST mods mentioned right here at Lethal Performance. We're a one-stop shop, and our shelves are packed with all the top-tier Explorer ST upgrades you need to boost your horsepower, torque, efficiency, aesthetics and more. Don't just drive – dominate the road and the track with the best of the best from Lethal Performance. Browse our entire selection now and take the first step towards unlocking the beast within your Explorer ST.
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