The Top 5 Ford 2.0 EcoBoost Performance Enhancements. The 2.0 EcoBoost may not get the credit it deserves for its performance capabilities. Because of the larger 2.3, 2.7, and 3.5 EcoBoost engines, it frequently slips under the radar. Nonetheless, the Ford 2.0L turbo engine gives excellent performance right out of the box. There’s also a lot of untapped potential. A few easy bolt-on enhancements can take the 2.0 inline-4 to the next level; 300+whp is achievable with a few simple modifications. We explore some of the best bolt-on performance enhancements for the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost in this guide.
EcoBoost 1st vs. EcoBoost 2nd Gen
Before we get started, it’s necessary to understand the distinctions between 2.0 EcoBoost engines. Ford began offering the 2nd generation EcoBoost engine in the Ford Edge in 2016. It was then used in the Ford Escape, Fusion, and a variety of other vehicles. Because of a few improvements, it is now the more capable engine for tuning and modification. Among the notable upgrades for the second generation 2.0 EcoBoost are:
- Twin-scroll turbocharger
- brand-new aluminum block
- Cylinder head redesign
- Increased compression ratio
- Fuel enhancements
This is not an exhaustive list of differences between the first and second generation engines. Many of these changes are intended to boost economy and low-end torque. These do, however, help the second generation 2.0 EcoBoost give a bit more power with performance enhancements.
In general, comparable tweaks will increase the power and torque of 2nd generation engines. It’s not much of a difference, but with complete bolt-ons, it could add 10-20whp. With a few bolt-on improvements, both engines have a lot of promise. But the point remains. If you want aftermarket potential, the 2nd generation EcoBoost is definitely your best bet.
Different Fords Equipped with the 2.0 EcoBoost
Before we get into the real performance increases for the 2.0 EcoBoost, a few more short notes. The engine can be found in a variety of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the Fusion, Escape, Edge, MKZ, and MKC. Because they all employ the same 2.0L inline-4 turbo engine, this article applies to all of them. Of course, excluding the changes between first and second generations stated above.
In general, this article relates to all Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with 2.0 EcoBoost engines. However, not all parts are compatible with all models and years. Before proceeding with any upgrades, double-check fitting. The Ford Fusion 2.0L EcoBoost is one of the most commonly updated and tuned vehicles, and it possibly has the best assortment of aftermarket parts.
The Top 5 2.0 EcoBoost Upgrades
Among the greatest 2.0 EcoBoost performance enhancements are:
- Tune
- Intake
- Downpipe
- FMIC
- Fueling
These mods aren’t included in any particular order of importance. Everyone has different ideas about which mods to start with. Nonetheless, most people will agree that a song is the ideal place to start. Still, aside from extensive modifications, the following list is a decent starting point for extracting more power from the 2.0 turbo engine.
During the rest of this post, we’ll go through the above 2.0L EcoBoost bolt-on modifications in detail. We also provide information on power increases, costs, and other topics. Hopefully, this helps point 2.0 EcoBoost owners in the right direction when it comes to customizing their vehicles.
1) Tuner for Ford 2.0 EcoBoost
The foundation for creating extra power is a tune or tuner for the 2.0 EcoBoost. It provides the best value for money on an otherwise stock 2.0L turbo engine. A tuning can provide gains of 20-50whp and 30-70wtq. Great power improvements for the 2.0 EcoBoost, especially given that the tune only costs $400-600.
Tunes also allow you to get the most out of other performance boosts. Some bolt-on additions simply do not provide maximum performance without the assistance of a tune. This is because a tune appropriately compensates for the increased airflow, fuelling, and so on.
In comparison to other EcoBoost engines, the 2.0 has a limited number of tweaking possibilities. There are, however, still plenty available. It is critical to get a 2.0 EcoBoost tuner from a recognized and reliable company. Otherwise, which tune is good for each person can vary. However, in the future, you should definitely choose a tune with decent support and room for swapping flashes/maps.
Tunes for the 2.0L EcoBoost
Again, which tune is best for each individual may differ, and there are numerous tuning alternatives available. Still, we believe the following tuners are excellent for the 2.0 EcoBoost:
- Livernois
- SCT X4
- BoostMAX by JMS
We will have a guide for 2.0L EB tuning in the near future because there is a lot to cover. The tuner devices listed above include off-the-shelf (OTS) tunes. Because you’ll need a device and methods to actually flash the music, this is the typical starting point. In the future, you may want to look into bespoke 2.0 EcoBoost tuning options for improved performance.
Again, we’ll go over this in depth in a future blog and link to it here. However, if you want to improve the performance of your 2.0 EcoBoost, a tune is a great place to start.
Pricing of 2.0 EcoBoost Tune: $400-600
HP Gains: 20-50whp with the 2.0 EB Tuner (40-70wtq)
2) Performance Intake Modifications for the 2.0L EcoBoost
A typical option is to combine a tune with intake. That makes sense because increasing boost and power necessitates more airflow. Yet, the Ford 2.0 stock intake is really quite efficient right out of the box. A 2.0 EcoBoost performance intake improvement can result in small gains of 3-7 horsepower. With full bolt-ons and an aggressive tune, you can gain extra power.
With a conservative tune and no additional modifications, the factory intake can usually handle the air-flow requirement. The 2.0L EcoBoost may only gain a few horsepower in some circumstances. Those who run a tune, downpipes, FMIC, better feeding, and so on will experience the most power benefits from an intake change.
That said, an improved intake does add some amazing turbo and induction noises. We think an intake is an excellent mod for the noises even if it isn’t for the minor power gains. An intake improvement also improves the appearance of the engine bay and is simple to install.
Intakes 2.0 Inline-4 Open vs. Closed
There are numerous names for performance intakes. Some refer to them as performance intakes, cold air intakes, air filter improvements, etc. For turbocharged vehicles, such as the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost, we tend to conceive of intakes as either open or closed systems.
An open intake simply allows access to the engine bay. Closed intake systems employ an air-box to protect the filter. Because of the heat in the engine bay, open intakes pull in significantly warmer air. Yet, a turbo engine is unaffected by this. The turbos generate a lot of heat in any case. The intercooler then cools it. In essence, the temperature at the intake has little to no effect on the ability of the intercooler to cool the charge air.
For turbo engines, we prefer open intakes because they often deliver more air flow. They’ll also make more turbo and induction noises. Ultimately, most intakes are going to deliver the same performance on the 2.0L turbo EcoBoost engine. Look for anything with a high-quality air filter from a reputable manufacturer, such as S&B or K&N.
Pricing of a 2.0L Turbo Intake: $200-400
Horsepower Increases from 2.0 EcoBoost Intake: 3-7whp
Related : The Engine: Toyota 3VZE 3.0L V6
Modifications to the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost Downpipe
Downpipe (DP) modifications are one of our favorite turbo engine alterations. The downpipe bolts straight to the 2.0 EcoBoost turbocharger. It is the most critical component of the post-turbo exhaust. Upgrades to the 2.0 EcoBoost downpipe will provide more power than any other portion of the exhaust system behind the turbo.
Back-pressure behind the turbo is detrimental to power and performance. The closer you get near the turbos, the worse the back-pressure for power becomes. A large catalytic converter is used in the factory Ford 2.0L downpipe. It’s good for emissions but not so fantastic for performance.
Besides from increased horsepower, upgrading the 2.0 EcoBoost downpipe has numerous other advantages. Among these advantages are:
- 5-15whp (10-20wtq) (10-20wtq)
- Faster turbo spool
- Turbo and engine are safer/healthier as a result.
- Increased exhaust volume
The power and torque increases from a DP upgrade are substantial. A faster turbo spool will provide more low-end torque and a stronger kick back into the seat. Also, lowering back-pressure is often better for the engine. It can reduce EGTs and reduce load on the engine and turbo. Add in a louder exhaust – but not too loud – and it’s easy to understand why an upgraded downpipe is a terrific addition for the 2.0L EcoBoost.
2.0L EB Ford DP Catless vs. High-Flow Catted
The primary objective of a downpipe, once again, is to reduce back-pressure right behind the turbo. It is what allows for increased power, faster spool, lower EGTs, and so on. A catless downpipe will have the least amount of restriction and thus the least amount of back-pressure. As a result, 2.0 EcoBoost catless downpipes will improve performance the most.
Catless downpipes, on the other hand, are technically unlawful and emit a worse odor of raw exhaust. That’s where high-flow catted options come into play. These will nevertheless provide the same advantages as a catless downpipe. Simply said, to a lesser extent. A high-flow 2.0 EcoBoost downpipe will gain 3-5 whp less than a catless variant.
Sadly, high-flow downpipes with cats can be extremely costly. The biggest reason is that cats are not cheap to produce. Furthermore, despite the fact that a high-flow DP should pass both visual and actual emissions testing, the EPA still considers them illegal.
Price: $150-600+ (high-flow normally starts at $500+) for the 2.0 Inline-4 EcoBoost DP
Horsepower Increases from the 2.0 EcoBoost Downpipe: 5-15whp (10-20wtq)
Downpipe for the best Focus ST 2.0 EcoBoost
Because of their legal status, catless downpipes might be difficult to find online from large companies. Anyone wishing to increase their turbo and undertake other substantial modifications should probably go with a catless DP. A high-flow catted downpipe, on the other hand, is a terrific alternative for most 2.0 EcoBoost owners. As a result, we will continue to suggest CVF, our favorite Focus ST catted downpipe.
CV Fabrication (CVF) provides a few fantastic performance enhancements for the Focus ST 2.0 EcoBoost. The CVF 3′′ stainless steel catted downpipe is on display here. The DP has a 400 cell catalytic converter, so emissions testing should be straightforward. This downpipe is mandrel bent and TIG welded with a flex section, so the quality is outstanding. At $425, it’s one of the most affordable catted ST downpipes on the market. What more can you ask for than quality, a low price, and an excellent fit?
Finally, we are huge fans of all CVF items. We believe that finding a better balance of price, quality, and performance is practically impossible. Go no further if you’re looking for a high-flow catted ST 2.0L downpipe. Use the promo code TUNINGPRO at checkout to save 5%!
$425 (or $403 with code TUNINGPRO)
4) Modifications to the 2.0 Turbo Inline-4 FMIC
Front mount intercoolers are another excellent bolt-on performance enhancement for the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost engine. The stock intercooler works well on stock autos or with a light tune. When you start adding boost, the 2.0L FMIC becomes quickly overloaded.
As IATs rise over typical values, the engine begins heat absorbing. Heat soak occurs when the turbo is running so hot that the intercooler can no longer efficiently cool the charge air. As a result, the engine will draw ignition timing to avoid pre-detonation (plus hot air is less dense). The point is that heat absorption causes significant power loss.
Therefore, an FMIC upgrade will not significantly increase peak horsepower. Rather, the main advantage is constant performance and a healthier engine, especially when doing multiple pulls, track days, or canyon excursions in a row. The following are some advantages of 2.0 EcoBoost performance intercooler upgrades:
- 5-10whp (similar torque) (similar torque)
- Performance that is consistent
- Pre-detonation is less likely.
An improved intercooler may only provide 5-10whp on glory runs, if that. But, after a time of pounding on the automobile and engine, it can avoid massive power loss. It’s not impossible to lose 10, 20, or 30whp with a factory intercooler.
Modifications for the 2.0 EcoBoost Intercooler
The following are some good options for enhanced FMICs on the Ford 2.0L turbo engine:
- Upgrade of the CVF Intercooler (for Ford Focus ST)
- Front Mount Intercooler by Steeda (for Ford Fusion)
- FMIC CX Racing (for Ford Escape)
We like CVF, and they offer an excellent intercooler for the Focus ST, as we said in the downpipe conversation. It’s a fantastic intercooler with proven results that can handle up to 670hp. There are many more possibilities that we simply do not have room to list. It’s a little tricky because the 2.0L Ford EcoBoost is available in a variety of models, and fitment varies. We’ll have an intercooler post up soon to go into the technical intricacies and mention a lot more alternatives on the market.
Ford 2.0 EcoBoost FMIC costs between $400 and $700.
FMIC 2.0L Turbo Increases in horsepower: 5-10whp (consistent performance – helps prevent power loss)
5) Ford 2.0L Fuel Consumption (E85, Race Gas, Methanol)
We won’t spend as much time on this one, but it’s incredibly crucial. If you want to maximize the performance of the 2.0 EcoBoost engine, you must use high-quality fuel. It also helps to lessen the likelihood of engine knocks, among other advantages.
We strongly advise running at least 91 or 93 octane. All the better if you have easy access to higher quality pump fuels. Octane is beneficial to turbo engines since it reduces the likelihood of engine knocks. That means you can run greater boost and power without risk.
E85 or methanol injection is recommended for individuals who wish to maximize power and engine health. Race gas is also a viable alternative, but we’ll avoid it for the time being and concentrate on E85 and methanol injection.
E85 2.0 EcoBoost Fueling
Finally, we recommend using an E85 blend with the right tune. E30 fueling, for example, will provide significant advantages above ordinary pump fuels. Ethanol gasoline has an extremely high octane rating, averaging around 108 octane with full E85. Of course, if you’re just using E30, your effective octane rating won’t be very high.
Nonetheless, it is a significant improvement over 93 octane. E85 also burns significantly colder and necessitates more fuel injection. All of this adds up to a very happy engine that is less likely to knock. That means you can run more aggressive ignition timing and increase boost, resulting in good power gains for the 2.0 EcoBoost. E30 combined with a decent tune can produce an additional 10-15whp. With an improved turbo or other major upgrades, a lot more power is available.
Methanol Injection for Ford EcoBoost
Another strong fueling option is methanol injection. But, because it is a completely new approach, we do not recommend it for novices. You’ll need a full water-methanol injection (WMI) kit, such as this one. You must also obtain methanol and combine it with the water. This is another topic we will cover in the future.
In any case, methanol is a very flammable, high-octane fuel. It has similar advantages to E85, but one key advantage. E85 places a significant strain on the fueling system. Because methanol has its own tank, pump, and so on, it actually reduces demand on the gasoline system. Power improvements are comparable to, if not slightly higher than, when using an E30 blend.
What kind of power can the 2.0 EcoBoost produce?
In the BMW world, the modifications listed above are considered complete bolt-on (FBO). Everyone has a somewhat different interpretation of the term FBO, but we like to think of it as the mods listed above. A tune, intake, downpipe, FMIC, and quality fueling are often the recipe for large power gains on a turbo car.
With all of these modifications, the Ford 2.0 EcoBoost can produce 300-320whp and 340-360wtq. That’s a lot of power for such a small turbo engine. It’s also probably enough power for most people. Of course, an improved turbo and other modifications can push the 2.0 EcoBoost even further, but they are costly. Turbo mods are pricey, and when you add in fueling mods, internal changes, and so on, the expenses escalate.
Summary of Ford 2.0 EcoBoost Performance Improvements
The larger siblings, such as the 2.7 and 3.5 dual turbo V6 EcoBoost engines, frequently overshadow the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The 2.0 inline-4, on the other hand, offers good performance and plenty of aftermarket potential. In fact, for less than $2,000 in bolt-on tweaks, the 2.0 EcoBoost can produce 300+whp and 350+wtq.
A tune is an excellent starting point for enhancing the 2.0 EcoBoost because it provides 20-50whp on its own. It’s also the foundation for getting the most out of other bolt-on upgrades. Besides from increased horsepower, downpipe and FMIC improvements have numerous other advantages. Performance intake improvements for the 2.0L EcoBoost are also an option, but they don’t produce as much power as some of the other changes.
Finally, if you want to get the most out of the turbo inline-4, high-quality fueling is critical. At the very least, 91 or 93 octane is recommended, although even that is inadequate fueling. E85, race gas, and water-methanol injection are all excellent fueling options for the 2.0 EcoBoost.
