DIY Economy Performance | 550+HP Capable 5-Star Tuned F-150

DIY Economy Performance | 550+HP Capable 5-Star Tuned F-150

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Few modern F-150 engines raise such a variety of strongly held beliefs as the 2.7L EcoBoost V6. Some detest the thought of any gas powered truck that features less than 8-cylinders, while others love the torquey yet frugal nature of Ford’s base turbo engine. Then there’s another far smaller crowd that you may not yet know, those who love transforming a minuscule 164 cubic-inch mill into a tire slaying insane-truck. The future owner of this particular truck is definitely going to fall into that latter category.


If you judge an engine only by its displacement, I here to tell you you’re in for a rude awakening if you tangle with the wrong 2.7L EB truck at your favorite red light. This particular truck has been thoroughly worked over by the Ford Loving crew at 5 Star Tuning. It’s part of a venture by Capitol Ford of Rocky Mount, NC to sell modded vehicles off the new car lot. The sent it to Florence, SC for the guys at 5 Star to work their magic. With a relatively short and non-invasive list of mods they were able to solidly crank this little truck up to 8. “Why not 11”, you may ask. Because this truck does not have a private owner yet and 5 Star doesn’t know how nuts the eventual buyer will want to get (and if they’ll have E-85 readily available).

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I have been a fan of the XL Sport package since Ford added it to the F-150 lineup a few years ago. Makes for a very clean looking affordable truck.

What we have here is a fairly basic truck as far as new F-150 go. It’s a Reg-Cab Short-Bed 2WD XLT with all the interior options you really need (power windows/locks, cruise control, A/C, and Sync). From there, 5 Star added the following mods:

· 5 Star 91 Octane Custom Tune

· CR Performance Stage 3 Turbos

· SPD Downpipes and Resonator

· Mishimoto Intercooler

· S&B Intake

· 170 Degree Thermostat

· Morimoto Headlights

· Knock-Off “RTR Style” Grill

· Black Wheels and Nitto Tires

· Drop Shackles



With that modest list of upgrades, 5 Star was able to extract ~452 RWHP and 490 RWTQ from the 2.7L mill on 91 Octane pump gas. Even better, the tuners said that with a tank full of E-85 they can turn up the wick to the tune of about 575 RWHP. Whoever ends up buying this truck should call up those Carolina tune makers and unleash this truck’s real potential. Even still, on pump gas this thing is an absolute blast to drive.

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This stance is just about perfect for a DD truck, that can still do work without looking like a 'work truck'.

I hate to make this comparison, but this little truck feels way to close to being a modern day SVT Lightning to me. No, it doesn’t make the sweet sounds of a supercharged V8 but it does sing its own song. Once the upgraded twin-turbos light off at about 3,200 RPMs you get nearly 500 lbft of torque pushing you back in your seat to the tune of compressor spool. The truck is incredibly light on its feet, which is to be expected considering its configuration and aluminum body.

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The massive S&B Intake is a real attention grabber in the engine bay. It's a great quality CAI.

Handling and braking are decent, but nothing to write home about. You have to keep in mind that, other than a set of Nitto tires and some drop shackles, no substantial suspension upgrades have been made. It’s a testament to how well the Ford engineers have these new trucks dialed in from the factory. As it stands, this truck is a competent and fun street machine with lots of room to grow in the performance department. Even a basic suspension upgrade (springs and shocks) and some more aggressive brakes would really set off this 2.7 rig off from your average off the lot DD. If you’re looking for a comfortable vehicle with the utility of a truck and enough power to be considered for certified sleeper status, this is a combination you should consider.

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All it took was a few bolt-ons and this F-150 became a completely different animal.

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This Plane Jane interior still packs in all the essentials.

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Just a few minutes and a hundred dollar set of shackles are all you need for a noticeable attitude/altitude adjustment.

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It's tough to see, but buried behind the active grill shutters is an upgraded intercooler.

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The 2.7L EcoBoost engine isn't going to win any beauty contests, but damn if it can't make some power.

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Speaking of power, check out those power curves.

-SID297
 
Raptor who? lol..... This thing is Dope! Be pretty kool to roll up against a Raptor and put bus lengths on it. I would think the F150 is considerably lighter to.
 
I'm not nearly as modded as this thing and I've laid the hurt down on several individuals. I believe in the little 2.7 lol Little booger barks second gear and brings a smirk to my face each time.
 
3 things.
1. The stock numbers are pretty damn impressive in their own right
2. Is every dash light on for a reason? Was it just started?
3. What would the same treatment net on a 3.5?

I'd love to see what that would run in the 1/4.
 
^I know the 3.5 can make well into the 500's while still on the stock turbos. Check out a dude on YouTube who goes by MNElite. The place that tuned his truck is 40min from me and I know the shop owner. Remote tuned, but he figures it makes somewhere around 530-550rwhp. Based on the results of the cars he races, I think it jives. I forget what year his F-150 is, but I want to say it's pre 10-speed.
 
Same 2.7 that’s going into the new. Bronco? hmmmm

Yeah, but they're bullshit without a V8 option... need that 392.
Got a eco-boost early last week, I love it. About to swap plugs and install a tune but shits on my ol 5.4 stock for stock. Wish I had the A10 though.
 
^I know the 3.5 can make well into the 500's while still on the stock turbos. Check out a dude on YouTube who goes by MNElite. The place that tuned his truck is 40min from me and I know the shop owner. Remote tuned, but he figures it makes somewhere around 530-550rwhp. Based on the results of the cars he races, I think it jives. I forget what year his F-150 is, but I want to say it's pre 10-speed.

Would be nice if you could get the 3.5 in a Reg Cab.
 
Capital Ford is asking 41250 on their website...quite the bargain if you ask me. I then saw the supercharged trucks....good way to waste 30mins of quarantine time.
 
Yeah, but they're bullshit without a V8 option... need that 392.
Got a eco-boost early last week, I love it. About to swap plugs and install a tune but shits on my ol 5.4 stock for stock. Wish I had the A10 though.

the I4 turbo is the best for most people. easy maintenance and plenty of power. i hate working in crowded engine bays.
 
This is badass.
Hopefully one step closer to Ford allowing aftermarket tuners without voiding warranties. My '19 F150 (5.0) could really use a freakin tune
 
This is badass.
Hopefully one step closer to Ford allowing aftermarket tuners without voiding warranties. My '19 F150 (5.0) could really use a freakin tune

that would open them up to massive liability. what would be really nice is if tuners could submit tunes for ford authorization that way they'd effectively leverage the aftermarket tuning companies for all the hard work and ford could just review the data to see if its within some margin of error and then say its fine.
 
This is really awesome news for those who miss the SVT Lightning. No, it's not a V8, but it does provide more than equal power and torque. I like it a lot. Even has the last Gen Lightning look on the outside.

Seats are not the best, but they're radically different, lateral support wise, than the Lightning's seats. It would be nice if there was a seating upgrade option.

On the Ford site I configured a base 4X4 F-150 with the 2.7 EB and it priced out at $35,385 suggested. In the 4X2 configuration with silver painted wheels the price was $30,740 suggested. Not bad at all.

Add the 5-Star Tuning kit and you're off to a world of fun! And revived memories of the infamous Gen2 Lightning!
 
the main thing the 2.7 needs for speed is an LSD more so than a tune. these engines make full torque by like 3K (which is nothing) so if you can't put that down no sense in making more.
 

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