Hi Guys,
I was playing around with the Flex Ecoboost a little yesterday after I installed a UPR catch can because I ran into an O2 sensor code. Pulled off all of the cosmetic black hose end covers and put clamps on every joint thinking vacuum leak. Crossing my fingers that fixed it. I don't think the upstream O2 sensors are exactly cheap. Regardless, I was doing research and came across the forum. Seems like this is the place to be for anything Ecoboost related, and I'm quite impressed with the knowledge shared so far. Don't worry about answering my technical issue here, I'll start a thread if I can't find the answer in a search, just wanted to introduce myself.
My name is Rob and I live in San Diego, California. My Flex is a 2011 Limited Ecoboost that has 130k on the clock. It needs/needed some TLC and the motor has some significant blowby/consumption, but it runs quite strong for so many miles on the clock. Previous owner did dealer-installed turbo replacement about 1k miles before I bought it (123k). Still trying to figure out exactly what I'm dealing with here (whether it's been modded before, mechanical issues, etc.), but I'm picking up quite a bit of info off the web.
So far I've done a UPR catch can plug-n-play kit (more on that later), re-did the struts/shocks with OEM stuff and slapped on BFG G-Force Sport Comp 2's (blew one of the old tires running over a garden shear of all things on a freeway entrance, tires were over 5 years old and bald anyway), and did an OEM alignment. Thing scoots pretty good and handles better than I expected for such a big car. Up to 2 years ago I was driving an old Saturn coupe with some suspension/chassis mods, and the Flex holds up pretty well chassis-wise and the big (for me) 255 rubber helps a lot. There are a lot of windy hilly country roads I drive regularly and so decent handling is a must for me, even if I have to drive a boat of an SUV/Wagon. I had a fusion V6 for a while and the Flex is actually a better handler in spite of all the extra weight, and the driveability with all that low-end torque is immensely better.
Future mods planned are going to be basic stuff, but I've found once you get the bug you tend to keep going, so who knows. Thinking about 3-bar MAP and tune, HD brake upgrade from the Interceptor Utility/Explorer Sport/13+ Ecoboost Flex/SHO. Looking forward to sharing on the forum.
