Soon-To-Be 2014 Explorer Sport Owner

[DC97Cobra]

G'morning! Doing some research on the Explorer Sports and Ecoboost engines and decided to join the forum. I'm interested in possibly doing some bolt-on upgrades to the Sport but am cautious as this will be our daily driver. One of the things I'm worried about is the limitation of the engine components. Can these engines handle an extra 100hp? Is there a max amount of hp that I do not want to cross? Is there anything that I should keep an eye on or look at upgrading due to poor design and premature failure? Also curious on cross platform similarities. How similar is the drivetrain to the Taurus SHO and Flex?

I'm also trying to find suspension upgrade components as well. I saw that H&R makes a set of lowering springs but am also curious about stiffer sway bars, shocks, and ways to possibly stiffen the subframe. I've read that Explorer Sports are a little sloppy when it come to quick maneuvers and might want to improve it's performance capabilities.

I also have a 2001 Ford Cobra as well with 170k miles and a few mods. Just simple bolt-ons like a JLT CAI, offroad x-pipe, Ford Racing catback, Spec aluminum flywheel, Steeda UD pullies, Tokico springs and d-spec shocks, CC plates. Some mods waiting in the box include Steeda bumpsteer kit and X2 Ball Joints. Back around the 70k mark, she but down about 320RWHP/Tq. More mods to come for her but after the clutch replacement and rear diff rebuild.

Other toys are

1993 Harley Sportster 883/1200 (Multi decade project)
2011 Harley Sportster XR1200x (The dirty garage queen)
2015 Harley Street Glide (Daily Rider)

[SHOdded]

Welcome to EBPF, DC97, glad to have ya here.  Post up some pics of your rides, pronto

DD power "safe" limit = about 400 AWHP/AWTQ
Always perform maintenance on the Severe Service schedule rather than Normal Service schedule
Common issues with this platform = loose hoses, split hoses, oil pooling in intake/intercooler, PTUs and Turbos.  Very oil quality sensitive.
Drivetrain is very similar to SHO/Flex.  More like the SHO with the Performance Package.
Suspension = lowering springs right now.  Coilovers not yet available.  Sway bar not available.  There has been talk of using the sway bars from the Police Interceptor, don't know who different they are.
Handling = Tires can make a big difference.  If you put on offroad tires, don't expect the best handling offroad.  If going on the beach, lower tire pressures.  That kind of thing.

[RichieRich1042]

Welcome to EBPF from Brooklyn, NY!

[MiWiAu]

Hey DC, welcome aboard!

Just out of curiosity, have you driven a Sport yet? Or better yet, did you pick yours up?!

I got a 13 back in August, and IMHO, the factory suspension is pretty decent for a nearly 5000lb SUV. It feels like there were definitely some compromises made for comfort to improve control, and personally, I wouldn't want to detract any more on the comfort side for a daily driver (mine is a dd, too). I'm not sure the specs on the available lowering springs compared to stock, but those may throw things out of whack from a general drivability standpoint without struts and shocks to balance them out (assuming they are higher energy springs).

I definitely agree with SHOdded on good tires making a big difference to general handling characteristics. If you haven't driven one yet, you might be pleasantly surprised and decide to spend your $$ on other mods.

P.S. Thanks for your two-wheeled enthusiasm.