Time For Upgrades

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 15, 2023

Hello all! I just bought myself a 2020 ST and I want to start doing upgrades. I have about $5k to put towards upgrades and need to know where to start. I want to get a tuner but figure that would probably be best left to last so they can write the tunes with all the ypgrades. I want to do a CAI, charge pipes, down pipes, H-pipe and axle back with black tips. I think I can get all that for under $5k. Once that's all installed I will go with ZFG for the DMS tunes. I'm not sure what tuner is best for uploading the tunes? I'd like to hear y'alls opinions!

Blue Beast · Aug 15, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

Hello all! I just bought myself a 2020 ST and I want to start doing upgrades. I have about $5k to put towards upgrades and need to know where to start. I want to get a tuner but figure that would probably be best left to last so they can write the tunes with all the ypgrades. I want to do a CAI, charge pipes, down pipes, H-pipe and axle back with black tips. I think I can get all that for under $5k. Once that's all installed I will go with ZFG for the DMS tunes. I'm not sure what tuner is best for uploading the tunes? I'd like to hear y'alls opinions!

Welcome to the forum

2020FordRaptor · Aug 15, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

Hello all! I just bought myself a 2020 ST and I want to start doing upgrades. I have about $5k to put towards upgrades and need to know where to start. I want to get a tuner but figure that would probably be best left to last so they can write the tunes with all the ypgrades. I want to do a CAI, charge pipes, down pipes, H-pipe and axle back with black tips. I think I can get all that for under $5k. Once that's all installed I will go with ZFG for the DMS tunes. I'm not sure what tuner is best for uploading the tunes? I'd like to hear y'alls opinions!

Definitely put an intercooler on that list.

UNBROKEN · Aug 15, 2023

Intercooler before exhaust.

GearHead_1 · Aug 15, 2023

Intercooler before Cold Air Intake.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 16, 2023

I was looking at the CVF black intercooler. I'll add it to the list.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 16, 2023

So this is what I have in my shopping cart at the moment:
-Intercooler
-Intake Kit
-BOV
-BOV Adapter
-Hood Struts

This should get me started at this point. Please let me know if this works or if I need something different. I plan to do the down pipes, H-Pipe and Axle Back exhaust next. Once I have it all installed I will get a tuner. Thank you for your help and any suggestions!

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 19, 2023

Is a Catch Can important to add?

Cruising68 · Aug 20, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

I think they are especially for a direct injected engine. Helps keep oil from the intake and then coating the backside of the valves.

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FORZDA3 · Aug 20, 2023

Ford now seems to have a good handle on the crankcase pressure/blow-by (and oil calcium related LSPI) on stock engines. If tuned pretty aggressively like many of us do (ZFG is the top-tuner) then a CC is definitely a plus.

Scalarrthu · Aug 20, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

This is the one I went with and it’s been working just fine!

mwinn · Aug 21, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

Since you asked this community for input, here you go.
IC
Down pipes (yours likely are cracked anyway)
Catch can
Suspension upgrade (springs and rear swaybar)
Tune (ZFG popular choice here)
The intake, exhaust and BOV are nice noise generators but don't contribute much HP gains.
Finally, not knowing the mileage, might consider fluid change for font, rear diff, xfer case and trans. Might as well start with fresh fluids before you start hammering it.
Enjoy!

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 21, 2023

I'm confused about a couple things. First, some say that the only thing that needs to be upgraded (other than the tune) is the intercooler. I've read in a couple posts that, unless you're upgrading the turbos, the stock intake and piping is fine and replacing it is a waste of money. I guess dyno results are the only way to back it up either way. Second, and this is probably a dumb question but, I don't understand how it works so please don't lash me too bad! Since there is crankcase venting on both sides of the engine, why wouldn't you need a catch can on each side? I see they make them for both sides so if I do only need one, which side is better? I do have the orange tamper proof connector on the drivers side so that's the only reason I see to choose the passenger side. And she has 31,342K miles.

bluesnake01 · Aug 21, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

Intercooler wont necessarily make you more power but itll keep the power consistent on many back to back runs, higher RPM's, and/or during hot days, no more heat soak.

You can however get a more aggressive tune and make more power with a bigger intercooler.

Far as intake, thats varies on each person. Different cars have proven to get more air which is a plus for turbo. Other cars perform worse with an aftermarker CAI vs stock due to getting hotter air.
Upsides, can look nicer under the hood and you get to hear the "whoosh" sound from the turbo's.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 21, 2023

OK, I did some more searching and got the catch can thing worked out. I've never had a vehicle with boost so I was confused about the two lines (drivers side and passenger side). I think I'm going with the UPR because it looks really easy to install and addresses both sides. I just have to worry about getting the drivers side off because mine has the orange connector.

2020FordRaptor · Aug 21, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

I'm confused about a couple things. First, some say that the only thing that needs to be upgraded (other than the tune) is the intercooler. I've read in a couple posts that, unless you're upgrading the turbos, the stock intake and piping is fine and replacing it is a waste of money. I guess dyno results are the only way to back it up either way. Second, and this is probably a dumb question but, I don't understand how it works so please don't lash me too bad! Since there is crankcase venting on both sides of the engine, why wouldn't you need a catch can on each side? I see they make them for both sides so if I do only need one, which side is better? I do have the orange tamper proof connector on the drivers side so that's the only reason I see to choose the passenger side. And she has 31,342K miles.

The intake is fine but not the intercooler.

mwinn · Aug 22, 2023

BrooseDaMoose said:

I went the same way and had little difficulty, however my ST was new when I added it. Over time I'm sure that orange clip will get brittle. Suggest you buy a replacement hose before startlng. Go back in the archives of this forum under catch can. Insightful information there. Go back to the 2020s.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 23, 2023

mwinn said:

I did a lot of reading on this subject here. That's how I got it figured out.

BrooseDaMoose · Aug 23, 2023

I think I got my list finally done!
ZFG Racing- Stage 1 with a CVF Intercooler and DMS Tune, SPD 3" Down Pipes
Lethal Performance- Thermal R&D 3" Cat-Back Exhaust, UPR Dual Valve Catch Can, Steeda Ultimate Handling Package, MRT Hood Struts and a couple AEM Dry Filter (just to have an extra to drop in while first one is drying)

It's going to put me over my $5k budget but budgets are for blowing anyway!

GearHead_1 · Aug 23, 2023

I feel like I'm butting in with my suggestions, forgive me if I am. Have you considered the Redline Hood Struts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086T3122K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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