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Monthly Archives: January 2021

  1. Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Intercooler Pipe and boot kit Concept to Completion

    Go Your Own Way - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 4 - Intercooler Pipe and boot kit Concept to Completion

    It's no secret that the 2.3L EcoBoost powered 2019+ Ford Ranger is chock-full of potential. On and off-road, Ford's mid-size pickup with the heart of a turbo Mustang packs the necessary grunt for the highway and the trails. If we learned anything from our experience with the EcoBoost Mustang, though, it's that a robust intercooling system is key for big power. Since our plan is already in place for the Ranger's intercooler, we're diving into the piping system to fortify the Ranger's intercooler kit further.

    To perform a comprehensive overhaul on the Ranger's intercooler piping system, we first needed to extract and examine Ford's design.

    Overall, Ford's take on intercooler piping is relatively robust. There's much less plastic than we would typically find on

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  2. Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2 - Design Plans

    Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2 - Design Plans

    To many, Hondas are blank canvases. For years, enthusiasts of all kinds have found the Accord to be an ideal base for their unique brushstrokes of modification. Given the tenth generation's addition of forced induction, it comes as no surprise that this Accord is also popular among tuners. Every build starts with a vision, though, and our intercooler project is no exception. We might only be in the sketching phase of our next masterpiece, but we're eager to share the plans.

    We have our work cut out for us to improve on the Accord's intercooler design. Specifically, the space available to us is extremely limited. In Honda's never-ending quest for driver safety and comfort, every Accord model comes with Honda Sensing as standard equipment. That's all well and good for the driving experience but less than ideal for us since the radar sensor is mounted very close to the OEM intercooler. In short, this sensor doesn't leave us much room to expand core thickness.

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  3. Tailored Fit - Performance Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample and Test Results

    Tailored Fit - Performance Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample and Test Results

    And we're back. We couldn't just mention reality makeover shows without building the tension somehow. It's the unforgettable two-part season finale for the MK7's radiator overhaul, and since I'm sure you're already brimming with anticipation, let's dive right in.

    Previously on the Mishimoto Engineering Blog, we left you with the first look at our design in its prototype form, along with some questions about the flow pattern. How many passes will the coolant make through our new design? Hang around to find out. But first, our production sample is in the house, and we're eager to show it off.

    Here it is in all its shiny, all-aluminum glory. When we say all-aluminum, we mean it. This

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  4. Free Range - Performance Aluminum Radiator R&D - Concept to Completion

    Free Range - Performance Aluminum Radiator R&D - Concept to Completion

    Ranger: A person or thing that wanders or ranges over a particular area or domain. In the case of the 2019+ Ford Ranger, a ranger is both person and thing, man and machine, wandering over the domain of a daily city commute and dusty mountain trails. In other words, the Ranger is one of the most capable small trucks on the road today. But even given its competence on varying terrain, some of the Ranger's components could still be more capable.

    The 2.3L EcoBoost under the hood is small but mighty. The heart of a Mustang gives the Ranger a balance of grunt to make it through precarious ravines and fuel efficiency to make sure it can go the distance. But one of the most critical systems keeping the Ranger rolling is the cooling system, specifically the radiator. Strengthening this crucial component

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  5. Built Ford Tough-er - Intercooler Pipe and Boot Kit R&D - Concept and Design

    Built Ford Tough-er - Intercooler Pipe and Boot Kit R&D - Concept and Design

    From Super Duty to Heavy Duty, all the way to MEGA Duty, if there's a large displacement diesel with a massive turbocharger under the hood, it's designed to be a beacon of durability in a world of truck abuse. Ford launched the 1999 F-Series Super Duty utilizing the 7.3L Powerstroke with every intention of that truck lasting for an eternity. Over 20 years later, there are more than 725,000 of these trucks (including the Econoline and Excursion) still hauling and towing on the road today. Even though there are still almost ¾ of a million 7.3L Powerstroke powered Fords on the road today, they're showing their age. Components are starting to wear out, specifically when it comes to the intercooling system.

    It's a known fact that boost pressure works best when it stays inside the system. The

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  6. Helping Hand - Transmission Cooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design

    Helping Hand - Transmission Cooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design

    Many believe that the key to a great truck is a powerful engine when, in reality, the transmission can make or break a truck. Your 2011+ Ford F-Series equipped with the 6.7L Powerstroke was delivered with enough torque to spin the Earth off its axis. Still, without a sturdy transmission distributing that power, you're left with gear confetti in a transmission fluid stew. In short, maintaining proper temperatures in your Powerstroke is vital to keep it towing, pulling, and hauling to its full potential. It's about time the 6.7L was due for a cooling upgrade.

    Before we can dive into the improvements, we need to understand the OEM system fully. In 2011, Ford upped the ante in the heavy-duty truck segment with the 6.7L Powerstroke, complete with all the technology to earn the Super Duty moniker, specifically the addition of an entire secondary cooling system. This system's focus is dissipating heat from the air-to-water intercooler and channels coolant through several of the vehicle's other

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  7. Lead the Charge - Performance Charge Pipe R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design

    Lead the Charge - Performance Charge Pipe R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design

    "Supra" is a name that evokes all types of tuner fantasies. These days, it's more uncommon to find a MKIV Supra that isn't hugging the asphalt or pushing 800+ horsepower to the wheels. Modifying a Supra is an enthusiast tradition. When the A90 finally came along, plenty wanted to carry on that tradition. However, with more power, stronger bolt-ons are needed, which is why we're focusing on the GR Supra's charge pipe.

    It's beyond old news at this point that BMW pulled most of the weight when it came to the development of the A90 Supra, basing it on the G29 Z4. The tag-team effort means that the MKV ain't no slouch in terms of performance and quality. Like any mass-produced vehicle, there will still be some shortcomings for the sake of cost.

    The B58 that powers the Supra is unique

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