New Member - Say Hello to EcoHell

[EcoHell]

Hello everyone.  My name is Bill and I live on Long Island, NY.  I just picked up my new daily, named EcoHell.  She is a 2018 Explorer Sport, with the 401a package in White Platinum. 

My first two mods were installed today..Weathertech floor mats and window deflectors.  I am looking at aftermarket wheels and tuning package (looking into Livernois right now, but who knows).  Now if you wondering about the name of my daily, wellll, there is a family of vehicles having "Hell" in their name.

Say hello to MonSoonHell:

And my retirement gift to myself is BloodyHell:

MonSoonHell was a 2012 Audi S4, Prestige, 6spd Manual and highly modified.  I sold her in June.  BloodyHell is a 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, 6spd Manual and highly modified. 

I don't plan on going crazy with EcoHell, just the modifications I mentioned above.  I am falling more and more in love with her every time I drive her.  I have questions and hope someone can answer my questions or at least point me in the right direction..

1) besides not being able to pass an emission inspection with the Livernois Motorsports T460 Performance Package, is there other packages that has shown to be reliable and pass an emission inspection?

2) I have seen a  22x9 (F) and 22x10.5 (R) set up, which I like.. what is the widest rim and what offset can i go with?

3) Lastly, are there any Long Islanders out there with modified Sports?

Thanks in advance for looking, reading and responding back.  Stay tuned for more mods and more toys..

 

[EcoHell]

Ok..here are some pictures of the install of the Livernois Motorsports (LMS) parts.

First...stock dyno run:

Then we moved onto the downpipe install:

These pipes by American Racing bolt up and are a perfect bolt on product.  With the above picture you can see before the bolts when in, it was a perfect fit.

Next the lowering springs were installed.  The springs are H&R 51630 with rear camber bolts (or so we thought).  This is what LMS sent in the package, having a part number of 81280..

I contacted LMS through emails and phone calls for two days. I sent photos showing their camber bolts were for the front and not the rear.  They claimed they were the correct bolt.  I ultimately contacted their source for the camber bolts and purchased two rear camber bolts.  They will be here on Monday.  This is what the bolt is supposed to look like, having the part number of 84130:

I contacted LMS and said I would return their camber bolts and they can see for themselves. My concern was they were sending the wrong camber bolts to other customers, where it could become a safety issue.  If used one would only be able to capture 3 threads at the most, which looking at the nut you would not be able to utilize the nuts special feature where it is tapered at the end to basically lock onto the threads.  One doesn't have to install the bolt to see this occurring, simply place the bolt next to the OEM bolt installed.  My shop would not attempt to install for safety and liability reasons.

Since we had this issue, we held off on the springs and installed their Windstorm CAI.  Unfortunately there was an small issue with this product.  The CAI comes with an Air Temperature Sensor (ATS) wire extension that does not fit the OEM ATS itself.  The issue is the guide or alignment tabs of the OEM ATS matching the grooves for their ATS wire extension.  A simple fix is to snip and file off one of the OEM ATS guide/alignment tabs.  I am not sure if this is a change in the 2017/2018 models, as the Livernois Motorsports ATS wire extension comes with a tag saying it is for earlier models of Ex.

Anyone have an earlier model Ex that installed their CAI kit and if so did you have this issue as well?

The second day EcoHell was still on the lift.  Still working with LMS on the camber bolts and having purchased the correct camber bolts..we buttoned up the install of the springs.  Plus, I have not received my new rims yet, so the stock camber bolts will work until they arrive.

Anyhoot, I apologize for not taking additional pictures of the install, but being retired I am enjoying driving BloodyHell for my daily chores and of course I get in conversations everywhere I go. So here are pictures of the before and after stance of EcoHell:

Before:

After:

 

[EcoHell]

I just want to give LMS a shout-out for their products and their customer service. I wasn't expecting the process for their tune(s), but I get it. Their customer service has been what I expected.. true professionals.

 

[SHOdded]

Looking better (and hopefully sounding better) all the time!

 

[EcoHell]

Actually, it does sound alittle louder, however, the OEM exhaust, to me, kills the downpipes.  I will purchase a cat-back system, however, I want the quad tips.  Still deciding on which rims to go by.  I received a response to my question above regarding the install of LMS' CAI...on the 2016 it was a plug and play..so it must be definitely a 2018 and possibly a 2017 issue. 

 

[EcoHell]

Sorry for not posting lately.  Been busy enjoying retirement.  I updated EcoHell with new wheels.  I like the OEM wheels, just wished they were wider.  So I decided on Niche Vosso's.  Same styling as OEM, but better, IMO.  Specs are 20x10.5, offset of 40.  Tires are Hankook's 295/45/20s.  I will let the pictures do the talking... 

The difference between OEM (right) and Niche (left)..

The install pics:

The stance of the rear is sick..I will take more pictures tomorrow. 

 

[802SHO]

Looks a hella better

 

[4sfed]

Congrats!

...so how did the dyno runs turn out!

 

[EcoHell]

Sorry I have not been around.  Yes I do have additional information to post, such as the dyno numbers and additional mods.  However, I need questions answered and I do not see this question asked when searching for it. 

As i have the LMS Stage 2 Performance Package, giving (LMS' numbers of) 80whp and 100+wtq.  Does this change the towing capacity at all.  I have an opportunity to purchase a twin axle (w/brakes) car trailer to tow my Porsche around.  The trailer weighs approximately 2300 pounds and my Porsche weighs 3500 pounds.  With the tune, is this safe?

 

[SHOdded]

No way you can tow that much with the X, and definitely not with a SHO.  An F150 is a different story altogether.  An X is limited to 5K pounds, IIRC.  The tune can be adjusted to accommodate, just tell LME to give you a tow tune.  But the tow amount is just too much.

 

[ZSHO]

X2- I would NOT tow anything even close to the numbers you mentioned with the exception of mother in laws. Lol.  Z 

 

[EcoHell]

No way you can tow that much with the X, and definitely not with a SHO.  An F150 is a different story altogether.  An X is limited to 5K pounds, IIRC.  The tune can be adjusted to accommodate, just tell LME to give you a tow tune.  But the tow amount is just too much.

LME provided 4 tunes with my purchase, and a tow tune was one of them.  Thanks for answering my question.  I will look for another alternative for towing my Porsche...

 

[SHOdded]

:thumb: :thumb:

 

[EcoHell]

After reading about the upcoming ST version, I am very interested in it...sooo, I will be either selling EcoHell or trading her in.. I need to see it in person first...because the front end of the non ST version, to me, is hideous..  I really hate that Ford softened the look. 

Check out this photo comparing the generations from the front end and the 2020 version looks even wider, which I am quite sure it is simply the front fascia changes...but it has a Subaru-ish look.

 

The current generation definitely has the tougher look.


thoughts??

 

[SHOdded]

Yeah, I do not like the upcoming Explorer front end OR the infotainment system, lookswise.  When they redid the Edge for 2019, they softened the frontend there as well.  UGH.

 

[DRII]

After reading about the upcoming ST version, I am very interested in it...sooo, I will be either selling EcoHell or trading her in.. I need to see it in person first...because the front end of the non ST version, to me, is hideous..  I really hate that Ford softened the look. 

Check out this photo comparing the generations from the front end and the 2020 version looks even wider, which I am quite sure it is simply the front fascia changes...but it has a Subaru-ish look.

 

The current generation definitely has the tougher look.


thoughts??

agree that the current gen looks brawnier.

so after all the mods how did your Explorer ride and handle.

my next vehicle will probably be a 2018 Platinum or Sport Explorer.

maybe a 2020 if Ford ends up offering some kind of Off-road exterior package with increased ground clearance, larger wheels (staggered would be sick) and enhanced body cladding.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

I just want to give LMS a shout-out for their products and their customer service. I wasn't expecting the process for their tune(s), but I get it. Their customer service has been what I expected.. true professionals.

We highly appreciate the kind words, we always strive to be the best of the best when it comes to customer service and we are happy to hear you are ecstatic about your interactions with us! We look forward to helping you with whatever needs you may have with the vehicle in the future and as always if you have any questions feel free to shoot us a pm on this board or just give us a call and any and all of us will be glad to help you out!

 

[EcoHell]

I just want to give LMS a shout-out for their products and their customer service. I wasn't expecting the process for their tune(s), but I get it. Their customer service has been what I expected.. true professionals.

We highly appreciate the kind words, we always strive to be the best of the best when it comes to customer service and we are happy to hear you are ecstatic about your interactions with us! We look forward to helping you with whatever needs you may have with the vehicle in the future and as always if you have any questions feel free to shoot us a pm on this board or just give us a call and any and all of us will be glad to help you out!

I still have the camber bolts I was supposed to mail back to you that came with my Level 2 Performance Package.  Between family health issues, to include where I sustained an injury, and retirement, it was both not having time and when I did have time I forgot.  Do you still remember my issue?  I am not sure how many more packages were sold after my issue, but I just want to ensure we are on the same page so you and future customers do not have to go what could become a frustrating time.

 

[EcoHell]

agree that the current gen looks brawnier.  so after all the mods how did your Explorer ride and handle.

my next vehicle will probably be a 2018 Platinum or Sport Explorer.  maybe a 2020 if Ford ends up offering some kind of Off-road exterior package with increased ground clearance, larger wheels (staggered would be sick) and enhanced body cladding.

I love the mods..  I have been embarrassing Hemi's, Camaros and even Mustangs from stoplights.  Keep in mind, I also have the Pedal Commander as well, which helps brings the power from the LMS Package quicker to the wheels.  I drove to Florida and back and it was an awesome drive. Using the Adaptive Cruise Control with the Lane Assist was so comforting that I was not feeling the usual "drag ass" time after the 17 hour drive.  One thing that sucked was the MPG, which I averaged 18.4.  Keep in mind I was cruising at 85 mph.  Not sure if the Pedal Commander (PC) ECO feature would have helped.  But more on the PC below:

I had a slight vibration coming from the pax front wheel while turning left under acceleration. Given my modifications, I did not want to put her back to stock to bring her back to the dealership. Keep in mind I just flipped 10k. So I am thinking it cannot be anything major.. The OEM axle is $168.xx. So I was thinking it had to be the axle. After removing the axle, there was no wear or tear inside or outside of the original axle..so it did not look like it was the axle that was causing the vibration. Soooo, for those of you thinking of installing the Pedal Commander or another product like it..be warned.. apparently it activates the ABS system causing a vibration when making a left turn. It is not a major vibration, but I could feel it in my seat and right leg. Two techs couldn't feel what I was talking about, but one tech did..it is that light of a vibration. So I have a brand new OEM pax axle installed and a 10k axle for a spare. We found this out during the test drive after the install of the new axle.

 

[SHOdded]

Check pass wheel balance, and pass wheel bearing as possibilities for the vibration.  Also that the pass strut mount is secure.