Which Turbo Is Right For My Ecoboost Swap Project?
27th Dec 2022
“There’s no replacement for displacement!” you hear as your drunk uncle screams at a passing cloud while spraying down his Edelbrock filter with starting fluid. Luckily for us, it's not 1973 anymore and advancements in ECU, fueling, and forced induction technologies render this argument all but obsolete in most circumstances. From F1 cars with 1000 wheel horsepower to your mom’s grocery getter, turbocharged engines have permeated every facet of automotive development. Today we’ll be comparing some of the most popular turbochargers for the 2.0 and 2.3 Ecoboost engines. To learn more about how turbos work, MotorTrend has an excellent primer on the subject here. We’re going to be looking at a range of sizes for different power goals and what it takes to safely support these larger turbos.
2.0T
BorgWarner K03
This is the stock turbo you’ll find on all 2013+ 2.0T Ecoboost engines. It’s quite small but definitely delivers in the fun department. Its small size means that it's quick to spool and because of that, delivers excellent low end response. The near instant spool tapers off near 6000-7000 RPM and as such it lacks the higher RPM punch some are after. These are generally considered capable to around 300whp and inexpensive to replace.
An OEM+ option direct from Garrett, the Stage 1 Powermax offers a slight performance bump from the OEM K03 without needing anything else in terms of supporting modifications. Rated to deliver ~350whp, Garrett’s upgrade sports a larger compressor which results in 16% more flow over stock.
Beyond the two options above, we’re firmly moving into big turbo territory. While the previous options required no modifications to any of the 2.0T components, going for big power makes upgrading certain things mandatory. To increase overall flow, an upgraded intake and high flow downpipe will be necessary. To account for the increase in charge air temperature, a larger and more efficient intercooler will need to be installed. Pushing beyond 350whp will require fueling upgrades such as the high pressure fuel pump, DI injectors, auxiliary port injectors or methanol injection. Upgrading the rotating assembly will also be required as these components, while robust, will not handle the abuse of higher horsepower applications.
Mountune MRX Upgrade EFR 6258A/6758/7163
Mountune’s one stop shop approach to an upgraded turbo is, in our opinion, the best all out bang for your buck option when considering aftermarket turbos. Available with three different Borgwarner EFR turbo options and containing all components to complete the installation, their kit can scratch the itch for anyone seeking 350-500+ horsepower. BorgWarner’s EFR turbos utilize a Low Inertia Gamma-Ti Turbine Wheel which means it is quicker to spool resulting in a low amount of turbo lag. On the low end, the EFR6258 (with supporting modifications) can reach 350whp and 380 lb/ft torque. This easily reaches the upper limits of what the stock DI fuel system can support. Upgrading to the EFR 6758 or EFR 7163 can surpass these power numbers but will require beefier internal components and upgraded fueling.
ATP GTX2860/GTX2867R/GTX3071R Gen 2
ATP firmly cements itself as a powerhouse option with the next four turbo options. All four are Garrett turbochargers with their own headifold adapter to fit the 2.0T Ecoboost. The first three from their lineup are the GTX series. Power potential ranges from 400-500whp and as you’d expect, the larger the turbo the slower they reach peak boost. On the low end, the GTX2860 reaches 20psi around 2800rpm and the GTX3071 occupies the upper range reaching the same boost pressure at 3800rpm. As is the case on all big turbos for the 2.0T, upgrading the fueling will be necessary to really get the most from these turbos.
Also as an option from ATP, the G25-550 gets its own place in our lineup because of its incredible performance. Good for around 550whp, the G25-550 spools quicker than the GTX2860 but delivers more power than the GTX2867R! One potential negative of this turbo is that if purchasing for your project, this will also require sourcing an external wastegate and dump tube.
2.3T
Stock Garrett Turbo MGT2260SZ
The Garrett MGT2260SZ is the standard turbo that is fitted on the Ecoboost Mustang (except the High Performance package option). Similar to the 2.0T BorgWarner K03, its role is to spool quickly and provide quick torque vs any significant top end power. For projects where the goal is 350whp or less, there’s no need to look further as far as turbo options are concerned.
For those trying to reach 400whp, Ford has stepped in with an option to fill the void between the stock turbo and bigger, more expensive replacements. Direct from Ford Performance, their upgrade kit increases the compressor wheel from 60mm to 63mm and a redesigned housing volute to increase flow. Priced very competitively, this is an excellent option for those looking to squeeze a little more power from their 2.3T without needing all of the supporting modifications necessary for a bigger turbo upgrade.
As with the 2.0T, if you’re looking for more power than the two options above provide, you’ll be looking for a big turbo. While the power ceiling is higher for the 2.3T due to increased displacement, the same components will need to be upgraded. To increase overall flow, an upgraded intake and high flow downpipe will be necessary. To account for the increase in charge air temperature, a larger and more efficient intercooler will need to be installed. Pushing beyond 400whp will require fueling upgrades such as the high pressure fuel pump, DI injectors, auxiliary port injectors or methanol injection. Upgrading the rotating assembly will also be required as these components, while robust, will not handle the abuse of higher horsepower applications.
Read any number of customer reviews and it quickly becomes apparent why the NX2 is the ‘holy grail’ of 2.3T big turbo upgrades. As a 100% drop-in replacement for the stock turbo, the NX2 can be fitted to both RWD and FWD oriented engines and makes remarkable power at a competitive price. Sporting a ported compressor housing and capable of around 450whp with supporting modifications, this turbo is our go to recommendation for anyone looking for more power out of their 2.3T project.
EFR 7163/7670/8374/9180
Available as a kit from cp-e, BorgWarner’s EFR turbos make a return in our lineup. BorgWarner's state-of-the-art ‘Mixed-Flow Gamma-Ti Turbine Wheel’ design allows for a remarkably fast spool and huge powerbands. The 7163 caps out around 500whp while the mighty 9180 can reach the 700-900whp range. Don’t want cp-e’s full kit? No problem! They also offer an exhaust manifold to adapt any of BorgWarner’s turbos to the factory headifold design giving you the choice to install whichever turbo you see fit.
Honorable Mention: Mountune Focus RS MRX Upgrade EFR 6158/7163
Mountune’s MRX Upgrade kit makes another appearance in our list but this time things are a little different. Meant purely for install in FWD applications, their Focus RS MRX Upgrade is similar to their offering for the Focus ST. The reason their kit is an honorable mention is due to the FWD design in all of their parts. For RWD applications it will take some level of DIY and elbow grease to fit correctly. That being said, the kit is an excellent value when compared to cp-e’s offering. Starting at $3,999 for the kit with the EFR 6158, if you have a knack for making it work it's definitely worth a look.