For months, the 2025 Explorer ST community sat in a fog of uncertainty. Would we ever get tuning access? What’s going on under the hood with the new turbo setup? Was Ford finally locking us out?
Well, the fog has lifted—and the news is a mix of surprise, validation, and opportunity.
In a refreshingly candid post on ExplorerST.org, Adam from ZFG Racing laid it all out. And let’s just say: it’s not what anyone expected.
“Time to eat a little crow on the 2025 turbo setup…”
That’s how Adam starts his update. What follows is a deep dive into what Ford really changed with the 2025 Explorer ST’s turbos, why those assumptions didn’t hold up, and what comes next for the go-fast crowd.
We’re breaking it down, Explorer ST Club style.
A Quick Recap for the Non-Tuning Crowd
If you haven’t been following the tech threads, here’s the short version:
- HP Tuners just unlocked the 2025 Explorer ST ECU (read our full write-up here).
- That means full tuning, logging, and remote support are now available.
- But under the hood, Ford quietly swapped out the turbos — and not in the way anyone expected.
That’s where ZFG Racing comes in. With tuning access now open, Adam and his team got a 2025 ST on the dyno—and started peeling back the layers.
Adam’s Assumptions: What He Thought Ford Did
In his post, Adam admitted to making a few “educated guesses” based on Ford’s recent trends and platform overlap with other EcoBoost vehicles.
❌ Assumption #1: Garrett Turbos Were Standard
Since the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor moved to Garrett turbos with electric wastegate actuators (EWGA), Adam figured Ford would do the same with the 2025 Explorer ST.
EWGA is a big deal—offering finer boost control, better reliability, and faster response than vacuum-based gates. So it made sense.
But the truth?
“They’re NOT Garrett turbos.”
Nope. The 2025 Explorer ST uses BorgWarner turbos, just like the outgoing generation—but this time with EWGA added to the mix. So yes, you get the actuator upgrade, but not the brand or size boost many assumed.
❌ Assumption #2: Same Size or Bigger
Ford’s turbo sizing strategy over the past decade has mostly gone one way: bigger, or at least the same size with better flow.
But in 2024, something changed. The F-150 3.5L EcoBoost got smaller turbines. That should’ve been the warning sign.
Turns out? The 2025 Explorer ST followed suit.
The Truth Revealed: Smaller Turbos, New Aero
When Adam’s team put a 2025 ST (Andrew’s car) on the dyno, the numbers looked decent—strong low-end response, clean logs—but the top-end pull just wasn’t there. The torque hit hard and fast, but horsepower flattened sooner than expected.
So they opened up the turbos to measure the actual wheel specs.
📏 Turbo Size Comparison
| Model Year | Compressor | Turbine |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2024 | 41mm x 51mm | 44.9mm x 40mm |
| 2025+ | 39.15mm x 49mm | 43mm x 38.65mm |
That’s smaller across the board—especially in turbine diameter, which governs how well the turbo can expel exhaust at high RPM.
So what does that mean?
Spool Gains vs. Flow Limits
Adam breaks it down perfectly:
“They spool faster and hit harder down low… but on the top end, that smaller turbine seems to choke off exhaust flow. You hit a point where ‘more boost’ just doesn’t equal more power.”
✅ What’s Good:
- Faster spool
- Better throttle response
- Early torque hit
- Less lag
⚠️ What’s Not:
- Top-end airflow capped
- Can’t make more power just by turning up the boost
- Heats up quickly under pressure
In short: Ford traded peak power for drivability. For most daily drivers, that’s a net win. For enthusiasts? It’s a challenge to overcome—and the start of something fun.
The ZFG Response: Time for Upgrades
Adam didn’t waste time once the data came in. ZFG Racing and CR Performance Engineering are already working together on new R&D for turbo upgrades.
What that could mean:
- Hybrid turbos using better compressor wheels but OEM housings
- Custom CHRAs
- Full bolt-on replacements tuned for both flow and faster spool
And because HP Tuners unlocked the ECU, they can actually test it all in real time.
Supported Tools Now Available:
- MPVI3 (for tuners and DIYers)
- RTD4 (for remote tuning)
- Tune Delivery Network (TDN)
- VCM Suite (Editor + Scanner)
With full access to fueling, timing, shift logic, torque management, and boost control—the 2025 ST is finally in the tuning playground again.
Community Reactions: ExplorerST.org Lights Up
On the forums, the ZFG post lit up quickly:
“This is the kind of transparency we love to see. Thanks for admitting the assumptions and giving us a clear roadmap.”
– STClubUser22
“Honestly I’m excited. Quick spool + upgrades = daily sleeper beast.”
– RealDealNate
“So it’s time for hybrid turbos and 500+hp again? Count me in.”
– BoostedAndBlessed
It’s a rare moment of shared understanding between tuner, community, and platform.
Who Else is Jumping In?
ZFG Racing isn’t alone anymore. Now that tuning access is live, multiple players are entering the arena:
Confirmed Tuners Actively Supporting 2025 ST:
- ZFG Racing – Currently offering tuning support, logging, and R&D updates
- Steeda – First to publicly announce tune-ready packages via HP Tuners
- GooseTuned – Quietly running early customer setups
- Livernois Motorsports – Offering tunes for HP Tuners customers now
- CR Performance Engineering – Deep in turbo disassembly and performance testing
Many of these shops offer remote tuning via RTD4—so even if you don’t have a local dyno, you’re covered.
Early Performance Gains
Though the 2025 ST hardware is slightly more restrictive, that doesn’t mean gains are small. With tuning alone:
- Bolt-on tuned 2025s are already seeing +50–65whp and +75–90wtq
- e50 setups (ethanol blends) and downpipes are pushing cars close to 400awhp
- And with traction, we expect 11.5–11.9 second quarter miles to be the norm soon
Not bad for a “choked off” turbo setup—especially when tuned by folks like Adam who know how to finesse the platform.
o, What’s Next?
ZFG Racing is taking a methodical approach:
- Finalize baseline maps for stock turbo setups
- Develop hybrid or replacement turbos
- Test airflow, thermal efficiency, and fueling
- Release staged upgrade packages with real-world testing to back them
And from Adam himself:
“We’re excited to see what Andrew [CR Performance] can come up with. These turbos aren’t the end of the world—but they are the beginning of something better.”
There’s a reason Adam’s post hit so hard—it’s the perfect mix of honesty, expertise, and momentum. The 2025 Explorer ST is not what we thought it was under the hood—but with the right approach, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting tuning platforms Ford has ever made. And this is just the beginning..
Got a 2025 ST? Drop your build thread in the forums. Let’s go explore what’s possible.
