[megascape]

I know nothing about engines and HP. I'm good with suspensions. I am wondering what, if any, inexpensive ways to increase low end HP on the Duratec 30. For instance since I don't have 4LO on the Intelligent 4X4 I use 2nd and 1st gear for very short durations if i'm in a spot that 4LO would come in handy. I'd just like to keep the RPMs down. I don't want the tranny to over heat. I have just purchased a tranny cooler. Any feedback would be appreciated and I hope this makes sense.

Or should the tranny cooler be enough?

 

[Poppy]

Which model are you driving, and which year?

 

[megascape]

2008 Escape Automatic XLT D30, oops! I can't believe I didn't write the rig and model.

 

[Poppy]

You might want to check... I believe that at some point trans coolers came as standard equipment on the escapes.

 

[Boghog]

A cold air intake and increasing the diameter of the exhaust will increase hp,but I don't think you'll get much benefit at low rpm and speeds.

 

[megascape]

Thanks.., I just checked and the 08 does have a tranny cooler. So now I'll have an extra one. Would it be beneficial to add another, replace or send it back? Maybe keep it for the future?

 

[Boghog]

Not much benefit in adding a second cooler.Fluid temp may drop too much.Choice is yours on whether to keep.

 

[Poppy]

... since I don't have 4LO on the Intelligent 4X4 I use 2nd and 1st gear for very short durations if i'm in a spot that 4LO would come in handy. I'd just like to keep the RPMs down. I don't want the tranny to over heat.

If you need 4LOW.. you should never be in 2nd gear.

In the Bronco's Rangers and F150s the 4Low got its low gearing from the transfercase, I don't know anything about the Escapes, so I guess they don't have a transfercase.

If you really need a lower ratio gear set, your engine RPMs will go up. So you're a bit on a contradictory quest here. Putting smaller tires on it will give you more low end power, but if you are going off road, you'll loose ground clearance.

 

[megascape]

got it. The Escapes have a electronic coupling "Intelligent 4X4" and it's great as long as you never need a 4LO. I've been using my 2nd gear as low for a few seconds at a time when out in the snow, running drifts and mostly just forest service roads. if I hit anything over 18"-20" of snow the 4HI seems to slip, even if I just tap and brake. I'm adding another two inches as soon as my new struts get here. I figure with the two" lift I should at least get 1.25 of actual lift out of it. So far I haven't needed 4LO at the ORV parks but I'm thinking in future I may. On the other hand we do short rally's on the forest service roads and lots of exploration of logging roads etc. I like that better then crawling so maybe I'll just continue to focus on the suspension aspect and speed aspects of the D30.
thanks to both of you guys

 

[Poppy]

You're welcome, I hope that you get years of enjoyment out of your escape!

Ask some questions in the escape section about the half shaft and its reliability or anything that you should do being that you are a little harder on your truck than most. There are a couple of guys here who are MUCH more knowledgeable, about escapes in particular, than most.

 

[megascape]

excellent..

 

[electro]

The 2008-2010 3.0 liter Escapes cool the transfluid in a air-to-oil cooler, which is part of the A/C condenser, in a separate circuit. This condenser can be identified by the 4 lines attatching to it: 2 for A/C, 2 for ATF. This type of cooler tends to be more efficient for heat dispersal.
Note: The Crown Vic has used this type of ATF cooling strategy for more than 10 years.

 

[Poppy]

So I guess if you take that baby mudding, you want to be sure to hose down the AC condensor as well as your radiator when you are done.

 

[megascape]

yeah, the other thing is the OE skid plate was plastic and I've made a few different replacement skids for it but so far haven't been totally happy with what I fabbed up. If I ever make one I'm totally happy with i'll post a pic. it's hard not to lose any lift with the ones I've made.