A stock Ford Ranger Raptor is one of the best deals in factory performance right now at list price. The Bronco Raptor also shines in its own way. But you can now dramatically improve both for very little money. Ford Performance just released an OEM tune that adds huge power without affecting factory warranties, and it looks like a great deal.
Ford performance optimizations for 3.0 EcoBoost Raptors
These numbers and purchase links come from Ford’s press release:
- Ranger Raptor Calibration: Torque increases from 430 to 536 lb.-ft., while power increases from 405 to 455 hp.
- Bronco Raptor Calibration: Torque increases from 440 to 536 lb.-ft. and power increases from 418 to 455 hp
- Both: Improved throttle response, newly optimized transmission shift plan
The MSRP for this tune is $825 for both trucks (can also be purchased with Ford Pass Rewards points), and you’ll get a 20% discount if you attend Ford’s Raptor Rally in Utah on September 21. If you have it installed by a Ford dealer or ASE/Red Seal certified technician, it’s backed by a three-year, 36,000-mile Ford Performance Parts warranty.
Both the Ranger and Bronco Raptor have the same 3.0-liter six-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The F-150 Raptor has a 3.5-liter V6 with different power, that truck is not part of this update.
This is an absolutely insane deal. I spent about $500 on tuning hardware and software for my Civic and another $300 to have a professional tuner tune it to gain about 10 hp in the midrange. My setup isn’t really directly comparable, but still, with about 100 lb-ft of extra torque and up to 50 horsepower for under $1,000, with factory-legal equipment, is a no-brainer for enthusiasts.
Ford promises that these settings will maintain reliability, but as my grandmother says, a candle that burns brighter will burn out sooner. It’s entirely possible that Raptors could run for years and many thousands of miles with this setting, but I think it’s fair to say that engine wear and fuel consumption will increase at least a little with such an increase in power.
There are no official adjustments to the mpg figures on Ford’s website yet, but I asked how fuel economy might be affected. If you drive lightly and avoid boost, you can probably get away with a minimal penalty in fuel economy.
One point we haven’t touched on yet is that this setup will only be legal in 49 states. Raptors registered in California won’t be able to drive it legally. That’s a shame, since California is one of the few states where you can harness the power and performance of a Raptor. But you can still have a ton of fun with the factory setup.
I’ve never driven a modern Bronco, but the Ranger Raptor impressed me when I test drove it on and off road. It’s a super fun rally machine right out of the box, with a really impressive array of tech features and some cool design elements. I don’t think it needs this kind of performance upgrade, but it’s a nice option for owners who want to go faster. Or a great way to not-so-subtly revive your truck if you’ve had it for a few years and are getting bored of it.
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