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The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:09 am
by NautiGirl
So, it's finally happening. Indmar has made a marine version of the 2.3 EcoBoost that Ford is putting in well....basically everything.
https://www.indmar.com/engines/23l-ecoboost/
For those not up to date on their Ford engines - BBP I am looking at you - this is the engine that is in the:
Ranger
Explorer
Mustang
Bronco
Focus ST
Be interesting to see how a forced induction engine performs running around a lake.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
by ajcampen
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:09 am
So, it's finally happening. Indmar has made a marine version of the 2.3 EcoBoost that Ford is putting in well....basically everything.
https://www.indmar.com/engines/23l-ecoboost/
For those not up to date on their Ford engines - BBP I am looking at you - this is the engine that is in the:
Ranger
Explorer
Mustang
Bronco
Focus ST
Be interesting to see how a forced induction engine performs running around a lake.
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:52 am
by thunder550
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
Agree....seems kinda short-sighted. Would work fine for those who trailer though.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:57 am
by jhnmdahl
Isn't their ecoboost 3.5L in everything from the F150 to the Ford GT too? Seems like small displacement engines with forced induction are the wave of the future, and will likely make it to boats eventually despite the increased load placed on a boat at cruising speed vs. a car at cruising speed. I suspect this will result in recreational marinas carrying higher octane gas in the next decade or so, but who knows - we may all be electric by then.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:08 am
by NautiGirl
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:09 am
So, it's finally happening. Indmar has made a marine version of the 2.3 EcoBoost that Ford is putting in well....basically everything.
https://www.indmar.com/engines/23l-ecoboost/
For those not up to date on their Ford engines - BBP I am looking at you - this is the engine that is in the:
Ranger
Explorer
Mustang
Bronco
Focus ST
Be interesting to see how a forced induction engine performs running around a lake.
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
93 is pretty available on our lake, but perhaps we are the exception.
Ford EcoBoost engines will run fine on 87, they just pull a ton of timing to avoid pre-detonation. the dirty little secret Ford puts in small print is that all their HP and Torque numbers are done /w 93.
My F150 says it requires 87 at a minimum unless you are towing then it recommends 93. I run 93 in the summer and 87 in the winter. There is definitely a noticeable increase in power /w 93.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:24 am
by ajcampen
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:08 am
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:09 am
So, it's finally happening. Indmar has made a marine version of the 2.3 EcoBoost that Ford is putting in well....basically everything.
https://www.indmar.com/engines/23l-ecoboost/
For those not up to date on their Ford engines - BBP I am looking at you - this is the engine that is in the:
Ranger
Explorer
Mustang
Bronco
Focus ST
Be interesting to see how a forced induction engine performs running around a lake.
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
93 is pretty available on our lake, but perhaps we are the exception.
Ford EcoBoost engines will run fine on 87, they just pull a ton of timing to avoid pre-detonation. the dirty little secret Ford puts in small print is that all their HP and Torque numbers are done /w 93.
My F150 says it requires 87 at a minimum unless you are towing then it recommends 93. I run 93 in the summer and 87 in the winter. There is definitely a noticeable increase in power /w 93.
Thanks....didn’t know that. My armada runs fine on 87 but I think they recommend 91. If I use that while towing would I get better mileage or another benefit? This is a topic I know virtually nothing about
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:36 am
by NautiGirl
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:24 am
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:08 am
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
93 is pretty available on our lake, but perhaps we are the exception.
Ford EcoBoost engines will run fine on 87, they just pull a ton of timing to avoid pre-detonation. the dirty little secret Ford puts in small print is that all their HP and Torque numbers are done /w 93.
My F150 says it requires 87 at a minimum unless you are towing then it recommends 93. I run 93 in the summer and 87 in the winter. There is definitely a noticeable increase in power /w 93.
Thanks....didn’t know that. My armada runs fine on 87 but I think they recommend 91. If I use that while towing would I get better mileage or another benefit? This is a topic I know virtually nothing about
I see about 3mpg difference between 87 and 93 in the F150. Forced induction engines play differently than Normally aspirated though. I dont know if you would see that large of a jump, but its worth a try.
The real advantage to running the higher octane is the ECU can dial in more boost without seeing pre-detonation. That is where the additional power comes from.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
by AsLan7
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.

Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:37 am
by mdadgar
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.
I was thinking the same. And potentially a safety issue.
Lots of water cooling, is my guess.
The EcoBoost engines really are very, very good.
- Mark
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:57 am
by Big Block Power
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:24 am
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:08 am
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:50 am
Very interesting. What do you think of the 93 octane requirement? Might be hard to find on the lake
93 is pretty available on our lake, but perhaps we are the exception.
Ford EcoBoost engines will run fine on 87, they just pull a ton of timing to avoid pre-detonation. the dirty little secret Ford puts in small print is that all their HP and Torque numbers are done /w 93.
My F150 says it requires 87 at a minimum unless you are towing then it recommends 93. I run 93 in the summer and 87 in the winter. There is definitely a noticeable increase in power /w 93.
Thanks....didn’t know that. My armada runs fine on 87 but I think they recommend 91. If I use that while towing would I get better mileage or another benefit? This is a topic I know virtually nothing about
No is not theta been more than this one AJ

Mr. Jeef why you looking at me? Just because I could care less about a Ford and their engines.
All I really care about is how I Pudgy the had down harder

Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:15 pm
by NautiGirl
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:57 am
ajcampen wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:24 am
NautiGirl wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 9:08 am
93 is pretty available on our lake, but perhaps we are the exception.
Ford EcoBoost engines will run fine on 87, they just pull a ton of timing to avoid pre-detonation. the dirty little secret Ford puts in small print is that all their HP and Torque numbers are done /w 93.
My F150 says it requires 87 at a minimum unless you are towing then it recommends 93. I run 93 in the summer and 87 in the winter. There is definitely a noticeable increase in power /w 93.
Thanks....didn’t know that. My armada runs fine on 87 but I think they recommend 91. If I use that while towing would I get better mileage or another benefit? This is a topic I know virtually nothing about
No is not theta been more than this one AJ

Mr. Jeef why you looking at me? Just because I could care less about a Ford and their engines.
All I really care about is how I Pudgy the had down harder
Technically it's a Mazda engine design BBP, does that help you care a bit more?
Either way you are correct, the important thing to remember is that no matter the engine you must Pudgy the had down harder.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:37 pm
by rabiddawg
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.
I’m no engineer but I don’t see the temperatures being much different than under the hood of a car or truck. Almost every opening is closed off to divert air over or under the vehicle.
Every turbo I’m familiar with had an oil line feeding it. Not sure about the eco boost
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:49 pm
by NautiGirl
rabiddawg wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:37 pm
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.
I’m no engineer but I don’t see the temperatures being much different than under the hood of a car or truck. Almost every opening is closed off to divert air over or under the vehicle.
Every turbo I’m familiar with had an oil line feeding it. Not sure about the eco boost
If its the same turbo as used in the auto application its a Garrett MGT2260SZ twin scroll, which is oil and water cooled.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 1:45 pm
by AsLan7
rabiddawg wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:37 pm
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.
I’m no engineer but I don’t see the temperatures being much different than under the hood of a car or truck. Almost every opening is closed off to divert air over or under the vehicle.
Every turbo I’m familiar with had an oil line feeding it. Not sure about the eco boost
.
Turbo technology has come a long way in the last 10-15 years. I will say though that the two turbo cars we own ..one a twin turbo V8 and the other a turbo four...are smoking hot when you open the hood vs our normally aspirated counterparts. Especially if you get on them.

At least no one here will drive their boat that way.
.
Re: The EcoBoost Heads To The Lake
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 3:30 pm
by NautiGirl
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 1:45 pm
rabiddawg wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:37 pm
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:29 am
Great to see this hitting the marine market. Although it will be interesting to see how they keep the turbochargers cool in a closed boat engine compartment. The heat can be tremendous. Longevity could be an issue.
I’m no engineer but I don’t see the temperatures being much different than under the hood of a car or truck. Almost every opening is closed off to divert air over or under the vehicle.
Every turbo I’m familiar with had an oil line feeding it. Not sure about the eco boost
.
Turbo technology has come a long way in the last 10-15 years. I will say though that the two turbo cars we own ..one a twin turbo V8 and the other a turbo four...are smoking hot when you open the hood vs our normally aspirated counterparts. Especially if you get on them.

At least no one here will drive their boat that way.
.
Turbo tech has come a long way for sure, but at the end of the day you are still routing hot engine gasses around the engine bay instead of sending them straight out the back of the boat. The EGT's on my BMW average 1300 - 1500 degrees, so yeah toasty.
I figured Forced induction was coming to boats, I just assumed it would be factory superchargers before we tried turbos.