ECU reflash boosts US Ford Ranger Raptor

US OWNERS of the Ford Ranger Raptor fitted with the company’s powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 Ecoboost engine can now purchase a new software calibration that significantly upgrades power and torque.

The standard engine is available in the Australian spec’ Ford Ranger Raptor and generates 292kW and 583Nm ex-factory but the software upgrade available Stateside ups this to 340kW and 726Nm representing a significant boost.

Interested Aussie Raptor owners can purchase something similar yielding a power and torque boost of 88kW and 197Nm respectively as part of the Ranger Raptor Power Pack from Herrod Performance for $6480. The pack includes additional equipment over the Ford US ECU reflash.

Ford US also offers the same upgrade on the similar Bronco SUV model (not sold here) resulting in more power (345kW) and the same torque value as the upgraded Ranger.

Ford’s engineers developed the upgrade primarily to enhance low-end torque with commensurate horsepower (kW) improvements to the 3.0-litre EcoBoost engine.

The upgrade “calibration tool” is produced by Ford Performance Parts and is presumably similar to an ECU reflash for more output, a common practice among engine tuners for decades.

The upgrades are available for 2024 Ranger Raptor and 2022-2024 Bronco Raptors and give improved throttle response and an optimised shift schedule resulting in a more powerful driving experience (read faster and quicker performance).

The upgrade costs $US825 ($A1232) and can be purchased using Ford Pass Rewards points.

Making the deal more attractive to US Raptor owners is a 20 per cent discount coupon good for the calibration tool and other eligible accessories at performanceparts.ford.com for those who register and attend Raptor Rally, an exclusive one-day event near the Ford Performance Racing School in Fairfield, Utah, on September 21.

The Raptor Rally event – which may eventuate Down Under in some form – costs $US500, which includes the vehicle, the owner, and one guest for a day of off-road drive experiences, trail rides, expert workshops, meet and greets with pro off-road racers, hot lap opportunities, Ford news, exclusive giveaways, meals, and more.

The calibration can also be purchased online to be installed at a Ford dealer. These calibrations meet Ford durability standards and are covered under the vehicle’s warranty.

In the meantime, and bubbling away in the background, a 375kW/745Nm performance upgrade to the new Ford Ranger Raptor is available in the US through Hennessey Performance and could make it Down Under.

As reported early last year in GoAuto, Hennessey has been liaising with its Australian agent, Adelaide-based KPM Motorsport, to explore the possibility of launching its VelociRaptor 500 (hp) Ranger for this and other right-hand drive markets.

But the Hennessey upgrade, which entails more than an ECU reflash, extends to chassis and powertrain upgrades and costs $US24,950 ($A38,000).

Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 500 Ranger uses a stock V6 engine with a new high-flow air induction system, a larger front-mounted intercooler and an engine management software upgrade which enabled its engineers to boost power and torque outputs by more than 27 per cent.

The extra power in VelociRaptor 500 Ranger will further improve aided by an active exhaust system, with dynamics enhanced by Fox 2.5-inch 'Live Valve' internal bypass shocks and factory G.O.A.T driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Baja, and Tow-Haul.

In addition to performance upgrades, Hennessey will also transform the vehicle’s exterior with custom VelociRaptor bumpers, LED off-road lights, Hennessey 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, 35-inch off-road tyres, and 'VelociRaptor 500' badging.