Is a Tune Worth It on a 2017 Expedition 3.5 EcoBoost? Charles's "Slow Grocery Getter" Says Yes
Charles R.'s 2017 Expedition 3.5L EcoBoost from Bartlett, Illinois.
Customer story · 2015-2017 Expedition 3.5L EcoBoost
Charles loved his 2017 Expedition. He just didn't love driving it. Slow, clunky, and a little sleepy for a twin-turbo V6. A few bolt-ons and an MPT tune later, his words are "slow grocery getter no more."
The short version
- The ride: 2017 Ford Expedition with the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6
- The tune: MPT 93 PR-X, custom built for his mods, on an SCT X4
- The mods: CV Fab intercooler with hot and cold side piping, S&B cold air intake, Turbosmart BOV, 170 degree thermostat, JET throttle body and a UPR catch can
- What changed: No more turbo lag, no more shift issues, and it's fun to drive now
- In his words: “Slow grocery getter no more!”
- What's next: He's already planning upgraded turbos, and he wants MPT to tune them
Why tune a 3.5 EcoBoost Expedition?
Because a full-size SUV with two turbos shouldn't feel lazy. Charles has been with us since early 2025, when he picked up an SCT X4 with three MPT tunes and the Prioritized Order option, so everything was loaded before it left the shop. Later, he added a Reische 170 degree thermostat and a set of Ford Racing colder plugs as part of his upkeep.
“Love my truck, but it was slow and clunky. Got a tune from MPT after installing a few mods and wow, what a difference! Slow grocery getter no more!”
Charles R., Bartlett, Illinois
Yes, he calls it a truck. It's an Expedition. We'll allow it. Then again, it's built on the F-150 frame with the same 3.5 EcoBoost, so maybe he's right. Is an Expedition a truck? Let us know.
How much power does a tune add to a 2015-2017 Expedition 3.5?
Our dyno-tested tunes for the 2015-2017 Expedition 3.5L EcoBoost add over 100 horsepower and over 100 lb-ft of torque, sharpen throttle response, clean up the shifting and remove the factory speed limiter. Fuel, mods and tune choice all move the final number, and Charles has stacked the deck with a lot of supporting parts.
What mods were on it before the new tune?
By this fall Charles had stacked up a real list of bolt-ons: a CV Fab intercooler with mandrel bent hot and cold side piping, a JET throttle body, an S&B cold air intake, a UPR catch can, a Turbosmart Vee Port blow off valve and the 170 thermostat. That's a lot of new airflow, and the old tune didn't know about any of it.
So he sent in a new tune form, and Ross built him a fresh 93 PR-X around the whole setup. When Charles forgot to list the BOV and the thermostat on the form, Ross caught it and made a note of both. Paying attention is half the job.
How does a tuned 2017 Expedition drive?
“The tune really woke it up and made it super fun to drive! No more turbo lag or shift issues.”
Charles R.
Turbo lag and clunky shifts were the two things bugging Charles about his Expedition, and they're the two things he says are gone. That's what a tune built for your exact setup is supposed to do.
Grocery runs are about to get a lot more interesting in Bartlett.
Is one tune ever enough?
For Charles, apparently not.
“Now it's motivated me to take it a step further, because I can't wait to see and feel what it can be. Upgraded turbos, upgraded manifolds and a new exhaust are in my future! Can't wait to see how hard MPT will push it and how it will feel. Thanks MPT!”
Charles R.
We can't wait either, Charles. Send us the tune form when the turbos are in and we'll build it for the new hardware.
More Expedition and 3.5 EcoBoost owners weigh in
Charles has company. Messages like these are the best part of my day, and the whole crew here has earned every one of them. A couple of other 3.5 EcoBoost owners had plenty to say too, grouped by what people usually ask us first.
Will I feel the difference in a big SUV?
“All I can say is INSANE! I've had other tuners in my '07 Expedition. This is my '17 Expedition with the MPT PR-X tune and 22 inch rims, installed last night. These guys are awesome.”
Mitchell W. from Limestone, Tennessee · 2017 Expedition 3.5 EcoBoost
22s and a PR-X tune. Mitchell's not messing around.
Is there still a gain on regular unleaded?
“The 93 PR-X tune really wakes this truck up, especially with some supporting mods. Everyone that rides in the truck is very impressed. The 87 Daily-Tow tune is a great tune for all purposes. Still a good bump in performance without sacrificing anything on longevity or economy, and it saves me money on not buying premium all the time.”
Jeremiah H. from Wartburg, Tennessee · 2015 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
What happens when I need help?
“Customer service was beyond helpful, even helping me get my truck unlocked from a previous owner's tuning. It only took a few emails to get everything sorted out and new tunes downloaded and installed.”
Jeremiah H. from Wartburg, Tennessee · 2015 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost
Shop this combo
Here's what's on Charles's Expedition that you can grab from us.
MPT Tune
MPT Custom Tune, 15-17 Expedition 3.5L EcoBoost
Custom built by MPT for your vehicle and mods. You pick your tunes (PR-X, Daily-Tow and more) after checkout, with 90 days of preference-based tuning and data logging support.
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Tuner
Holds your MPT tunes, corrects the speedometer for tire and axle changes*, keeps a copy of your stock file, and puts it back to stock any time.
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Mods
CV Fabrication Atlas V2 Intercooler (15-17 Expedition 3.5L)
Bigger core than the factory intercooler, so the air going into the engine stays cooler when you lean on it. The heart of Charles's setup.
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Mods
CV Fabrication 100AIC-6 Hot and Cold Side Piping Kit
Aluminum charge pipes for both sides of the intercooler, replacing the factory plastic. Fits the 15-17 Expedition 3.5L.
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Mods
Turbosmart Vee Port EM Blow Off Valve (TS-0225-1001)
Plug-and-play replacement for the factory diverter valve. Bolts on and plugs into the factory connector.
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Mods
Reische 170° Performance Thermostat (RP-FORD-50)
Direct fit with a 5-year warranty. Charles added it before his new tune, and Ross built the tune with it in mind.
Shop it*Tuner features like speedometer correction vary by vehicle. Call us at 407-636-7077 to confirm what's supported on yours.
Also on Charles's Expedition: S&B cold air intake, JET throttle body, UPR catch can, and a big set of chrome wheels.
Questions Expedition owners ask before they buy
Is a tune worth it on a 2017 Expedition 3.5 EcoBoost?
Owners say a tune is worth it on a 2017 Expedition 3.5 EcoBoost. Charles R. from Bartlett, Illinois says his 2017 Expedition went from slow and clunky to super fun to drive with an MPT 93 PR-X tune built for his bolt-ons, with no more turbo lag or shift issues. Mitchell W. from Limestone, Tennessee called the PR-X tune on his 2017 Expedition "insane."
How much horsepower does a 2015-2017 Expedition 3.5 gain?
A 2015-2017 Expedition 3.5 gains over 100 horsepower and over 100 lb-ft of torque with our dyno-tested tunes. Fuel, mods and tune choice all affect your final number.
I added an intercooler and intake. Does my tune need to change?
Your Expedition's tune should match its mods, so tell us about them. Charles sent a new tune form after adding an intercooler, piping, intake, throttle body, BOV and thermostat, and Ross built a fresh 93 PR-X around all of it. List every mod on your tune form so the tune matches the vehicle.
Does my Expedition need premium fuel after a tune?
Your Expedition only needs premium fuel if you pick a premium tune. The fuel in the tank has to match or beat the octane the tune was built for, so an 87 tune like the 87 Daily-Tow Jeremiah runs is fine with 87 or 93 in the tank, while a 93 tune needs 93. Charles runs the 93 PR-X, so he fills up with 93.
Should I swap spark plugs before tuning a 3.5 EcoBoost?
You don't have to swap spark plugs before tuning a 3.5 EcoBoost, but worn plugs show up fast on a turbo engine. If you feel it cutting out under hard acceleration, check your plugs first. Charles keeps up with his: he put in Ford Racing colder plugs as part of his maintenance.
Can MPT load the tune for me?
MPT can load the tune for you on the 15-17 Expedition 3.5. Add the Prioritized Order option and we build your tune and load it on the SCT tuner before it ships, which is exactly what Charles did. Orders placed by 4 PM Eastern on business days ship the same day.
I just upgraded turbos. Now what?
After a turbo upgrade, your Expedition needs a tune built for the new turbos. Charles plans to do exactly that, and when the turbos are in, he'll send a new tune form so we can build for the new hardware.
On the fence about your Expedition?
Take it from Charles and the owners above. Questions first? Call us at 407-636-7077 or email us. We do this all day, every day.
Shop the 15-17 Expedition 3.5 tuneDownload the PDF: Charles's 2017 Expedition story