u/panda_motorworks

We put our 2023 Nissan Z on the dyno to compare Stock 91 vs 91 Panda Tune Only vs 91 Panda Tune / Map Catback / GESI Downpipes, and the results speak for themselves.

Stock on 91:
359 WHP / 337 WTQ

Panda 91 Tune Only:
404 WHP / 468 WTQ
+45 WHP
+131 WTQ

Panda 91 Tune + GESI Downpipes + MAP Catback:
431 WHP / 494 WTQ
+72 WHP over stock
+157 WTQ over stock
+27 WHP / +26 WTQ over tune only

The biggest thing you’ll notice isn’t just peak power — it’s the massive torque increase and how much earlier it comes in. The tuned setups hit hard in the midrange and carry power much more smoothly through the RPM range compared to stock.

This is exactly why proper calibration paired with quality hardware makes such a difference. The tune wakes the car up, and the Turbo back Exhaust lets it breathe so we can push things even further.

Dyno tested in-house on our Dynojet.

Panda Tuning 2023+ Nissan Z
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/panda-motorworks-2023-nissan-ecutek-tuning-suite-phone-flash

MAP Gesi Downpipes
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/maperformance-downpipes-2023-nissan-z-3-0tt-and-2016-2021-infiniti-q50-q60-3-0tt-rwd

AWE Catback
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/awe-2023-nissan-z-rz34-rwd-exhaust-suite?\_pos=1&\_sid=b486241cf&\_ss=r

MAP Catback
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/maperformance-cat-back-exhaust-system-2023-nissan-z

Shop All 2023+ Nissan Z Parts
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/pages/z

Don't have a Z checkout the site, we support a lot of different platforms!
https://www.pandamotorworks.com/

#DynoResults #CarTuning #PerformanceTuning #Horsepower #Torque #DynoJet #CarMods #TurboPower #ECUTuning #BuildNotBought

Chelsea DeNofa’s 2.3L EcoBoost Foxbody is a cool project and we were proud to have a part in it.

Panda Motorworks built the motor for this car and helped with the calibration to make sure the setup was right for the way the car is being used. In a drift application, the engine package needs to be responsive, consistent, and reliable under load. That starts with the right mechanical foundation before you ever get into final tuning.

The 2.3L EcoBoost is an interesting choice for a Foxbody because it brings modern turbocharged power into a lightweight chassis. It gives the car a different feel than a traditional Foxbody setup while still keeping the powerband useful for drifting.

A unique build, a real performance purpose, and an EcoBoost platform being used in a serious drift car.

What do you guys think of the setup?

We had a 1989 Mustang Foxbody come into the shop recently for a Holley Terminator X install, new intake manifold, and full dyno tune.

The car showed up not running, so the plan seemed pretty simple on paper: get the Terminator X installed, get the car fired up, and start dialing it in on the dyno.

Once we got it running and started working through the tuning process, something felt off.

Instead of just trying to tune around it, we stopped and started diagnosing. A tune is only going to be as good as the mechanical condition of the car, and if there is an issue hiding underneath, forcing the calibration is just going to create more problems.

Even though the intake manifold had just been installed, we decided to smoke test it.

Good thing we did.

The smoke test showed a vacuum leak on the driver’s side lower portion of the intake manifold. One of the new intake manifold gaskets had failed, and smoke was visibly escaping from that area.

If we had tried to tune it that way, the car would have been fighting drivability issues, poor performance, and an inaccurate calibration from the start.

We pulled the intake back off, cleaned and inspected the sealing surfaces, reinstalled everything, and smoke tested it again. No leaks the second time.

After that, we could move forward with the dyno tune knowing the engine was sealed up and mechanically ready.

That is the part of tuning that does not always get talked about enough. It is not just plugging in a laptop and chasing a number. Sometimes the most important part is knowing when the car is telling you something is wrong and fixing it before you start pushing it.

Proper diagnosis matters just as much as the parts and the tune.

We’ve been continuing to dial in our shop’s 2021 2.3L Bronco, and every time we strap it down to the dyno, it keeps getting better.

Baseline numbers were:
Stock: 232 WHP / 305 WTQ
With the Ford Performance calibration, it picked up nicely:
FRPP: 284 WHP / 337 WTQ
Gain: +52 WHP / +32 WTQ

Now with our custom Panda 93 tune via HP Tuners RTD, the Bronco is making:
Panda 93: 305 WHP / 365 WTQ
Gain over stock: +73 WHP / +60 WTQ

Current setup is very simple:
Mishimoto intake
Mishimoto intercooler
X-Force cat-back exhaust
Custom Panda 93 tune via HP Tuners RTD

For a basic bolt-on 2.3L Bronco, we’re really happy with the results. The torque gain is the biggest thing you feel, and the Bronco pulls much harder through the midrange compared to stock. Our E50 tune will be available soon.

Curious what other 2.3L Bronco owners are running. Anyone else tuned yet, or still on the fence?