Maverick Lobo Autocross Testing & Handling Upgrades

[Carlitos_92]

Doesn't look like the powertrain itself bubbled top of the list as far a major obstacle yet, which is good to hear. That said, what were your thoughts on throttle response and transmission operation?

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[NIKwithoutaC]

100% agree. I will not be surprised if the Lobo is just a 1 year model, unless it sells really well.

I hope the Lobo model IS discontinued when the part bins run dry.

Man, I hope not. God willing, I'll probably be a '26 Lobo buyer. I'd be surprised if Ford would invest in the new tooling for the bodywork only to discontinue it after one year, but crazier things have happened...

 

[r0tax]

The stock tires do suck balls - it feels weird when all 4 wheels are spinning I miss my Contis DSW06

You too?
I had some AS Conti DSW06+ on my Focus ST..and they ripped for an AS. Even in snow pack..
With All wheels driven, they should be fantastic in the slippy and the dry.

As a 'cloth-prefered' person, I am also not impressed with the Pleather in the desert heat.
Even with a sun shade in the windshield, Fully tinted, and with rain guards on side windows..
I carry a bath towel with me...its so dumb. lol (the bath towel trick works pretty well, but its not elegant..)

 

[DMS]

Doesn't look like the powertrain itself bubbled top of the list as far a major obstacle yet, which is good to hear. That said, what were your thoughts on throttle response and transmission operation?

In Lobo mode, the throttle response is very good. The Transmission stays mostly in the gear you want it in. I didn't find it worth using the manual mode for AutoX, as it will still just shift up into 3rd whenever it wants to, and pressing the paddle to downshift doesn't do anything.

Sport mode is also good. No complaints on throttle response, but it doesn't hold the gear like the Lobo mode & has too much traction/stability control intervention for track/AutoX use.

I'm going test it out on the track on Monday to see how it handles some light lapping. The manual mode will probably be better for that.

BTW, has anyone seen track pads available for it yet?

 

[DMS]

245/50/19 Indy 500's mounted, but these 265/40/18 Bridgestone RE71RS look like a possibility to try out for a future test.

 

[Sgt.Gator]

BTW, has anyone seen track pads available for it yet?

I've been researching this quite a bit and have ordered some EBC Bluestuff from the UK. I'll do a complete write up all about pads and rotors for the Lobo front brakes once I've done a test fit on the Bluestuff.
EBC USA says they have a Yellowstuff pad that will work. If you want pads asap I can send you the part number.
I haven't found any other performance pads from the usual like Hawk, Willwood, Brembo, Pagid, Projectmu, Ferodo......lots of street pads but no track pads.

 

[UrbanRogue]

245/50/19 Indy 500's mounted, but these 265/40/18 Bridgestone RE71RS look like a possibility to try out for a future test.

I'm new (brand new) to autocross. I have participated in 2 events so far. What do you think about these tire choices? My Lobo is my daily, Home Depot, Costco, Provider of Fun everything truck.
I live in Southern California so temps are quite a bit warmer and we only have to worry about rain, if we can get it. The BFG was the only one in a 245 50r19. I have possibly one more event before I'm done for the season. So tires will be a next season.

 

[DMS]

I've been researching this quite a bit and have ordered some EBC Bluestuff from the UK. I'll do a complete write up all about pads and rotors for the Lobo front brakes once I've done a test fit on the Bluestuff.
EBC USA says they have a Yellowstuff pad that will work. If you want pads asap I can send you the part number.
I haven't found any other performance pads from the usual like Hawk, Willwood, Brembo, Pagid, Projectmu, Ferodo......lots of street pads but no track pads.

Awesome, I will definitively take that part number. I'm not a huge fan of how the stock pads bite for pedal modulation.

 

[DMS]

I'm new (brand new) to autocross. I have participated in 2 events so far. What do you think about these tire choices? My Lobo is my daily, Home Depot, Costco, Provider of Fun everything truck.
I live in Southern California so temps are quite a bit warmer and we only have to worry about rain, if we can get it. The BFG was the only one in a 245 50r19. I have possibly one more event before I'm done for the season. So tires will be a next season.

More than good enough for what you're looking to do. They have similar grip levels to the cheaper Firestone Indy 500's, but they are better in the rain.

The best performance tire you'll find in a 245/50/19 will be the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. They tested out ~1 second faster than the Indy 500 and Phenom T/A for AutoX and are even better in the wet.

That is the tire this truck should've came with.

 

[UrbanRogue]

More than good enough for what you're looking to do. They have similar grip levels to the cheaper Firestone Indy 500's, but they are better in the rain.

The best performance tire you'll find in a 245/50/19 will be the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. They tested out ~1 second faster than the Indy 500 and Phenom T/A for AutoX and are even better in the wet.

That is the tire this truck should've came with.

Thank you so much for the advice!
Just so I don't mess this up.The 245s would be preferable to the stock 225s correct?

Just out of curiosity about how long are your autocross layouts? The first one I was in was .7 mi and the second was smaller at .5 mi.

 

[DMS]

Thank you so much for the advice!
Just so I don't mess this up.The 245s would be preferable to the stock 225s correct?

Just out of curiosity about how long are your autocross layouts? The first one I was in was .7 mi and the second was smaller at .5 mi.

~0.8 mile

Yes 245/50/19. This is just because there are much better tire options in that size & maintains the same overall diameter as O.E.

 

[DMS]

~Lapping Test~

Got out last night to rip some laps and see how the Lobo performs in that setting.

Overall Impression

It handled lapping better than expected! The Lobo would be a decent vehicle for someone new to track days who just wants to try it out—not someone looking to go flat out lap after lap. When pushed, this truck is very predictable and safe at the limit. In Lobo mode, the stability control will kick in and help keep you pointed in the right direction before things get *too* spicy.

The 2.0L EcoBoost has a nice, usable power band for pulling the truck out of corners, but it runs out of breath pretty quickly on the straights.

Like a lot of FWD-based AWD vehicles, the front tires get overwhelmed after a few consecutive hard laps. Front tire pressures and temperatures spike quickly, which can lead to mild understeer turning into plowing through corners. Cool-down laps and adjusting tire pressures can help mitigate this.

One annoyance I ran into was how it handled dips coming out of corners. Under throttle, the traction control would kick in and cut a significant amount of power—not ideal when someone is behind you or you're going for a personal best lap time!

If you're just driving at 80% effort, this won't be an issue. But once you start really pushing it, you'll find yourself cursing it.

After one all-out lap and two laps at about 90%, I started to notice some brake fade—which was actually better than I expected. I'm not exactly sure how far you can push the stock pads, nor did I want to find out last night. It's likely you'll need upgraded pads if you plan to run full 20-minute sessions.

Engine temps climbed a bit, as expected. Nothing too concerning, but it's something to keep an eye on during longer sessions. The little 2.0L EcoBoost is working hard to haul 3,700 pounds around a track.

All in all, it’s a fun little truck that can handle some light lapping.

On Thursday I'll be bringing it out to an Autocross event I'm hosting. We'll see how much time the mods & new tires shaved off.

 

[NIKwithoutaC]

~Lapping Test~

Got out last night to rip some laps and see how the Lobo performs in that setting.

Overall Impression

It handled lapping better than expected! The Lobo would be a decent vehicle for someone new to track days who just wants to try it out—not someone looking to go flat out lap after lap. When pushed, this truck is very predictable and safe at the limit. In Lobo mode, the stability control will kick in and help keep you pointed in the right direction before things get *too* spicy.

The 2.0L EcoBoost has a nice, usable power band for pulling the truck out of corners, but it runs out of breath pretty quickly on the straights.

Like a lot of FWD-based AWD vehicles, the front tires get overwhelmed after a few consecutive hard laps. Front tire pressures and temperatures spike quickly, which can lead to mild understeer turning into plowing through corners. Cool-down laps and adjusting tire pressures can help mitigate this.

One annoyance I ran into was how it handled dips coming out of corners. Under throttle, the traction control would kick in and cut a significant amount of power—not ideal when someone is behind you or you're going for a personal best lap time!

If you're just driving at 80% effort, this won't be an issue. But once you start really pushing it, you'll find yourself cursing it.

After one all-out lap and two laps at about 90%, I started to notice some brake fade—which was actually better than I expected. I'm not exactly sure how far you can push the stock pads, nor did I want to find out last night. It's likely you'll need upgraded pads if you plan to run full 20-minute sessions.

Engine temps climbed a bit, as expected. Nothing too concerning, but it's something to keep an eye on during longer sessions. The little 2.0L EcoBoost is working hard to haul 3,700 pounds around a track.

All in all, it’s a fun little truck that can handle some light lapping.

On Thursday I'll be bringing it out to an Autocross event I'm hosting. We'll see how much time the mods & new tires shaved off.

Sounds like Ford's decision to include the better front brakes and additional engine cooling wasn't just for brochure brownie points.

So, did your mods help mitigate under steer? Was the truck more neutral/rotate better?

 

[DMS]

Sounds like Ford's decision to include the better front brakes and additional engine cooling wasn't just for brochure brownie points.

So, did your mods help mitigate under steer? Was the truck more neutral/rotate better?

Neutral on corner entry & mild understeer on corner exit. It can hold alot more speed through the corners now. Tires, rear swaybar & extra camber have made all the difference.

 

[NIKwithoutaC]

Neutral on corner entry & mild understeer on corner exit. It can hold alot more speed through the corners now. Tires, rear swaybar & extra camber have made all the difference.

Interesting that it's under steering on corner exit. Isn't that where the dual clutch rear end is supposed to be helping the truck rotate?

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