The 2017–2020 Ford F-150 Raptor is one of the most capable factory performance trucks ever built. With its high-output 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, 10-speed automatic transmission, wide-body stance, and off-road focused suspension, the second-generation Raptor already comes with serious capability from the factory.
That said, there is still plenty of room to improve throttle response, cooling, braking, exhaust sound, towing confidence, and overall performance. Whether you use your Raptor as a daily driver, weekend trail truck, tow rig, or high-speed off-road build, choosing the right combination of upgrades makes a big difference.
This guide breaks down the best performance upgrades for a 2nd Gen F-150 Raptor and explains which parts make the most sense depending on how you drive.
Start With Your Goal Before Buying Parts
Before upgrading your Raptor, it helps to decide what you want the truck to do better. A daily driver does not need the same setup as a high-speed desert truck or a Raptor built for towing and long-distance reliability.
Daily Driver Performance
- Cold air intake
- Cat-back exhaust
- Blow-off valve
- Performance brake pads
Street Performance and Highway Power
- Cold air intake
- Upgraded intercooler
- Cat-back exhaust
- Transmission cooler
Towing and Long-Distance Reliability
- Transmission cooler
- Intercooler upgrade
- Brake pads and rotors
- Differential upgrades
Aggressive Off-Road Performance
- Cooling upgrades
- Brake upgrades
- Differential protection or gearing
- Intake and exhaust upgrades
1. Cold Air Intakes: Better Airflow and Turbo Response
One of the most popular performance upgrades for the 2nd Gen Ford Raptor is a cold air intake. The 3.5L EcoBoost engine relies on efficient airflow to feed the twin turbochargers. A quality intake system can help reduce restriction, improve throttle response, and add a more aggressive turbo induction sound.
Browse available Raptor intake options here: Ford F-150 Raptor Cold Air Intakes
Benefits of a Cold Air Intake
- Improved throttle response
- Better airflow to the turbos
- More noticeable turbo spool sound
- Supports future performance upgrades
- Can improve airflow consistency at higher RPM
Open Filter vs. Sealed Intake Systems
Open element intakes are a great option for drivers who want more sound and a more aggressive feel. They usually make the turbo spool and intake noise more noticeable, which gives the Raptor a sportier driving experience.
Sealed intake systems are better suited for daily drivers, towing, and off-road use where consistent air temperatures and better heat management are important. These systems are usually quieter than open intakes but may provide more consistent performance in real-world conditions.
Best Choice
For most daily-driven Raptors, a sealed intake is the better all-around choice. For drivers who want more sound and a more aggressive driving feel, an open-style intake may be more appealing.
2. Intercoolers: Control Heat Soak and Keep Power Consistent
The EcoBoost Raptor is turbocharged, which means intake air temperatures matter. As boost pressure increases, heat builds quickly. Once the factory intercooler becomes heat soaked, performance can become less consistent, especially during repeated acceleration, towing, or off-road driving in hot weather.
Browse intercooler options here: Ford F-150 Raptor Intercooler Kits and Ford F-150 Raptor Intercoolers
Benefits of an Upgraded Intercooler
- Helps reduce intake air temperatures
- Improves consistency during repeated pulls
- Supports tuned or modified trucks
- Better performance in hot weather
- Useful for towing, sand driving, and heavy loads
Intercooler vs. Intercooler Kit
A direct replacement intercooler is ideal for owners who want better cooling without going too aggressive. It is a strong choice for daily drivers, light towing, and moderate performance upgrades.
A larger intercooler kit is better suited for more demanding setups. If your Raptor is tuned, running larger tires, towing often, or being driven hard off-road, a more complete intercooler kit can help maintain consistent power under load.
Best Choice
For mild builds, an upgraded intercooler is usually enough. For heavily modified Raptors or trucks used in hot climates and demanding conditions, a larger intercooler kit is the better long-term option.
3. Blow-Off Valve: Sharper Turbo Sound and Boost Control
A blow-off valve is a popular upgrade for EcoBoost Raptor owners who want more turbo character. When you lift off the throttle, the blow-off valve releases excess boost pressure, helping reduce compressor surge and giving the truck a more aggressive turbo sound.
Shop the Turbosmart blow-off valve here: Turbosmart Ford F-150 2.7L / 3.5L EcoBoost BOV Vee Port EM Black
Benefits of a Blow-Off Valve
- More noticeable turbo sound
- Helps release excess boost pressure
- Can improve boost response between throttle changes
- Adds a sportier feel to the truck
Best Choice
A blow-off valve is best for drivers who enjoy the sound and feel of a turbocharged truck. It is a great supporting upgrade for street performance builds, but it is not usually the first priority for towing-focused setups.
4. Cat-Back Exhausts: Improve Sound and Exhaust Flow
A cat-back exhaust is one of the best ways to change the personality of your Raptor. Since the 3.5L EcoBoost is turbocharged, a cat-back exhaust is mostly about improving sound, reducing restriction after the catalytic converters, and giving the truck a more performance-oriented feel.
Browse available cat-back exhaust systems here: Ford F-150 Raptor Cat-Back Exhausts
Benefits of a Cat-Back Exhaust
- More aggressive exhaust tone
- Improved exhaust flow
- Better overall driving sound
- Can reduce weight depending on the system
- Pairs well with intake and intercooler upgrades
Mild vs. Aggressive Exhaust Systems
A mild exhaust system is better for daily drivers who want a deeper tone without excessive cabin noise. This is usually the best choice if the truck sees highway use, long commutes, or family driving.
A more aggressive exhaust is better for owners who want the truck to sound more modified. This type of setup is ideal for weekend builds, show trucks, and enthusiasts who want a louder presence.
Best Choice
For daily use, choose a moderate cat-back system. For a more aggressive build, choose a louder exhaust that matches your driving style.
5. Brake Pads and Rotors: Stop Better Before Going Faster
Performance is not just about acceleration. The heavier your truck gets with larger tires, wheels, bumpers, armor, gear, and accessories, the harder the braking system has to work. Upgrading your brake pads and rotors can improve braking confidence, especially when towing, driving in the mountains, or running oversized tires.
Browse Raptor brake upgrades here: Ford F-150 Raptor Brake Pads and Ford F-150 Raptor Brake Rotors
Benefits of Brake Upgrades
- Improved stopping confidence
- Better heat management
- Reduced brake fade
- Stronger pedal feel
- Helpful for towing and larger tire setups
Brake Pads vs. Pads and Rotors
Performance brake pads are a good first step for daily drivers or lightly modified Raptors. They can improve bite and braking feel without requiring a full brake system overhaul.
Upgraded rotors paired with performance pads are better for heavier builds, aggressive driving, frequent towing, or larger tires. Rotors designed for better heat dissipation can help keep braking more consistent under repeated use.
Best Choice
If your Raptor is lightly modified, performance pads may be enough. If you tow, drive aggressively, or run larger wheels and tires, pads and rotors together are the better upgrade.
6. Transmission Cooler: Protect the 10-Speed Under Load
The 10-speed automatic transmission in the 2nd Gen Raptor works hard, especially when towing, driving in hot weather, running oversized tires, or pushing the truck off-road. Heat is one of the biggest enemies of transmission life, so a transmission cooler is a smart reliability upgrade.
View the transmission cooler here: Mishimoto Ford F-150 / Raptor Transmission Cooler
Benefits of a Transmission Cooler
- Helps reduce transmission temperatures
- Improves long-term transmission reliability
- Useful for towing and heavy loads
- Helps maintain consistent shift quality
- Recommended for modified trucks
Best Choice
A transmission cooler is especially useful for Raptor owners who tow, drive in hot climates, use the truck off-road, or run larger tires. It may not be the flashiest upgrade, but it is one of the most practical supporting modifications.
7. Differential Upgrades: Traction, Strength, and Tire Compensation
Differential upgrades are worth considering if your Raptor has larger tires, sees frequent off-road use, or is being built for serious performance. Depending on the parts available, differential upgrades may help improve durability, traction, cooling, or gearing.
Benefits of Differential Upgrades
- Helps restore performance after larger tires
- Can improve low-speed drivability
- Supports towing and off-road use
- May improve differential cooling and protection
- Useful for heavier or more aggressive builds
Gear Ratio Upgrades
If your Raptor is running larger tires, a gear ratio change can help bring back lost acceleration and improve drivability. Larger tires effectively reduce the truck’s mechanical advantage, which can make the truck feel slower off the line and cause the transmission to work harder.
Differential Covers
Upgraded differential covers can add protection and may improve fluid capacity or cooling depending on the design. These are useful for off-road trucks that see rocks, trails, mud, and heavy-duty use.
Best Choice
If your Raptor is mostly stock, differential upgrades may not be required right away. If you are running larger tires, towing regularly, or driving off-road often, differential upgrades become much more valuable.
Recommended Performance Build Packages
Stage 1: Daily Driver Performance Build
- Cold air intake
- Blow-off valve
- Cat-back exhaust
- Performance brake pads
This setup is ideal for Raptor owners who want a more responsive, better-sounding truck without going too aggressive. It improves the driving experience while keeping the truck comfortable for everyday use.
Stage 2: Balanced Street and Towing Build
- Cold air intake
- Upgraded intercooler
- Transmission cooler
- Brake pads and rotors
- Cat-back exhaust
This is the best all-around setup for many Raptor owners. It improves airflow, cooling, braking, and reliability, making it a smart choice for trucks that are driven hard, used for towing, or modified with larger tires.
Stage 3: Full Performance Raptor Build
- High-flow intake
- Larger intercooler kit
- Blow-off valve
- Cat-back exhaust
- Transmission cooler
- Brake pads and rotors
- Differential upgrades
This package is for owners who want a more complete performance build. It is best suited for modified Raptors that see aggressive driving, towing, off-road use, or repeated high-load conditions.
Which Raptor Performance Upgrade Should You Do First?
If you are starting with a mostly stock 2nd Gen Raptor, the best first upgrade depends on your goal.
- Want better sound and response? Start with a cold air intake and cat-back exhaust.
- Want more turbo sound? Add a blow-off valve.
- Want more consistent power? Upgrade the intercooler.
- Towing or driving hard? Add a transmission cooler.
- Running larger tires? Upgrade brakes and consider differential gearing.
Final Thoughts
Building a second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor for performance is about choosing the right upgrades for how you actually use the truck. A daily driver may only need intake, exhaust, and braking improvements, while a towing or off-road focused Raptor benefits more from cooling, drivetrain, and brake upgrades.
The strongest builds are usually the most balanced ones. Improving airflow is great, but supporting that power with better cooling, braking, and drivetrain protection is what makes the truck more reliable and enjoyable long-term.
Explore available performance upgrades for your Raptor here: Ford F-150 Raptor Performance Parts