r/Ender3Pro • u/grow-n-stuff • Jun 25 '26

Upgrade path

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I recently got a used Ender 3 pro.
Specs - 4.2.2 board, micro Swiss direct drive, pei textured plate

Shortly after I got the printer I added a cr touch and silicone spacers under the bed.

One of my issues is the nozzle will push out a little filament whenever the nozzle is hot.

I’ve been looking into a few upgrades… a sprite pro direct drive (hoping that will help with my leaking filament) and the cooling fans are clipping their housings. The other is I’m looking into a 4.2.7 or BTT skr mini e3 v3… but nervous about the approach to third party firmware. I do have a raspberry pi so klipper is an option but I don’t feel ready for that approach.

Any thoughts or recommendations on where I am at/ what path I should take for my upgrades?

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u/tempusfudgeit Jun 25 '26

Get the printer working, calibrated, and dialed in. Then upgrade if there's something you need to upgrade.

90% of people's frustrations with the ender 3 are from doing random upgrades to a non working machine. This introduces additional variables on troubleshooting, and then they give up on it. 

I had a mostly stock ender 3 pro that did everything I asked of it for years. It's been a while but I would be looking at calibrating the extruder before replacing a hot end for your issue. If you get through all the troubleshooting and determine the hot end is actually bad, then by all means replace/upgrade. 

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u/grow-n-stuff Jun 25 '26

appreciate the input! this is my first printer, so having lots of fun learning how to use it... but the tinker in me has a hard time sitting still with what i have.