Does anyone still make complete turbo kits for the 2.3l's? I have found a couple of kits but the companys have gone out of buisness. Most i have seen cost around a little over $1500 which is a good price considering you get everything you need. What would a truck run if you added just the turbo kit?

Well as mentioned on fr.com, the kits may not exist anymore because you can not truely put a turbo on a N/A engine. I mean you can but you will have to run at roughly what...4 or 6 psi. Which isn't a whole lot. I have seen people put them on but personally if you are going to do it, just do the whole engine swap. That way you will have the pistons, rods, crank and block that can withstand the boost. Plus you can pick up the turbo, exhaust manifold, wastegate, engine computer, wire harness and so forth.

i was just wondering if the kits were any good. I always wanted to swap a turbo 4cyc into a ranger. It would be sweet kicking all the 350 chevy's in a 4cyc.

I'm beginning to feel like a broken record, but I know you haven't heard me over and over again, so it's all good.

You can put a turbo on an N/A 2.3, be it Mustang or Ranger. You can even do it without changing anything else. But you'd still have to pull the engine to do it, and once you've got it out, why not just drop a 2.3T back in? It bolts right up, and you'll spend less money in the long run...

It can be done, but unless you're just wanting to prove that fact, it's not worth it.

The complete swap would be cheaper, and a lot less headache. Some information to consider about doing either:

A running 2.3T can be had, complete, for $500 or less. If you have an EFI 2.3 built before 95, all you have to do on wiring is move a few pins around in the connector to the computer.

You will loose A/C. Keeping it would require a custom header, which will run you between $500 and $1000.

If you're still interested, start shopping for a donor car...

Speaking of which Rascal, have you done anything else to your turbo project yet?

Maybe when rps opens back up they will just give you a section so you can just link people there, better than being a broken record.

We've got a section dedicated to the 2.3T, with tons of info about donor cars and so on that we've been working on for quite some time. It should come up with RPS this time around...

As for mine...It's at the shop getting exhaust and intercooler piping, as well as a ported exhaust manifold and an upgraded turbo. Doug904 and I worked on it Saturday, and if we could get the injectors to fire it'd be running. I either got a bum computer or the TPS is bad...I think. If it starts this week, it'll be at the nats...otherwise I don't know.

I just found a compete engine out of an 84 t-bird in the Carolina Bargain Trader. It's everything you need, and it's $75. That's not a typo, it is seventy-five dollars. I'm just too broke to even afford that.

wow is it a turbo? that sounds cool, i would buy it if i live in carolina.

Would the turbo swap be hard to pull off in a 97 Ranger? I am really thinking about doing this.

To be honest, the whole engine swap is a direct bolt it. Except for the fact you would have to remove your A/C plenum (i think it's called) and you would have to knotch the air box like you would for a v8 swap to make room for the turbo. Your tranny and and hydrolic clutch should all mount up except there might be a need to change something in that clutch area. And you will need to get the computer from the donor car. If possible, I think what would work good is if you can get the computer and wire harness (or at least part of the wire harness. Then you can look at it and see if any of the wires share the same colors and locations. There will be about a few wires you will have to move. But once you do that just plug your existing wire harness to the turbo computer and you should be on your way. Just keep in mind that your rear end(I think) and tranny(I'm positive) won't hold up real well for this engine. They are not strong enough. So you would need to consider a rear end upgrade and T-5 tranny upgrade.

Hey Rascal King, question. I know how the A/C thing gets in the way of the turbo and that the fan box has to be knotched, but.... Would any of that have to happen if the truck got a body life. Like 2 or 3 inches, would that be enough to clear it? Just a thought.

Hmm the swap sounds liek it could be quite a project, and looks to be fairly expensive. When I checked at some yards the engine is $850, no idea on the tranny though. Just anohter quick question (thanks for the long response by the way) If I found a junked 3.0 or so Ranger from the yard, can drop that into mine?

Yeah it's a turbo. too bad huh. pissed me off when i saw it :(

Originally posted by ChrisC97
Would the turbo swap be hard to pull off in a 97 Ranger? I am really thinking about doing this.

In a 97, you'll have to replace the computer wiring harness, because the truck uses EEC-V (90 pin computer connector) and the turbo computer is EEC-IV (60 pin computer connector). That's not a huge deal, but re-pinning the Ranger harness is only applicable up to 94. Everything else applies.

...Your tranny and and hydrolic clutch should all mount up except there might be a need to change something in that clutch area....

If you use the Ranger tranny, there's nothing to change in the clutch area. If you use a T5 with a 87/88 TC bell housing, you'll have to use the 'bird's external slave cylinder. If you use any other bell housing on a T5 you'll have to convert to a cable clutch.

Would any of that have to happen if the truck got a body life. Like 2 or 3 inches, would that be enough to clear it?

There are two main reasons for notching the heater box: 1) heat - it would touch the turbo without notching, and 2) clearance for the O2 sensor. The O2 sensor could easily be moved, by just plugging the stock port and welding a bung on the side of the down pipe. As for a body lift, I think about 3 inches or so would clear it...see picture.

What horse doea a 2.3T run at, im palnning one and just trying to get some info, my dad rebuilt a 5.0L out of a 94 Stang but i think its jst too much for my little ranger, He put a supercharge on it, headders, new intake, aluminum heads, cam. ****ing sweet engine. He's getting a 95 Lightning for it i think. Anyways, enough of the small talk, what would it run? Also, what years of cars ru them

The 2.3T was rated at anywhere from 175 to 205 hp new, depending on the application, and I know of at least one guy seeing over 600 hp out of a modified one. Here (once again) is my take on donor cars:

First of all, all the EFI 2.3Ts are fundamentally the same. This includes the 85-89 Merkur XR4Ti, the 84-86 Mustang SVO, the 83-84 Mustang GT Turbo, the 83-84 Capri RS Turbo, the 83-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and the 83-88 Cougar XR7. Enough so that if you find an early car in good shape for a donor, don't turn it down. That said, the later you can get, the better off you are, except in the case of the Merkur. Here's a quick breakdown by computer calibration code:
<TABLE><TR><TD><B><U>Car</U></B></TD><TD><B><U>Transmission</U></B></TD><TD><B><U>Year</U></B></TD><TD><B><U>Computer</U></B></TD><TD><B><U>Injectors</U></B></TD><TD><B><U>IC </U></B></TD><TD><B><U>VAF</U></B></TD></TR><TR><TD>GT Turbo</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>83-84</TD><TD>TA</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR><TR><TD>Capri RS Turbo</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>83-84</TD><BR><TD>TA</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR><TR><BR><TD>SVO</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>ZBA</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>SVO</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>TE</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>SVO</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>84-85</TD><TD>TJ</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>SVO</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>PJ</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>SVO</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>85.5-86</TD><TD>PE</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>83-84</TD><TD>PC1</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>TF</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Auto</TD><TD>85-86</TD><TD>PK1</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>87</TD><TD>LA2</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>LA3</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Auto</TD><TD>87-88</TD><TD>LB3</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>TC</TD><TD>Auto</TD><TD>87-88</TD><TD>8UA</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>Yes</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>XR4Ti</TD><TD>Auto</TD><TD>85-89</TD><TD>PK1</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Big</TD></TR><TR><TD>XR4Ti</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>85-89</TD><TD>PF2</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR><TR><TD>XR4Ti</TD><TD>Manual</TD><TD>85-89</TD><TD>PF3</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>No</TD><TD>Small</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Most (and I among them) will recommend getting an entire donor car if feasible, because then you can see the placement of everything and all that. But in your case, you shouldn't have to change much anyway, so... It's really just a matter of unbolting the n/a 2.3 and sliding the 2.3T in it's place. The current transmission will bolt to the Turbo engine...how long it lasts remains to be seen. You can re-pin the Ranger harness to match the computer of choice for the turbo engine...the Ranger computer won't work. You can use either the Ranger accessories (my recommendation) or the donor car's.

what are the differences in computers What is the best, and what does VAF stand for?

thanks

Originally posted by 89Resto-Ranger
what are the differences in computers What is the best, and what does VAF stand for?

thanks

From what I heard, a motor from an 88 t-bird is supposed to be the best. but that's what I heard. you know who is going to answer that for sure. :)

In my opinion, the LA# computer from an 88.5 TC is the best computer. I has an ACT sensor for the incoming air.

VAM stands for Van Airflow Meter. The bigger ones are much better.

The 2.3T is pretty much a tunner motor. There are a million little things you can do to make more horse power.

I warn you tho, don't bolt one in and expect it to be like a 5.0. This engine is an entirly different beast. So if you like all kind of torque when you hit the gas pedal, go with the 5.0. But if you like the sound of a turbo and a kick in the pants, get the 2.3T.

Just so this won't be unanimous...

The PE computer from the 85.5/86 SVO is actually a more aggressive calibration than the LA3, but at upwards of $250 apiece when the LA3 is around $75, you have to decide what "best" means to you.

Personally, I'm running the LA3, for whatever thats worth.

Well, im going for the chgeaper setup. My Dad and his friend build racing engines so once i find a donor car they are going to rebuild it for me. Should i put the rabger cam in it? Ive heard that the ranger cam is much better than the others. Cani sropke it with a 2.5's guts? What elsae would i be able to do?

The ranger cam is a popular swap because it's readily available, it's a roller cam (reducing friction, which may free up a couple horses; and the cam is no longer a wear item), and because the cam events are turbo friendly. The fact of the matter is that it's no more aggressive than the stock 2.3T cam, though. There are other cams available that are no doubt more radical than the Ranger roller, but if you're planning a street combo, it's hard to beat.

Just for the record, it was the TPS so he's gotten his Turbo ranger running. He don't have access tonight to a computer but I'm sure he'll post alll the details when he returns home. Later guys, Doug904.:nuts: :afro: :hug:

there's a junk yard around here that you take the parts off the vehicles yourself. computers are $10, engines are $75 and trannies are $50. i'll have to go see if i can find any 2.3T's there. they have a LOT of 80's models fords. only thing about it that sux is losing my A/C. it's so hot out here right now, i can't imagine running without it.