2.9 turbo.....

[mhughes165]

alright, now this has probably already been touched on, but after reading throguh the thread discussing the remote mount turbos i got to scratchin my head...why not on a 2.9?? if u think about it the upper intake manifold is quite similar to that of a aftermarket intake manifold for say a turboed civic, couldnt it be done in theory mounting the turbo just after the o2 sensor at the end of the y pipe, running the pipin much as u would with other remote mount turbo's, but in my case i would have to design a system to enclose the turbo as the cold mud hittin a red hot turbo is not very good thing todo....just lookin for input on this topic, or if it has been done b4

[Sevensecondsuv]

The problem is engine management. The speed density 2.9 setup just isn't going to do it, even with mods. The rare 1990 california MAF 2.9 setup could be made to work for a low boost turbo setup with an FMU. But the way to do it right would be to convert it to megasquirt, which gets into $$$$. And if you're willing to spend $$$$ on a nice engine for you ranger, then my guess is that you wouldn't be asking about turboing a 2.9.

Also, if the engine isn't low mileage, it's not going to take well to a turbo. That and cast pistons aren't exactly ideal for a turbo motor.

[mhughes165]

ya, i knwo that would be the biggest problem is makin it work properly, im sure u could find a set of forged pistions for a 2.9 if u look around for a bit, im curious if it has ever been done, i liek to squeeze every last bit of power i can out of a engine b4 i put it out of its misery and go bigger....

[Sevensecondsuv]

Well the last set of forged pistons I saw for a 4.0L (which is much more modable than a 2.9) were $720 for set. Ouch!!!

[Sevensecondsuv]

If you want turbo, you don't need to go bigger. Just go 2.3. They are actually designed for turbo, came from ford with engine management set up for turbo, and parts are cheap and abundant.

[Psychopete]

I've found a set for custom pistons for 2.9L for $650 (I think). Was going to try and get ARP bolts and have the rods peened (for a super charger setup).

I've sold it (s/c setup), traded my Chevy for a Ford as a donor for a V8 swap. Bought a '93 Tempo as a new beater car.

To find custom parts, ask custom manufacturers if what they can do for you. They're not going to see your post here and come to you.

I got a '90 MAF PCM from Subway Truck Parts for $80.

Engine management is definitely the biggest complication.

Yeah, it's been done before.

Pete

Edit:
I also think that he ran 15PSI on the MAF PCM, but I am not entirely certain.

[mhughes165]

If you want turbo, you don't need to go bigger. Just go 2.3. They are actually designed for turbo, came from ford with engine management set up for turbo, and parts are cheap and abundant.

been there done that, many a times, just tossing around some ideas is all

[Sevensecondsuv]

been there done that, many a times, just tossing around some ideas is all

Oh, OK. I figured you were just a kid who got the idea that it would be fun to slap a ebay T3 on their old tired 2.9 and expect it to work right.

If you've worked with turbo stuff before, then I say go for it. I always love to see new and different builds. A turbo 2.9 done right could be pretty cool.

[V8RangerBoy]

If you have the money to do the fuel and computer management the right way, I'd say it's a go.

Stay away from the FMU route. Cast pistons + boost + high mileage + "not-so-ideal-at-all tune" is almost definitely going to = toasted motor. I searched long and hard into getting an FMU to work for my setup, but in the end, they're nothing but bad news. The load calculations and spark curves are critical in a turbo motor, especially a non-built bottom end/high mileage setup, and the stock curves with an FMU set the stage for detonation. It won't take long to blow it up. FMU's also load the piss out of the entire fuel system, and the wear and tear on fuel pump, injectors, etc is immense. You're loading a system that is designed to work at around 40psi clear up to nearly 90-100psi at just 5psi of boost (using the FMU that Vortech sends with the supercharger kit, for example - the "standard" 12:1 unit).

Save the money to do it right instead of reaching for the band-aids.

[mhughes165]

Oh, OK. I figured you were just a kid who got the idea that it would be fun to slap a ebay T3 on their old tired 2.9 and expect it to work right.

If you've worked with turbo stuff before, then I say go for it. I always love to see new and different builds. A turbo 2.9 done right could be pretty cool.


ya, i have acess to everything i need todo the job...i was actually if i do it leanin towards a twin turbo setup, i already acquire the turbo's i plan on using, just need to find some headers i can modify todo the job, if someone could get me measurements on stud spacing at the flange on the headers it will give me a good place to start and so i cna know if i will need to build my own manifolds or modify the headers to work

http://www.dxcom.org/lebaron/t_2.jpg

and dont make fun of the size of the turbo lol, there small but will get the job done and will easily fit in the engin bay the way ive been thinkin of doin it, besides....why waste good money on big turbos that will see mud

[Sevensecondsuv]

What's that turbo from? -Obviously you want small if you're going to put twins on a little 2.9...

[mhughes165]

lol, its a lebaron turbo, i forget the model exactly from them, its a pic i found online cause i was too lazy to go and take a pic of mine. there common enough to be almost disposable, but spool VERY VERY quickly...its not the size of the turbo that matters, its how u use it :P

[v6TurboRanger]

just wanted to jump in here and ask a question has anyone tryed to use an additional injector controler and add 2 extra injectors into the intake manifold that come on under boost and can be tunned via laptop this is the way im planning to go this spring when I do a remote mount turbo install on my 89 2.9 4x4 unless some can point me in a better direction

[mhughes165]

just wanted to jump in here and ask a question has anyone tryed to use an additional injector controler and add 2 extra injectors into the intake manifold that come on under boost and can be tunned via laptop this is the way im planning to go this spring when I do a remote mount turbo install on my 89 2.9 4x4 unless some can point me in a better direction


why not just upgrade the injectors so they can flow the amount of fuel u need, thats what im gonna do with my experiment

[v6TurboRanger]

my main reason for not just installing larger injectors is the stock computer
would need to be reflashed or chiped to compensate for the larger injectors to work at idle and when im just driven around not under boost I only need the extra fuel when under boost

[V8RangerBoy]

my main reason for not just installing larger injectors is the stock computer
would need to be reflashed or chiped to compensate for the larger injectors to work at idle and when im just driven around not under boost I only need the extra fuel when under boost

Read my post above... fuel isn't the only issue to deal with when you enter boost.

[mhughes165]

my main reason for not just installing larger injectors is the stock computer
would need to be reflashed or chiped to compensate for the larger injectors to work at idle and when im just driven around not under boost I only need the extra fuel when under boost

well....unless u have ever converted anything non turbo to turbo i wouldnt even suggest u try this.....its gonna be alot of work for me to get it done and ive lost count of the number of turbo motors ive done and worked on

[v6TurboRanger]

I have done more then a few non-turbo to turbo conversions in the past But this will be my first Ford Ranger conversion. I also know there is more to think of then just adding the extra fuel under boost timming retard being one of them Im not planning to run HI boost on the truck 7 to 8 psi max at these low boost levels and running hi octane gas instead of regular detnation should not be a problem I can always back off the base timming a few degrese if I need to. Granted if I was planning to run 12 to 15 psi of boost or more that would open up a whole new can of worms then engine managment with timming control would be much more importent. At that point I would go with something like the Megasqurit sys I see some of the guys are running. But running low boost with decent gas I should not have to worry about melting pistons from sprark knock. I also know the speed Dencity sys on the truck now is not the best sys to have on a modded eng. but my eng is going to remain stock Im just adding a turbo so at start up , idle or driving around not under boost the truck should should run like a stock 2.9 ranger cause the stock computer has no way of knowing I installed a turbo. Im not trying to get the stock computer to compesate for larger injectors ported heads or a mild cam. The only time anything changes is when the turbo spools up and I cross over into boost at that time I need to add fuel to compensate for the extra valume of air being forced into the engine . The fuel sys i plan to use is a stand alone EFI additional injector controler that works just like the megasqurit sys and has a built in 3 bar map sensor and is tunable via laptop at different RPM and boost load points on its own 3D fuel map Im not going to be useing an FMU to increase my fuel pressure under-boost as I agree useing an FMU is a bandade at best

[mhughes165]

i really hope u atleast pull the engine and get the pistons u will need, otherwise even at that low boost level u can burn a hole in ur pistons

[v6TurboRanger]

Yes an engine rebuild is planed to coinside with the remote turbo install Im gathering parts ect. now so that when I pull the engine to do the rebuild I will have most everything I need to complete the project I just recently installed a 3" exhaust sys from the y pipe back

[BlackBII]

I think it's too late, but I saw this a few days ago, Interesting....
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m205/danteinien/5029_2.jpg

[mhughes165]

Yes an engine rebuild is planed to coinside with the remote turbo install Im gathering parts ect. now so that when I pull the engine to do the rebuild I will have most everything I need to complete the project I just recently installed a 3" exhaust sys from the y pipe back
well gl to you on it, hope it works out for u, im not doin a remote system for the simple fact that i wheel the truck....alot, and mud on turbos is not a good combo