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"Unnaturally Aspirated" LS Ranger


Alix

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This seemed like the best fitting forum for this thread. Mods feel free to move if needed.

I've caught the need for speed again and my 2.3 Ranger just isn't cutting it. This truck is going to start out as a sleeper for the street and later on as money builds up again, it'll get long travel suspension and caged.

Quick specs:
95 2WD Ranger (Rust free :icon_thumby:)
5.3 gen 3 LS
68mm GT45 turbo
Megasquirt stand alone ECU
T56 6 speed trans

I picked up this running, rust free Ranger for $1000


Got a used 5.3 cheap with 60k iirc


Got a little noise maker for it. 68mm


We lincoln locked it the first night. I was trying to kill this thing putting it thru absolute hell. Rev limiter 2nd gear clutch drops while rolling 20 MPH backwards, driving 2nd gear rev limiter for miles at a time, wide open shifts....etc etc :icon_rofl: The 3.0 isn't as bad as people claim either haha 2nd gear donuts with a welded diff are what finally broke it. It was wheel hopping like crazy while bouncing off the rev limiter so I just stayed in the throttle. Snapped the axle shaft pretty good.


I got it in the garage and started tearing it down. Front clip is off and engine is all unplugged. Just have to unbolt it and pull it then start fitting the V8
 


Teddyzee

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Mac

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Axle snapping like that, must have had a flaw in it! All kidding aside, those 3.0L's can take a beating and run for a long time. Keep everyone posted, others have done the Cheby swap here and sure they will chime in. Very few have done the turbo on any swap.
Dave
 

Alix

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Axle snapping like that, must have had a flaw in it! All kidding aside, those 3.0L's can take a beating and run for a long time. Keep everyone posted, others have done the Cheby swap here and sure they will chime in. Very few have done the turbo on any swap.
Dave
Not to mention this 3.0 had 204k on it when the odometer stopped working BEFORE the previous owner bought it. I was amazed. It has no signs of ever being out before
 

dangerranger83

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That's my outlook on things like this. If your going to be replacing it immedialty, might as well push it to the limit.

Will be watching this.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
 

Hahnsb2

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Cool. I'm a big LS/Turbo/MS fan. It's so tempting to throw an LS in my Dakota.
 

Alix

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Cool. I'm a big LS/Turbo/MS fan. It's so tempting to throw an LS in my Dakota.
do you have a thread for the dakota? Your signature has me pretty interested
 

chvlfrk

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????

How "cheap" did you get the 5.3L for?
 

bobbywalter

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My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
c'mon....this teaser shit sux...
 

Alix

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How "cheap" did you get the 5.3L for?
$600 delivered with all accessories and wiring harness. For the miles I felt that was a good price
 

bobbywalter

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sawzall?
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My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

Alix

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I have the engine bay stripped down and the engine unbolted. Just need to bring the engine hoist home from the shop and the 3.0 can come out and the 5.3 can start being fit in there. I'll probably get to that Monday.


I have the complete engine bay harness out to pull the unnecessary wiring from it. I plan on dedicating one out of the three plugs that go thru the firewall under the brake booster, to the Megasquirt harness so the engine can be pulled with one plug.
 

bobbywalter

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23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
nice.


you have a ms setup ready to go?
 

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