Problems with a 2.3 Turbo Ranger

WyoCowboy · Nov 14, 2007

I've built a 97 ranger with a 2.3 Turbo setup from a 87 T-bird. It has the engine, wiring, T5 Tranny and 8.8 rear end all from the T-bird. I just recently changed the IHI turbo to a Garrett setup from a 86 T-bird due to a hose clamp in the intake. I just built a boost regulator for the wastegate and adjusted it to around 15psi. I've noticed that the truck seems to fall off under full throttle and I was wondering if I might be loosing fuel pressure. Is this common with a new 90LPH fuel pump? Would a 255LPH fuel pump fix this problem? Oh would a adjustable fuel pressure regulator be a good thing to add to my setup? It still has brown top injectors.

This truck is a BAJA truck. Its been lifted with 31 11.5 R15 on the front and 32 11.5 R15 on the rear with 4.10 gears. I put the lift, tires, and gears all at the same time and the truck seem to have slowed down some since the 225 60 R15s and the 3.73s. So I'm looking for more power. What is the max HP the ECC-IV LA3 computer will handle before it needs tuning? Is there a tuner or chip availble for EEC-IV computers?

Dave R · Nov 14, 2007

Do you have an A/F ratio meter? If not, I'd strongly suggest one.

15psi is really pushing the upper limit of a 90lph pump.

BlackBII · Nov 14, 2007

The horsepower "cut off" for the stock computer is around 300, with only 15 psi I doubt your hitting that, a 255 lph pump is a good idea past about 13 psi... fuel pumps seem to slowly "go out" after a while, losing pressure and the A/F ratio meter is also a good idea, it will let you know if your fuel is dying off at certain rpm... you may want to look into doing a MAF conversion, 15 psi going through that vane air meter is getting a little tight... There are tuners available but having it professionally tuned and having around 20 psi is the best bet for more power...

WyoCowboy · Nov 15, 2007

How do you convert from a Air Vane Meter system to a MAF?

D94R · Nov 16, 2007

There are plenty of people making +300HP on the stock ECU. Above that you are looking at upgraded injectors and turbo though, not ECU.

Walbro 255lph HP is always a good upgrade along with a wideband O2.

15 PSI with stock VAM is perfectly fine. Stock boost limit on premium gas under the right condition was 15PSI. Hell 20 PSI is fine, plenty of guys doing that. Could it be more efficient? sure, but converting to MAF isn't a necesity.

Dave R · Nov 16, 2007

WyoCowboy said:
How do you convert from a Air Vane Meter system to a MAF?

Though I'm not sure if anybody has come out with anything new in the past year or so, in the past all of the MAF conversions were real pieces O'feces.

15PSI was stock on '86-'88 T-birds, all Merkurs and all SVO's.

The stock T-bird fuel pumps were 110lph Walbro's.

WyoCowboy · Nov 16, 2007

I put an aftermarket boost gauge on the truck and it wastegates at 10. I had to put a boost regulator on it to make 15psi, but I live at 7000ft of elevation. (Not sure if that matters in boost) I think the pump I used is a 90LPH pump. The only thing I think is different from the stock TBIRD is I didn't wire in the Premium Switch off of the computer. Is this a bad thing? I still have the switch and all the wires (including the relay). Should I wire this back into the computer?

Dave R · Nov 17, 2007

Did you wire in the Boost Control Solenoid? That is how the computer gets 15psi out of an induction system with a 9psi wastegate controller.

The Premium Fuel switch allows the computer to use a more aggressive ignition advance table and allows it to up the boost pressure, via the BCS, hence my first question. You can either wire a switch to it or bypass it so that it is permanently on.

7000ft will limit your ability to make HP.

baddis · Nov 17, 2007

if you need more fuel why not install another injector? i know guys on other boards that are running 30 psi on a 2.5 chrysler that the computer shuts it down at 10 psi. you fool the computer with a granger valve add fuel with a 5th or 6th injector and you are good to go. the injectors of choice are audi cold start injectors.

Dave R · Nov 18, 2007

If his fuel pump is having trouble keeping up now, even 4 more injectors won't help.

Though your suggestion is a valid way around a top end lean out problem, that is something that would need to be carefully tuned for. A better way is to just use 4 of Chrylser's "Super 60" injectors in place of the factory Ford ones.

baddis · Nov 18, 2007

good luck finding them. i have been looking for a super 60 kit for 4 years.

AllanD · Nov 20, 2007

Uhhh... did EVERYONE miss where he said: "I live at 7000ft"

15psi @ 7000ft elevation is damned good

it's like running 17psi anywhere else.

And why assume that the fuel pump isn't keeping up until you put a GUAGE on the pressure test port and SEE if the fuel pressure falls off when the engine seems
to "go flat"?

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Dave R · Nov 21, 2007

baddis said:
good luck finding them. i have been looking for a super 60 kit for 4 years.

Kit?

I just went to the local Chrysler dealer with a part number and asked for 4 injectors. Though that was 5 or more years ago now.

No, Allan, we did not miss his elevation. And, as of now, it's still anybody's guess as to why his engine is falling flat. We're just tossing out suggestions.

baddis · Nov 21, 2007

Dave R said:
Kit? I just went to the local Chrysler dealer with a part number and asked for 4 injectors. Though that was 5 or more years ago now.

i have a dark side. i am also into the turbo dodges. i have an 89 daytona es 2.5 t2 that i would like to find the super 60 kit for. involves upgraded turbo,injectors,intercooler,and ecm.

WyoCowboy · Nov 22, 2007

what fuel pressure should the stock 2.3 turbo have? If I were to get a adj. Regulator what is the max pressure I should run on stock brown top injectors.

Problems with a 2.3 Turbo Ranger

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