Found 2.3t engine complete...should I buy?

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I also am jealous! Even as parts I think it;s worth it.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[scotts90ranger]

smaller turbos are better for 4x4, but for around here it shouldn't really matter either way, turbos aren't all that hard to swap anyway.

run that engine, it has the 8:1 compression forged pistons, the turbo sounds to be in good shape, I'd run it, I believe the Garret is better than the other anyway.

As for the internals, take the plugs out and put some oil in the cylinders, I'll assume it hasn't been rotated much, the oil should help break down any rust. When you get it up to running, these things are strange and have 120psi compression because of the low compression ratio so don't worry about it, it threw me off the first time I did a compression test on my engine until I remembered the ratio but they were all within a couple psi of 120...

One more thing, look at the part number on the exhaust manifold, if you are lucky it will start with E6 not E3... E6 was the good casting, mine came with the E3 and was cracked so I swapped on a E6

 

[Hagan]

smaller turbos are better for 4x4, but for around here it shouldn't really matter either way, turbos aren't all that hard to swap anyway.

run that engine, it has the 8:1 compression forged pistons, the turbo sounds to be in good shape, I'd run it, I believe the Garret is better than the other anyway.

As for the internals, take the plugs out and put some oil in the cylinders, I'll assume it hasn't been rotated much, the oil should help break down any rust. When you get it up to running, these things are strange and have 120psi compression because of the low compression ratio so don't worry about it, it threw me off the first time I did a compression test on my engine until I remembered the ratio but they were all within a couple psi of 120...

One more thing, look at the part number on the exhaust manifold, if you are lucky it will start with E6 not E3... E6 was the good casting, mine came with the E3 and was cracked so I swapped on a E6

Thanks! I will have to check my manifold when I get home. But i'm thinking while I have a lot of free time I could also get my head/intake ported. Maybe I will run it the way it is i'm not sure. What intercooler did you use?

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm not using one, runs fine for what I do, without the cooler just leave the boost controller connected, will limit the boost to 10psi which is I believe 180hp, makes my beast go pretty good... I have a stock TC intercooler and a plan to convert it to air to water at some point in the future, along with throwing the LA3 computer on there then disconnecting the boost controller

Oh, what's the code on the side of the computer that came with yours? If it's not one of the more desirable ones (HERE is a list o fall ford EEC IV ECM's) I have one I could trade you...

THIS PAGE has some useful info too

Also just read through Dave R's turbo swap page HERE and might have figured out my tach issue...

 

[Hagan]

I'm not using one, runs fine for what I do, without the cooler just leave the boost controller connected, will limit the boost to 10psi which is I believe 180hp, makes my beast go pretty good... I have a stock TC intercooler and a plan to convert it to air to water at some point in the future, along with throwing the LA3 computer on there then disconnecting the boost controller

Oh, what's the code on the side of the computer that came with yours? If it's not one of the more desirable ones (HERE is a list o fall ford EEC IV ECM's) I have one I could trade you...

THIS PAGE has some useful info too

Also just read through Dave R's turbo swap page HERE and might have figured out my tach issue...

I'm not sure what the code is. I'll have to check when i get home along with the exhaust manifold. but i've been reading that the LA3 computer is the way to go.


I'll have to do some more research on the intercooler and i've been thinking about running water/methanol injection. I know its been pretty popular on diesels. Its just a thought. I'm sure I'd be happy with the stock power! lol

 

[pinturbo75]

stock non intercooled is 155 hp....just as a reference, the turbo pinto i built for my dad totaly stock bottom end stock head, e6 manifold and t3 with pc1 ecu and small vam ran 13.10 at 110 in the 1/4....even the older ecus run good with a manual boost controler and good gas....

 

[Hagan]

stock non intercooled is 155 hp....just as a reference, the turbo pinto i built for my dad totaly stock bottom end stock head, e6 manifold and t3 with pc1 ecu and small vam ran 13.10 at 110 in the 1/4....even the older ecus run good with a manual boost controler and good gas....

Wow that's quite impressive


Anyway, I checked the EEC and it is PF2. Also, my manifold is the E6 one!

And it looks like I can purchase a LA3 EEC from Oreillys for about $100...not too bad. I know it has a core though.

 

[Protowrxs]

Good deal. I've picked two spare 2.3t motors over the years and really had planned on using one in my 89 4x4 but found a rolling 93 4.0 Explorer chassis with a D35 and 8.8 so going that direction. Especially since mine is a 2.9 and would require a lot more pieces. I have an 88 Turbocoupe and an 85 SVO and love the little engines. They are very durable if you keep detonation away. I keep thinking I need to find something to put one of them in. Lol

Will be watching for your swap and good luck. Does sound like a fun project!

 

[Hagan]

Good deal. I've picked two spare 2.3t motors over the years and really had planned on using one in my 89 4x4 but found a rolling 93 4.0 Explorer chassis with a D35 and 8.8 so going that direction. Especially since mine is a 2.9 and would require a lot more pieces. I have an 88 Turbocoupe and an 85 SVO and love the little engines. They are very durable if you keep detonation away. I keep thinking I need to find something to put one of them in. Lol

Will be watching for your swap and good luck. Does sound like a fun project!

Thanks! I will start working on the turbo after I finish my Dana 44 SAS swap

 

[kunar]

this threads making me want to turbo swap a ranger and i already own a turbo coupe!!

 

[Endoverend47]

my set up....messy wiring and all, swapping it into another ranger, going to be a lot cleaner the second time....i can't get traction on dry cement until about 3rd lol

 

[Hagan]

this threads making me want to turbo swap a ranger and i already own a turbo coupe!!

I'd keep the car and buy a turbo setup/engine from another car!

my set up....messy wiring and all, swapping it into another ranger, going to be a lot cleaner the second time....i can't get traction on dry cement until about 3rd lol

Looks good! It can always be cleaned up later. I want to do a clean job on my Ranger on everything. I've done enough hack work in my life...and I believe when you take your time things turns out much better.

I don't think I will have traction problems with mine. Although...I have been thinking about ~300hp out of this setup!

60lb injectors, 90mm MAF, 255LPH FP, 38mm Wastegate, Intercooler, Head studs, Head gasket, Ported Head, and Ported intake.

 

[kunar]

I'd keep the car and buy a turbo setup/engine from another car!

yeah for sure. my turbo coupe is too clean to destroy for its drive train. i dont know yet if im gonna keep it or sell it to fund another project. if i keep it, 300 hp is the goal. the only down side is how heavy it is with all of its luxury car add-ons inside.

 

[fordtough503]

Hey Hagan, I also live in the salem area and I did a turbo swap if you want to check it out. Its in the garage right now i'm doing a full width axle swap. Your trans is probably not going to hold up to 300 hp. Just to let you know.

 

[scotts90ranger]

you get that thing going? sorry I never got back with you, I was pretty mad at my truck after April when I rolled it... I think I've put maybe 3 tanks through it since then, it was parked in the exact same spot until like August after I got home...