Maybe boosting a 2.5

[YungICY]

I’m looking into possibly boosting the 2.5l I have in my 85 ranger. I’ve never boosted anything before so I’m looking to have a couple questions answered before I start to open a can of worms I don’t want to.
The goal here is to go with a low boost setup (~5psi) to get those few extra ponies I need from time to time.

Current setup is an 85 ranger prerunner with a stock 2.5l out of a 99 ranger running on the stock 99 eecv I don’t recall the fuel pump specs off the top of my head but it’s an aeromotive stealth series pump with an aeromotive style knock off regulator.

Can I boost this 2.5 without doing any other mods and have it run correctly. I imagine I may need different injectors but I’m more concerned about if the stock eec with be able to compensate and maintain a low boost application.

Throw some knowledge at me. If it can be done as I’ve described, what parts would need to be changed out, (injectors, maf etc)?

Thank you.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't know enough to give you any helpful tips but there has been a few that have 2.3 Lima engines that have turbos or they installed turbos on them. The 2.5 Lima is either a bored or stroked 2.3 Lima (I can't remember which). So, whatever works with them should work with the 2.5. Some parts made for a 2.3 will fit on a 2.5 as well. It might be worth your while to check out some of those threads.

 

[YungICY]

I don't know enough to give you any helpful tips but there has been a few that have 2.3 Lima engines that have turbos or they installed turbos on them. The 2.5 Lima is either a bored or stroked 2.3 Lima (I can't remember which). So, whatever works with them should work with the 2.5. Some parts made for a 2.3 will fit on a 2.5 as well. It might be worth your while to check out some of those threads.

I have a buddy with a turbo setup he’ll let go for cheap so I’d really just need the manifold to bolt it on which I believe the 2.3 and 2.5 are the same there. I just don’t want to have to go down the tuning/ecu road as that’s out of my wheel house. But if the stock eec will reliably compensate for low boost and I maybe have to change a few parts out that makes it much more approachable and financially effective for me to squeeze another maybe 30 or 40 horse out of her. Otherwise the option is to do a full turbo build and then it just makes more financial sense to put in a 302 or even a junkyard gm 4.3.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have a buddy with a turbo setup he’ll let go for cheap so I’d really just need the manifold to bolt it on which I believe the 2.3 and 2.5 are the same there. I just don’t want to have to go down the tuning/ecu road as that’s out of my wheel house. But if the stock eec will reliably compensate for low boost and I maybe have to change a few parts out that makes it much more approachable and financially effective for me to squeeze another maybe 30 or 40 horse out of her. Otherwise the option is to do a full turbo build and then it just makes more financial sense to put in a 302 or even a junkyard gm 4.3.

I believe you are correct on the intake manifold.

As far as the rest, I'll have to refer you to any threads involving installing a turbo on their 2 3, 2.5, or installing an already turbo equipped engine from another Ford vehicle.

Hopefully, one or some of the people who did it are still active and can provide some insight. I don't know of any off hand in order to tag them and highlight your post.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The 2.5 uses the same exhaust flange as the other Lima's so that part is fine.

The main drawback to the 2.5 is the Hypereutectic pistons and powder metal rods that are lighter built than the standard Lima stuff... that said if you stick to the 5psi limit with a wastegate controller of some form (from what I hear blowoff valves and MAF engines don't mix well) and go with one size bigger injectors you will likely be ok

 

[Blmpkn]

The 2.5 uses the same exhaust flange as the other Lima's so that part is fine.

The main drawback to the 2.5 is the Hypereutectic pistons and powder metal rods that are lighter built than the standard Lima stuff... that said if you stick to the 5psi limit with a wastegate controller of some form (from what I hear blowoff valves and MAF engines don't mix well) and go with one size bigger injectors you will likely be ok

Blowoff valves serve a different purpose than a wastegate, but aren't exactly necessary. A 100% recirc valve would be ideal for a MAF setup.. but running a BOV shouldn't cause actual problems. youd get some super amusing *pop-crackle-bang*s while shifting and a bit of soot on the body around the exhaust as a byproduct of said extra noise.. but thats about it on a reasonable tune. I ran an adjustable BOV on my old outback.. had it set to dump about 25% to atmosphere and recirc the rest. Gave me a good balance of WHOOSH and exhaust crackles without any discernable soot on the bumper or dogginess when getting back into the throttle.

Whenever I get around to putting turbos on something else I'm not gonna bother with a recirc/bov at all.. as I'll always be a child at heart and compressor surge sounds AWESOME!!!

 

[ifitaintbroke]

The 2.5 uses the same exhaust flange as the other Lima's so that part is fine.

The main drawback to the 2.5 is the Hypereutectic pistons and powder metal rods that are lighter built than the standard Lima stuff... that said if you stick to the 5psi limit with a wastegate controller of some form (from what I hear blowoff valves and MAF engines don't mix well) and go with one size bigger injectors you will likely be ok

So, 2.3s have stronger pistons and rods, right? I've always been curious as to how much boost hypers can handle. I mean, unless there's pre ignition the sky's the limit. But if it did ping just one good time........

 

[scotts90ranger]

So, 2.3s have stronger pistons and rods, right? I've always been curious as to how much boost hypers can handle. I mean, unless there's pre ignition the sky's the limit. But if it did ping just one good time........

Life's a gamble, it'll work just fine until it doesn't

The bottom end of the 2.3L's were way over built, the stock cast pistons (N/A version, turbo were forged) won't put up with much abuse either supposedly, but the rods and crank can handle like 350hp...

 

[Brain75]

So I got a question on this 2.5 vs 2.3 - don't own one, but it is relevant as advice to others... the 2.5 is just a stroked 2.3 right with cheaper internals - the block is all the same?
Couldn't a guy revert a 2.5 into a 2.3 (or just find aftermarket 2.5 internals that are tough enough) and then add a turbo or blower and get the best of the 2.3's legacy?

 

[Brain75]

nvm , I think I found all the answers a guy could want on a couple of threads:

Updated 2.0, 2.3, and 2.5 Engine family.

This thread contains information from Jspafford, Yakk, 510ranger, pacodiablo, TBRONK, scotts90ranger, pitsrule, (myself, Kenneth S), and other sources from the internet. (I hope that Jspafford, and the others are ok with me combining all this information, and adding additional information)...

www.therangerstation.com

2.3 Vs. 2.5 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

4 Cylinder Engines - 2.3 Vs. 2.5 - OK...what are the differences in the two engine blocks-2.3 and the 2.5? Are there any diffenences and if so what are they?

www.ford-trucks.com

Fords 2.0/2.3/2.5 litre engine family guide

Ford’s 2.0/2.3/2.5 litre "Lima" engine family These motors are commonly referred to as either the Lima or simply the 2.3 SOHC (Single Over Head...

www.jalopyjournal.com

 

[ifitaintbroke]

So I got a question on this 2.5 vs 2.3 - don't own one, but it is relevant as advice to others... the 2.5 is just a stroked 2.3 right with cheaper internals - the block is all the same?
Couldn't a guy revert a 2.5 into a 2.3 (or just find aftermarket 2.5 internals that are tough enough) and then add a turbo or blower and get the best of the 2.3's legacy?

Define cheap. My 2.5 has 298k miles of F550 level service, and doesn't burn oil. Actually closer to if not over 300k, as the speedometer has gotten stuck a few times. Not that I'd turbo it...

 

[Brain75]

Define cheap. ...

A few folks have said the 2.5 (when treated properly) is a fantastically long lived engine - seems like you are treating yours right... but complaints are mainly centered around the rods (longer but still weigh the same and hence like to bend and get ejected sideways out the engine block). Virtually all those complaints that I have seen come with high rev or water ingestion or or - "abuse factors" will just call them.

That 2nd link in my post (#10 in the thread) goes a bit further down to a few guys racing in pinto's in the mini stock division - running the 2.3. Seems the 2.3 can just put up with more abuse than the 2.5 can just about any which way...

Here's a bit more on the 2.5 weaknesses (I thought the trans wearing out causing the rear part of the crank to waller out was kinda niche - yeah the M5OD's leak out the vents at the top but I haven't seen any complaint on engine damage anywhere to any other engine)..

https://www.reddit.com/r/fordranger/comments/10w0ul0

If you are pushing 300k with no issues congrats on good maintenance and treating the engine right - I am sitting at 103k and just happy it made it to 35 years without any more body damage than it does from all the idiots on the road that like to slide sideways into you the second two snowflakes get into the same county.

edit add:
I'm no expert on the 2.3 or 2.5... I just got excited about your swap and some of these other 4 banger mods that keep the good fuel economy and turn the 4 banger into less of a turd so have done a bit too much reading on the 4 bangers recently.

 

[ifitaintbroke]

A few folks have said the 2.5 (when treated properly) is a fantastically long lived engine - seems like you are treating yours right... but complaints are mainly centered around the rods (longer but still weigh the same and hence like to bend and get ejected sideways out the engine block). Virtually all those complaints that I have seen come with high rev or water ingestion or or - "abuse factors" will just call them.

That 2nd link in my post (#10 in the thread) goes a bit further down to a few guys racing in pinto's in the mini stock division - running the 2.3. Seems the 2.3 can just put up with more abuse than the 2.5 can just about any which way...

Here's a bit more on the 2.5 weaknesses (I thought the trans wearing out causing the rear part of the crank to waller out was kinda niche - yeah the M5OD's leak out the vents at the top but I haven't seen any complaint on engine damage anywhere to any other engine)..

https://www.reddit.com/r/fordranger/comments/10w0ul0

If you are pushing 300k with no issues congrats on good maintenance and treating the engine right - I am sitting at 103k and just happy it made it to 35 years without any more body damage than it does from all the idiots on the road that like to slide sideways into you the second two snowflakes get into the same county.

edit add:
I'm no expert on the 2.3 or 2.5... I just got excited about your swap and some of these other 4 banger mods that keep the good fuel economy and turn the 4 banger into less of a turd so have done a bit too much reading on the 4 bangers recently.

This truck is on its 3rd axle and 3rd transmission. Yes I am a maintenance freak, and don't intentionally abuse things, but this truck has been used for things that no Ranger (and most F150's for that matter) has ever been made for. I've bent the leaf springs past flat with concrete and lumber in the bed. Had it revved past 5k trying to get up a muddy hill in 1st (don't ask it's a long story). I used to think this engine would last forever, and truly have no complaints. Can't even MAKE the thing overheat. But, once it started getting close to 300k, I realized that nothing lasts forever and I need to figure something out. I wanted to find an SVO, but they are now unobtainium. Enter the Super Coupe.

 

[ifitaintbroke]

Wonder if a blower on a 2.3 would work? I've never seen that done, so maybe there's a reason.

 

[Blmpkn]

Wonder if a blower on a 2.3 would work? I've never seen that done, so maybe there's a reason.

It'll work with the right attitude. There are a few 4cyl factory blowers off other stuff you could use.. mercedes, mini, Chevy all had blown 4cyls at one point.

I have a Detroit 3-71 blower that needs an overhaul if you wanna get REAL rowdy lol..