So I put a supercharger on this 2002 Ranger

[Bad Idea]

Eaton M90 oval style 89-93 rebuilt
2002 FX4 Ranger 4.0 232k miles (lol)
Used a Modd Box install kit with a 3.4 inch/3.5 psi pulley

I know I'm late to the party with this, but I got beat by a Prius in a race to the exit just so they could cut me off and then slow down 30 mph. So... Supercharger! (I'd buy a new whatever but for reasons nobody cares about I'm not going to, so I waste my money on this)

Install went good; Cut to what matters: ONLY 1.5 psi BOOST!? Well, it's 2 psi about 5000 rpm but, man, 232k miles... (lol) I'm ASE certified so I kinda know stuff, but I'm not the worlds greatest service tech by any means and I'm not immune to stupid mistakes or over looking something. That being said, the engine runs better than expected and the supercharger appears in good working order (I have no experience with these superchargers or custom boost builds)

So if anyone has any experience with these setups (not holding my breath) I'd like to know if 1 - 2 psi boost is normal in this situation. Nothing appears wrong with the install: Midwest location - 600ft elevation. The boost measurement is accurate, the bypass appears to be working (I could be wrong here, but it closes/opens when the throttle is snapped at idle. I have not checked but I could video record the operation during WOT pull), the belt is not slipping, there are no vacuum leaks, no misfires, no codes, no warning lights, no noises (rattles/knocks/pings) It actually runs great, its just I was expecting closer to 3.5 psi boost since 3.5 psi pulley.

I figure this is either a normal outcome for the setup, the supercharger is just not moving air like it should and get a different one, or I'm over looking something stupid.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Define rebuilt.

Also, iat relocation?

 

[Bad Idea]

M90 was purchased from ebay and listed as 'rebuilt'. In my professional opinion it looks rebuilt (no slop in pulley, rotors were shiny with no nicks or obvious wear coating, shiny paint even, new oil) and sounds healthy, but I have never taken one apart myself. I wanted the 94-95 supercharger, but the few listings for those were twice as much money, covered in dirt, corroded, old gasket material and junk hanging off them... This one seemed the better buy.

IAT relocate is not done but I am pulling everything back off and doing that tomorrow. This lower than expected boost problem might be as simple as belt slipping as there is belt dust on the alternator after beating the hell of it this morning - I had to shove the intake further forward than I liked due to interference with the fuel rail, so the belt is misaligned about 1/8 inch; but with about 60% wrap on the super pulley and only 30% on the alternator pulley I kind of expect the alternator to slip some - I have my doubts the belt is actually slipping on the super, but maybe. I honestly kinda slammed this together a little too fast - A few things were 'Aww WTF? I'll just, ehh. Good enough... Maybe.' Tomorrow I won't have the time constraint.

I plan to push this to 8 psi on a rebuilt engine, but I gotta get past 2 psi first.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Getting a bigger bumper seems like an easier solution.

Just kidding. Carry on...

 

[Roert42]

The rated psi is at 6000 rpm, I think.


I never logged it, but I don’t think you really see any boost on the gauge until after 3k.


These types of super chargers build more boost as the rpm increases.
Bell superchargers are more linear across the rpm range.

 

[Bad Idea]

Suppose I could update: Did the IAT relocate, cleaned up the install a bunch, found some amazing good stainless headers on amazon for 190 bucks for the pair (seriously good quality, I was expecting garbage. Only got them because the pair was cheaper than 1 dorman replacement manifold and 1 of mine was cracked) and while I was doing all that I saw the bypass valve did not fully close - It has a closed position adjustment screw and it was bottomed out. Put some lok tite on the screw and set it properly and now I have 3 psi boost at 2500 rpm and almost 4 at 5500 rpm. So that makes me feel better.

This was surprisingly enjoyable. I usually hate working on my own cars cause thats all I do all day long, but this was fun for some reason. Now I have 47 lbs injectors, 90 mm MAF, wideband a/f sensor, 8 psi pulley and tuner on the way. I'm sure I'll hate myself now that I have to pull the engine to replace the timing chains - still original

 

[Jim Oaks]

Have any pics?

I'd like to find a way to boost my 4.0L OHV just to give it more power to keep up with highway speeds.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

found some amazing good stainless headers on amazon for 190 bucks for the pair

Got a link?

No fitment issues?

 

[rubydist]

The oval inlet M90s were not that great as they tended to have too much rotor clearance and the inlet was a restriction. That is why they changed to the coated rotors and the rectangular inlet on the later ones. The later ones are much more desirable.

 

[Bad Idea]

Got a link?

No fitment issues?

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I don't know how they fit on ohv 4.0, but fit right in on 2002 sohc.

Heh, they went up in price a little, not much. No clearance issues either side - just fit right in and lined up to existing pipes. Even the EGR outlet lined right up on the driver side. The gaskets and hardware are garbage, I used mahle multi-layer steel gaskets and found titanium studs and nuts. No idea how those will hold up but look nice. Everything else looks like its got 230k miles on it and all rusted out but, eh.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRDP8C99?tag=959media-20 - Stainless cap for the EGR port.

I've been looking into rebuilding the engine, but it seems the more economical option is let it blow up and just get a complete reman engine.

 

[Bad Idea]

Have any pics?

I'd like to find a way to boost my 4.0L OHV just to give it more power to keep up with highway speeds.

I have to admit it's cool the site owner posted in some new guys only thread. I may post some pics when I get the other goodies in and get it tuned. I found a 'home made' aluminum flat bed in a junkyard listing so I gotta see how that turns out. As for your boosting OHV... I can only assume you know more about Ranger potential than I do.

This whole supercharger thing kinda happened on a whim here. I also did everything backwards, as in I obtained all the stuff, put it on, then did research. Its working out though

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

In for the pics.

I've had an M62 on my shelf for a while now, but the throttle body/hood clearance considerations with the OHV have kept me from doing anything with it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I know people have put turbos on them, but it's never been documented very well. PlumCrazy has a supercharger on his 4.0L OHV and I've seen it work on the trails. Someone actually made a supercharger kit for them back around 2000.

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

I see the truck; does he have a build thread that picks up after he adds the supercharger? I just see the engine swap one.