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2.9L + Turbo = ?


Explosive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
136
City
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Automatic
So, how strong are the 2.9L motors, would it even handle a small turbo ?
 
I am sure the 2.9's would take 6-8 psi of boost on stock internals with a good tune and added fuel. My 3.0 took almost 20 psi for 20K abused miles, this was on a motor with almost 100k, it finally stretched a rod bolt & wiped out 3 of the 6 rods & added ventilation holes in the pan in several spots. The pistons all looked great other than damage from the loose rod pieces.

JP02XLT
 
The 3.0 is nothing like the 2.9 though.....

Im sure it would take some decent boost, but I think you would end up with a couple of cracked heads, especially if the cooling system wasnt upgraded.
 
My 1988 Ranger GT has 18 psi on the stock 190k mile engine.

I put WP heads and better valves and springs on a few years ago.

It has a rear mount turbo and I have driven it for more than five years.

We actually changed out the stock 3.73s for 3.45s.


It was at Ford Carlisle 3 times and it was utterly ignored.
 
pictures are worth a thousand words

I want to turbo my 2.9, that would be sweet.
 
There was a guy who put a K car turbo on a 2.9L.

Worked very good i guess till a wastegate stuck and ran it at like 30psi boost. The 2.9 actually handled it for a while.

I dontknow much about turbos, but a 2.9's bottom end is every bit as strong (if not stronger) then a 3.slows.

later,
Dustin
 
Rod bolts are the weakest link in a 3.0, & there is no fix other than different rods.

JP02XLT
 
There was a guy who put a K car turbo on a 2.9L.

Worked very good i guess till a wastegate stuck and ran it at like 30psi boost. The 2.9 actually handled it for a while.

I dontknow much about turbos, but a 2.9's bottom end is every bit as strong (if not stronger) then a 3.slows.

later,
Dustin

I actually had that happen on my old sundance. It actually survived for 6 months. But when she blew, oh my god did she blow.
 
i wud love to put a turbo on my 87' 2.9.....i actually have 1 frm a mitsubishi starion....wit the maifold and such....BUT eventually i am goin to put a V8 in it....possibly wit twin turbos? im most likely goin to make my own chassis for it....or do sum EXTREME strengthening to the stock 1.....
 
Last edited:
Turbo' And superchargers for a 2.9 V-6

No companys are as of right now are still producing turbo's or super chargers for this engine, but the companies that did produce these iteams are:

Sprintex-supercharger
Janspeed-single and twin turbos
Turbo Technics-single and twin turbo

Try ebay or look around for used products
 
I found some pics of my Ranger GT 2.9 Turbo.

Here's the exhaust exiting the stock cutout in the Ranger GT lower valance.
RTURBO2.jpg


Here's how the oil feed for the turbo is tapped off at the oil pressure sender. It's hard line to the turbo.

RTURBO3.jpg


Here's a view looking straight up from the bottom, at the turbo.
RTURBO1.jpg


Here's from the turbo looking back.
RTURBO4.jpg


Here's looking forward from the rear of the truck. You can see the intake air pipe headed down the right side of the truck. It is hidden behind the Ranger GT side ground effects, as shown in the next pic.
RTURBO5.jpg


RTURBO6.jpg
 
The only pic I've ever seen. But if you're going to turbo something, you may as well turbo a motor that is worthwhile.

5029_2.jpg
 
I found some pics of my Ranger GT 2.9 Turbo.

Here's the exhaust exiting the stock cutout in the Ranger GT lower valance.
RTURBO2.jpg


Here's how the oil feed for the turbo is tapped off at the oil pressure sender. It's hard line to the turbo.

RTURBO3.jpg


Here's a view looking straight up from the bottom, at the turbo.
RTURBO1.jpg


Here's from the turbo looking back.
RTURBO4.jpg


Here's looking forward from the rear of the truck. You can see the intake air pipe headed down the right side of the truck. It is hidden behind the Ranger GT side ground effects, as shown in the next pic.
RTURBO5.jpg


RTURBO6.jpg

i had thought about using the oil sender to feed a turbo, but the stuff that came out of my sender when i had it off was pretty damn disgusting, i wouldn't want to subject a turbo to that.
 

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