2.3 Ecoboost Swap, 1990 Ranger

[Munts77]

Hello All,
I have been a long time reader/user of the forum and have decided to start my first thread with a 2.3 Ecoboost Swap into a 1990 Ranger. This is not my first major engine swap in a RBV, about 8 years ago I did a 2.3T swap into a 84 Bronco 2 and used it as a daily driver.

So to start with some basics, the project truck is a 1990 Ranger base model, 2wd 2.3 5 speed short box, manual steering. purchased it for $300 non running, had a bad timing belt and something wrong with the oil pump.

The Donor car is a wrecked 2016 Mustang Premium with a 2.3 Ecoboost and a 6 speed manual transmission with 23k

The goal with this is to build a sleeper/hot rod, have it look like a basic grampa truck on the outside but capable of turning 11s in the 1/4 mile.

I started the project with taking everything out of the ranger I didn't need: Engine,trans, wiring, driveshaft, exhaust, air box, etc. Then I switched over to stripping down the mustang. I bought the complete car for about the price of the 2.3 EB crate engine, the plan is to part out the car and recoup my money. Additionally I got a 6 speed MT-82 trans and a bunch of extra Misc parts to potentially use.

Both engines and trans sitting next to each other,

I have a bunch more photos and info to post but I figured this was a good jumping off point. As I type this the engine is currently bolted into the ranger and working on all the little things. I will also be posting videos on Youtube if you also want to follow along there. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMyXuE5gqTsn-klTrseRBg

I will try to post some more later this week.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

@bobbywalter

 

[bobbywalter]

The hpfp is the key issue.


The difference between the sla and ttb chassis tends to make the workarounds More difficult in a 2wd as body lift will be undesirable for most. If memory is mere foggy..the ttb will have a forward gain of an inch


Should allow for firewall mods and slight blend door mod to retain the HVAC.


In a 4x4 application with sas. It is a cake swap.

 

[BlackBII]

Awesome. Can't wait to see progress on this one

What are you going to do about the shifter location? The factory mt-82 one is a bit far back. I have an mgw shifters one on my mt-82 and it puts it a little further forward. There's also another company that makes one that bolts directly on but I can't recall the name

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'll say this... it's the perfect "sleeper".

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Honda CT90 sitting in front.

"Well Services" truck outside.

This is a man of refined taste.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I saw the bike... and the well truck.

Did ya see he stole a Dollar General shopping basket too?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I saw the bike... and the well truck.

Did ya see he stole a Dollar General shopping basket too?

I did not. As soon as I see old Hondas and oilfield stuff, I get all excited.

 

[bobbywalter]

Awesome. Can't wait to see progress on this one

What are you going to do about the shifter location? The factory mt-82 one is a bit far back. I have an mgw shifters one on my mt-82 and it puts it a little further forward. There's also another company that makes one that bolts directly on but I can't recall the name

Moving the engine forward 3 inches to fit the hpfp negates that. It's already stupid light for the power so there's some give.

Of course running into oil pan mods with these if a high and critical expense to farm out.

Be interesting ... If he is a well services guy....just no telling what will go down ....but it's going down. .and up .....and out....and in . .

 

[Munts77]

The hpfp is the key issue.


The difference between the sla and ttb chassis tends to make the workarounds More difficult in a 2wd as body lift will be undesirable for most. If memory is mere foggy..the ttb will have a forward gain of an inch


Should allow for firewall mods and slight blend door mod to retain the HVAC.


In a 4x4 application with sas. It is a cake swap.

You are right, the hpfp is an issue. I was able to get away with a minor modification to the rain gutter in front of the windshield and minor mod to the heater box which could be eliminated with modifying the water outlet. tis truck is not A/C which helps alot. i did also have to modify the oil pan but i had access to a decent shop at a time dso it didn't cost me anything.

Awesome. Can't wait to see progress on this one

What are you going to do about the shifter location? The factory mt-82 one is a bit far back. I have an mgw shifters one on my mt-82 and it puts it a little further forward. There's also another company that makes one that bolts directly on but I can't recall the name

I am using a custom mgw shifter that moves it forward from the stock location.

Honda CT90 sitting in front.

"Well Services" truck outside.

This is a man of refined taste.

lol, have a few trail bikes, the well service truck is a parts rig for another project. it has a 7.3 idi and 5 speed trans.

I saw the bike... and the well truck.

Did ya see he stole a Dollar General shopping basket too?

Stealing is a harsh word, I like to call it a long term loan... my Dad borrows them and takes them back to the store.

 

[Munts77]

The next step on this project was to load both engines in the back of the truck and haul them to my work so that I can take measurements using a CMM, then I can import in to CAD and design the engine and transmission mounts.

I decided to weight the engines before I started, the Ecoboost with transmission with no oil in engine was 500 lbs the Lima engine/transmission with no oil, no alternator was 480

Next I moved on to the measurements, I measured the crank centerline, engine mount locations and transmission mount location on both engines, also measure oil pan and bell housing locations on the EB.

Next was measurements on the truck. I measured points in the engine bay: motor mounts, cross member, firewall, and radiator mounts.

After collecting the data, I imported it into CAD and overlaid the EB engine on top of the Lima engine. locating based on crank center line and front of crankshaft. The Eb engine is within an inch vertical and forward/ backward of the Lima engine location. The goal was to minimize firewall modifications. at this point I started to design the engine mounts and transmission crossmember. The engine mounts bolt to the EB engine and utilize the Lima isolators, the crossmember utilizes the factory cradle mounts on the outside of the frame rail.

A local fab shop lazer cut and formed the parts and I welded them up. these are the engine mounts and crossmember I designed.

I will post later about the oil pan modifications and the struggle to get it to fit in the truck.

 

[Blmpkn]

Oooooh. Me likey.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

The next step on this project was to load both engines in the back of the truck and haul them to my work so that I can take measurements using a CMM, then I can import in to CAD and design the engine and transmission mounts.

View attachment 69875

I decided to weight the engines before I started, the Ecoboost with transmission with no oil in engine was 500 lbs the Lima engine/transmission with no oil, no alternator was 480

View attachment 69876View attachment 69877

View attachment 69879View attachment 69880


Next I moved on to the measurements, I measured the crank centerline, engine mount locations and transmission mount location on both engines, also measure oil pan and bell housing locations on the EB.

View attachment 69881View attachment 69882


Next was measurements on the truck. I measured points in the engine bay: motor mounts, cross member, firewall, and radiator mounts.

View attachment 69883View attachment 69884


After collecting the data, I imported it into CAD and overlaid the EB engine on top of the Lima engine. locating based on crank center line and front of crankshaft. The Eb engine is within an inch vertical and forward/ backward of the Lima engine location. The goal was to minimize firewall modifications. at this point I started to design the engine mounts and transmission crossmember. The engine mounts bolt to the EB engine and utilize the Lima isolators, the crossmember utilizes the factory cradle mounts on the outside of the frame rail.

View attachment 69885

A local fab shop lazer cut and formed the parts and I welded them up. these are the engine mounts and crossmember I designed.

View attachment 69886View attachment 69887
View attachment 69888

I will post later about the oil pan modifications and the struggle to get it to fit in the truck.

Bruh.

You gotta make moar of those.

 

[bobbywalter]

The oil pan is sketchy in terms of reliable modifications. Looking through the balance shaft options and ranger dress I am still in the air with it

This is in regards to the m5odr1 dressed for 4x4.

And incorporating a bridge mount with a front wheel drive block which requires plumbing changes

. My application is a 4x4 b2 with an sas. No fear of a Body lift, so firewall modification likely can be eliminated with some placement compromise from ideal.

Once blocked in place ...I probably wouldn't pull a tape to build mounts ...

So your process is some NASA level DARPA winning work.

The spatial relationships your coming up with is some hero level data...

Thank you for sharing this work

 

[pjtoledo]

@Munts77 can you get close up shots of the motor mount holes on the EB engine? with a ruler?