• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

97 Ranger 2.3l Turbo Build


Trentonious

New Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
So I bought this '97 Ranger from a friend that had been building the internals of the engine & adding all the exciting turbo setup but he had to stop before it was complete. Right now I'm piecing together the remaining factors to its build.

2.3l turbo engine with the 60 trim turbo..
What's missing is the MAF & intake piping from the manifold but the inter cooler & most everything else is there. My battles are against finding the right intake with MAF & either the turbo ECU out of whatever vehicle is compatible or an aftermarket one.. :icon_confused:

I've done quite a bit of research but Most of my findings for parts are from the older models which seem to be more common in this build. Any tips or suggestions at which websites to search are appreciated!!
Luckily we do have a tuner shop here that can do the programming once I get to that point :icon_thumby:
 


evanesce69

Member
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Jul 16, 2008
Messages
291
Reaction score
11
Points
18
Location
Bridge City, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Get a megasquirt like the PimpX from:

https://www.stinger-performance.com/universalparts.html


It's housed in a factory ecm case and plugs into the factory wiring harness in the stock ecm location. It will control everything, has nice software, USB interface for a laptop and best if all allows you to delete the restrictive MAF sensor. You would have total control over every function too.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,291
Reaction score
8,296
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Welcome to TRS :)

Have a look here at Turbo articles: http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/engines-fuel-systems/

Down about half way
That's for Ranger specific info

The 2.3l turbos were more popular with mustang II guys
Google: mustang ii 2.3l turbo swaps

There will be much more info on the ins and outs of 2.3l Lima turbo conversions
 

Sevensecondsuv

New Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,140
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Northern IL
Vehicle Year
Many
Make / Model
All Fords!
Engine Size
Many
Transmission
Manual
Your truck is an eec-v (104 pin computer and associated electronics), whereas the factory turbo stuff is eec-iv (60 pin computer). Using an original turbo computer and VAM (early predecesdor to a MAF that the turbo cars used) is going to be way more trouble than it's worth. The simplest way to do it is retain the stock computer and tune it with sct or similar tuner through the obd port. As for a MAF, I'd recommend a later Ford slot MAF in a blow through tube after the intercooler. That MAF setup is easy to tune and you scale power range with tube size. Then get whatever injectors you want. Ford lighting green tops or even first gen coyote injectors are plenty for a stockish (<250 hp) 2.3 turbo. This is the setup I'm running on my 2001 with excellent results. Look up lowranger96 on turboford; he helped me tune mine and may be willing to help you.

The PIMP megasquirt is another option but isnt usually used to interface with eec-v electronics. It's usually used to replace the eec-iv systems due to tuning limitations. You'd have to contact Shannon at Stinger Performance to see what he thinks about using it on an eec-v vehicle.
 
Last edited:

Mr_Lee

New Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Windham Centre, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
L33 5.3 LS
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
5"
Tire Size
245/45zr17 & 275/40zr17
Get a 2.5L ECU, they are plug and play with the 1997 harness and have more tuning options. While you at the junkyard get a slotmaf from a 2005+ Focus. Use 42lb green top FoMoCo injectors. Get a tune from SCT Flash and call it a day.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top