2.9 turbo

[1986ford_ranger]

any one ever do a 2.9 turbo?? i got a stock turbo off a 2.3 that i wanted to put on a 2.9 and run 6 psi what any one think???

 

[IMenriched]

A few have done this, very few...pretty sure that it isn't quite as straight forward as your hoping.

If i remember right you'll need to convert your 86 to a MAF and LOTS of plumbing with intake and exhuast.

If your going to keep the boost on the lower side it should be fine. If the boost is going to get into double digits....well your efforts are going to better placed else where.

More have maybe swapped out the 2.9 for the 4 banger with Turbo...lots less issues with EMC and sensors and the like.

 

[1986ford_ranger]

i dont think i need the map at all y all u got to do is weld up some pipes bigger injectors and bigger fuel pump and with the 2.9 at 9.71 run 6 lbs of boost and play with your timeing flash the ecu program it and put a boots gage and ekg gage and a air to fuel dont let it get lower then 13.1 air to fuel i thing its is the easy thing to do really u can get more out of a 2.9 then a lil 2.3 i think

 

[igiveup]

Hello

Running a stock ECM it won't work. Mass air will help and you will still need your map sensor. You will need to find some one to reprogram your ECM. Bigger injectors won't help since they can only vary 10% up or down so that means your ECM will be confused. I found that out with my stock ECM on my 86 t-bird when trying to run 19lbs injectors. Ran very rich to the point of black smoke coming out of the tail pipes.

The 2.3l turbo swap would be easyer and cheaper.

igiveup

 

[Ranger5.0]

go to it, let us know how it works out

 

[holyford86]

The EECIV computers are not "flashable" you can add on a chip to modify the curves. Your MAP system is not going to work very well at all with boost, it won't know what to do to make the engine run right with boost, it doesn't monitor airflow directly, it infers engine load from among other things, engine vacuum and throttle blade position. A MAF system measures actual airflow and will more readily adapt to boost. If it was me I would monitor the turbo boost and A/F ratios before and after adding boost with a completely stock MAF setup running the stock 14lb/hr injectors first and then making changes to injectors and such after, instead of guessing beforehand. 13:1 A/F ratio is a bit rich I would get concerned if my A/F ratio went above 14.7:1 for any length of time. If you want more power a 4.0 swap is the most cost effective swap, A well designed 2.9 turbocharger setup would be kind of neat though, but much more expensive.
On another note I did not know that monitoring electrocardiograms would be beneficial in a turbo setup btw

 

[1986ford_ranger]

well im doing the 4.0 sohc swap in my 1986 ranger right now and supercharge it i got a 1990 ranger with the 2.9 i just want to do something that u dont see all the time and alot of ppl are telling me do the 2.3 swap ya sure if i can fine a hole harnes big paine in my ass i think for where im at and lot of ppl tell me just do the 5.0 well sure but 1000000000000 ppl do that how many 2.9 turbos do u see in a ranger ?? watching the air to fuel is nice so you dont burn up a engine and egts so you dont melt the turbo or header id ratter be a lil rich then lead im going to try it first and see what i cant get a friend of mine told me he can run it on the dyno and get the fuel right for me ill let ya all no how it go's and show some pics

 

[Psychopete]

BigBlockRanger ran turbo on his 2.9L with just a MAF computer. Stock ECM is just asking for trouble, I converted my 2.9L to MAF because the cam I installed wasn't computer friendly. Also - you do need to retain the MAP sensor because it also functions as a barometric pressure sensor (altitude). But you can disconnect/plug the vacuum, just need to retain the electrical connection.

Pete

 

[wannaturbo2.9]

You definitely don't see a 2.9 turbo very often, the fact that someone did it and it worked with a stock engine computer gives me hope. I've been toying with this idea for awhile. I am going slow due to lack of money, but making some progress. I found a 2.9 mass air flow computer at the wrecking yard and swapped it in. Now I need to work out the bugs...

 

[Psychopete]

You definitely don't see a 2.9 turbo very often, the fact that someone did it and it worked with a stock engine computer gives me hope. I've been toying with this idea for awhile. I am going slow due to lack of money, but making some progress. I found a 2.9 mass air flow computer at the wrecking yard and swapped it in. Now I need to work out the bugs...

What MAS did you end up using (just curious)?

Pete

 

[wannaturbo2.9]

I am using the sensor from the same 2.9 that the computer came from. Thank god for cash for clunkers. The main bug/problem I've got is the truck had a manual trans and I've got a automatic.

 

[Psychopete]

I am using the sensor from the same 2.9 that the computer came from. Thank god for cash for clunkers. The main bug/problem I've got is the truck had a manual trans and I've got a automatic.

That sucks man. Where are you located? I would trade you even up for my auto MAF computer. I've been meaning to sell it since my 5.0L is up and going, but I've been hurting for time lately.

Pete

 

[wannaturbo2.9]

I'm in Portland Oregon. Sooo it would have to be shipped. I'm probably going to just have to figure out the wiring. The od won't work because of the solenoids, I'm going to have to manualy shift the thing. Might be interested in a trade, or buying yours cause it would be a pain to have to push the button while slaming on the brakes and avoiding parked cars on the freeway.

 

[Psychopete]

Don't know if you want to do this, but sell what you have (I am sure someone is after one of those computers over an auto ) and I'll take what you can get out the manual computer + shipping if you'd be interested in doing that. Or let me know what you think it would be worth. Not sure how plentiful these are around there, had to order from a junk yard in Cali to get one here.

Pete

 

[wannaturbo2.9]

I wired in a couple of relays into a toggle switch and my brake switch, took it for a test drive and it did ok. I have my original ecm, and extra pins for connector if I decide to switch back. I have oversize tires on mine with incorrect gears so I didn't like the shift pattern it had anyway. What do you think is a fair price for a ecm? I know they are rare I have been going to the junkyard for a couple of years looking for one.