4.0l A4LD into my 2.3l ranger TQ converter q's

[kwellst]

as the title implies i am swapping a 94 model A4LD from a 4.0l explorer into my 2.3l ranger. my ranger already has an A4LD and its puked its guts. i know the bell housings are swappable. what im curious about are the converters. i would like to have a high stall converter, i found one at transmissioncenter.org, but it doesnt list which engine. i plan on putting a turbo on later. could i use one from a turbo coupe, or do all the 2.3l converters stall at around the same speed?? are the converters all the same for A4LD's??

 

[AllanD]

Stall speed of a torque converter is a slippery thing (pun intended)

a converter that will stall at one rpm with one engine will stall at a different point with a stronger or weaker engine, in a lighter or heavier vehicle or in a vehicle with a different gear ratio or tire size.

there are a whole bunch of variables NEVER adressed by people advertising
their "Stall speed".

a "High stall" converter will slip more generate more thermal energy
and contribute to more temp buildup and shock load to downstream
components.

The 4.0 converter feels really "tight" on a 2.9 engine, I've driven that combo before...
it isn't a spectacular performer, but they do get good gas mileage.

Is this 2.3 going to have a turbo on it? if so I'd run the 4.0 converter
simply to avoid breaking things.

AD

 

[kwellst]

it will eventually have a turbo. im planning by christmas to have a turbo motor installed. but it will be a daily driver until then. ive got the trans apart because i am rebuilding it. i figured since i was going to a turbo by the end of the year, then i'd go ahead and put a good converter in it, even tho it is a stock engine. and i do plan on running a heavy duty trans cooler.

 

[AllanD]

a "high stall converter" that'll work on a 2.3N/A will probably
slip too much on a turbo.

One that'll be "right" on a 2.3T will be a lot like a stock 4.0 convertor.

the amusing thing is that you can SEE the difference in the A4LD converters just by looking at the number of welds holding the vanes in place inside the converter

The 2.3Turbo is not a super revvy power engine but does most of it's work
some low end torque (highly variable depending on the exact turbo you use)
and it's FAT midrange.

But by and large it's a torque engine.

265ft/lb STOCK from an '87-88 Turbocoupe engine.

I've seen a 2.3 turbo engine with all stock ford components
with a doctored wastegate control make 250hp and 360ft/lb

that kind of torque is really fun...

AD

 

[kwellst]

would a stock 4.0l converter bolt up to a 2.3 flywheel??

 

[AllanD]

Yep.

AD

 

[tpking]

allan ive been around for a good number of year on here and it still amazes me what all you know

 

[AllanD]

why thank you, Donations to show appreciation can be sent via paypal


I usually deny any knowledge of Automatic transmissions and to
further the belief that I don't know them I perform a human sacrifice
every few years... I choose from the people who actually adress an
A4LD question to me Via a PM. (This is a veiled threat that you can't
really know isn't serious)

But here's a freebee. ALL A4LD torque converters are EXTERNALLY the same
what is different is what's inside them.

Driving a 2.9 on a 4.0 converter is kinda weird.

I really don't like automatics.
Every time I've been stuck somewhere in someone else's vehicle
there has been an automatic transmission behind it.

with an automatic trans you cannot "fine tune" the vehicle's attitude
in a corner by slightly varying throttle pressure, so you can't drive a vehicle
with an auto at anywhere near the level that you can with a manual trans

AD

 

[kwellst]

with an automatic trans you cannot "fine tune" the vehicle's attitude
in a corner by slightly varying throttle pressure, so you can't drive a vehicle
with an auto at anywhere near the level that you can with a manual trans

AD

i agree with that statement, but the truck is already equipped with an automatic. i would change it since i do have a 90 model ranger that is a donor truck(yes mine is a 93). everything i have owned has been a manual trans, and im looking for a change. that and im gonna use my manual trans in my 03 ranger. a project soon to come.