87 turbo t bird into 89 ranger

[jeff115]

i just started puting a 87 thunder bird motor in my 89 ranger. the ranger already has a t5 tranny and the ranger computer is junk so were do i find a standalone controller for the fuel system? im using an hx35 for a turbo going for 20 psi so what do i need to match it on the fuel side? and i would love any sudgestions on what i should do or anything im doing wrong thanks for the help

 

[mini274]

megasquirt would be good but if i were you repinn the ranger harness and get an LA3 out of a TC... its easier and a little cheaper... for your fuel a 190 LPH fuel pump, some injectors 60# should work some other guys can give you more info on that... i would reccomend a fuel pressure regulator but you dont need it... a wide band O2 for tuning... that should hold 20psi but i would suggest some head studs and a head gasket... and welcome toTRS

 

[88gt]

i agree get the computer out of a thunderbird. they are regularly found on ebay for under a hundred bucks. the la3 is the best available but others will work just fine.

 

[YeahItsA4Cyl]

i owned a turbo coupe, for 20psi unless u alredy have the holset, i would get a stock T3 from a early model turbocoupe, merkur or svo they are perfect for 20 psi. u can use the stock injectors and stock turbocoupe LA3 computer. 20 psi is a relatively EASY step on the 2.3T personally if ur runnin the holset go 25 and get like 42lb or 50lb injectors STILL WITH STOCK COMPUTER. she would rip in your ranger. i plan on doing a 2.3T swap in my 86 single cab shortbed

no need for megasquirt or fancy upgrades. if u want 20psi on a stock 2.3T keep it all stock and just crank up boost (with a t3 or bigger) get a walboro 255hp fuel pump, this will assure you dont loose fuel pressure. i had my 87 TC stock with 15psi and lost fuel pressure, ran lean and now i sellin her with a hole in the piston and scared cylinder wall.

you can learn alot from
TurboFord.net
and
TurboTbird.com

also good 2.3T parts can be found in the vendors section of turbo tbird. www.stinger-performance.com is one of the most respected vendors of the 2.3T along with 40bob.

EDIT: and yes a fuel pressure regulator and a wideband is always a plus but not needed.

read up on those two sites and it will give u an idea of how easy it is to reach 20pis on a 2.3T youll be surprised what you can do with a stock 2.3T

 

[jeff115]

nice thanks guys im using the holset cause i had it and the stock one is missing the waste gate and has a damaged compressor wheel. i got a lb2 on the way so ill start soon

 

[88gt]

cool, best of luck to you on your build

 

[YeahItsA4Cyl]

holset will be good for more boost. you might see after you get everything running that it will have boost lag because of the large turbo, its good for top end boost but if you just like ridin the streets and such you might want to end up going with something a little smaller to help with the spool time. WHEN i do my 2.3T build im thinking of going with a standard t3 at about 21psi. with a fully build engine and 21psi in my little ranger (aka rocket ranger HAHA) she should be rollin pretty quick. if you build ur engine right, go with a good cam (check bo-port cams), open up the exhaust, maybe some porting to the manifolds and such you should be pretty darn quick your gunna love the performance you get from these 2.3Ts. but i cant stress enough, UPGRADE THE FUEL SYSTEM before you start anything. its better to spend a couple hundred bucks to make sure your fuel system wont fail.

and another thing, ALWAYS GO MOTORCRAFT when you working with plugs, wires, ignition system. these engine will burn up ur autozone/napa or w.e. other type of plugs in about 6 months. not saying they will, but they have a reputation.

jus search those forums i gave you and youll see alot of info.

 

[jeff115]

hey thanks ill look in those i need to get the motivation to go finish this.

and lag isnt a big deal on my cummins im running a single ht3b 76/8?/26 it has about 600 usable rpms

 

[AllanD]

megasquirt would be good but if i were you repinn the ranger harness and get an LA3 out of a TC... its easier and a little cheaper... for your fuel a 190 LPH fuel pump, some injectors 60# should work some other guys can give you more info on that... i would reccomend a fuel pressure regulator but you dont need it... a wide band O2 for tuning... that should hold 20psi but i would suggest some head studs and a head gasket... and welcome toTRS

You DO NOT "need" a 190L/hr fuel pump.

Who here can correctly tell me what fuel pump was factory
equipment on virtually ALL factory 2.3 turbo engines?
(Excepting the Merkur XR4Ti which used a frame mounted pump)

I'll give you a hunt, switching to a 125L/hr might be considered an upgrade....

Ok, I'll give it to you... a 95L/Hr is all a 2.3T needs.

All a bigger pump does is:
A)use more current
B)increase the flow velocity in the return line
C)increase the proportions of the disaster if you ruture the
diaphram in you fuel pressure regulator
and (disturbingly)
D)All of the above

AD

 

[Davis]

You DO NOT "need" a 190L/hr fuel pump.

Who here can correctly tell me what fuel pump was factory
equipment on virtually ALL factory 2.3 turbo engines?
(Excepting the Merkur XR4Ti which used a frame mounted pump)

I'll give you a hunt, switching to a 125L/hr might be considered an upgrade....

Ok, I'll give it to you... a 95L/Hr is all a 2.3T needs.

All a bigger pump does is:
A)use more current
B)increase the flow velocity in the return line
C)increase the proportions of the disaster if you ruture the
diaphram in you fuel pressure regulator
and (disturbingly)
D)All of the above

AD

I'll agree, to a point. I ran my engine with the stock pumps while I used the stock turbo. If you are using any of the stock turbos and gasoline, you don't need a bigger pump. Some have gotten away with 250 rwhp on a stock pump. I consider that on the ragged edge, and I'm not willing to go there.

I run a holset up to 28 psi (more if it spikes) on e85, and there is no way anyone is going to convince me to go with anything less than a 255 lph pump.

It all depends on your setup, how much power you make, how much boost is required to get there, and what fuel you are running. I don't see why you hate the 255 so bad. Sure a lot of people think they need them when they don't, but I'd rather have too much fuel than too little, as I'm not a fan of broken rings and ringlands.

Since he's got a holset, I would recommend getting a 255 and at least 65 pph injectors, as well as a way to tune. Nobody ever keeps a holset at 20 psi. 20 is just where they begin to shine.

 

[YeahItsA4Cyl]

ok you CAN keep the stock fuel pump but with something that age it is likely to fail, and if you boosting when it fails POW your done. take my old 87 TC for example, when i lost fuel and ran lean, i was boostin 16psi strong running 3rd gear and when i lost fuel i blew a hole in the piston and scared the side wall, long story short, she was DONE. if u read on the forum sites i listed the 255hp is a common fuel pump because you KNOW that it can handle just about anything i throw at it. if your running a stock 2.3T setup the stock pump will work, but if ur planning any upgrades, go with the bigger fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator so u know how much fuel is going to the rail. i can tell you right now before i even put a 2.3T in anything, or buy another 2.3T car ima upgrade the pump first!

i agree with davis, the holset is good for something you plan to run on the strip, its made for high end boost at high revs but also im a firm believer in if you already got something, it doesnt hurt to put it on. you may like it or eventually downgrade a little to some faster spool up.

just from expierence, dont go slack on fuel system. id rather have more than i need and know its there, than take the chance on blowing up again.

good luck with the build, keep us updated on it. i think ive decided to keep my ranger stock and do the cosmetics and then get a 4cyl mustang and do the 2.3T swap. im a mustang guy at heart

 

[v8nick]

I ran 20 psi all day in my T3 in my turbo coupe. I wish I never sold that car..