97 turbo 2.3

[xsaylr]

Is the stock radiator & fan good enough to cool a Ranger 2.3, if a turbo is added? I was thinking at least an electric fan, but I'm not seeing a whole lotta options for those

 

[Ranger850]

intercooler??

 

[franklin2]

Is the stock radiator & fan good enough to cool a turbo'd 2.3? I was thinking at least an electric fan, but I'm not seeing a whole lotta options for those

I would say yes. I had a 85.5 SVO mustang with the turbo 4 and the radiator was the same as a normal mustang. Those motors are designed for short bursts of power, I doubt it would have time to get hot enough. I was never in full boost for more than a minute and that would be pulling a long hill. I remember the factory manual did not allow towing with the 2.3 turbo, probably for that reason.

 

[Blmpkn]

Those 2.3s are so over-cooled as it is you'll probably be fine with stock equipment.

 

[xsaylr]

Just realized I need to reword this. Right now I just have a standard 2.3l in the Ranger, that I'm planning on adding a turbo to. Yeah I imagine that your SVOs cooling system was adequate, it's probably more suited than a standard Ranger's, I'm guessing. I know there's plenty of others who've done what I'm planning, but I haven't seen much for aftermarket cooling.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I mean, how much do you need? Iirc, the original 2.3 turbo didn't have an intercooler, and the later ones had a crappy top mounted one that wasn't all that great.

 

[xsaylr]

I mean, how much do you need? Iirc, the original 2.3 turbo didn't have an intercooler, and the later ones had a crappy top mounted one that wasn't all that great.

I need to reword this, my engine is not a factory turbo engine

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

It's going to depend on what you're using for a turbo, boost, etc. If you're bolting on a Pad Thai Pounder, Nagasaki Noisy Boi, Wuhan War Whistle, etc, your cooling needs will probably vary from the original Ford turbo.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I updated to a V6 radiator on my turbo 2.3L but the dynamics of the coolant volume make the temperature swing pretty good...

Depending on the application the stock radiator will likely be fine... I've towed with mine (3000lb combined added to normal vehicle weight) over mountain passes and it did fine, just went slow and steady in 4th I think... that was like 10 years ago so I don't remember... I know it was a single axle enclosed trailer with my 350X 3 wheeler in it and some pallets and other camping stuff...

Worst case swap to a V6 radiator or at least auto trans radiator, but on a 2 wheel drive you'll probably be fine anyway...

 

[xsaylr]

It's going to depend on what you're using for a turbo, boost, etc. If you're bolting on a Pad Thai Pounder, Nagasaki Noisy Boi, Wuhan War Whistle, etc, your cooling needs will probably vary from the original Ford turbo.

I forget where that was said, was it Joe Dirt? I've used Flex A Lite fans before, and earlier today saw that they have some models that'd work, if it comes to that. Prolly just run with what it's got to start, we'll see how it goes

 

[scotts90ranger]

For the record I'm running a stock fan and clutch without a shroud (blew a radiator at a mud event, changed it in the dark at a friends house in gravel, skipped the shroud for one reason or another, haven't gotten to it yet... and it's a 4.0L shroud anyway so it's not even efficient...), I don't run an intercooler and it pretty much only drives offroad or to offroad stuff which is usually longer or harder than most street use...

I just changed to the big 4.0L radiator because I thought I needed it, I'm running the smaller 4.0L radiator now because it's cheaper (and shallower, that fan clutch spring with low range and axle wrap likes to meet up with the radiators which gets expensive...), it works fine...

 

[xsaylr]

For the record I'm running a stock fan and clutch without a shroud (blew a radiator at a mud event, changed it in the dark at a friends house in gravel, skipped the shroud for one reason or another, haven't gotten to it yet... and it's a 4.0L shroud anyway so it's not even efficient...), I don't run an intercooler and it pretty much only drives offroad or to offroad stuff which is usually longer or harder than most street use...

I just changed to the big 4.0L radiator because I thought I needed it, I'm running the smaller 4.0L radiator now because it's cheaper (and shallower, that fan clutch spring with low range and axle wrap likes to meet up with the radiators which gets expensive...), it works fine...

Cool, I like to think I won't hammer on it much, but we'll see. It's such a tired old engine right now that it just irritates me. But rebuilt, shouldn't be such a turd, and I should have more patience. Either way, I can't imagine using it more than how it sounds you do, so hell maybe it'll be fine. I'll keep the 4.0 rad in mind if it comes to that

 

[corerftech]

If you're bolting on a Pad Thai Pounder, Nagasaki Noisy Boi, Wuhan War Whistle, etc,

That is bad ass. Can I adopt those or are they proprietary? License fees due? Copyrighted?

may 6:30 am, that s a good read to start the day. Funny as hell.

Pad Thai Pounder——- I envision something from the movie “The Hangover” though.
I can’t stop laughing- no lie-I am crying.