How long for a turbo install

[fixizin]

So far I'm just a spectator in the forced-induction realm, but it seems to me, sitting on the sidelines, reading the tribulations of others (and scribbling notes furiously), that one of the biggest variables for the DIYer is... CUSTOM EXHAUST WORK... can you do this yourself? (Electronics is the other biggie.)

If not, how far away/expensive is an experienced shop?

If you get stuck with project vehicle in a non-driveable state, do you have a 2nd vehicle with room for carrying welded-up exhaust assemblies?

But you're off to a good start: i.e. ASKING QUESTIONS... and as said above--PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.

 

[V8RangerBoy]

With a spot-on tune, 5psi would work. But, I can tell you right now that there's really no way to nail the tune on the first try. And if you miss it by much, just be aware that it will knock a hole in a piston in nothing flat. The 2.3L's like yours run a hypereutectic piston and they do NOT handle any form of detonation well, be it a big bang or a tiny one.

Also, realize that they also don't handle heat well. And in a turbo motor, that's really bad. Boost creates alot of extra heat, and so the chances of melting a piston go up alot as well!

You also need to look at the fuel system. If you're going to be cramming alot of extra air in the cylinders, there needs to be extra fuel there as well.

The exhaust work really isn't too bad. With some good scheming, a welder, and a chop saw you can order up a bunch of mandrel-bent tubing and peice yourself together the rest.

EDIT: Note that when you say 'stock 2.3', what is the 2.3 out of? A turbocoupe 2.3 is ready for a turbo, no question. They come with one. Thus, they run forged pistons, rods, and crank. They have large injectors to supply extra fuel, etc. But, there's not a shot that it will 'plug and play' with your stock wiring harness.

 

[jobar]

EDIT: Note that when you say 'stock 2.3', what is the 2.3 out of? A turbocoupe 2.3 is ready for a turbo, no question. They come with one. Thus, they run forged pistons, rods, and crank. They have large injectors to supply extra fuel, etc. But, there's not a shot that it will 'plug and play' with your stock wiring harness.

When I said 2.3,I ment the ranger 2.3. But, ive been thinking about just getting a junkyard 2.3 and building it up with all the works. Forged pistons, crank, camshaft, etc. and take one weekend to drop in the new motor, and then take another weekend to put the turbo on. What do you think? Good idea, bad idea.

 

[rurouni20xx]

sounds like a good plan but realize itll prob take you longer than a wknd to drop the turbo in is what were saying, itll prob take 2 wknds or a few days after work. the cutting mating welding and such takes time, then of course you have to wire and all that other good noise. then the fun part...tuning. depending on where you go it could take a few hours on a dyno or a long time driving and datalogging (the way ill have to do mine.)

 

[V8RangerBoy]

Yeah, I wouldn't plan on doing it ALL in one weekend. It's possible, but given that "stuff happens", that's not a good plan to head forward with. I came very close to buying a 2.3 Ranger and doing a turbo buildup myself, but that was before I decided not to sell my turbo 5.0.

The "right" way to do a 2.3 is definitely the basics. Forged pistons, crank, and rods, etc. The cam is actually not bad. Stock grinds work surprisingly well with boost. Porting the head is a good idea while it's off. Other than that, the usual - redo bearings and seals, etc. Oh, and ARP head bolts (or studs) if you have plans for "more" performance from it down the road.

The good thing about the 2.3 is that you have a good amount of room to work with under the hood. The manifold and a good starter turbo can be had from a turbocoupe. Grab the intercooler too if you can get it. You will need to find bigger injectors and a bigger fuel pump. Please don't try and use an FMU. They are not a solution to a lack of fuel, and I can damn well promise you it will ultimately cost you the motor if you do use one. The turbocoupe injectors will NOT work here. They are a different impedance and the ECM will be all fuzzed up!

Tuning is the tough part. Where your truck is a '97, you're in luck! My recommendation would be the Sniper Special Forces tuning kit. Comes with software, the flash box, etc - everything you need to build your own tunes and flash your truck. It even comes with datalogging software. But, you will have to invest in a wideband gauge to take full advantage of this. Fortunately some are down to around $200 these days. Amazing what a year will do for that kind of stuff - I spent over $400 on mine!

The bottom line, plan, plan plan. I spent AT LEAST a good 50 hours putting everything of mine together as a "kit" before I ever started installing, and it definitely paid off. Aside from fab issues here and there, my MAF, injectors, tuning software, etc all came together like a dream. I know I'm leaving stuff out, but hey, it's 1AM here and I'm sleepy Hope this helps.

-Matt

 

[jobar]

Right now im just looking for parts. But, do you guys know any good websites for Forged pistons, crank, rods, and heads.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

You only need the pistons. Change your connecting rod bolts over to ARP ones and you'll be set. That's my plan. I do have a worked over head though and Dave did put the turbo valves in. It took some "creative" work on his part because they changed the valve stem size and different springs were needed after that.

James

 

[jobar]

You only need the pistons. Change your connecting rod bolts over to ARP ones and you'll be set. That's my plan. I do have a worked over head though and Dave did put the turbo valves in. It took some "creative" work on his part because they changed the valve stem size and different springs were needed after that.

James

Are you sure pistons are all I need. Because, I want to do this right the first time.

Anybody know a good site to look at?

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

I have the pistons sitting in a box. I will have ARP bolts installed and the block freshened up. That is my plan and all I am doing. Several people over the years have done this with good results. Can it be better? Sure, how much money you got? I will be running the stock computer with 19lb injectors and I may do a wideband O2 to keep tabs on things. george, who I wish was still around, did this on his and was pushing 15lbs of boost IICR. I plan on maxing out the stock computer and then doing a custom tuner of some kind.

James

 

['93BajaSport]

Right now im just looking for parts. But, do you guys know any good websites for Forged pistons, crank, rods, and heads.

CP makes some the best forged 2.3 turbo pistons. The stock crank will handle more power than your driveline ever will. Esslinger is currently the only game in town for aftermarket heads, although Boport Racing Heads does excellent work with Lima porting, cam grinds, and valvetrain. I'm not sure on the rods; I know the stockers are forged, but I not which years had the best stock parts, if any. Crower is one of the few that makes tough aftermarket rods for 2.3s.