I want to turbo/ or supercharge my Ranger any suggestion ps I really just want more HP

[lil_Blue_Ford]

understood, but I refuse to own one of those rube goldberg monstrosities !

Just so you’re aware that kit would need to be modified at best to work on the OHV

 

[Mechrick]

There’s people claiming to run stock computers with up to 10 psi of boost

Maybe with significantly higher fuel pressure, but it's not the right way to do it. Even Paxton charged Fox Mustangs were limited to about 6 psi using a rising rate FPR.

The problem is 10 psi is 66% more fuel. Ford specs stock injectors that are already at 80% duty cycle (or close). A chip can (and probably did) run them at 100% duty cycle, but injectors aren't designed to be run that way.

I guess my point is if contemplating forced induction, stay away from crutch fixes. I've converted many such abominations to aftermarket controllers over the years. The current crop of aftermarket injectors are sorted by pintle opening time and flow rates, so running a big injector is much less likely to create idle issues.

I feel the same way about trying to run forced induction with a carb. I did that once and never again.

 

[Brain75]

If two of the key issues is ECU being smart enough to drive it that far and injectors big enough... I got to ask, would it not be smarter/easier/better results to add a blower to a 3.0 flex fuel...the flex fuel uses bigger injectors and the computer has a bigger range to push that high I would assume... with a blower just no point being flex anymore, run regular E0 in it.

 

[SenorNoob]

I like the way you think. Doesn't the flex fuel have some kind of sensor to measure the alcohol content of the fuel though? Might have to alter that to get it to not throw codes.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I like the way you think. Doesn't the flex fuel have some kind of sensor to measure the alcohol content of the fuel though? Might have to alter that to get it to not throw codes.

Only the early ones had the sensor. Later ones did away with it and my understanding is that the sensor has become NLA because it’s apparently made of Unobtanium.

Also I have heard of swapping the flex fuel injectors on non flex fuel trucks because they are bigger.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Back in the 90s the hot trick for forced induction on a stock computer was to double your injector size and to run a Y-pipe on the intake with two MAFs but only one plugged into anything that way the computer is seeing half the air and half the fuel. The MAF vs injector flow curves don't match up perfectly but it's close enough for the computer to work with.

 

[superj]

wow, thats a crazy plan.

 

[stmitch]

Tom Morana (moranav6racing.com) offered a bunch of hp parts for the 3.0. His site is not currently working, and his social media page doesn't get updated very often, so not sure what the deal is.

The stock PCM might handle some low boost, but it's not going to do very well with it. The 3.0 likes to ping in stock form, so adding a bunch of boost and hoping that there's enough overhead in the injector tables to keep up seems like a bad idea.

You can get custom PCM tunes through a local tuner (many have used local SCT guys with good results) for under $500. That's cheap insurance compared to the cost/hassle of an engine rebuild or replacement.

Megasquirt or Microsquirt could be an option too for people with smaller budgets and more time/experience tuning.

My suggestion to anybody wanting more power from their 3.0 is always something like this:
1st priority- inexpensive, easy
-Throttle cable mod
- Make sure maintenance is up to date and no issues with engine condition


2nd priority- Cost increases a bit, but mostly bolt on parts that will have a noticeable effect
- Underdrive pulley
- Electric cooling fan conversion
- headers/exhaust
- Roller rockers (assuming Morana still sells them). I'd also add valve spring upgrades at this point as stock springs tend to float at higher rpm.

3rd priority- Most expensive and/or advanced but net biggest improvements
- Camshaft replacement
- Porting/polishing lower intake manifold and cylinder heads
- Adding boost. There have been a number of boosted Vulcan 3.0s over the years, both here and other corners of the internet. Stock bottom end is good for ~15lbs at least, but I've never read of anybody pushing enough boost to break one (provided they have a proper PCM tune). Ford was comfortable offering the Whipple kit with a warranty at 10psi, so that seems like a conservative boost level, and you can experiment from there.

You'll want to make sure you've got proper axle gearing for your goals as well.


For a pretty normal truck, and a person with a limited budget/ average wrenching skill level I'd probably just do the efan and underdrive pulley and be done. They'll free up some hp and improve fuel economy at the same time. Maybe add a cat back exhaust if you want to make it sound a bit more aggressive.

 

[red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L]

*cough, puke, gasp* buy a chevy (I just threw up in my mouth a little)... aftermarket support for modding up a chevy is 10x what there is for ford....

to true

 

[superj]

and hopefully your 3.0 is one that the under drive pulleys are easily available. 04 and newer seems to be a no-go anymore. i would love under drive pulleys

 

[J.DangerRanger]

I’m new to the modifying Ford scene so I’m just curious because I’m interested in the supercharger/turbo route possibilities myself, so in the interest of helping the original poster out I’m wondering if SCT software would let you modify the value in the injector deadtime and fuel tables, possibly the timing, for adding boost and reflash it through the obd 2 port? I work on VW/Audi and you can modify injector deadtimes, AFR targets and fuel tables as well as timing and reflash through the obd 2 port with Eurdyne reflash software. I know it’s a different platform and obd 1 will probably require a chip and socket soldered in but, Bosch ME7 ecu has a knock sensor for timing retard and it can compensate for 25% either way of the target AFR, I’m not sure how the Ford ecu works compared to this one? Just throwing out ideas for thought not sure if any of this helps but I think it’s relevant to the topic of the post