Is this turbo setup worth $800?

[beavernation01]

Found this recently for sale just need opinions. This guy is pretty convincing saying these are the "best" parts for a complete stock swap......Opinions?? 88 Ford Turbo Coupe motor with about 100K on it, ran great when pulled, IHI turbo included.
Complete Merkur XR4Ti wiring harness and LA3 computer
Large VAM-Vane Air Meter
Bigger downpipe
Bigger OEM injectors(brown or green top, can't remember)
Ranger roller cam and roller followers
Working T5 5 speed still attached, clutch, flywheel

 

[scotts90ranger]

the best of the stock stuff is there... best ecm and vam, etc. If you get it and swap it to your truck, use the trucks stock wiring harness and add the vam and other stuff. use your stock tranny, it's just fine...

 

[beavernation01]

Still the FNG

I am still guessing about going the turbo route or transplant a 4.0?. I am gonna stick with the stock 5sp. I have not done an engine swap before but have two buddies with strong backs and weak minds to help me. Have a nice converted barn to work in and plenty of tools. Just looking for a smooth dependable DD to have some fun with. After I dumped my Legacy GT I am itchin to get boostin again......Thanx for any input!!!

 

[Davis]

Just looking for a smooth dependable DD to have some fun with.

2.3 turbo:
Tough? Check.
Powerful? Check.
Cheap? Check.
Dependable? Not so much.
Smooth? Absolutely not.

 

[scotts90ranger]

yeah, I've had dependability issues... been working on that though.

a 4.0 would be about the same power as a stock turbo engine, dead reliable if it's in good shape and able to do whatever you want assuming it's in front of a M5OD, the one in my explorer is a beast, 200K and going strong, if I was doing it again I would consider the 4.0, not that I regret the turbo as it's definitely cool and fun and impressive when it's working...

 

[Turbo Ranger 88]

What s wrong

2.3 turbo:
Tough? Check.
Powerful? Check.
Cheap? Check.
Dependable? Not so much.
Smooth? Absolutely not.

How come it's not dependable and why not smooth. I am fixing to do a 87 turbo swap into and 88 ranger.

 

[mp3deviant721]

I'd do it. Or do a 4.0 swap and turbo that.

 

[beavernation01]

Leaning to the 4.0

Scotts90 thanks for the input. We are not too far apart in miles!....I am rollin on some paint right now but am really itchin to try a swap. If i recall correctly I had a buddy who was using a variation of the 2.3 (2.0 Pinto's I think) to power his sand rails. They were hookin um to vw transaxle for a real wheel drive (wheelie rail). He was makin some big numbers with out turbo's and i gotta get with him. As simple as the TC swap would be I know that a 4.0 from the early nineties would be even easier........Keep the help coming and thanks!.......Brian.....

 

[scotts90ranger]

yeah, just realized that, wierd... especially since until january I lived in Tigard, and I work in Tualatin so I drive through Wilsonville all the time... since you are so close, if you decide to go the turbo route, I could walk you through the swap pretty easy, take my truck over and copy some stuff... I have some things I would improve a second time but a lot I would repeat...

 

[beavernation01]

That's cool!

Wow Scotts90 that is a very generous offer. i am still pickin what I can afford to do to this truck right now as my budget is not over the top yet. I really want DEPENDABILITY over everything else. Whether that is the stock 2.3, a swapped TC 2.3 or a 4.0!...Has anybody out there tried there Turbo 2.3 on ethanol. We have a decent supply out here and I was researching it before I sold my Legacy GT. Fascinating to me but a wicked balance of power/dependability?????

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm curious about what the dependability issues Davis is talking about are and if they are the same as mine...

I have both a 4.0 explorer and a turbo ranger, so either can be an example... not really offering to do all the work, more like pointers, BS and lend a hand if I can

for the record, I got my engine for $600, another couple hundred in nickel and dime things (E6 manifold to replace the cracked E3, timing belt, valve seals, lash adjusters, and a few other things), then I had a broken injector that leaked ($80 for a used set), VAM failed (like $40 for a used one of those), new exhaust system (a couple hundred there too and I did it myself), it adds up

 

[skyy_4life]

I'm curious about what the dependability issues Davis is talking about are and if they are the same as mine...

I have both a 4.0 explorer and a turbo ranger, so either can be an example... not really offering to do all the work, more like pointers, BS and lend a hand if I can

for the record, I got my engine for $600, another couple hundred in nickel and dime things (E6 manifold to replace the cracked E3, timing belt, valve seals, lash adjusters, and a few other things), then I had a broken injector that leaked ($80 for a used set), VAM failed (like $40 for a used one of those), new exhaust system (a couple hundred there too and I did it myself), it adds up

Same, i have a lifted 4.0 ranger, and a lowrider 2.3 turbo and i have had more problems out of my 4.0 than anything, but its prolly just mine because my engine is NEW, and i mean new, everything on the truck been replaced, but i keep having hyper chip problems. lol.

but i would deff call my 2.3t a reliable truck. i drive it to west virginia which is a 4 hours truck multiple times.

 

[Davis]

I'm curious about what the dependability issues Davis is talking about are and if they are the same as mine...

I'll be the first to admit, I've been hard on my truck and have expected a lot out of it. I'll list the problems I've had that I can remember. This is since 2003 with a two year break where it was parked in storage.

overheating
broken rings #1 (stock ranger engine, no turbo)
blown HG #1
alternator #1
blown shock absorber
alternator #2
worn out tie rod ends
worn out clutch #1
worn out tranny #1 (m5od)
u-joints #1
lightly burned valves
battery #1
worn out clutch #2
u-joints #2
broken timing belt #1
cracked cylinder wall (rebuilt ranger engine with forged pistons)
broken rings #2
sheared aux/dist gear
blown HG #2
alternator #3
worn out rings (spare engine I used until I could build a decent shortblock)
battery #2
brake booster
worn out clutch #2
worn out tranny #2 (t5)
starter
broken timing belt #2
bent valves
intercooler welds have split on 3 occasions
i fried an ECU and chip on 2 seperate occasions (don't ever remove a chip with the key on)
that's all I can remember


So, uhhh yeah...
It's been less than reliable.