Looking at putting a turbo on my truck curious about options

[Morgen01]

Recently I decided I wanted to turbo my 2.3l 2001 ranger (DOHC) I saw the article about using an 87-88 T-Bird turbo and that looked looked good to me. after seeing some of the kits their price looked good to me. I understand unless I upgrade more of the engine I will need to run low boost. Any suggestions on getting a turbo in my truck would be appreciated.

Kit on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-DURATE...19&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=281353076771&rt=nc#vi-ilComp

 

[straycat]

Have you searched on our site? There is some good turbo advice here.

 

[stmitch]

Your truck has the DOHC Duratec engine. It doesn't share any parts with the older Lima 2.3 that came with a factory turbo, so the 2.3T stuff that you read about doesn't apply to your engine.

There are no turbo kits designed for the Duratec 2.3 when its used in a Ranger. The Duratec/MZR 4 cylinders have huge aftermarket (and even some factory turbo applications), but most of the applications are in FWD vehicles where the engine is sideways, so things like intake/exhaust manifolds won't work in a Ranger. If you want to have a turbo in the engine bay of your Ranger, you'll have to come up with custom intake and exhaust manifolds, plus the normal stuff for boost( injectors, MAF, tuning, etc).

The other option, is to buy a universal remote turbo setup and put the turbo downstream of your cats. It would still require some customizing, but nothing as complex as designing/fabbing totally custom manifolds.

If you really want to turbo your Duratec, there are a couple of guys over at turbo ranger forums with running examples. That forum is full of info about what you want to do. Just Google "turbo ranger Duratec" and you should be able to dig up some threads about their builds.


Edit: after looking at the link you posted, I don't think that kit would fit a Duratec. The exhaust manifold gasket is way different from a Duratec gasket. The gasket shown has D shaped ports like a Lima, not round like a Duratec. I'm guessing that's an Ebay seller that doesn't know what they're selling, or the picture is for a Lima kit.

 

[Morgen01]

Your truck has the DOHC Duratec engine. It doesn't share any parts with the older Lima 2.3 that came with a factory turbo, so the 2.3T stuff that you read about doesn't apply to your engine.

There are no turbo kits designed for the Duratec 2.3 when its used in a Ranger. The Duratec/MZR 4 cylinders have huge aftermarket (and even some factory turbo applications), but most of the applications are in FWD vehicles where the engine is sideways, so things like intake/exhaust manifolds won't work in a Ranger. If you want to have a turbo in the engine bay of your Ranger, you'll have to come up with custom intake and exhaust manifolds, plus the normal stuff for boost( injectors, MAF, tuning, etc).

The other option, is to buy a universal remote turbo setup and put the turbo downstream of your cats. It would still require some customizing, but nothing as complex as designing/fabbing totally custom manifolds.

If you really want to turbo your Duratec, there are a couple of guys over at turbo ranger forums with running examples. That forum is full of info about what you want to do. Just Google "turbo ranger Duratec" and you should be able to dig up some threads about their builds.


Edit: after looking at the link you posted, I don't think that kit would fit a Duratec. The exhaust manifold gasket is way different from a Duratec gasket. The gasket shown has D shaped ports like a Lima, not round like a Duratec. I'm guessing that's an Ebay seller that doesn't know what they're selling, or the picture is for a Lima kit.

sounds like either alot of custom work or an odd solution I suppose I'll wait to see if I find any good ideas for now.
Thanks


http://turborangerforums.com/index.php
^^^^ Just found that place so I may head over to their expertise.

My truck doesn't have limited slip either which makes winter/mud a pain... Is it possible to cannibalize a rear axle from a ranger with limited slip and throw it under mine? Is there a better option than axle replacement?

 

[Morgen01]

Have you searched on our site? There is some good turbo advice here.

The turbo advice is good but its not too good at the Duratech side of turbos. :l

 

[Turbroke]

I'm currently adding an 88' 2.3 TC motor to my 90' Ranger. Tons of info on this and other forums on that swap. Seriously TONS! Good luck.

 

[scotts90ranger]

His problem is he's working with a Duratech engine not the older Lima version...

 

[adsm08]

His problem is he's working with a Duratech engine not the older Lima version...

Oh come on Scott, I seriously doubt that is his ONLY problem. It's just high on the list right now.

 

[Vmaximus]

I was going to do the turbo thing to a Ranger also but elected to do another engine swap. What I was gonna do is find a Thunderbird Turbo coupe and buy the car hopefully non running and cheap. Then I could pull the engine and trans, computer, all harnesses needed and sensors then trash the car. I have seen the cars on Craigslist for about a grand. Now you have the entire package. Rebuild it all and install with an intercooler. Racer Walsh has performance parts if you want to make it BAD. I still may do this at a later date just trying to find car cheap. Hope this helped.