Many Question for my Ongoing project

[bmxboy809]

Here is what I have

1986 Ranger 2.3 2wd
1988 thunderbird turbocoupe 2.3T
LA3 Tbird computer
Truck harness
new VAM

I thought this swap was gonna be easy but now its in and it doesnt run. We are using the new motor with the new computer and a repinned harness to match the new computer. One problem i have is that the motor won't idle at if the VAM is plugged on. Unplug the VAM and it idles much much better. We tried to read the trouble codes and they tell us none of the sensors are working. I bought an electronic fuel pressure gauge and put it on the fuel rail in place of that schreoder valve and the pressure pumps up to 35 when i first turn the key, then drops to 0. when the motor is running the fuel pressure is all over between 0 and 35 but even 35psi seems a little low. If it was running super lean like the fuel pressure regulator was no good that would make all kinds of things go wrong. if you have any input please post!

 

[Davis]

fuel pressure is supposed to be at 39 with the key on, engine off. if it drops from 35 immediately after the pump initially primes, you probably have a bad regulator.

but the codes point at something else if they say no sensors are working.

 

[63'sprint]

Major electrical problems often are grounding issues...maybe

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Double check all your wiring. When I did my swap, I had messed up two wires in the VAM harness and it would start, but not idle.

 

[bmxboy809]

we checked all the wiring and we believe it is in fact wired correctly. The fuel pressure regulator would explain why when we plug the vam on it doesn't idle because it would be trying to add fuel it isn't receiving. Does anyone know if the regulator off of my N/A 2.3 is the same so i can switch that over?

 

[Davis]

yup, N/A fprs are the same.

 

[bmxboy809]

I switched over my Fuel Pressure Regulator and now it runs much better. The throttle response seems to be kinda slow. I can crack the throttle wide open and shut it again before anything really even happens. Also i have only about 18in of exhaust pipe off the turbo right now for testing and a jet of flame is comming out at higher rpm. i have never ran a turbo without any exhaust so is it normal to see flame through the turbine?

 

[mini274]

tour throttle response is gonna be slow its a turbo motor and your flame is cool to look at but not good on turbos all the people out here runnin open down pipes dont realize you ctually hurt your hp and tourqe by not haveing exhaust better off runnin 2.5 inch at least to the axle

 

[Davis]

sounds like your ignition timing may be retarded about 20*. it'll run okay like that, but it'll be sluggish and fuel will be burning in the manifold and exhaust pipe instead of in the combustion chamber.

check that with a timing light, i'll bet it's off. base timing should be 10* with the SPOUT out, or around 30-35 with it in (it'll vary).

 

[bmxboy809]

First of all my exhaust is only temporary for testing before i get an exhaust bent up because im not gonna pay for an exhaust if the motor doesnt run. but while I am at it what is the best size to run? i was going to run 3in after the cat.

I have tried timming this thing and it has been a nightmare. I followed the procedure in the book and base timming set at 10*. Then putting the SPOUT connector back in it jumps to 30-35* just as described. My new problem is that any time i rev it up a little it jumps to high idle like 2300 rpm. if i let it sit it will drop back down to about 800rpm but does the same thing if i rev it again. It isnt really even driveable this way but the only thing i can think of is that currently i have no BOV installed, since we have just got it running and arent driving it yet, and if there is any pressure in front of the throttle plate it is shoving it through the IAC. I am going to put a boost gauge on it this weekend but if there is an excess pressure it is very very small.

 

[Davis]

unplug the IAC. problem solved.

the IAC on these things sucks and only works right when stock or when the stars are aligned.

 

[bmxboy809]

it doesnt idle if i take out the IAC. Then it really just pukes and wont run. I understand this is a good test to see if that is infact the problem but when i am driving it every day it will idle funny wont it? or will it be fine without the IAC? Also when i got the piece between the turbo and TB there was like a vacuum inducer or something on it, that being said is this turbo supposed to be bypassing a little air all the time? or was that just off of an automatic Transmission so it can shift under boost?

 

[scotts90ranger]

if you unplug the IAC, you would have to up the base idle screw

 

[bmxboy809]

Ok i will try that for now and ill let you know how it works.

what kind of muffler are most of you guys running? I thought maybe a supertrap would be cool but they are expensive.

 

[Davis]

I am running a Summit Racing glasspack. It's a 3" dia and it's the longer one. It's a little loud for cruising, but actually sounds pretty good and throaty. Oh yeah, it's dirt cheap too!

If I were to get any other muffler, it would be a magnaflow.