N/A 8 plug 2.3, turbo?

[kunar]

will a stock 2.3 8 plug engine handle 8ish lbs of boost? i know i know, youre all thinking "just swap in a 2.3 and be done with it" and in response i say no. right now ive only got a couple hundred bucks in this truck. i bought it as a toy and i figure one day it will probably be my v8 project. in the mean time, i have an e6 manifold, ihi turbo, and turbo coupe intake just sitting around doing nothing. i know its not gonna hold up to the 20+ lbs that the turbo coupe will, thats fine. but the waste gate on an ihi should set to open at about 8 lbs, right? first off, will the stock bottom end handle 8 lbs? will the stock injectors keep up or dop i need a set of brown tops? i have a couple spare sets of injectors, but i dont have any turbo coupe wiring or computer at my disposal. if anybody has any solid advice, someone that knows these engines, i want to hear from you. if all you have to say is "dont do it" dont even bother posting.

 

[clutch87]

im with you man. i have the same motor and im dyin to find out what i can do to it. i dont wanna swap heads or anything. i wanna keep the 8 plug head and make it as mean as i can. there are a couple different heads that fit that block but I wanna keep that head and turbo the hell out of it if i can. I know the engine will need a little work first but i dont wanna change it completely. Mine is in a 94 ford ranger xlt 2wd. If you figure anything out about what can be done with that motor let me know

 

[scotts90ranger]

the stock bottom end minus pistons can handle about 350hp. The limiting factor on your proposed setup is pistons, they can handle about 5psi of boost.

Assuming you are talking about a 2.3 with a MAF sensor (mid '90 up) you don't have to do anything, use the stock intake manifold and throttle body, just keep the MAF before the turbo and it will handle the setup to about 5psi assuming you are semi easy on it for a while to let the O2 system account for the increased volumetric efficiency.

You can most likely tweak the stock waste gate linkage to get you in a safe range, get yourself a low pressure air pressure regulator and low pressure gauge and put air pressure to the vacuum line on the waste gate and shorten the linkage until it opens at 5psi, shouldn't be too hard. I don't remember if it's adjustable, but if it's not kink the linkage to shorten it...

 

[--weezl--]

unless you're saying specifically to his injectors, there IS a point where his injectors will be maxed out and won't push enough for the boost... iirc, even with a decent cam, a 5L ho's motor needs larger injectors

 

[kunar]

It's an 89. It's not maf, so it's speed density right? If the stock pistons will only handle 5 lbs, I don't think it's even worth messing with. I don't need it to be fast, I just figured I had all the stuff so why not? Looks like I may have found a buyer anyways, I might just sell it and make some profit.

 

[beluga420]

Your stock injectors are going to be maxxed out at 3 lbs, I know i ran my engine with the stock injectors before I figured out how to dial-in my 80lbs.. Right at 3lbs A/F ratio was dropping into the 15 zone.

5 lbs would be worth it to try , I had more than enought fun at the beginning with my truck running 6 psi, but the rest isnt stock at all too. Boost gets really addictive, you will always want more untill you melt the pistons down ahah

You could run safe with around 7-8 lbs on the stock pistons, but you would need a good tune and at least 30-36 lbs injectors for this.

Bottom end really isn't the weak point of these engines.. If yours a 89 you also have forged rods, so just swapping in some tc piston and you'd be good for even more fun!

 

[turbojack]

I did my 94 to turbo 2.3L

its not that hard,you can use injectors out of a 87-88 turbo coupe which are 35 lb`ers,they are called "brown tops"cause they are brown in color,I bought re-built ones at auto zone,under $100 for all four,but my big problem was first the rear blew out,split a spider clean in half.I put in a stock "peg leg" center section for now and now the trans is going south.I bought a 5spd out of a 87 turbo coupe to repl old one,and got a 90-99 explorer rear (8.8 posi)to repl old ranger 7 1/2---like they say,boost is addictive,now got her up to 15 lbs-----

 

[Psychopete]

test your theory, no experience like actually just doing it and seeing what happens

 

[marauderx]

If you want to grenade it as an excuse to make it get 15mpg's, we want video, but building a good turbo motor can net you a very usable truck!

 

[scotts90ranger]

I get 18mpg with my truck if I'm just driving highway... much less if I am having fun

I think the 18mpg is pretty impressive considering the turbo engine, 5.13:1 gears, 35" mud tires (actually just under 34" tall), big axles and lift, comparing it to the 19mpg it got with the stock engine and suspension on 31" all terrain tires...

 

[--weezl--]

^^ i would agree

 

[Jfive]

It's an 89. It's not maf, so it's speed density right? If the stock pistons will only handle 5 lbs, I don't think it's even worth messing with. I don't need it to be fast, I just figured I had all the stuff so why not? Looks like I may have found a buyer anyways, I might just sell it and make some profit.

They can handle more than 5psi. You just can't afford a hickup. Theres a guy running 10psi on a stock short block, but you have to have it tuned right, and not have any tuning mistakes in the process. Run lean or have detonation, and kiss em good bye.

 

[Nevisis]

They can handle more than 5psi. You just can't afford a hickup. Theres a guy running 10psi on a stock short block, but you have to have it tuned right, and not have any tuning mistakes in the process. Run lean or have detonation, and kiss em good bye.

Have you thought about water injection. I've run them on several projects. you can get a kit from ebay for around $200. I've seen a stock 94 ranger at 9psi no problem. of course injector swap and fuel pressure will need adjusting too.

 

[Jfive]

you could run methanol injection, and use 100% methanol, and it would add fuel to the a/f ratio, and help with octane. I would get 19lb ford injectors if going to add a small amount of boost.