Stock ECU turbo tune (Help needed)

[cja21]

Before I start, yes I know I'm doing something stupid that'll probably kill my engine, but I'm okay with that.

So, I'm doing a cheap turbo build on my 2000 Ranger 3.0 Flex, and need to figure out a tuning situation. I'm using the factory EEC-V ECU in the Ranger, and have read of quite a few 3.0 flex owners getting away with less than or equal to 5 lbs./boost without issue, which is what I planned to do. I've also read of upgraded MAFs also withstanding the challenge of them. I know the MAF can't detect boost per se, but I figure with a good tune, throttle position and live AFR could be adjusted to account for boost.

Now I know this is a bad idea, and I know I'm going to shorten the life or even grenade the motor, that's fine with me, I've been planning a 5.0 swap for next summer and only bought parts I know I can safely swap between the two engines, save for flanges and the like.

So my question is, Is there anyone in the Northeast, in or around Massachusetts who could tune/introduce me to a tuner who can tune my Ranger when it's running? I'm not going to have it on the road for at least another couple weeks, maybe a month, but I wanted to plan ahead and get some feedback from the forum. Thanks gang!

 

[cja21]

Okay, so I've been doing more research, I like the Quarterhorse chip for my ECU and it seems feasible and reasonable to install. I've read up on the TwEECer too, and I like that but it seems pricey. I've read that with some of these, I can go in and mess around with emissions settings.

Has anyone used either ECU setup and tuned it that can recommend one over another or weigh pros/cons? Also, could I screw with the ECU settings to make the tune accept everything as "street legal" and "passing emissions"? (MA law says that light-duty vehicles before 2004 don't have to pass a tailpipe sniff test, but do have to pass OBDII if they have it.)