Too Much Tech

[tlcasey100]

I have a 90 model ranger xlt with a 2.9 litre v6 and i wonder how much of the devices i can remove and still have a dependable pickup. I once had a 87 buick with 307 v8 and all the egr crap had craped out and i stripped the engine and ran better and used a lot less gas and i would like to do the same with my ranger.

 

[adsm08]

Well on a 90 2.9L there isn't a whole lot that isn't critical to the engine actually running, let alone running well.

EGR was taken off the 2.9 starting in 88, so you don't have that, and the same goes for the knock sensor.

Basically all that year has is the ignition system, the fuel injectors, and a few position and temp sensors that are critical to the fuel calculations. There is an evap system but there aren't any electronic devices on it. There isn't an air pump, and there isn't really anything else.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

Your Buick had a problem with EGR system which was why removing it made it run better, lol.
EGR systems improve performance, when working, by allowing more aggressive spark timing when running 87 octane, cheap, gasoline.
Exhaust gas recirculation(EGR) was added to lower NOX emissions which spiked high when cylinders heated up under a load, adding exhaust gases lowers cylinder temps at that time so lowers NOX levels.
87 octane gasoline will self ignite as cylinder temps get high, so pinging/knocking is heard under load, knock sensors were installed on some engines, but on others the spark timing was just advanced so spark occurred before self ignition could, which reduces power.
But knock sensor or always advance spark timing still means less power
Which is why an engine setup/programmed for EGR system will run better with a working EGR system than without it.

Cat converters, that are working, don't effect performance one way or the other, when they start breaking apart inside then they block exhaust flow so do effect performance.

As adsm08 said your 1990 2.9l system is pretty basic, electronic spark, fuel injection and a computer to calculate air:fuel mix on the fly