Took the first test drive with the 2.3T

[Sevensecondsuv]

As many of you know I, I have been collecting parts and finally putting them together over the past month to finish the 2.3T. I'm to point where I can drive it now.

It has a very ported head, tubular turbo header, full 3" mandrel bent exhaust from turbo to tail pipe, a large front mount intercooler, ranger dual plug DIS ignition, engine management from a 88 turbo coupe, and a .48 A/R Garrett T-3 turbo.

I drove it for the first time today. Wow! Even at 8 psi (low boost, 15 is high) it is really fast. Almost to the point that I am scared to push the throttle open all the way. The accelleration is in V8 mustang territory.

I've got about $1200 into parts. But I've also sold some stuff from the donor 88 TC that the engine came from. It's actually pretty affordable for the power I'm getting out of it. Surprisingly the wiring wasn't too bad. Just follow the diagrams.

Anyways, If someone is thinking about this swap, I say go for it! You won't regret it!

 

[kunar]

thinking maybe a 2.3t swap rather than a 4.0 swap in my ranger.... i like the idea of a little engine making big power

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Yeah I'm not sure I'd like it it a 4x4. Down low at part throttle its the same old 2.3 it's always been. Only when you hit the gas and let the RPM's climb does the engine come to life. At about 3000 RPM's all the boost comes in and it's like something huge kicked the ranger in its ass. From 3000 up to 6000 it pulls like a freight train. This is my first turbo vehicle and the way the power works is unlike any naturally aspirated car I've driven. It's got a lot of power, but in a much different way. It's nice for the traction-less ranger though, having gobbs of power off idle would only result in a nice puddle of rubber on the asphalt.

 

[PaleBlue90]

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Pics are coming. Though not till the weekend maybe. I'm completely swamped with school currently.