Turbo question

[Bagged90]

I have a 90 2.3 5 speed bone stock and was wanting to install a turbo. I'm not looking for high horsepower right now just want something a little different. I have looked around here for a couple days and most people recommend installing the whole motor and such from a turbo coupe. My question is what is needed for me to install a turbo on my stock engine? Any info would be great.

Main reason for wanting to do a turbo is my truck is bagged and the gas tank was moved to the bed. Now my fuel pump is acting up and I was going to install a fuel cell and new fuel pump so I figured might as well upgrade the rest.

 

[Insanejughead]

Sorry to be another "install the whole motor" kind of guy, but you really do need to overhaul the entire motor before going with a turbocharged setup.

If you're just wanting a little more power and a better sound, get yourself an upgraded exhaust, and then a cam and larger set of injectors.


The thing is: you can't just add a turbo to be "a little different". Once you start hearing that whistle, you will get bit by the turbo bug. It becomes an addiction after that. Also, the 2-3 psi boost that is safe for a completely stock engine is barely noticeable. You'll still have to downshift going up hills and passing others. Five psi is where it starts to feel different, but at that level, your stock pistons aren't capable of handling the increased pressure for long.

 

[Surrey]

I have also heard of rebuilding your engines with the internals of a supercoupe engine... But thats basically the same amount of work as swapping engines.

Either way, if your going to spend the time and money on doing a turbo setup, you might as well do it right from the get-go. Compared to a good turbo and all the custom crap you'll need, the engine will probably be one of the cheaper parts of the build.

 

[Bagged90]

So while looking around on the Internet I found an 88 turbo coupe for $500 new fuel pump but still won't run unless fuel is shot in the intake. I'm trying to make a deal on it and my next plan will be for this to be my "winter project" installing this motor. Since it will have a turbo coupe engine how man horse can I get with that and what does that take to swap over to my 90 ranger

 

[Bagged90]

So much for that seller was an idiot. Back to the drawing board

 

[Insanejughead]

I have also heard of rebuilding your engines with the internals of a supercoupe engine... But thats basically the same amount of work as swapping engines.

Either way, if your going to spend the time and money on doing a turbo setup, you might as well do it right from the get-go. Compared to a good turbo and all the custom crap you'll need, the engine will probably be one of the cheaper parts of the build.

He means turbo coupe engine. The super coupe was a super charged 3.8L V6, and would not have any of the same internal pieces.

He's spot on about the price of turbo accessories and high horsepower stuff.

So much for that seller was an idiot. Back to the drawing board

It happens. My first attempt at buying a turbo coupe, the seller kept forgetting what price he quoted me, and, after being told what day it was I could make it there to pick up the car, had the car towed to a different location. He thought I would pay him up front and then go get the car from his "friend".