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05-10-2015, 03:25 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
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2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Hi all, I found a 2.3t engine an transmission with 160,000 miles for $350. It is from a 1988 turbo coupe. My ranger is a 2.3 n/a stock motor, 2002 with 86k miles. I am asking for opinions on a couple options
-build current motor that is in my truck, which would include new pistons, (not cast), injectors, and then add the turbo, or
-drop in the turbo motor and run it with my stock tranny, and see how that goes.
What are your opinions on what I should do? What would be easiest? What would be best for power? What are the challenges of doing either of these options? Just looking to see what my options are and if I should buy this engine ect. all opinions are appreciated!
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05-10-2015, 03:44 PM
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Ford Ranger Owner
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 65
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Rebuild your motor and add a turbo. They're different engines, yours is a DOHC.
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1990 Ranger 2wd, 2.3 rebuilt, 5spd, milled head .030, indexing cam gear, tubular exhaust manifold, removed cat, electric fan, XM radio, Lund bedcover, 27X8.50 Generals.
Wish list: 400 horse 289, 4in lift w/ extended arms, fiberglass fenders and bed sides, 33X12.50s rear, 33X10.50s front and 9in rear w/ locked 4.56s
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05-10-2015, 04:18 PM
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www.shanewootenband.com
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,896
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Bruce said it. 2.3t swap would be much easier in a 93-97 ranger.
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1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..
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05-10-2015, 04:29 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce M
Rebuild your motor and add a turbo. They're different engines, yours is a DOHC.
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what do you recommend me doing for the rebuild? What parts to be rebuilt/replaced? I'm not looking for 400hp, I'm just looking for a decent truck to take to the car shows in my town and maybe end up with a small lift and tires. Doesn't need to be super major horsepower, but looking for decent power... Looking to do <$1000 on engine components but am open to ideas
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05-10-2015, 04:51 PM
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The Projectionator
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Your motor is the Duratec DOHC 2.3L "NS" variant. It's essentially just a 2.3L Duratec block with a 2.0L Duratec head, same stuff you'll find in various models of the Focus and Miata. If you're looking for significant engine upgrades, you might try checking out those markets. The overwhelming majority of engine parts for the Focus will bolt right onto a Ranger engine, but that aftermarket got a lot more love than the Ranger did.
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2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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05-10-2015, 07:23 PM
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Ford Ranger Owner
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 65
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2002FordRanger
what do you recommend me doing for the rebuild? What parts to be rebuilt/replaced? I'm not looking for 400hp, I'm just looking for a decent truck to take to the car shows in my town and maybe end up with a small lift and tires. Doesn't need to be super major horsepower, but looking for decent power... Looking to do <$1000 on engine components but am open to ideas
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I don't know too much about the newer DOHC 2.3s but I think they have around 10 to 1 compression. That much compression with a turbo and pump gas will not last long. You're going to need forged dish pistons to handle the boost and to lower the compression. I would stay under 9 to 1. I would also get ARP head studs too.
__________________
1990 Ranger 2wd, 2.3 rebuilt, 5spd, milled head .030, indexing cam gear, tubular exhaust manifold, removed cat, electric fan, XM radio, Lund bedcover, 27X8.50 Generals.
Wish list: 400 horse 289, 4in lift w/ extended arms, fiberglass fenders and bed sides, 33X12.50s rear, 33X10.50s front and 9in rear w/ locked 4.56s
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05-10-2015, 08:36 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
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So, you think I would be fine with head studs new pistons and the compression would need to be lowered... Is that all I'd need to do?
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05-10-2015, 10:32 PM
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The Projectionator
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
The crankshaft is only cast iron. Might wanna look into a forged steel crank along with it. And yes, the compression of the DOHC 2.3L is around 10:1. Stock pistons are only cast aluminum, but surprisingly durable. They can probably handle a little bit of boost stock.
Also consider keying the crankshaft and pulley. The stock friction-hold design ain't gonna hold up under heavy boost and higher RPMs. It's one of the main reasons why the rev limit is strictly 6k.
__________________
2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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05-11-2015, 09:13 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by riscorpian
The crankshaft is only cast iron. Might wanna look into a forged steel crank along with it. And yes, the compression of the DOHC 2.3L is around 10:1. Stock pistons are only cast aluminum, but surprisingly durable. They can probably handle a little bit of boost stock. Also consider keying the crankshaft and pulley. The stock friction-hold design ain't gonna hold up under heavy boost and higher RPMs. It's one of the main reasons why the rev limit is strictly 6k.
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thank you! A question I have from this is, what does it mean to key the crankshaft and pulley, and what gains does it provide?
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05-11-2015, 12:29 PM
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The Projectionator
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2002FordRanger
thank you! A question I have from this is, what does it mean to key the crankshaft and pulley, and what gains does it provide?
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As with many other parts of this engine, my suspicion is that the engineers accidentally surpassed the Ballmer Peak while designing it. By default, the crankshaft pulley is not keyed to the crankshaft; it's held in place with friction via diamond washers. For normal use, this isn't a problem. However, if that pulley bolt loosens at all, or if the pulley is rotated in the wrong direction, it can ruin the timing of the engine. Given how critical the timing is here, that can trash the entire motor on the next start-up. Yes, it is that severe.
So what does this do for performance applications? Well, notice how the tachometer doesn't show a redline. That's because there isn't one. The limit is set to 6,000 RPM, no exceptions. The friction system is a key factor for this. Too much power on the engine can knock it out of time. Of course, let's be honest here: diamonds are really freaking strong. The likeliness of that happening is very small. But is it a risk worth taking? Most people decide not, so they key the crankshaft and pulley to each other, just like every other engine has. This makes it much more reliable and a lot stronger, which is exactly what you want for any boost application.
Or at least, that's what I've gathered from the information I've found. Check out performance builds for the Focus or some of the Turbo Ranger builds. A lot of them key the crankshaft by default.
Also, there seems to be a rumor going around that the Ranger had a forged steel crank by default. I don't know where that started, but it is not true. It's cast iron. Still pretty sturdy, but not forged.
__________________
2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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05-11-2015, 06:59 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 281
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Is it true that my ECM will only handle up to 7lbs of boost? If this is the case, I will buy the setup and turbo the motor that I have now and tune it to 7lbs and call it good without any engine mods!
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05-12-2015, 08:27 AM
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The Projectionator
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 861
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
I don't know anything about ECU limits there. Ford's computers are surprisingly advanced though. With the right tuning equipment, you can probably boost it however you want. Do be aware that some computers are a lot harder to work with than others though. Mine has stumped multiple professional tuners. Even with a high-end SCT tuner, the data on how my computer is set up just doesn't make any sense. Attempts to modify it so far have been less than successful, even though I'm not trying to add any advanced stuff like a turbo. You might be better off throwing in a completely custom ECU if you're gonna turbo anything.
The internals of the engine are pretty sturdy, so they can probably handle a little bit of boost. You'll definitely want to look into an oil cooler at the very least though. And I'm not sure which turbo manifolds will bolt on, but I do know that Focus manifolds always have to point down. A lot of people who have turbo'd the Duratec Ranger end up using custom manifolds that point upward, since that's where all the clearance is in this engine bay. The piping and stuff will be a nightmare too.
Yeah, no matter how you look at it, you're gonna be pouring a lot of time and money into making just that turbo work. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's going to be bolt-and-go! or anything.
__________________
2003 Ford Ranger XLT
2.3L I4 Duratec DOHC, 5R44E 5-speed auto, RWD, 7.5" Open w/ 4.10 Ratio, Gibson split-rear catback
Sonic Blue Pearl with dark gray trim
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05-13-2015, 08:58 AM
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Ford Ranger Owner
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 65
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Re: 2.3t heads on 2.3 block? Need opinions
Quote:
Originally Posted by riscorpian
I don't know anything about ECU limits there. Ford's computers are surprisingly advanced though. With the right tuning equipment, you can probably boost it however you want. Do be aware that some computers are a lot harder to work with than others though. Mine has stumped multiple professional tuners. Even with a high-end SCT tuner, the data on how my computer is set up just doesn't make any sense. Attempts to modify it so far have been less than successful, even though I'm not trying to add any advanced stuff like a turbo. You might be better off throwing in a completely custom ECU if you're gonna turbo anything.
The internals of the engine are pretty sturdy, so they can probably handle a little bit of boost. You'll definitely want to look into an oil cooler at the very least though. And I'm not sure which turbo manifolds will bolt on, but I do know that Focus manifolds always have to point down. A lot of people who have turbo'd the Duratec Ranger end up using custom manifolds that point upward, since that's where all the clearance is in this engine bay. The piping and stuff will be a nightmare too.
Yeah, no matter how you look at it, you're gonna be pouring a lot of time and money into making just that turbo work. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's going to be bolt-and-go! or anything.
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What he said.
__________________
1990 Ranger 2wd, 2.3 rebuilt, 5spd, milled head .030, indexing cam gear, tubular exhaust manifold, removed cat, electric fan, XM radio, Lund bedcover, 27X8.50 Generals.
Wish list: 400 horse 289, 4in lift w/ extended arms, fiberglass fenders and bed sides, 33X12.50s rear, 33X10.50s front and 9in rear w/ locked 4.56s
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