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  #1  
Old 01-09-2017, 08:50 PM
JesusFreaknaDangerRanger JesusFreaknaDangerRanger is offline
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Default Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

I'm planning on doing some engine mods on my '95 2.3 Lima engine and I have been trying to figure out at what point would you have to install something like a Moates tuner? I've been looking into porting the heads, installing a larger cam, adding exhaust headers, installing aftermarket cold air intake, and maybe even a striker crank shaft and larger pistons... This will be the biggest job I've ever done and I'm excited about it and I want to make sure i get this right this first time. so back to the question of the day... at what point when modding this engine will the factory ECU no longer suffice for engine management? If I just ported the head and installed a larger cam would the factory ECU still work?
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  #2  
Old 01-10-2017, 04:22 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

If you are adding boost or mods that require more fuel and timing you need to a better tune which can be done with the ecu Just get a tuner and have custom tunes made. If you have an obd2 ecu.
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  #3  
Old 01-10-2017, 04:58 PM
whiskeymike whiskeymike is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Search for the turbo ranger forums. Lots of info there.
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  #4  
Old 01-10-2017, 06:24 PM
Fasttrackranger Fasttrackranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Couldnt you just get an adjustable timing gear to advance it and mill .100 off the head like the old pintos?

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  #5  
Old 01-11-2017, 10:53 PM
JesusFreaknaDangerRanger JesusFreaknaDangerRanger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stateranger View Post
If you are adding boost or mods that require more fuel and timing you need to a better tune which can be done with the ecu Just get a tuner and have custom tunes made. If you have an obd2 ecu.
would an example of a tuner be like the Moates "Quarter Horese"? since my truck is a 95 model im pretty sure I have OBD1

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Originally Posted by whiskeymike View Post
Search for the turbo ranger forums. Lots of info there.
thanks man... Ive seen those forums around. I guess i need to register lol

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Originally Posted by Fasttrackranger View Post
Couldnt you just get an adjustable timing gear to advance it and mill .100 off the head like the old pintos?

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I've just learned about this process from a guy on Youtube... you increase the compression right? I wonder how much difference in power this would make?
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  #6  
Old 01-11-2017, 11:42 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

95 was a very odd year as far as the obd system goes. From january to June rangers had a bit of a hybrid obd 1/2 that requires requires a very specific scantool for diagnosis. After June it went to the common obd2 system. Check what month your truck was made and look for the plug under the dash ��.

The advantage of some hand held tuners is they can do datalogging, with quarterhorse you need to have a laptop or pc to upload logs, tuners also work as diagnostic tools and can be used to recalibrate speedometers for different tire size and axel ratios.
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HELL TO THE NO!! Abort abort abort!! That's the first thing to go!!! Ewwwww! I'm not no vampire! I don't enjoy red tea
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  #7  
Old 01-12-2017, 06:24 AM
Fasttrackranger Fasttrackranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

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Originally Posted by JesusFreaknaDangerRanger View Post
would an example of a tuner be like the Moates "Quarter Horese"? since my truck is a 95 model im pretty sure I have OBD1

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I've just learned about this process from a guy on Youtube... you increase the compression right? I wonder how much difference in power this would make?


Here is a chart. The mini stock guys get close to 300hp with a carburetor. The fuel system sucks on eec-iv. The obd 1.5 that the other guy was talking about i think it only applies to diesels because they didn't have be obdII compliant until 1998 or 1997

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  #8  
Old 01-12-2017, 11:13 AM
JesusFreaknaDangerRanger JesusFreaknaDangerRanger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stateranger View Post
95 was a very odd year as far as the obd system goes. From january to June rangers had a bit of a hybrid obd 1/2 that requires requires a very specific scantool for diagnosis. After June it went to the common obd2 system. Check what month your truck was made and look for the plug under the dash ��.

The advantage of some hand held tuners is they can do datalogging, with quarterhorse you need to have a laptop or pc to upload logs, tuners also work as diagnostic tools and can be used to recalibrate speedometers for different tire size and axel ratios.

Ok so according to the sticker inside the driver door my truck was manufactured in July of 1995... So are you sure that means that its going to be OBD2? Couldn't I take it to my local mechanic friend that has a machine and have him hook it up to the plug under the steering wheel just to make sure? btw thank you very much for your help man. I never plan to get rid of this truck so I am out to learn as much as I can about it now so that in the future when I have problems the troubleshooting process will be that much easier. Oh hey also I dont really know much at all about tuners and software mods but I definitely want to learn more. Can you explain to me what is "datalogging" and also give me a good example of a hand held tuner that would work well with my truck.
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  #9  
Old 01-12-2017, 02:18 PM
desertrunner33 desertrunner33 is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fasttrackranger View Post

The obd 1.5 that the other guy was talking about i think it only applies to diesels because they didn't have be obdII compliant until 1998 or 1997

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I know that in 95 there was a time where they had an obd-II plug but it didn't work with obd-II readers. I believe it was basically an obd-I system with a different plug into it. Not sure on how it worked exactly but there was definitely a time in the Rangers where they had this
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  #10  
Old 01-12-2017, 02:57 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fasttrackranger View Post


Here is a chart. The mini stock guys get close to 300hp with a carburetor. The fuel system sucks on eec-iv. The obd 1.5 that the other guy was talking about i think it only applies to diesels because they didn't have be obdII compliant until 1998 or 1997

Sent from my LGL62VL using Tapatalk
Gas. Implementation 1994 with waivers available 94-95 required by 96.

Diesel. Implementation 1994 with waivers available 94-96 required by 97.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pk9298 View Post
HELL TO THE NO!! Abort abort abort!! That's the first thing to go!!! Ewwwww! I'm not no vampire! I don't enjoy red tea

Last edited by stateranger; 01-12-2017 at 03:09 PM.
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  #11  
Old 01-12-2017, 03:26 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by desertrunner33 View Post
I know that in 95 there was a time where they had an obd-II plug but it didn't work with obd-II readers. I believe it was basically an obd-I system with a different plug into it. Not sure on how it worked exactly but there was definitely a time in the Rangers where they had this
Obd1 scanners didnt work on those because they had a different form the obd2 requiring a different program in scantools.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by JesusFreaknaDangerRanger View Post
Ok so according to the sticker inside the driver door my truck was manufactured in July of 1995... So are you sure that means that its going to be OBD2? Couldn't I take it to my local mechanic friend that has a machine and have him hook it up to the plug under the steering wheel just to make sure? btw thank you very much for your help man. I never plan to get rid of this truck so I am out to learn as much as I can about it now so that in the future when I have problems the troubleshooting process will be that much easier. Oh hey also I dont really know much at all about tuners and software mods but I definitely want to learn more. Can you explain to me what is "datalogging" and also give me a good example of a hand held tuner that would work well with my truck.
This can explain it better than I can and will give you an idea about tuners. You will need a laptop.

http://www.mustangevolution.com/must...an-sct-x-cal3/
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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pk9298 View Post
HELL TO THE NO!! Abort abort abort!! That's the first thing to go!!! Ewwwww! I'm not no vampire! I don't enjoy red tea

Last edited by stateranger; 01-12-2017 at 03:31 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-12-2017, 06:12 PM
JesusFreaknaDangerRanger JesusFreaknaDangerRanger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stateranger View Post
Obd1 scanners didnt work on those because they had a different form the obd2 requiring a different program in scantools.

----------



This can explain it better than I can and will give you an idea about tuners. You will need a laptop.

http://www.mustangevolution.com/must...an-sct-x-cal3/
man thank you so much bro. so i just need to ask you one more question so i can understand this. these tuners have the ability to not only monitor the different system performance variables but also they have the ability to flash the vehicles computer and replace the factory tune with a totally custom tune which allows you to change the way the engine performs? would you say that im pretty much getting the jist?
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  #13  
Old 01-12-2017, 07:07 PM
Fasttrackranger Fasttrackranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stateranger View Post
Gas. Implementation 1994 with waivers available 94-95 required by 96.

Diesel. Implementation 1994 with waivers available 94-96 required by 97.
Thanks for clearing that up. I do know the high speed scanners that big shops have will read obd1.5 on the diesels from 1995.

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  #14  
Old 01-12-2017, 08:47 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JesusFreaknaDangerRanger;26990[URL="http://www.lasotaracing.com/"
[/URL]74]man thank you so much bro. so i just need to ask you one more question so i can understand this. these tuners have the ability to not only monitor the different system performance variables but also they have the ability to flash the vehicles computer and replace the factory tune with a totally custom tune which allows you to change the way the engine performs? would you say that im pretty much getting the jist?
That pretty much it as far as I know. I would contact http://www.lasotaracing.com/ they seem to have a really reputation. They can tell you what your best option is, for what I'm finding you may have to go with the moates quarterhorse.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pk9298 View Post
HELL TO THE NO!! Abort abort abort!! That's the first thing to go!!! Ewwwww! I'm not no vampire! I don't enjoy red tea
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  #15  
Old 01-12-2017, 09:00 PM
Fasttrackranger Fasttrackranger is offline
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Default Re: Engine modding... Do I need aftermarket ECU?

PiMP tuner was a cool custom tune for dinosaur efi also. You can email that guy directly and he can tell you anything you need to know about it

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