Hey Guys,

So I know I have searched the forums already for this but I have an amazing opportunity to put a 2.3t from a turbo coupe into my ranger. The motor and transmission are done from the ranger and needs a new one its also been sitting for 4 months. So i could put the original 3.0L back in but I can get a 2.3t for $500. So my questions are:

Since it was a V6 can i use ranger 4cyl. motor mounts to install the 2.3T and will it even work?

I know I'm going to need a new tranny. Should i use a turbo coupe or 4cyl ranger tranny?

Other than the computer and making an auto in to manual what else should i expect to do this swap?

I'm also wonder costs on installation because i really dont have the time with work and all. I just plan on running the motor stock until i feel in need more power.

Thanks, appreciate any comments Cam

 

Whew. Well, you can do it, but since it was a V6 it's going to take more work than a typical 4 cylinder to 4 cylinder swap.

You have to swap engine mounts (and maybe cross member but Im not entirely sure), and engine harness, and computer. Since its a 98, stay OBD-II and run an SCT tuner. That means finding a 2.3/2.5 Ranger engine harness and computer to use.

You can use either a ranger 4 cylinder tranny or the turbo's T5 tranny, either way it will require some modifications again since you are completely changing it from a 6 cylinder setup.


If you don't have the time to do it, and are going to have a shop do it, I'd expect it to cost some big bucks and then they won't get it right. It seems everyone who has had a shop do their turbo setup has had it royaly screwed up because the shops tend to use the stock ranger computer and air measuring system without a tuner and a stupid FMU.


So, if you don't have the money or the time, your best bet would be to put a 6 cylinder back in it and use it normally.

 

Thanks I appreciate the honesty. I think I'm just going to put the 3.0L back in since its the easiest and cheapest option. I think I'm juts going to do a 3/5 drop and Lexus GS400 wheels on it. Since i can do it all pretty inexpensive.

 

Well cam condy let me see. This is a first, Usually most people want to switch from either 4 to a 6 cylinder and from 6 to an 8 cylinder. The cross member shouldn't be an issue but since ur switching trannys it will become an issue soon. Going from a automatic to a manual will be a trip and a half for u. Not to mention that the manual trans is usually shorter than the automatic. U will have to switch motor mounts there is no way around that. Plus I would recomend getting a high performance 4 cylinder from some place like www.indyheads.com they have links for ford and chevy on there but primarily they deal with dodge. For the tranny I would contact someone like Tremec Transmissions bcause they do alot of set ups for Factory 5 Racing (The replica car company). Or go to this link: www.tciauto.com and get some info from there. Also here is another benefit u'll love by switching from a 6 banger to a 4 banger, most cats who switch from a 4 banger to a 6 banger or go from a 6 banger to a V8 usually forget to take into account clearance issues. That means the only real issues u'll have are crossmember problems due to switching from auto to a manual tranny, driveshaft problems(it may b too short) and performance issues. That is easy to fix though. If Morgan and Mcclure Racing can get nearly 800 hp and 750 ft. Lbs of torque on pump gas without Turbos or superchargers u'll have a nice tight ride. As far as cpu's and harnesses go, visit ur local junk/salvage yard and u'll be amazed at what u can find there. Alot of Junk/salvage yards make some money off these totaled vehicles by parting them out, some even have a salvagable title. Turbochargers visit this site: www.turboneticsinc.com . They'll even custom build ur turbo kit for u and test it as well. their best is the super thumper t106 mid frame turbo. at 10 lbs of boost on a 4 banger ur pushin roughly about 1,000+/- Hp and insane amounts of torque at the wheels on Premium Unleaded Gasoline. Which is pretty kool. Best of luck. be careful about the pwer to weight ratio as well. Too much power can destroy ur frame and not enough can destroy ur engine. If ur frame gets destroyed u just as well make an appointment with the crusher (due to to much power issue). The engine thing can be fixed (depending on the extent of damage). Best of luck we all want to see it when ur done.

 

The cpu thing can run u up there but it can b reprogrammed. But it can run alot of money when another shop does it, they do screw it up (hotrod shops mainly) it really depends on where u take it. If u take it to a speed shop like for example so cal speed shop they'd be better suited for the job. The only ones I would recomend woul'd b Custom Diesel Tuning shops they're the best bet for ur money and are not as expensive as u might think. alot of them do work on the side as far as tuning for ur turbo set up and they don't charge that much on the side. STAY AWAY FROM FULL BLOWN RACING SHOPS. They don't even care if it works or not bcause all they're interested in these days is lots and Lots of ur Hard earned money. They tend to laugh at certain customers especially the working man. But i do agree with ya on this. I've seen some guys and gals **** away $10,000 dollars getting a turbo that didn't even fit and no refund or product exchange was even offered which sucked. Made me madder than a wet hen when I saw this first hand. That was not fair or right at all. If someone wanted to pay me that kind of Money I'd do everything I could do to get the most bang for their buck no questions asked. I AGREE WITH U ON THIS. but in some respects i don't. the stock cpu from a 6 banger will NOT work. If u are doing a twin turbo set up and don't have alot of time just go to ur salvage yard and get a 4 banger ranger and order ur turbos/kit and do it that way. www.turboneticsinc.com would be the way to go, they include a custom programmed chip specificly for ur truck's cpu done by UNI Chip. usually it take roughy 6 to 15 hours to install a turbo kit. The chip will take care of ur cpu and ur done. Be prepared for spending alot of money though. $3,500 bucks is what they start at.

 

? IS YOUR TRUCK AN AUTO OR SICK ? IS THE MOTOR FOR THE SWAP A AUTO OR STICK ? BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFRENCE. IF YOU PUT A AUTO SWAP INTO A STICK THE TURBO WILL BE TOO SMALL. BUT YOU CAN PUT THE STICK SWAP INTO A STICK OR AUTO. ALSO USE THE TURBO COUPE TRANNY ITS GEARED FOR BOOST.

 

Ughh... manual or auto it makes no difference. His tranny behind his 3.0 is not going to mate up the 2.3T any how. That's a moot point.



The turbo's on the auto Tbirds were smaller to save the trannies. Not because it was an auto, but because of the auto's weakness.



"Too small" is relative to his goals and setup. Not whether or not its a stick or auto tranny.



Please explain "geard for boost".

After all, you built cavaliers for 4 years, you know what you're doing so explain your ambiguities.

 

It doesn't matter wether it's an auto or manual. The stock Tranny won't mate to the 2.3 at all. If it's an auto make sure that the torque converter can handle the output of the engine. Pulled one off for a friend to see what was going on and it looked like a bunch of gerbils just got in there and chewed the bejesus out it. here's a rule of thumb when doing an engine swap on anything. Always make sure that you have the right tranny for the engine and make sure that is can handle the power output of your engine before you do the actual swap. That would suck to be 1/2 way through the swap and to find out that your trans wouldn't work.

 

^^Not just the converter....the case needs to hold up too. I've seen SOOOO many TH350s and even TH400s cases split in half powered by just a 350hp sbc in a '83 chev on 35's.

btw....you were repeting the same info that Matt posted.

 

Not exactly the same but pretty close to it. The reason is because it's common knowledge dude. You're right about that case too. Took another look at my friends tranny and the case has got a small split near the back. I told him he'd better go easy on it and get it replaced A.S.A.P. I also told him that it will get worse as time goes on.