I have a 97 Ranger with the 2.3L and am looking to maybe swap out with an old turbo motor what year of car and what engine should i be looking for, also would i have to swap out the 5 speed manual trans when i do this or can i just hook it up to the original trans.

 

Swapping a naturally aspirated 2.3 for a turbo 2.3 is a common subject on the forums at another Ford site I frequently visit, www.allfordmustangs.com. From what I've read, the Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and Merc Xr4Ti all came with a 2.3 turbo, so those are the donor cars you need to be looking for. The 2.3 turbo Mustangs were around from 79 to 86 I think, with the later ones being better. I am not too sure on the available years for the T-bird or Xr4Ti. I do know that you need the whole engine, you can't just add the turbo from one of those cars to your existing 2.3. The blocks for the turbo cars are beefier, and they have the oiling provisions to keep the turbo oiled and cool, plus in the computer controlled years, you need different sensors and a different computer, because the manifold is pressurized. So get a parts car and use everything off it.

 

Hey thanks for the information i will look into finding a parts car

 

the blocks are the same just the non turbos do not have the oil feed hole drilled and tapped. But most people do recomment swapping the whole motor due to the difference in pistons and some other internal things. Makes it easier if you don't have to rebuild your motor.

 

http://donald_js.tripod.com/Turboranger.htm
http://www.msvorinich.itgo.com/
good info on the swap