I have a 88 ranger with an/a 2.3, the previous owner wreaked havoc on the efi system so bad that I had to convert it to a carb setup using the stock efi intake with an Esslinger 2bbl adaptor, and 350 holley carb. I have been thinking about going back with efi. I have the complete efi intake with all the sensors, injectors, injector wire harness, what I need the information on is what computer and main wiring harness to use (I have friend that has 88 tc harness, and computer) the truck and the tc have 5 speed manuals in them. I'm going to run it n/a at first and may install a turbo (I only have 5 good tc/svo turbos to choose from). The thing I don't like about the 88 tc is the VAM, I would rather it be MAF instead. What I need are the basics first, like what ECM to use? can you repin the 88 ECM to use MAF rather than a VAM? I have the knowledge to trouble shoot, and repair an efi system (if it's a complete system), but this will be my first try and piecing together a system. Any ideas, or suggestions!

My truck has a rebuilt t/c engine with .030 over forged pistons, crower rods,the ranger roller cam, and the carb listed in my other post (for now), I'm gathering the parts for putting a turbo on it (I've got only 5 good svo turbo's to choose form so far), a couple of non-svo intercoolers that will fit in the space allowed, and I'm fabbing my own turbo header that will clear my a/c components, now all I'mlooking for advice and info on the electrical portion of it.

Thanks.

What info do you want on the electrical side?

What are limit's on the VAM as far a performance and reliability, would MAF be better, the best factory computer to use as to how much boost it can handle (15 psi max on my truck),what injectors to use, I'm looking for the best and reliable efi system for my setup (this is for my beater/daily driver). I can fix a efi setup if it's a complete factory system, but this ismy firstattempt for a efi "home brewed", and or aftermarket system.

The easiest thing would be to use it like it was a Turbo Coupe. Use the turbo harness, the LA3 and 35# injectors, and the VAM. Keep it simple and basically stock and it won't give you many problems. Going MAF on a virtually stock turbo motor is pretty pointless. I plan to go into the 12's in the 1/4 with the stock VAM, it can handle a lot.

My shopping list so far:
Main or complete trubo harness
LA3 computer
VAM
35lb injectors (are those the brown or tan top inj?)

I have an aftermarket FMU (from paxton looks like, I'll check)
The efi intakes, and all the sensors that are attached to it
IAC
Throttle body
EGR setup
Complete fuel rail
TFI dist and coil
and the wiring harness for the injectors and ignition system, they all from a n/a engine (89 mustang), will they work?

Also my truck has a frame mounted n/a high pressure fuel pump, probably not enough gph, or pph?

I would go at least 255 HP fuel pump if your going to run more than 17 PSI.

Your boost is limited to how much you can run without piping or detination.

Look at project bolt on, 10's with a stock engine just running a holset and FMIC

ORIGINAL: 2.3R

My shopping list so far:
Main or complete trubo harness
LA3 computer
VAM
35lb injectors (are those the brown or tan top inj?)

I have an aftermarket FMU (from paxton looks like, I'll check)
The efi intakes, and all the sensors that are attached to it
IAC
Throttle body
EGR setup
Complete fuel rail
TFI dist and coil
and the wiring harness for the injectors and ignition system, they all from a n/a engine (89 mustang), will they work?

Also my truck has a frame mounted n/a high pressure fuel pump, probably not enough gph, or pph?



Depending on how far you want to go, you can also use a LA2 computer. The main difference between the LA2 and the LA3 is that the LA3 is supported by many tuners, such as twEECer and EECtuner.

With the VAM, make sure to get the large VAM. There is a difference.

35# injectors are brown tops.

Dont bother with the FMU too much, these use a boost referenced FPR, and the computer enriches the mixture per boost.

The EFI intakes are generally the same, as are the throttle body and IAC.

Keep the fuel rail, and fuel pressure regulator, but use the 35# injectors.

The entire harness from the 89 Stang would work, you just have to pin in some extra wires for the VAM. Sleeper has a write up on doing that.

The fuel pump you have is most likely a low pressure pump (5-7psi) where as the EFI requires at the very least 45psi of pressure when under boost. Typically, us turbo guys use a 255lph high pressure pump.

tbird my write up is for a P series computer, stingers is a good one for the LA. LB, 8UA computers. (except don't cut any of the wires!!!)

Are the VAM wires still in the same pins for the P series?

Cool, thanks for the info. I've been building my own turbo setups since1985 and they all have been blow-throughcarb systems. For the most part of my experience of working with fuel injection has been the continuous flow mechanical systems on blown and or injected alcohol or blown nitro engine applications.I am also currently workingtwo other blown cars,my alky injected 6-71 blown 302 Fordpowered altered with alittle 13 gpm fuel pump, and my friends AA/FC, 498 cu inBAEhemi block, AJPE billet stage 5 heads,14-71 Gibson/Miller blower, Enderle big & ugly injector hat withthe 5 &9/16" dia butterflieswith two Rage 90 gpm fuel pumps.

ORIGINAL: TBird232ci

Are the VAM wires still in the same pins for the P series?

nope, different pin location. Look at stingers write up and then look at mine. The only waire the same is the 46 sig rtn

What about aTE or PF3 how do they rank as far as the others like the LA3 for example?

Junk compaired to the LA3.

Other than the SVO and 87-88 Turbo Coupe computers, they are all set up for the small VAM, small injectors, no intercooler, and have no sort of tuning support.

The TE is from a 84 svo mustang
The PF3 is from an 86 svo mustang

The PF3 would be the one to use then. The 84 SVO still used smaller injectors if I remember correctly.

Most of my knowledge is in the 87-88 Thunderbirds, so some of the SVO specifics are vague for me.

Regardless, the PF3 won't have the support the LA3 does.

I'll wait for a LA3.

Hey sleeper, i would hit him up on one of those 5 turbo's he has [:-]

ORIGINAL: hellion_79

Hey sleeper, i would hit him up on one of those 5 turbo's he has [:-]


If you only knew what I paid for them.

The 85.5 and 86 SVO's had the "PE" series computers with 35# injectors. 84-85 used the smaller 30# injectors. I'm using the LA3 and 35#'s myself.

*EDIT - All SVO's used the large VAM.

ORIGINAL: hellion_79

Hey sleeper, i would hit him up on one of those 5 turbo's he has [:-]

Na, I got 2 on the way right now[8D]

Computers
PE - 85.5-86 SVO #35 injectors Large VAM
TE - 84-85 SVO #30 injectors Small VAM
PK1-2-3 - 85.5-89 Merkur/85-86 TC (A) #35 injectors Small VAM
PF2-3 - 85.5-89 Merkur (M) #35 injectors Small VAM
8UA - 87-88 TC (A) #35 injectors Large VAM
LA2-3 - 87-88 TC (M) #35 injectors Large VAM
LB2-3 - 87-88 TC (A) #35 injectors Large VAM

sleeper - All SVO's had the large VAM.

Of the 5 turbos I've got that fits svo's t/c's the most I ever paid for one was $10.00, and there all good to go![sm=smiley20.gif]