[Kevmustang83]

Seems the max boost i can get under load is a hair over 10 psi. the turbo sounds REALLY loud. some of my friends say it sounds like an airplane taking off lol. i have never owned a turbocharged car so i have no clue what to look for.
Thanks,
Kevin

[TOM RENZO]

Engine type auto 5 speed more info please. Na conversion or a TC engine swap???????????

[Kevmustang83]

1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 2.3lT, Auto. stock everything except relocated VAM and K&N cone cai on it.

[TOM RENZO]

Well 10 lbs is what ford set the boost at with an auto tranny. You can raise it but the tranny will not take the extra ponies. If you want to increase the boost and take the chance of tranny failure get a boost controller and disconnect the stock boost solenoid. Hope this explains it TOM

[Kevmustang83]

I thought for the 86 it was set at 15psi and the c3 tranny is stronger than the a4ld?

[93stangfutr5.0]

On the 5spds it was I just drove one and it boosted to 15psi but the autos suck cant handle any power that why its set so low.

[turboeeyore]

86 doesn't have an intercooler, so 10 lbs is enough untill you get one.

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by turboeeyore

86 doesn't have an intercooler, so 10 lbs is enough untill you get one.

Totally correct the early jobs nad no intercooler. Just a heat difuser on the extension piping. It worked real bad and 10 lbs is tops because of heat issues. Good point turboeeyore.

[Kevmustang83]

Ahh. How much psi do u think i can push with Stingers fmic? some people said around 22?

[93stangfutr5.0]

easily 22psi when i bought the 86 5spd TC and drove it back to my house i was boosting 15psi but the clutch was slipping like heck so she wasn't going anywhere.

[Kevmustang83]

but thats with elevated fuel pressure and a bigger pump? plus a bigger exhaust

[TOM RENZO]

If i remember correctly that car has a garret. I could be wrong. If it does that turbo maxes out at around 19 lbs. That auto is toast at that boost . Unless you rebuild it for strength. I would install a 5 speeder. But it is going to be a nice ride for a while at 19 lbs of wind. Good luck and a front mount is the ticket. You will need a 255 pump and a 3" down pipe thats fore shure.

[93stangfutr5.0]

not to second guess you tom but the IHI's which were in the 87-88tc's were maxing out at 18-19psi i belive the garret's max out around 25psi and yes it does have a garret they were in 83-86's.

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by 93stangfutr5.0

not to second guess you tom but the IHI's which were in the 87-88tc's were maxing out at 18-19psi i belive the garret's max out around 25psi and yes it does have a garret they were in 83-86's.

I only worked on a couple of garret equipped 2.3 motors. You are probably correct about the boost limit. But if i remember correctly the garret had a bolt on high side that was very small. If memory serves me i think we maxed it out at APP 19-20 but you are correct its a much better turbo than the IHI. Its been a while since i sold my cougar 2.3 so i am going from memory. Now i remember they had a smaller VAM. That was the restriction. You are right with a 3" vam (app) you can turn up the wind past 20 lbs. I am starting to remember now. It also had the early exhaust manifold that was very restrictive. E3 or something like that. I had to install a n E6 from a 87-88 coupe engine. Then we were able to increase the boost. I seem to remember with the E3 the turbo would shutter from lack of exhaust flow. He will have to change the exhaust manifold and install a boost valve with a 3" down pipe. Getting old the old storage brain is getting full. I have to add some more memory on my head. My brain is gettimg FULL. Thanks for correcting me on that TOM

[TOM RENZO]

The garret equipped engine had a smaller set of injectors also if memory serves me. I think 24 LBS. I had to install brown tops and i replaced the computer with an LA3. I pulled the sheet on my cougar and you were right we upped the boost to 23 LBS with no flutter. The sheet said we dynowed at 231 at the wheels. Not bad for a basically stock early 2.3. It dynowed at 148 with stock boost and manifold. Once we added the late 88 parts the garret really put out some wind. I would definately say that a garret could definately support 25 psi with no problem. I am so sorry for the miss info thanks for pointing that out. The old brain is getting soggy (DOUGH). Tom Renzo