Hello,
I have been searching the forums and I quess I don't know where to start diagnosing my problems. So I thought I would ask for suggestions.
First a little history. I have installed a 1986 TC motor and 5 speed in a 1992 Mustang. Large VAM, LA3, 3" exhaust (spilt into two 2 1/4 for dual exhaust) 88 TC intercooler, factory BCS with premium switch hooked for 2 levels of boost. I am running 93 octane and plugs wires and vacuum lines are all new.
After sorting some issues (new PIP and ignition module, vacuum lines blowing off etc.) I finally got it running and warmed it up and went for a drive. It boosts up okay and I seem to have two different levels of boost but then as the RPMs build it will continue to spike up into the high teens and at one point over 20 lbs. I can feather the throttle and hold it at lower levels of boost.
I am not sure of my vacuum routing as everything was apart when I got this setup. I used a 1988 TC vacuum diagram to hook it all up but the tees and elbows on the inlet, compressor housing, and intercooler were all moved and I am not 100% sure they are plumbed correctly.
sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for any insight.
I don't know too much about the 2.3, but make sure the wastegate has a proper boost referenced vacuum line going to it (wastegate needs to see boost and vacuum, not just vacuum). Is it an electronic waste gate? Concentrate on the wastegate and the vacuum signal to it.
Ok whose turbo are you running Garret IHI(etc) and how are you controlling the boost????? If you are running a stock IHI the turbos waste gate T had a metered hole that wont allow it to boost past 18lbs if its a 5 speeder. If the motor came out of an auto the number is 13 lbs. You have somethins messed up in the wastegate vacuum preasure circuit. Or the waste gate is frozen closed. Does the waste gate flapper moove????? Is it hooked up stock and a stock turbo??? take some photos and post some of the vacuum and preasure hoses. Peace TOM
Sorry I forgot to say, it is a Garret T3. It is a Stock set up as far as boost control goes. I have checked the waste gate with air pressure and a small regulator set at 10 lbs it opens and closes as you bleed air to it.
Thanks
Hey I just had a thought, the intercooler from the 87/88 TC has a tee with 2 different diameter holes. which one should be hooked to the vacuum line from the vacuum tree? I don't know if the intercooler was off an Auto or a Stick or if it makes a difference. I will take some pics and post them.
Try this site. FLEMWORLD Ok no direct link to page so follow this path. After getting there go to [85 how to]. Then to [2.3swap] then about half way down if 2 vac diagram links one with stock stepup and other with Gills valve. Since you go stock go to first. Most 2.3 use the Gills setup or something else beside stock. That should help. Maurice
More follow up. I have found 2 88TC diagrams that do not show the same vacuum routing. I ahve it hooked up like one of the diagrams. If I have the boost control and the wastgate lines on the wrong places would this cause my isues? I also discovered I have a vacuum line hooked up to the BMAP and will be switching that also.
Thanks
Bap on a 2.3 has no vac line on it. Best way to solve boost control is this. Adjustable control. First one is one I am using. Price List Ford Turbo
First picture how to setup. Technical
How to make one if on the cheap side. The "D.I.Y." Manual Boost Control
Maurice
Hello,
If any one is still following this, first thanks for the information on boost control, second I have been working on more then one ford at a time and realized I do have the BAP set up correctly with no Vacuum hooked to it. The other statement I made earlier about finding 2 different Vacuum diagrams for an 88 TC proved to be my problem. After routing the lines like the second one I have boost control and no overboost. I was looking at an 86 TC rough sketch diagram that I had made before I disassembled things and found that it compared closer to the second one I found. (The only difference being the addition of the top mount Intercooler) All I have left to sort out now is if there is a difference in the lines from the Boost Control Solenoid. I will swap those next and see if there are any changes. Right now I seem to have about 10 lbs of boost in both premium mode and regular mode on my octane switch.
Thanks
Turbo project with overboost problems 
TOM
