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Topic: 2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification? (Read 1588 times) previous topic - next topic

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

My Father and Step mother were the previous owners of my '88 TC.  My father had a mechanic change the cam to a roller setup and later I found out he also modified the car to create more boost.  He also turned the boost alarm off.

I took ownership of the car last January and got it running again.  Stuck fuel injectors and other odds n ends to get it running fairly well.  I replaced vacuum lines that were dry rotted, etc.

I wanted to adjust the turbo pressure so I purchased a Gilles Valve from all the recommendations I have read.  This is when I found out the someone had mickey moused the turbo setup.  Right now I have the no spring or ball in the valve and it produces 18 psig boost.  I have checked for a vacuum leak and have not found any (Not that there isn't any, but I have not found any).  I placed a vacuum gauge on it in the summer and the vacuum sits between 14 & 15 psi depending on the idle.  The idle does vary sometimes as if a module is adjusting the rpm.

The idle does hang sometimes when I push the clutch in and other times it does not.  I have not figured out what causes this.

It appears I my commuter car may be taking its last breathe and until I find a replacement the Thunderbird may have to fill the slot for a time.  At this point in time with the turbo set the way it is the car is a handful in the rain.  It hits like a '70s era 2 stroke dirt bike.  All off or on in the power band.  I would like to turn the boost down. 

I hate the thought of exposing the car to this salt brine they put on the roads, but......
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

Reply #1
How are things connected currently? Any pics of the waste gate/ BC valve hoses?

14-15 inHg vacuum at idle is kind of low, but that also might depend on what cam was installed?
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

Reply #2
http://www.boostvalve.com/ford.html
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

Reply #3
Quote from: flipnbird;468256
http://www.boostvalve.com/ford.html
That is exactly how it is connected.  I wish I found that link when putting it in.  Thanks!
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

Reply #4
Quote from: Chuck W;468255
How are things connected currently? Any pics of the waste gate/ BC valve hoses?

14-15 inHg vacuum at idle is kind of low, but that also might depend on what cam was installed?

I will take pictures and post.  I did get good news on my commuter has some last gasps in it so that should buy me a month or so.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

2.3L Wastegate / Turbo spring modification?

Reply #5
Unfortunately I didn't get the car out of her winter slumber and into the garage this weekend.  At this point it will need to wait until after Christmas to move.

The last time I worked on the car I did check the actuator on the gate by applying pressure on the vacuum line to it.  I didn't feel any loss although it wasn't very scientific using my mouth.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300