94

[94Ranger]

im new to turbo set ups and the ranger for that matter what tunning options are available for my 94 ranger

[Jesshwarren]

The 94 would be OBD-1 there are no tuning options for your existing ECU that I know of. You would need to get a LA3 ECU from a turbo SVO. You can tune the LA3 with a J3 chip.

You will need to repin the harness to match the LA3.

You could try calibrated MAF with big injectors and no tune. It would work but not perfect. Stalling problems and timing could be an issue.


You could always switch to OBD-2 it would be a good bit of work.

[94Ranger]

well thanks a lot for the info im gunna go from here and see what i can come up with....

i was under the impression that the 94 was a 3rd gen and they were all odb2
i guess im wrong lol

[Riddle_Rob]

I almost won a LA3 ecu for $60 on ebay last week haha...then I realized I didn't need it. ODBII starts in 96.

[94Ranger]

well to bad you dont have it i would have bought it.... i guess i need one lol

[Jesshwarren]

Watch ebay. They are on there time and again.

[94Ranger]

ill look around check some other forums, ebay or even a junk yard

thanks for the info guys iv been trying to find info on this stuff for a while but people arent really willing to dish it out ...

[Riddle_Rob]

Theres a few computers you can use:

Taken from therangerstation:

There are two major types of computers, the P series (PE, PK-1, PC-1,etc) and the L series (LA2, LA3, 8UA) PK’s and PC’s were intended for non-intercooled engines but respond well when one is added. The LA3 was the latest and greatest of these computers but is not as highly sought after as the PE computer from the ’85-1/2 SVO.

[94Ranger]

thanks ill keep my out for one of those as well

[twiztid1]

I have a PK1 and a 8UA if you are interested.

[94Ranger]

how much and which one would be the best for me?

[twiztid1]

Car / Trans / Year /Computer / Injectors / Intercooler / Turbo VAF

TC /C3 /85-86 / PK1 / 35 / No / T3 .63 A/R / small
TC /A4LD /87-88 / 8UA / 35 / Yes / IHI / Big

I would say the 8UA would be the better of the two. Maybe Jess will chime in. What is the cheapest way to ship to canada?

[94Ranger]

so how much did you want for that ecu?

[Riddle_Rob]

Cheapest way is USPS ground as a gift.

[nagelandy55]

I'll second that, USPS all the way. Don't ship UPS. They screwed me over every time.

[twiztid1]

so how much did you want for that ecu?

PM sent

[muddpawz]

dont laugh at me but im not getting the whole tune thing. ive got a 94 na ranger, and buliding a '97 2.3 and im soo lost as to what electronics to use to get the swap to work. can anyone put into laymans terms what im gonna need to get it to run? or heck even start!! what computer, and chip or tune should i go with? HELP!!

[Jesshwarren]

Keep your stock 94 harness and ECU. You will need to put the 94 crank sensor and damper on the front of the 97 block to get it to work with the 94 harness and ECU.

You will need to contact a SCT dealer, give them the 4dig code on your ECU they will then be able to make a custom chip for you. I would guess they will want the truck there to dyno tune it.

If you could put a 95 or later harness in the truck I would highly recommend it.

[muddpawz]

jess, changed the plan as you probly know, got an 87 tc motor, and wana put a newer dp head on it. as far as tuning goes same plan still work? just tune the 94 computer w/90mm MAF & injectors would work fine right? swaping the harness and ecu's a bit much work for what id like to do, unless its necessary...thanks

[D94R]

Am I still the only one who subscribes to the notion of getting it swapped in in a "stock turbo" way to make sure all the bugs are worked out, then go about modifiying and/or changing the electronics to MAF/tuner later on?

It always seems the guys who try to change things before they even have it up and running end up without a running project.

It's seriously not that hard to swap in a turbo computer, especially on a 94.

[muddpawz]

im with ya dr94, just want to make it as easy as possible to get it goin after the swap. not sure to go with, swap in an obII harness? LA3 w/J3 chip & repin? or stock ecu and chip it?!? Ive even got the harnes, big VAM, and ecu from an '87 tc. i found a 90mm MAF on ebay for $20 already too! i agree though, get in and semi running before going all out with tuning!! what would be the best way overall?! thanks