Turbo minivan (planning 3.8L ford windstar project)

[RobertISaar]

Originally Posted by js335

you are correct, this van is a 99, single bank o2 sensor fuel control for V6/V8 engines went away in the early 90's with OBD1, this OB2 engine is more than capable of making individual bank fuel trim adjustments.

Even so, I've turbocharged many cars before, and the issues you guys are talking about would certainly come into play at high boost/power situations, but not this.

if it uses individual O2 sensors per bank(and it doesn't necessarily do so, i can think of some V6 applications up to 2005 that use a single pre-cat O2 sensor), it MIGHT adjust bank fueling, or it could adjust all injectors. you'll have to measure injector pulsewidth with an oscilliscope or something similar to see if it does if you can't get into the PCM to verify and adjust it.

and high boost isn't required to see it.... unless you're using a VATN or otherwise gigantic A/R turbine housing, you will ALWAYS have more backpressure than you have positive manifold pressure. even 4PSI or manifold pressure means you'll see at least that between the exhaust port and the turbine housing, which will effect the amount of air going in and out of the cylinder.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by RobertISaar

and high boost isn't required to see it.... unless you're using a VATN or otherwise gigantic A/R turbine housing, you will ALWAYS have more backpressure than you have positive manifold pressure. even 4PSI or manifold pressure means you'll see at least that between the exhaust port and the turbine housing, which will effect the amount of air going in and out of the cylinder.

That's not true for a well designed turbo system on boost, but off boost it will be true.

Anyways, the point still holds of course, don't need big pressure to make a difference.

[js335]

sorry guys, been super busy lately, I am still curious about the asymmetrical setup but I think I'm going twin after all, I decided to make a little power while I was at it too. I just picked up a blown audi 2.7l engine with a pair of good turbos and lots of plumbing on it for free .99, so twin K03's it is. I have a real busy next couple of weeks before I start on it, but I'll keep you guys updated for sure.

[pete c]

sounds like an interesting project. I will second the idea of making it into a 3 cylinder. Simply removing the rockers so the valves stay closed is probably the best way to do it. Removing the pistons completely would be better, but, a lot of work.

[oil pan 4]

I have K03 down pipes if you need one.
And coolant lines.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by pete c

I will second the idea of making it into a 3 cylinder. Simply removing the rockers so the valves stay closed is probably the best way to do it. Removing the pistons completely would be better, but, a lot of work.

I may disagree on that. At least for me, the best way to get a job done is the right way, which in this case would mean to remove one of the cylinder banks entirely.

[Miller88]

First - which transmission does your van have? AX4S (AXOD METRIC) or AX4N?

Either of those transmission were available behind 3.8 tauruses. I believe they had 3.77 or 3.99 in the windstars and 3.21 in the Tauruses.

A trans swap (and retuning the computer to compensate) would be a good idea. Higher gearing and turbo help.

What would scare me is the underhood temps. It's a cramped engine bay, not a lot of room to do anything. I would be afraid of more heat causing headgaskets to blow more frequently.

[UltArc]

I just follow this to learn more, and check out what you guys are doing, but I have collected some intel on the Taurus. This is in no way scientific, but in the NE Ohio region, I know of five Tauri from 1997-2002 that had transmissions go between 125-145k miles.

No evidence beyond input from people I met, just a trend I noticed. Looking forward to hearing more about this bad boy(or girl)!

[oil pan 4]

AX4N transmissions found on those cars are garbage.
At minimum I would recomend a canister style hydraulic oil filter and air to oil cooler.

[Miller88]

Originally Posted by UltArc

I just follow this to learn more, and check out what you guys are doing, but I have collected some intel on the Taurus. This is in no way scientific, but in the NE Ohio region, I know of five Tauri from 1997-2002 that had transmissions go between 125-145k miles.

No evidence beyond input from people I met, just a trend I noticed. Looking forward to hearing more about this bad boy(or girl)!

Any of them with the 4 speed auto (99.999999% of Tauruses) from 86-07 are suspect. They were a very weak transmission. Mainly they overheated