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Ford Ranger Engine Modifications

26 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2009 at 1:15 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Truck

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 26 Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers by stryder3

Jun 21, 2006 (6:46 pm)

I own a 1997 Ford Ranger with the 4 cylinder, 2.3L engine and am dissapointed with the acceleration now that I regularly have to merge into 70mph traffic. I'm very mechanically inclined, and was wondering if there was any relatively easy and inexpensive upgrade I could put in to significantly improve acceleration. My first serious thought was a turbo kit. Are there any turbo kits that will fit on this engine, or can I easily adapt a turbo from another car or truck? Also, could I buy a performance chip or switch one out with a V8?
 
Thanks

#2 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [stryder3] by bolivar

Jun 21, 2006 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: stryder3 (Jun 21, 2006 6:46 pm)
If you want fast, buy fast.
 
Don't try to increase the power on your truck. It's a 4 cylinder and always be. Chips, exhaust, mufflers, wires, plugs, coils, air intake and filter mods will not significantly change this truck and motor configuration.
 
Trade it for a V6. The 4L is significantly faster.
 
I don't think there is a turbo available. But since this is not my 'thing', I could be wrong.

#3 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [bolivar] by stryder3

Jun 22, 2006 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: bolivar (Jun 21, 2006 8:25 pm)
Thanks, but I think there is probably a way to improve the power by at least 10% or 15%. Those import tuner guys with their compacts can almost double their power rating. Granted, they probably spend a lot of money on their cars, but I'm just looking to add a little acceleration. Any suggestions are appreciated though.

#4 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [stryder3] by bolivar

Jun 23, 2006 (12:03 am)

Replying to: stryder3 (Jun 22, 2006 8:01 pm)
What do you have, 114hp?
 
114 x 1.15 = 131hp
 
Do you think you will be able to 'feel' the difference. I doubt it.
 
You've got, maybe, a $4,000 truck.
 
How much money are you going to put into it? And remember, a 'modded' vehicle will seldom pay back much, if any, of the cost. And actually may de-value a vehicle.
 
Trade for an early 2000's 208hp V6 4L Ranger. You will be able to tell the difference on this truck.

#5 of 26 Ranger, 4l by teh_joker

Jun 24, 2006 (1:46 pm)

I'd go for the 4L with the five speed. i put a computer, wires, ingection maniflod w/ injectors, bored it out, and custom made a turbo for it. now i run amost 245 hp out of that little engine, and lay out rubber in 4th gear, out of 5. plus with the computer, i can have it adjust the back pressure on the turbo so it get better gas milage, and ajust the ingection pressure. with everything i did to it, i get it from 0-60 in less than 7 seconds. but i payed for it. my mods are at about 10k. more than the worth of a 1997 Ranger XLT, but i'm keepin that truck untill i die, it dies, or we both go together. i pull around 21 mpg in low power mode, but acceleration for 0-60 is around 11 secs, it pulls as much power as the 3L. in medium mode, i get around 18 mpg, and normal 4L acceleration. In power mode, i pull around 15 mpg, but accleration is in the top end. It runs great against most cars. love seeing my friends jaws drop when i smoke thier cars. Go for a trade in, Get a 4.0L 2x4. i have the 4x4, pulls too much wieght, i reckon it slows my speed down about .3 seconds in the 1/4 mile, but still.
 
P.S. I'm putting NO2 in it.

#6 of 26 turbo by clintonjohn

Jun 25, 2006 (9:58 am)

I'm not at all knowlegeable in the specific engines, but I wonder if the base 2.3 in the Ranger isn't the same engine as in the older 2.3 turbo SVO Mustangs or Tbirds minus the turbo. If that is the case, could a turbo be pulled off an old SVO and installed on the base Ranger motor? Or simply do an engine swap? That said, wouldn't you then need to modify various components to accomodate the turbo-exhaust for example? I don't know that the comparison between the Japanese tuners and the Ranger is a fair comparison in that there are tons of aftermarket upgrades for the Civics whereas I doubt there's enough of a Ranger tuner market to cause manufacturers to start making high performance upgrades. I'm sure it's possible, but there's probably little incentive for the companies.

#7 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [stryder3] by yetti8

Jul 17, 2006 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: stryder3 (Jun 21, 2006 6:46 pm)
i am thinking on buying a 97 ford ranger with 240,000 miles is it a smart thing?

#8 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [yetti8] by rangerracer08

Nov 01, 2006 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: yetti8 (Jul 17, 2006 3:15 pm)
i agree with the guy above me, i am puttin a turbo kit on my 2.3 right now... when ur moms van smokes ur bagged, header back exhaust, filter truck it pisses me off soo yeah i suggest doing the motor swap or even just the turbo kit from another 2.3 ford motor

#9 of 26 Re: Engine Upgrades for Late 90's Rangers [yetti8] by bolivar

Nov 01, 2006 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: yetti8 (Jul 17, 2006 3:15 pm)
Like all car purchases, it depends:
 
-Price
-You knowledge of do-it-yourself repair, or
  willingness to pay for repairs (which actually ties back to -Price).
 
Because at this milage, almost anything can break at any time.
 
But if the truck has had good maintenance done in it's past, it could have quite a few miles left in it. But remember, you should expect anything could break at any time.

#10 of 26 5.0L V8 by 94hopes

Nov 24, 2006 (5:53 pm)

I own a '94 ranger 4x2, and am thinking of dropping in a 5.0L Mustang V8. I am just wondering if anybody knows what else is involved? I know Ill have to get V8 motor mounts(i think that they make them as a conversion kit for the ranger), a new wiring harness, and probably headers, but will the stock tranny be enough? It has a 4.0L V6 now, so i think i can get away with just putting in a shift kit. What about the stock drive shaft, will it work? If anybody has been through this and has an idea of what im getting hyself into, please let me know?

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