what is best diameter pipe to get the most power out of my 1997 ranger with a 2.3?


thebigyellowtruck

thebigyellowtruck

15+ Year Member

Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
130
Points
3,101
City
New Boston, MI
Vehicle Year
1997
Transmission
Automatic
My exhaust is rotting away on my ranger, i am going to have to replace it in a few weeks, i know i can increase the power if i change the exaust pipe size. What is the best size pipe for this application? It is only a 2.3 L so im not sure if i can go past 3, but your input is appreciated. thanks.
 
Past 3"? I wouldn't go past 2.25" on a 4 cyl. You won't get any power gains from changing your pipe size either.
 
i was told that the max for a 4 banger should be about 2.75 diameter pipe. If i make the exhaust bigger and change teh breather i was told that i should get better fuel economy and more horsepower.
 
Much too large. 2.25 is the absolute largest I'd consider, and 2" would be much more realistic.
 
ok, so ill probably go with 2.25 in, but i should get a fuel economy increase and some more horsepower, right? especially since it would be bigger than the restrictive pipe i have on there now.
 
Not one that you could feel. It would never pay for itself in fuel economy. I could see the argument if you were doing a turbo swap, installing a cam, etc... Stock, it's just not necessary.
 
From the tech library up top;
Some people believe that the bigger the exhaust pipe diameter, the better the system. Bigger isn't always better. Systems that are too large in diameter can actually hurt performance.

Generally, switching to a performance system that is 1/4" to 1/2" inch larger than stock will provide you with the best horsepower increases. To determine which pipe diameters will be best for your system, decide what RPM range your engine will operate at, most of the time. Smaller diameter pipes will produce low to mid RPM torque. Larger diameters produce mid to high RPM torque. For the 4.0L Ranger, 2.25" - 2.5" is about as big as you want to go. Bigger isn't always better. Systems that are too large in diameter can actually hurt performance. improved flow is what you need. Besides the lost back pressure by running too large, or at an extreme -- straight pipes (with no muffler) you lose a lot of low end torque.
 
on my 97 2.3 im running 2.25 into a y-pipe duals with no muffler, and its not restrictive and its not to big
 
I cut my exhaust off to see what it sounds like while I was debating on a muffler. I tell you what, it sounds good, but its slow as balls! I just got my Thrush Welded muffler in 2.25 inlet/outlet. I'm probably going to reduce it back down to 2 1/8 for the pipe to help with low end torque. Other than, you're not going to gain HP.
 
I think I've settled for 2in pipe, that seems to be the cheapest and most practical. What kind of muffler do you think would sound good? I dont like how cherry bomb glasspacks sound on the small ford engines, they sound like a dumb tuner, rice burner.
 
Here you go. $168 shipped, and you get a $75 rebate on top of that.
 
I'd just toss some pipe on there..... anything will pretty much do.

If you want some sound out of it, get a Y muffler, and run duals.
These are gutless little engines.
to be honest, the exhaust is only even fun if you have a manual, they sound like crap on auto's generally.
I run a Vortex or something Y pipe to duals exiting under my muffler...... chicks really don't dig it. My bosses wife hates me waking her up coming into work.

The 2.3 is forever destined to yield low hp and crap for a sound "note"

but if you don't play (like most all people with an exhaust) you will see a mild increase in economy.... if you really crunch your numbers, and set up a prior, and aft, controlled test. and you could gain upwards of 2hp.

Frank
 
FYI!! your stock exhaust is 2in inner diameter after the flange. and only 2.125 id before so 2in pipe wont change a thing. imo 2.25 in will be fine
 
actually, the stock exhaust is closer to 1 7/8 but 2'' fits over it nicely. i measured mine numerous times. i changed mufflers a lot.
 
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