Mazda speed swap, 1993 ranger

[Shotrod69]

I’ve got a good running 2.3 speed motor. I know that it’s the Duratec motor.

the question that I’ve got is what would I need to do to swap it?(mostly in the weeds stuff)

I know I’ll need mounts, new rear end, new trans(it’s already a manual).

I’ve got motor, ecu, ignition with key, and cluster.

 

[Josh B]

Hey ShotRod, welcome to TRS
I can't answer a bunch of your questions, but someone will be along

 

[superj]

I cant either but if you get that speed motor to run in the truck, that will be a blast

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

So you have a 1993 Ford Ranger, with a 4.0l OHV engine

The 2.3l DOHC Duratec was used in late 2001 to 2011 Rangers or 2001-2010 Mazda B2300
Which Year is it from?

2001-2003 use analog cluster so not a big deal
2004-2011 used Digital so more wiring is needed
Year can be found in the first 4 digits on PCM(ECU) 1L5x to 3L5x is 2001-2003
4L5x and up is 2004 and up

The 2.3l DOHC had a different bell housing that previous 2.3l SOHC so yes you need a transmission for a 2.3l DOHC, from one of the above years
M5OD-R1(M5R1) is the manual model used in ALL Rangers, but MUST BE from a 2.3l DOHC engine
2001-2011 will work

Don't need a new rear axle, 7.5" or 8.8" can handle up to 300HP

This swap would be a "labor of love", there is no practical value in it, for the time and cost
But people have done it
The 4.0l OHV was a stock option in a 1993 Ranger and has more power

It's up to you of course but finding a later model 2001-2011 2.3l Ranger or Mazda B2300 with a blown engine might be a better use for the 2.3l DOHC engine

 

[Shotrod69]

Welcome to TRS

So you have a 1993 Ford Ranger, with a 4.0l OHV engine

The 2.3l DOHC Duratec was used in late 2001 to 2011 Rangers or 2001-2010 Mazda B2300
Which Year is it from?

2001-2003 use analog cluster so not a big deal
2004-2011 used Digital so more wiring is needed
Year can be found in the first 4 digits on PCM(ECU) 1L5x to 3L5x is 2001-2003
4L5x and up is 2004 and up

The 2.3l DOHC had a different bell housing that previous 2.3l SOHC so yes you need a transmission for a 2.3l DOHC, from one of the above years
M5OD-R1(M5R1) is the manual model used in ALL Rangers, but MUST BE from a 2.3l DOHC engine
2001-2011 will work

Don't need a new rear axle, 7.5" or 8.8" can handle up to 300HP

This swap would be a "labor of love", there is no practical value in it, for the time and cost
But people have done it
The 4.0l OHV was a stock option in a 1993 Ranger and has more power

It's up to you of course but finding a later model 2001-2011 2.3l Ranger or Mazda B2300 with a blown engine might be a better use for the 2.3l DOHC engine

Currently I’ve got a 93 2.3, but the swap would go in the one that came with duratec. Mostly this idea just can about because I’ve got parts laying around.

the main issue I’ve found is the ecu, I either need a reliable way to bypass security or a stand alone ecu that can drive direct injection without being $7000.

everything else seems like it’d be a straight forward swap. Just 2.3/2.5 duratec to 2.3 duratec.

Not to spread hate, but the guys on the mazda 3 forum are a bunch of jerk off who just say it’s a waste of money and gate keep.

 

[RonD]

Still not clear on what you are doing?

1993 2.3l is a SOHC Lima engine, it was also used in Rangers in 1998 to mid 2001 as a 2.5l SOHC Lima engine, stroked 2.3l
The Lima engine was designed in the early 1970's and first used in the 1974 Ford Pinto, so was nicknamed "the pinto engine", and because it was made in the Ford Lima, Ohio engine plant it's also called the Lima engine

Ford used the 2.3l DOHC Mazda L engine in Rangers from late 2001 to 2011 and renamed it a Duratec engine
Mazda L engine was designed for FWD cars so when it was put in the RWD Ranger it made for some creative cooling system changes, lol

 

[2011Supercab]

I'm also confused, But I don't think he wants to put the 2.3 Duratec into his 93.

I think he wants to swap it into something else that already has a 2.3/2.5 Duratec, so I'm not sure what the real problem is.

 

[Shotrod69]

Still not clear on what you are doing?

1993 2.3l is a SOHC Lima engine, it was also used in Rangers in 1998 to mid 2001 as a 2.5l SOHC Lima engine, stroked 2.3l
The Lima engine was designed in the early 1970's and first used in the 1974 Ford Pinto, so was nicknamed "the pinto engine", and because it was made in the Ford Lima, Ohio engine plant it's also called the Lima engine

Ford used the 2.3l DOHC Mazda L engine in Rangers from late 2001 to 2011 and renamed it a Duratec engine
Mazda L engine was designed for FWD cars so when it was put in the RWD Ranger it made for some creative cooling system changes, lol

It’d be a swap into a 01+ ranger. I’ve done some research, seems to me the only issue with the swap would the ecu. Since the speed motor is a direct injection. I can’t really find an affordable stand alone ecu for it, nor can I seem to find a reliable way to bypass the security systems.

 

[Shotrod69]

I'm also confused, But I don't think he wants to put the 2.3 Duratec into his 93.

I think he wants to swap it into something else that already has a 2.3/2.5 Duratec, so I'm not sure what the real problem is.

You’re right, swap into a 01+ ranger. When I posted it was a wide net for answers. My research shows me that the security system would be an issue.

I can’t seem to find a reliable way to bypass it or an affordable standalone ecu since it’s direct injection.

 

[RonD]

2.3l "speed motor"
What is that?

Is it 2.3l Ecoboost?

Google: Ford Ranger 2.3l ecoboost swap

 

[Shotrod69]

2.3l "speed motor"
What is that?

Is it 2.3l Ecoboost?

Google: Ford Ranger 2.3l ecoboost swap

It’s the engine out of the Mazda speed 3, turbo 2.3 duratec

 

[RonD]

Same Mazda L block as Ranger 2.3l Duratec and 2.3l Ecoboost
But different head and turbo from ecoboost

Also FWD design so cooling system will need some tweaks
Also can be some firewall clearance issues when this engine is used in RWD engine bay
Remember you have to be able to service any engine after its swapped in to a different chassis

The 2001 and up Ranger 2.3l M5R1 manual will bolt to this Mazda L engine
You will need to look at which starter motor to use base on flywheel

2.3l Ranger engine mounts should work, but you will need to check that
Rear axle will work fine as the engine is under 300HP

Need to use the 2.3l Mazdaspeed3 Computer and engine wiring harness
And they did come with manual trans software

A 2001-2003 Ranger with analog dash would be best, but not sure what senders are available for coolant temp and oil pressure
You can add temp sender bung to heater hose, and you can "T" an oil pressure outlet

You will need to go to Mazda forums to see what security was used in the Computer in which years, like PATS or Odometer match
And if computer needs to connect to it original Mazda Dash with key on

 

[Shotrod69]

Same Mazda L block as Ranger 2.3l Duratec and 2.3l Ecoboost
But different head and turbo from ecoboost

Also FWD design so cooling system will need some tweaks
Also can be some firewall clearance issues when this engine is used in RWD engine bay
Remember you have to be able to service any engine after its swapped in to a different chassis

The 2001 and up Ranger 2.3l M5R1 manual will bolt to this Mazda L engine
You will need to look at which starter motor to use base on flywheel

2.3l Ranger engine mounts should work, but you will need to check that
Rear axle will work fine as the engine is under 300HP

Need to use the 2.3l Mazdaspeed3 Computer and engine wiring harness
And they did come with manual trans software

A 2001-2003 Ranger with analog dash would be best, but not sure what senders are available for coolant temp and oil pressure
You can add temp sender bung to heater hose, and you can "T" an oil pressure outlet

You will need to go to Mazda forums to see what security was used in the Computer in which years, like PATS or Odometer match
And if computer needs to connect to it original Mazda Dash with key on

L series and duratec are the same, I thought eco boost was the same but different as in parts compatibility.

cooling seems like an easy problem to solve all things considered. Any clearance problems can be solved by me hitting it with my purse(20lb sledge).

sensors are only as hard as you make it.

From what I’ve read, bypassing pats involves taping/glueing or otherwise securing the chip to the ignition. Seems like either no one know or is willing to share how to remove it completely.

 

[Ranger850]

From what I’ve read, bypassing pats involves taping/glueing or otherwise securing the chip to the ignition. Seems like either no one know or is willing to share how to remove it completely.

I'm no expert, but I think bypassing the PATS with the key/chip near the ignition is cheaper/easier than having someone at a Dealership delete PATS. This seems to be a common procedure for V8 swaps (i.e. swapping in a motor that wasn't intended for a particular vehicle)

 

[Shotrod69]

I'm no expert, but I think bypassing the PATS with the key/chip near the ignition is cheaper/easier than having someone at a Dealership delete PATS. This seems to be a common procedure for V8 swaps (i.e. swapping in a motor that wasn't intended for a particular vehicle)

I agree, but I don’t know if a ranger could even support doing that with the mazda ecu.