CbusBii
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2011
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1988
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Before anyone tells me to not put a 3.8 in my truck.. I am not sold on any engine, I am just doing research on the 3.8
Ok, here's my question.
I'm sorta looking into upgrading my truck to make it better, more reliable, powerful and ultimately trail worthy. I've been doing some research into an engine swap since I'm not really all about my stock 2.9 L. Like I said, Ive thrown around many ideas about what would be the best choice for offroading. I've thought about a turbo 2.3, a 5-0, diesel and finally I'm thinking about a supercharged 3.8. I read that 94 and never versions of the engine have like 230 hp and 330 ft lbs!! (At 2500 rpm!!). That is pretty sweet, and a supercharged set up seems best for low rpm torque which seems ideal for going off road. And probably with some upgrades like maybe a cam, underdrive pulley, or some tuning could get the powerband even lower. I read Tony Berger's write up on his swap, and began to get a little disappointed.. He mentioned the 3.8 being wider and taller then a 5 Liter making for a tight fit.. and that the oil pump's filter housing needs to be chopped off to clear the steering box!! and also that the transmission tunnel needs to be beat in to clear a C5 bellhousing.. I dont like the idea of either of these.. Is there anyone out there who has experience with doing this that could give me some more info on the swap, anything! I plan on swapping my Mitsu 5 speed tranny for an M5R2 anyways, so i feel like that would clear since those tranny came on rangers stock. I'm just not really wanting to cut off the filter mount to plumb lines, it seems nuts to me.. Also, any other info would be greatly appreciated!!
Ok, here's my question.
I'm sorta looking into upgrading my truck to make it better, more reliable, powerful and ultimately trail worthy. I've been doing some research into an engine swap since I'm not really all about my stock 2.9 L. Like I said, Ive thrown around many ideas about what would be the best choice for offroading. I've thought about a turbo 2.3, a 5-0, diesel and finally I'm thinking about a supercharged 3.8. I read that 94 and never versions of the engine have like 230 hp and 330 ft lbs!! (At 2500 rpm!!). That is pretty sweet, and a supercharged set up seems best for low rpm torque which seems ideal for going off road. And probably with some upgrades like maybe a cam, underdrive pulley, or some tuning could get the powerband even lower. I read Tony Berger's write up on his swap, and began to get a little disappointed.. He mentioned the 3.8 being wider and taller then a 5 Liter making for a tight fit.. and that the oil pump's filter housing needs to be chopped off to clear the steering box!! and also that the transmission tunnel needs to be beat in to clear a C5 bellhousing.. I dont like the idea of either of these.. Is there anyone out there who has experience with doing this that could give me some more info on the swap, anything! I plan on swapping my Mitsu 5 speed tranny for an M5R2 anyways, so i feel like that would clear since those tranny came on rangers stock. I'm just not really wanting to cut off the filter mount to plumb lines, it seems nuts to me.. Also, any other info would be greatly appreciated!!
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