Cam on stock computer?

BPLP · May 21, 2018

Can I put a bigger camshaft on my 96 ford ranger with a stock ECU?

Does a bigger cam call for a flash on the ECU or a stand alone?

I also think I'm going to put 19lb injectors off a mustang with it.

Thanks, Ben

RonD · May 21, 2018

Yes, you can, no changes to the computer are needed.

I would hold off on the larger injectors, see if you get a Lean Code, after running for a few weeks with new cam, engine is never running Lean, Lean code in this case would mean stock injector size needs to be increased.
If you put in larger injectors on spec and you get RICH code, then you will have to put stock injectors back in.

BPLP · May 21, 2018

Can I put a 1989-1994 cam in my 1996 ranger with the stock rocker arms even though those years dont have a camshaft position sensor but 1995 and up did?

I was reading this http://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/2300Cams.html and I am just wondering.

BPLP · May 22, 2018

On the hot rod high site above its saying that there is a difference in cam sizes between whats in my 1996 2.3 and what would be in a 89-94 ranger?

When I get on autozones website it shows that the cam that fits in my ranger will fit a ranger from 1992/93 which is in the time range, same specs and everything.

I'm getting confused! Please help! :icon_confused:

tomw · May 23, 2018

From the site:
"The hot setup is to use a 95+ Rocker Arm (1.86" ratio) with a 89-94 Roller Cam (0.2381" lobe lift). This will give you a valve lift of 0.443" which is pretty dam hot! If you have an 89-94 2.3L, you will have to widen the valve stem ends (0.2750") of the 95+ rockers to fit the 0.343" valve stems."

There are a few factors here.
- cam follower/rocker ratio
- cam lobe lift

The later model followers have a higher ratio 1.86 vs 1.64
The earlier cam has higher cam lift (.2381 vs .2361 ... .020")

The combo has more valve lift, creating more opening for intake and exhaust gas flow. The higher the valve lift, the more the valve opens... more lift==more flow.

The autozone website is using 'generic' fit, in that it will fit in, will work, but not exactly precisely the same as the factory. To know, you would have to compare the lobe/duration/etc of the Autozone cam to the items listed on the site. They are selling a replacement cam to someone who just wants their truck to run, and is not especially looking for a bump in power.
tom

BPLP · May 23, 2018

I actually got out the repair manual for 1993-2011 rangers and found the specs!

POOF that paper/book can be better than the internet sometimes! (even when used by a young guy like me! :icon_rofl:

)

For a 2.3l lobe lift

1993-1994 (intake and exhaust) _________ 0.2381"

1995-2007 (intake and exhaust) _________ 0.2163"

2008-2011
(intake) _____________________________ 0.234"
(exhaust) ____________________________ 0.307"

Hopefully this clears stuff up for anyone else that needs to know something regarding this!

I haven't found any info on the rockers/followers that backs up the 1.86" measurement and the 1.64" measurement found on that website.

RonD · May 23, 2018

Just a heads up, the 2.3l Lima engine was made from 1974 to 1997, stroked version, 2.5l, from 1998 to 2001
2002 and up is the 2.3l Mazda DOHC(Duratec) engine, no relation to 2.3l Lima, except displacement
Rangers started getting the 2.3l Duratec engines in 2001.5, so halfway thru the model year.

BPLP · May 23, 2018

RonD said:
Just a heads up, the 2.3l Lima engine was made from 1974 to 1997, stroked version, 2.5l, from 1998 to 2001
2002 and up is the 2.3l Mazda DOHC(Duratec) engine, no relation to 2.3l Lima, except displacement
Rangers started getting the 2.3l Duratec engines in 2001.5, so halfway thru the model year.

So I could only put the older cam into my ranger right? I have a 1996 so from what you said it would be a Lima engine not a Mazda so putting the bigger 1989-1994 cam in it would work?

RonD · May 23, 2018

Yes, you already have the roller rockers('95 and up) just need the older Cam, as tomw said

BPLP · May 23, 2018

Awesome!

To the junkyard I go!

Cam on stock computer?

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