I think the TC's run in the 4000lb range, so a 3200lb Ranger should go pretty good. I think the TC's use a 7.5" axle too, but I think most of them had a limited slip. I think I remember reading that a 2.3T Ranger should run in the mid 14's in the 1/4, so that's reasonably quick.'
You're new to this Ranger, right? Once you have some miles on it and get used to how it shifts I bet it'll grow on you, my M5OD shifts smooth (except 2nd, that grinds now and then even with new synchro's) and can be shifted fast. If you think an M5 shifts like a truck, try driving an S-10 with a T5... Even the ZF5 in my F350 shifts better than they do
I have a feeling your exhaust tube intake is the cause for the WOT miss, these systems don't like air metering problems either way, anytime air gets in or out after the VAM they'll run kinda weird. I think my VAM has a dead spot in the highway cruise area of airflow because it will run just fine with more or less throttle. It's gonna be my excuse to upgrade to the LA3 computer I have and find a big VAM, but I gotta wait til I have time to do that, it runs just fine other than cruising at 55mph, 50 and down or 60 and up is fine, but it doesn't like 55...