1994 Mazda B3000 intake manifold

[Aaron Powell]

I've looked around and done some research, but I can't quite find the details. The intake manifold and throttle body are one in the same. I've read that I can swap the throttle body for an explorer throttle body, but, obviously I can't do that. Can I swap to a completely different manifold that has a removable throttle body?

 

[Bgunner]

If I am not mistaken the B3000 has the 3.0 Vulcan motor in it. My 94 3.0 Vulcan, assembled in August of 93, has a detachable throttle throttle body from the factory but you may be able to swap the upper intake over to one with the removable throttle body similar to mine. This would allow for the explorer throttle body swap. Just a heads up the plastic upper intake will not work on 94 3.0's, I've already explored that option.

 

[Curious Hound]

There's a newer (newer than 93 or 94) metal upper intake with removable throttle body. I don't remember what years. I think the info is in the tech section. I actually have one, though I will probably never use it. I could look out in my storage shed tomorrow and see if I wrote down what year and vehicle I got it from on.

 

[Aaron Powell]

If I am not mistaken the B3000 has the 3.0 Vulcan motor in it. My 94 3.0 Vulcan, assembled in August of 93, has a detachable throttle throttle body from the factory but you may be able to swap the upper intake over to one with the removable throttle body similar to mine. This would allow for the explorer throttle body swap. Just a heads up the plastic upper intake will not work on 94 3.0's, I've already explored that option.

So, essentially, I could pull an upper intake manifold and throttle body from an explorer then? I don't see why the manifolds would be any different. Then I could just do the throttle body swap with the manifold right from the junk yard haha.

 

[Bgunner]

Not necessarily. There are multiple upper intakes for the 3.0 along with different cams inserted depending on what vehicle they were being installed in. I know for a fact the Taurus intake is different than the Ranger intake. I can not say for sure an explorer upper will be a simple bolt on. Maybe someone else here will have more info on that.

 

[mtnrgr]

The answers to everybodys questions are yes, you can swap a newer upper intake manifold onto your ranger, it will need to be from another 3.0. No, the upper intake manifold from a 4.0 will not bolt onto the 3.0, completely different intake design. The 3.0 in the Ranger from 91-97 had the same exact upper intake manifold. Ford started the removal throttle body in 98+. In 2002 they were changed over to plastic, bad idea. Watch this guy's videos, and he will take you thru it step at a time with all he has done and is continuing to do. His knowledge is quite interesting on the 3.0.

The Vulcan

Learn how to make budget power in your grocery getter.

www.youtube.com

 

[8thTon]

The answers to everybodys questions are yes, you can swap a newer upper intake manifold onto your ranger, it will need to be from another 3.0. No, the upper intake manifold from a 4.0 will not bolt onto the 3.0, completely different intake design. The 3.0 in the Ranger from 91-97 had the same exact upper intake manifold. Ford started the removal throttle body in 98+. In 2002 they were changed over to plastic, bad idea. Watch this guy's videos, and he will take you thru it step at a time with all he has done and is continuing to do. His knowledge is quite interesting on the 3.0.

The Vulcan

Learn how to make budget power in your grocery getter.

www.youtube.com

Why was the plastic intake a bad idea? They make the most power stock.

 

[mtnrgr]

They expand ALOT during cold and heat cycles that causes them to crack and fall apart. When ford started this in 95 with the 4.0, over the years there have been complaints with this. When other engines followed with the plastic upper intake manifold, that same situation was happening alot more. Can't get a good replacement at the junk yard as you don't know the condition that other plastic peice is in. Your only real option is buying new and paying a phat price for it. They can make all the power they want in the stock form, I will stay with the style that is on my 94 3.0.

 

[Aaron Powell]

They expand ALOT during cold and heat cycles that causes them to crack and fall apart. When ford started this in 95 with the 4.0, over the years there have been complaints with this. When other engines followed with the plastic upper intake manifold, that same situation was happening alot more. Can't get a good replacement at the junk yard as you don't know the condition that other plastic peice is in. Your only real option is buying new and paying a phat price for it. They can make all the power they want in the stock form, I will stay with the style that is on my 94 3.0.

As an automotive technician, I replace A LOT of plastic Motorcraft manifolds due to heat cracks. I just want to put a different, bigger throttle body on my truck. So I guess I'm looking for an upper manifold from a 98-02 ranger? Unless the older single piece uppers from the explorer have a bigger throttle body and will bolt into place with little/no modification. I'm already expecting to have to modify/replace the throttle cable/linkage/bracket to get it to work on the different throttle body.

 

[mtnrgr]

Correct 98+ is what you will need to do as the ones on the 94 are one peice. As I mentioned in my other post have a look see at that guy's youtube videos for his 94 3.0. He did a 2006 taurus intake manifold with the throttle cable etc. He takes it thru the steps to make it work. Best advice I can give you on this. I have no interest in changing mine, yet I do enjoy watching his progress. He is the only one I have found that explains and made it work.

Ford's 91-94 4.0's in the explorers and rangers all had a seperate throttle body on the upper intake manifold. Again, no 4.0 upper intake manifold will bolt onto a 3.0 and vice versa. To get a upper intake manifold with a removable throttle body for your 94 3.0, you will need a 98+ from another 3.0. I have heard there were some 3.0's that did have a bigger throttle body, the vulcan channel will explain all that information to you.

 

[8thTon]

Interesting on the plastic uppers - don't know why Ford had such an issue with it, as everyone uses them now. There are some significant benefits, in that it can be molded quite accurately, along with low thermal conductivity. Mine has not cracked so I'll just hope I have a good one.

 

[Bgunner]

Fyi the plastic upper, 2002+ will not bolt to a 94 lower intake properly. They did make a change to the lower intake. As mentioned before I have already looked in to this.

If you want a bolt on easy change stick with the aluminum 2 piece upper.

 

[Bgunner]

That dude is scary crawling under his truck with no Jack stands. Also he doesnt instill conference not knowing the screws to remove the maf sensor are called torx security does help either.

He claims the Taurus plastic intake gives more torque than the stock ranger intake but cars usually have more horse power than torque and Visa versa for trucks. Has anyone done dyno runs on a 3.0 with different manifolds to show the differences and posted results? [ Taurus engines get a different cam so I guess it is possible but would like numbers to prove accuracy of the claims.]

Props to him putting up the videos but they are a bit scary since I've been crushed by a car before.

 

[Aaron Powell]

Okay, so I have a 2000 ranger 3.0 upper intake manifold, but I can't get a straight answer on what throttle body will work with it instead of the stock 53mm. I'm going for the 60mm. I don't want to use a plastic manifold. Currently I'm just taking off throttle bodies from every 3.0 at the junk yard haha

 

[mtnrgr]

Do recall that guy on the yt channel saying the only 3.0 engines that has a 60 mm tb is on the 04-07 3.0 taurus.