2001 Ford Ranger engine swap

[andytom]

I recently picked up a nice 2001 Ranger 2wd in need of an engine. Ship, naturally, I want to make it way cooler and better by putting a 5.0 from a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, also 2wd, down in it. Both vehicles currently run, though the 3.0 in the Ranger is eating its bearings, while the Mountaineer runs and drives. I plan on rebuilding the engine to slightly higher than stock, with the intent of installing a Kenne Bell supercharger later on. Here are some pics of both vehicles with more to come.

 

[Ab_Reed]

I always appreciate a good engine swap/build. Good luck and keep us updated on progress.

 

[bobbywalter]

keene bell with 10 psi and a cooler is definitely a radical setup for torque on these engines.

but doing it under 8 k isnt too easy. unlike in the past, the eec4 processors are getting unreliable.

so a ms3 or holley or some other later system adaptation with hp tuners might be something to factor in.

i installed a setup for some people, with an aero motive fuel system that made me gasp when she showed me what she spent on the system.

for 500 crank hp....i was feeling sick but that was a big number back then and it was all cutting edge.

but, it was a solid and reliable setup. she ran that thing for over ten years and never did anything but oil and belt changes and a few clutches and a t45 upgrade before she sold it.

it is a qualified you get what you pay for system if you do it to the tee.

not sure what it would cost today...but i bet that same system would be 10 grand.





i would just do this today....

 

[Ab_Reed]

keene bell with 10 psi and a cooler is definitely a radical setup for torque on these engines.

but doing it under 8 k isnt too easy. unlike in the past, the eec4 processors are getting unreliable.

so a ms3 or holley or some other later system adaptation with hp tuners might be something to factor in.

i installed a setup for some people, with an aero motive fuel system that made me gasp when she showed me what she spent on the system.

for 500 crank hp....i was feeling sick but that was a big number back then and it was all cutting edge.

but, it was a solid and reliable setup. she ran that thing for over ten years and never did anything but oil and belt changes and a few clutches and a t45 upgrade before she sold it.

it is a qualified you get what you pay for system if you do it to the tee.

not sure what it would cost today...but i bet that same system would be 10 grand.





i would just do this today....

Seems like from the small amount of research. The OG 5.0 is a cool swap for v8 noises but thats about it. And the v8 modular isnt much better. But its harder to swap.

 

[bobbywalter]

that is a godzilla.

if your willing to supercharge something...i would assume 450-500 hp is the goal.

this is a target. and ass u me-ed....


the point being....you still have to swap the v8 powertrain in. this is a task regardless of powertrain choice. a 1 uz....vk56....coyote...romeo...windsor...big block chevy....big block anything....even....a v 8 diesel....it takes a certain amount of work for a given application.

of course the romeo and coyote/big blocks are a different challenge.

what platform being used is one big key--sla verse tib/ttb....2wd....lowered or lifted..4x4...sas vs stock type 4x4 suspension ect...wide range of variables on this platforms chassis configurations.

so.


this is cost x. for a typical 302 you are looking at 160-240 whp with good hci....being based around stock gt40 heads.

adding power to cost x is where the real decisions are, in this case a keene bell for a windsor 5.0 is on the menu, doing a proper kenne bell to a 5.0 to get 500 wheel hp is 7-10 grand..

there are guys you will see report 10-15 k to do a 302 or ls engine swap.

and there is definitely a reasonable expectation there.

people think the ls swap is hard or out of cost control. but like the 302 this depends on experience and goals and compromise.

what i can do for 3 grand all in with a typical ls swap a typical 302 swap wont survive.

there is alot to be said for that.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Seems like from the small amount of research. The modular 5.0 is a cool swap for v8 noises but thats about it. And the v8 modular isnt much better. But its harder to swap.

V8 noises and that's about it?

I have a bone stock one in the parking lot that is just shy of 400hp... they make dang good power and are especially receptive to boost. Any other mod motor that didn't crawl out of something with a snake on it is barely walking compared to a Coyote lol.

But yeah, packaging is a nightmare in a Ranger.

Zilla or baby zilla is about the same size as a old 351W. A hair bigger than a old 302 but a whole better at making power.

 

[Ab_Reed]

I meant the 5.0 from the foxbody/explorers. And the 4.6 from the sn95 mustangs. Still learning motor names (never been a ford guy)

I had a 2024 GT as a rental while my tundra was being fixed, and it was very impressive. Those make a bunch of power and are a ton of fun to drive, i just felt like such a douche everytime i stepped out of it.

But a coyote swap would be ideal, while still on the expensive side cost for HP it makes sense.

If I went v8 id probably LS swap because there's tons of extremely affordable aftermarket parts and tuning options available.

 

[andytom]

that is a godzilla.

if your willing to supercharge something...i would assume 450-500 hp is the goal.

this is a target. and ass u me-ed....


the point being....you still have to swap the v8 powertrain in. this is a task regardless of powertrain choice. a 1 uz....vk56....coyote...romeo...windsor...big block chevy....big block anything....even....a v 8 diesel....it takes a certain amount of work for a given application.

of course the romeo and coyote/big blocks are a different challenge.

what platform being used is one big key--sla verse tib/ttb....2wd....lowered or lifted..4x4...sas vs stock type 4x4 suspension ect...wide range of variables on this platforms chassis configurations.

so.


this is cost x. for a typical 302 you are looking at 160-240 whp with good hci....being based around stock gt40 heads.

adding power to cost x is where the real decisions are, in this case a keene bell for a windsor 5.0 is on the menu, doing a proper kenne bell to a 5.0 to get 500 wheel hp is 7-10 grand..

there are guys you will see report 10-15 k to do a 302 or ls engine swap.

and there is definitely a reasonable expectation there.

people think the ls swap is hard or out of cost control. but like the 302 this depends on experience and goals and compromise.

what i can do for 3 grand all in with a typical ls swap a typical 302 swap wont survive.

there is alot to be said for that.

I almost had an F150 with a coyote 5.0, but they drove it without oil and put a hole in the block. It would have sucked fitting it, but the Mountaineer 5.0 should fit good, and it is the GT40P heads. A Kenne Bell supercharger is about $4700 right now. My plan is to rebuild the engine, get it ready for a supercharger and do that later. I saw a video of the Kenne Bell supercharger I am looking at. They dyno tested a fox body with the 5.0, then installed it. Went from about 220 whp to 315 whp (roughly). My plan is to do a stage 1 or 2 cam and there is a stroker kit that takes it from a 302 to a 347. If my plan is to do a supercharger down the road, I won't really increase the compression. I am hoping to have around 350 whp before the supercharger.

The truck is a project for my 13 year old son. Spending money doesn't bother me, though I don't want to sink 10-15 k at once. I thought about an ls swap, but I want to keep it manufacturer same. My thought is to get it running first, under 5k. I work at a shop, so I have a lot at my disposal. Maybe under 5k is a pipe dream, but I have been checking prices on a lot of this, and I think it is doable.

 

[bobbywalter]

you can keep it under 1500 with patience or a bit of luck....living with lower power. that is where the 302 is so bad, its best oem version is not much compared to a modern v6 or turbo 4. but they are stone reliable and sound great.

in this sense it is an awesome way to introduce a 13 year old to the automotive world and hotrodding. the slow building of power through incrementalism and money over time is where the windsor shines.

swapping in an ls or windsor is really easy to the initiated. you are just starting with much more power with the ls. it has easy to modify exhaust manifolds and generally you often need an oil pan anyway...

the power differential and how easy they are to work with is the reason i prefer them now. almost all o ring in regards to seals so routing maintenance is a breeze. not brand loyal to that end. i like the nissan and toyota engines...but the windsors and ls are just the easiest to work with and fit into stuff.

4700 for a keene bell is a good deal, but to get the powerplant running and dialed and 450 hp will be another 2500ish generally. usually they are 5500 ish for the system...by the time you upgrade fuel system and injectors...and a way to dial it in you are way past 7 g.

but as a project over time and starting with low power and growing into it...that cost is acceptable.

a n/a 302 with 300-330 hp will be required and that is not cheap. but if you want brand match...it is a good way.

though...godzilla is more gooder..

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I almost had an F150 with a coyote 5.0, but they drove it without oil and put a hole in the block. It would have sucked fitting it, but the Mountaineer 5.0 should fit good, and it is the GT40P heads. A Kenne Bell supercharger is about $4700 right now. My plan is to rebuild the engine, get it ready for a supercharger and do that later. I saw a video of the Kenne Bell supercharger I am looking at. They dyno tested a fox body with the 5.0, then installed it. Went from about 220 whp to 315 whp (roughly). My plan is to do a stage 1 or 2 cam and there is a stroker kit that takes it from a 302 to a 347. If my plan is to do a supercharger down the road, I won't really increase the compression. I am hoping to have around 350 whp before the supercharger.

The truck is a project for my 13 year old son. Spending money doesn't bother me, though I don't want to sink 10-15 k at once. I thought about an ls swap, but I want to keep it manufacturer same. My thought is to get it running first, under 5k. I work at a shop, so I have a lot at my disposal. Maybe under 5k is a pipe dream, but I have been checking prices on a lot of this, and I think it is doable.

So, I’ve done some digging on this sort of thing. If you want a racecar motor, do the 347. If you want something reliable for the street, do a 331 stroker. The bottom of the pistons on a 347 come out of the bottom of the bore and tend to egg the bore over time, a 331 is a better compromise for street use. That was where I wanted to go with my green Ranger build, supercharged or turbo 331 stroker. Realistically though, that plan and its current closer to stock configuration, I could have built something with better power. A 2.3 Ecoboost could have been fun. But it doesn’t make V8 noises and I wanted a 302 powered Ranger for over 25 years now so here we are.

I’m also going to say that high performance and youth doesn’t typically mix well. A lot of young kids tend to smash them up even if they know better. I knew better and didn’t have a high performance vehicle available but did plenty of dumb and damage anyway. Better to start him with a more stock version most likely.

 

[bobbywalter]

there are better 347 kits that will live. high dollar but way more torque.

for a truck...good. the low dollar kits are hard to not use if you are rebuilding anyway.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For a blank slate like this... a stroker kit would be a hard sell to me for vs just snagging a 351W.

Its a little bigger footprint but the displacement that has the 302 living on eggshells... is smaller than where the 351 starts out. Much stronger block etc as well.