'97 Ranger 2.3L 5 spd lacks power

[cpopanz@yahoo.com]

i have a '97 ranger 2.3/5 spd with 185k on it. i have had it about 5 months. i had the head rebuilt, new plugs/wires, cat-back system with a 2-chamber flowmaster and a K & N air filter. compression test yields 165 psi on all cylinders. this truck is gutless AND gets 24 mpg tops on the freeway with the A/C off, 19 mpg with it on. anybody got any tricks to wake this turd up and get better mileage and a little power ? I am seriously considering dropping in a 3.0L V-6 in it in the spring. i had a '92 with a 3.0L V-6 5 spd that got 31 mpg! HELP!!!

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

rev the shit out of it..

 

[heptofite]

it's a 97, that makes it a lima, they peaked at i think 110hp, you're not going to ever get much out of it.

 

[86isuzu]

i had a '92 with a 3.0L V-6 5 spd that got 31 mpg! HELP!!!

I highly doubt you hit 31 mpg in a 3.0

 

[feellnfroggy]

Anything is possible I wouldnt doubt it. And OP dont get the whole a/c gas mileage topic started again. The 2.3l is gonna be lacking in power, I would recommend you do the turbo mod or upgrade to the 4.0l Otherwise, just regear.

 

[heptofite]

I highly doubt you hit 31 mpg in a 3.0

i hit 30 in a 2.9, 31 in a 3.0 isn't unbelievable.

 

[cpopanz@yahoo.com]

thanks for everybody's input. i guess i will do the 3.0L swap in the spring! I did get 31 out of my 3.0. it had a fresh tune, a K & N, a 2.5" catback with a flowmaster going 65mph on I-5 southbound!

 

[Twisted_Steel]

302 and a Tremec will do the trick... Worked for me

 

[86isuzu]

i hit 30 in a 2.9, 31 in a 3.0 isn't unbelievable.

Damn, I wish I could get that outta my 3.slo. Or, my old 2.9

 

[feellnfroggy]

Still thin you oughtta do the 4.0 or the 302 tremec gig lol.

 

[cpopanz@yahoo.com]

...well, after doing some research on the 2.3 to 3.0 engine swap, i am hearing that 2.3 5 spd wont work in the 3.0 cuz of different bolt patterns on the bellhousing- anybody know the validity of that rumor ?

 

[Captain Ledd]

...well, after doing some research on the 2.3 to 3.0 engine swap, i am hearing that 2.3 5 spd wont work in the 3.0 cuz of different bolt patterns on the bellhousing- anybody know the validity of that rumor ?

Quite valid. Each engine has it's own, unique, bellhousing pattern.

On the other hand, those transmissions can be had for stupid cheap because they were used for a bagillion years and remained essentially unchanged (per their respective engine counter parts).

Ask for a 2wd M5OD Ranger trans that had a 3.0L (did they put 3.0's in Explorers? I don't think they did) every yard should have one or two.

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

i just had this crazy idea.. 150 shot of nitrous oxide.. look at it this a way rebuilds are cheaper than motor swaps!

 

[Captain Ledd]

i just had this crazy idea.. 150 shot of nitrous oxide.. look at it this a way rebuilds are cheaper than motor swaps!

Where are you buying your parts from?

 

[feellnfroggy]

NO they never did 3.0 in the explorers, but they did do them in hte aerostars, A few came with 5 spds too. And even a few with 4x4.