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2.3 needs more power


Zapper

Yes i can afford this without "daddies money"
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ford ranger
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2.9 V6
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2.294e+6 cubic millimeters
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Manual
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shot bushings?
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To send it or not to send it, that is the question.
does anyone know how to add some power cheaply to the 2.3 four plug head?
 


Dirtman

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It's up there.
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Round.
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Cheaply no... the 2.3 did have turbo models and the parts can easily be bolted onto yours. So if you can find a turbo coupe in the junkyard you could get the parts reasonably but they aren't easy to come by. Other than that, lower gears will help give it more low end torque, but even that's not exactly cheap since you need to do both front and rear axles. Anything else is really not going to do anything significant.
 

Zapper

Yes i can afford this without "daddies money"
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ford ranger
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2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.294e+6 cubic millimeters
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Drop
shot bushings?
Tire Size
235/75/r15
My credo
To send it or not to send it, that is the question.
Cheaply no... the 2.3 did have turbo models and the parts can easily be bolted onto yours. So if you can find a turbo coupe in the junkyard you could get the parts reasonably but they aren't easy to come by. Other than that, lower gears will help give it more low end torque, but even that's not exactly cheap since you need to do both front and rear axles. Anything else is really not going to do anything significant.
welp ill look for one when i go to the junkyard again and hopefully there is one, and it has 3.73s so its okay when starting off, but after about 40 mph it is extremely slow
 

ericbphoto

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
welp ill look for one when i go to the junkyard again and hopefully there is one, and it has 3.73s so its okay when starting off, but after about 40 mph it is extremely slow
You mean it's not slow at less than 40mph?

:unsure:
 

Dirtman

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Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
People have made amazing power with the 2.3... but not "cheap". If you want real power your talking about turbo, porting the head, new cam, higher compression pistons, stroking it a bit etc. In its stock form it is what it is. A good reliable economy motor.

The "cheap" stuff like cold air intakes and headers dont do squat.
 

Daniel Black

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It's all in the cylinder head. I don't think porting makes much difference with the stock intake/carb or efi and with a stock cam it definitely makes no difference. But you can take the head off and have it shaved, even around 50 thousandths would probably make a noticeable difference in stock form just from the added compression. I had more money in my 2.3 than my current 302 and have much more power and probably at least twice the torque.
 

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Zapper

Yes i can afford this without "daddies money"
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Joined
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Messages
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Location
Buhl,ID
Vehicle Year
1986ish
Make / Model
ford ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.294e+6 cubic millimeters
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Drop
shot bushings?
Tire Size
235/75/r15
My credo
To send it or not to send it, that is the question.

racsan

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235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
roll a 4.10 rear axle under it. sure youll hit the rev limiter at 81 (with 225/15 tires) but your launch will be much better and you can tow more than a empty 4x8 trailer.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
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2.3 (4 Cylinder)
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Automatic
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2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
its still slow, its just runs out of power basically
Kinda sounds like your just shifting to fast. 3.73 works well with a manual because you can hold the gears longer. The automatics usually got 4.10s
 

Grumpaw

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Stock
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Stock
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Stock 225/70/15
My credo
I don't count birthday's anymore...just happy to be looking down at the ground instead of looking up
Do this quick and easy mod...
Grumpaw
 

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PetroleumJunkie412

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Grumpaw

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2WD
Total Lift
Stock
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
Stock 225/70/15
My credo
I don't count birthday's anymore...just happy to be looking down at the ground instead of looking up
These might be easier....
Just drop the engine between the frame rails, hook up to rear end, a bit of wire and duct tape.
Easy Peasy
Grumpaw
 

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