2003 Mazda B2300 engine swap?

[hamptonthomas]

Another newbie with the questions. Not a mechanic, but my brother and his son are so if this is feasible, maybe they can do it. The truck has the 2.3L and from what I have read, I could swap it with a 3.0L without swapping the trans. But if I wanted to go to a 4.0L, I'd have the swap the trans also. Is that correct? Would it even be worth it just going to the 3.0L? Would that give me any boost in performance? Not looking for a speed demon, but just a little more get up and go.

 

[Colin]

I believe you still need to swap the trans, plus computer, harness, etc. For the amount of effort involved i would at least swap in a 4.0. Although with the 4 cylinder you're getting decent gas mileage.

 

[hamptonthomas]

From looking online, the 3.0 and the 2.3 use the same trans, but I see what you're saying. Might be something to wait to do if and when gas prices come down.

 

[superj]

I like the 3.0. It's fun to drive.

 

[pjtoledo]

the 2.3 3.0 and 4.0 all have distinctly different bell housing patterns, they do not swap.

it's the rest of the transmission behind the bell housing that's the same between a 2.3 and 3.0

if you compare the horse power numbers the 2.3 isn't far behind the 3.0 by the way, the 3.0 HP numbers for those years are based on E85. subtract a few HP for regular gas.

the 2.3 has an aluminum block & head, it is lighter that the iron block & heads of the 3.0
that makes for a better balanced package, with good tires the 2.3 is quite nimble.

2.3s happily rev to 6000 rpms, the 3.0 not so much.
a 2.3 can use a lower gear to match the 3.0s torque if pulling a load.

the Mazda guys have lots of power mods for the 2.3

if you're inclined to spend some money, the EcoBoost 2.0 and 2.3 engines will scream in a light weight Ranger, or B2300
my 2019 Edge which weighs 1000lbs more than your B2300 has the EcoBoost 2.0 and can do a freeway merge at 90 mph, without sport mode activated.

do you get the idea I am slightly biased towards the 2.3??

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Lots of people seem to enjoy trashing the 3.0 Vulcan in the Ranger. It doesn't have the economy of the 2.3 four or the power of the 4.0 V-6 (either one). It's a shame, because the Vulcan was good in other applications.

What trips up any engine swap in cars built since the mid–1980s is the electronics. Mechanically fitting a new engine is the easy part any more.

 

[pjtoledo]

true about the mighty Vulcan, it was a good engine in my 87 Taurus wagon, drove it for 19 years.
the one in my 2000 Ranger 4x4, well, it gets me where I'm going. had that one since new too.

 

[4x4prepper]

> Lots of people seem to enjoy trashing the 3.0 Vulcan in the Ranger.

Well, it probably starts with the oil filter location ...

Back 20+ years ago, my service manager said he liked his (dealership given) 3.0L/AT, but, the gas mileage stunk. I forget what it was, I think 17 or 18 MPG. I think I was getting 21 MPG with my 4.0L/5 speed and I was heavy footed, use to drive it up the side of the hill at the dealership, use to let a younger mechanic drive it to learn a standard (he wanted to work in NASCAR), and I still got better MPG. So, I offered him my Ranger keys and said drive it.

imho, The 3.0L and AT was a dog combo and I have avoided buying it in any of the Rangers/Fords for the past 20 years. 2.3L on the other hand, I like, both the early Tempo/Pinto and later models. I do not have the money for it right now, but, there is a Pinto with a 2.3L for sale on CL, if it is still available at the end of July, I might buy it just for the engine for an off road project.

I think one of the best setups for a Ranger was the 2.3L/5 speed/4x4/ with AC. Maybe a 3.0L with 5 speed is okay, I do not know, I just thought the 3.0L/AT was a real dog combo for a driving experience AND it got worse gas mileage IRL then the 4.0L/AT or 4.0/MT.

 

[pjtoledo]

clarification needed.
the OP has a 2003 in his profile so I assumed he was talking about a Duratec 2.3

 

[hamptonthomas]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

 

[Toolsforyou]

From looking online, the 3.0 and the 2.3 use the same trans, but I see what you're saying. Might be something to wait to do if and when gas prices come down.

I totally agree... before swapping ensure you consider gas prices