• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

3.0 Build


C.Fuller305

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
35
Reaction score
5
Points
8
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I have a 3.0 V6 that came out of a 1993 ford ranger, and I am putting it into a 1987 Ford Ranger. I am wanting to build the 3.0 a little bit to get some more power and torque out of it and I was wondering what my options were I also am doing a full rebuild of the motor and after a little bit of research I believe I am going to bore the block to 3.997 in. and that is all that I have found on the motor. Can anyone give me some ideas or websites that would help. Yes It is not usual for someone to build a V6 3.0 but I am wanting to do something that is different from the crowd.
 


MankDeems3.0

New Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2021
Messages
20
Reaction score
17
Points
3
Location
Fargo ND
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger 3.0 4X4
Transmission
Manual

Rocker arm upgrade bodes well, there's also a supercharger adapter plate for a Pontiac GTP Eaton M90 blower. Id like to put one on my 3.Slow 4X4 but I'm already up to my waist in wiring between my Mazda6 aftermarket ECU and ranger accessories

how much power are you trying to make?
 

C.Fuller305

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
35
Reaction score
5
Points
8
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I don't want to exceed 500 which should be pretty easy. My build is a street/drag/drift truck I want to make a decent amount of power so I can attend a variety of events and be able to actually compete
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,397
Reaction score
7,492
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
I don't want to exceed 500 which should be pretty easy. My build is a street/drag/drift truck I want to make a decent amount of power so I can attend a variety of events and be able to actually compete
500hp?

You will never get anywhere near that with a 3.0. Even if you found some kind of magic dust to do it the block would literally explode.
 

MankDeems3.0

New Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2021
Messages
20
Reaction score
17
Points
3
Location
Fargo ND
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ranger 3.0 4X4
Transmission
Manual

280 on stock internals. you could probably do 325 with pistons, rods, E85 and a sprinkle of boost in the 7-12 Psi range
I want to do this route to keep my factory 4WD system and 5 speed, if you have a 2WD a 5.0 Swap would be a much better option. Mustang 5 speed and gap the rings according to how much laughing gas you plan to put down her throat and you'd have so much more power And aftermarket options

 

C.Fuller305

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
35
Reaction score
5
Points
8
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
500hp?

You will never get anywhere near that with a 3.0. Even if you found some kind of magic dust to do it the block would literally explode.
That’s what I thought but I also don’t want to stay with the 100-150 range because I want to be able to actually have some power so 325 or more I am going to have all built parts I’m not keeping it stock just pushing the block to what it is fully capable of
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
just pushing the block to what it is fully capable of
A F*rd Taurus, crawler engine with a lot of gearing reduction, or an air compressor if you knock out three cylinders and replace the valve springs to make them Reed valves.

Not a very capable engine. They just run forever.
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,443
Reaction score
4,691
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
@C.Fuller305 you might to look across the street at a Taurus forum. Those motors were made for that car and any tuning or mods for a Vulcsn3.0 will be there, not here. Almost every person in the forum has NO faith in that motor and asking them about it is only gonna piss you off. I say go for it. The Vulcan motor is a high RPM motor and would probably make an excellent drift motor if built correctly.. take plenty of pictures and show us what you can get out of it.
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,397
Reaction score
7,492
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
That’s what I thought but I also don’t want to stay with the 100-150 range because I want to be able to actually have some power so 325 or more I am going to have all built parts I’m not keeping it stock just pushing the block to what it is fully capable of
Drop in a 302. A built 302.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,334
Reaction score
16,593
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
@C.Fuller305 you might to look across the street at a Taurus forum. Those motors were made for that car and any tuning or mods for a Vulcsn3.0 will be there, not here. Almost every person in the forum has NO faith in that motor and asking them about it is only gonna piss you off. I say go for it. The Vulcan motor is a high RPM motor and would probably make an excellent drift motor if built correctly.. take plenty of pictures and show us what you can get out of it.
I have lots of faith in my 3.0. It's tough and durable and works ok once you know how to drive it.
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,397
Reaction score
7,492
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
I have lots of faith in my 3.0. It's tough and durable and works ok once you know how to drive it.
Yes but trying to pump almost 2hp per cubic inch from a 3.0 is at best going to seriously hamper its reliabilty, at worst turn it into a shrapnel grenade.

But at any rate....good luck.
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,334
Reaction score
16,593
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top