i have a 2.3 in my 93 ford ranger i was wondering if i could make it faster, if so how? or would i be better off doing a conversion????
There are a variety of different ways you can go.
The 2.3 does have a large aftermarket following. It's the Miata motor. It's stable and can throw down large power numbers with the right turbo/cam/head/bottom end. This can get a bit pricy.
You can also look into the Folvo (Ford/Volvo) 2.5 I4. Turbocharged, this motor can build power slightly greater than the 2.3
There's the 3.0, which you can supercharge with either the Eaton M90 or M112 (Cobra Terminator Supercharger) and build into a pretty decent little block. There is also a stroker kit (Tom Morana) available, and you can convert to E85.
The 4.0 is an other option. This motor can be supercharged with the Eaton M90. Cams are made by Comp Cams, and there's a Stroker kit made by Tom Morana.
The 4.0 SOHC has all the available aftermarket following of the old 4.0 but I can't seem to find cams or heads. The Eaton M90 also works for this motor along with the Stroker kit.
A common (non factory) swap is the 99-01 Explorer 5.0 V8. This engine features a lot of interchangeable parts with the 5.0 Mustang. Explorer Express makes a supercharger for this engine. This is an option good for TONS of useable power, and something that can be a reliable daily unit. However, you will probably have to modify your driveline. A 4R70W or 2wd A4OD is a good choice. You will likely need to shorten your driveshaft. You may want to get the 8.8 built, as it will not handle 280 lb ft torque. If you choose to supercharge the 5.0, you may need to look into a built 9-inch. This option can get very, very pricey.