1997 Ranger 2WD Turbo - M5OD-R1 weak point?

[ShotnVA777]

Can't seem to find the ANSWER to my question, yet theres PLENTY of threads on the subject.... Weird? I need to know the M5OD-R1's capabilities.....?

★Can someone give me the "LOWDOWN" on the STOCK 1997, M5OD-R1, 5 Speed Transmission?!?!?!★

I'm running a 2.3T out of a 1987 Thunderbird, with the plans to be RIGHT AT 250ishHP (hopefully 300 one day!) I'm grabbing a 6 Puck Performance Clutch AND a new flywheel to try to "beef up" the stock tranny a little! I ALSO have an 8.8 (Explorer Posi Axle) with the 3.73 Gears in the Rearend (Axle)!

★SO.... question BEING; will this be ENOUGH to push my single cab XLT? I'm using the FRESHLY rebuilt (with some head/manifold porting/polishing) Turbo Coupe motor as if it were still in the Thunderbird, I'm essentially "piggybacking" the ENTIRE LA3 off the Ranger's ECU - nice and simple (FOR NOW!)★

*CHECK SIG FOR BUILD THREAD W/ MORE DETAILS*

So, an answer to my question about the integrity of this tranny/rearend swap w/ this 150+ more HP than stock motor bolted to it and its BRAND NEW 6 Puck and Flywheel.... WOULD BE MORE THAN APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks TRS - Y'ALL ROCK!!!!!

 

[Mikel89us]

I have been told by someone who's opinion I trust more than any, the ranger 5 speed will handle 250hp. Not much more, but 250 is safe.

 

[ShotnVA777]

I have been told by someone who's opinion I trust more than any, the ranger 5 speed will handle 250hp. Not much more, but 250 is safe.

What happens after 250??? Lol... Just wondering, though that's what I plan to run for quite some time, RIGHT AROUND 250(+-)!

 

[Mikel89us]

I'm not sure, but if I had to guess I would say 1st gear will go first.

 

[adsm08]

A new clutch and flywheel will do little to strengthen a transmission since they are not internal tranny parts. That is the equivalent of putting pretty wheels on a car hoping to get better traction.

The most likely failures would be damage to the bearings or the speed gears.

 

[ShotnVA777]

A new clutch and flywheel will do little to strengthen a transmission since they are not internal tranny parts. That is the equivalent of putting pretty wheels on a car hoping to get better traction.

The most likely failures would be damage to the bearings or the speed gears.

A new clutch and flywheel wouldn't "beef" it up at all???? I find that hard to believe, you said "WHEELS", but if you put GOOD TYRES on there, what do ya get????

See my point. ..?

 

[ShotnVA777]

And if that's NOT what I need to do... What is? I REALLY don't want an auto and I REALLY don't wanna have to find a T5!!!!

I could've gotten w T5, but its not hydraulic like my clutch....

 

[adsm08]

A new clutch and flywheel wouldn't "beef" it up at all???? I find that hard to believe, you said "WHEELS", but if you put GOOD TYRES on there, what do ya get????

See my point. ..?

I see your point, but it is backwards. Flywheel and clutch are engine parts. The flywheel is there to store engine energy, the clutch is there to transfer power to the trans.

If too much power breaks things like gears and bearings in the transmission then a better flywheel and clutch will transfer more power and exacerbate that condition.

Like I said, hoping to mediate damage to the transmission internals (the stuff you can't see without taking the trans apart) by putting a stronger clutch in the vehicle is like trying to get better traction by putting pretty WHEELS on.

You spelled tires wrong.

 

[ShotnVA777]

I see your point, but it is backwards. Flywheel and clutch are engine parts. The flywheel is there to store engine energy, the clutch is there to transfer power to the trans.

If too much power breaks things like gears and bearings in the transmission then a better flywheel and clutch will transfer more power and exacerbate that condition.

Like I said, hoping to mediate damage to the transmission internals (the stuff you can't see without taking the trans apart) by putting a stronger clutch in the vehicle is like trying to get better traction by putting pretty WHEELS on.

You spelled tires wrong.

Lol "tyres"... that's from most of my Volkswagen days! That's what everybody seems to call em and if you call them wheels, or tires, people actually get offended!?

so what do I need to put down 250-300hp (SAFELY!!!) in this ranger????? did they make a five-speed Explorer or something? A Bronco 2 5-speed work? Or are they all the same?

I know a T5 would probably be my best bet and I can get one, but I don't feel like fabricating a shift lever or anything like that, I was just going to throw a short throw on the stock transmission... But it seems as if I can't do that with my horse power goals!

 

[Mikel89us]

You can do a t5 swap using a v8 trans, and a 2.3 bellhousing. You also have to turn down the pilot bearing surface on the input shaft.

And a good clutch will break the trans quicker because it has the potential to engage harder.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Good luck getting 250 out of a TC motor with out dumping a lot of cash into it. IMO the M5OD will be more than enough trans for a 2.3..

You will snap the output before anything else lets loose...trust me, you almost have to try.

 

[PlumCrazy]

FYI, all M5OD (2.3,2.5, 2.9, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.0 SOHC) are all the same inside besides ratios, but none are "stronger" than the others

 

[Road Angels]

If your going to really use that power then a t-5 like mike says can be done, also put an 8.8 rear end in it with that much power, they can be found in 4.0 rangers, its better to do it once than spend the time and money to do it twice, dont wait till things start breaking, a couple off good burnouts with wide tires will do the weak drive train in, SMOKE'EM IF YOU GOT IT

 

[ShotnVA777]

Good luck getting 250 out of a TC motor with out dumping a lot of cash into it. IMO the M5OD will be more than enough trans for a 2.3..

You will snap the output before anything else lets loose...trust me, you almost have to try.

Thank you for that info...

...And I am absolutely BAFFLED at you thinking it would "cost an arm and a leg" to get the STOCK '88 TURBO COUPE MOTOR WITH AN LA3 PCM up to 250hp!? You know they come stock (at low PSI - no where NEAR maxing out the ITI Turbo @ 20ish PSI) with 200hp right???

Ive got a man running the setup with NOTHING but an older .64 T3 Turbo instead of the ITI and a port/polish job (on everything from turbo manifold to intake manifold and everything in between!) w/ a "Ranger Roller Cam".... 265hp, at the wheels!

If your going to really use that power then a t-5 like mike says can be done, also put an 8.8 rear end in it with that much power, they can be found in 4.0 rangers, its better to do it once than spend the time and money to do it twice, dont wait till things start breaking, a couple off good burnouts with wide tires will do the weak drive train in, SMOKE'EM IF YOU GOT IT

I already have the 8.8 Expo rearend with posi.... Been had it! (Read OP!!!)

 

[Mikel89us]

250 is easy. Trust me.