2.5 NA build?

[Jeff190]

Driving a 2000 2.5 with a 5 speed. Recently got my hands on a separate 2.5 motor for the same truck for a decent price with the hopes of doing some kind of build with it. I see most people do turbo builds on these 2.3/2.5s and get pretty good results. I don't see too much on NA builds though, which is what I'm more interested in. Is it possible to get these motors somewhere in the 180-200 hp range without doing some crazy twin cam Volvo head swap on it? Are the 8 plug heads any good? I just want to be able to gas on those dumbass kids with the scions.

 

[tomw]

There are two solutions to the horsepower & torque quests: Money. Cubic inches. I guess you can throw in a third solution: rpm
In the case of the 2.3/2.5, the third is the one mostly used, along with better breathing. They wind them up as if they were in a NASCAR race, or even Formula-1, with those engines turning above 8000 rpm for the former and above 10 for the latter. Screaming meemies. Add in a few Nipponese engines of bumble-bee variety, and it is an rpm fest.
tom

 

[Jeff190]

That's what id be into the most. I've driven many different cars and I seem to have more fun in cars that rev like... Dare I say Hondas? I don't know how the ranger community feels about Hondas, but 8k rpms is a really fun place to be

 

[enjr44]

Drove a STEEDA Focus the other day. That thing would peg the tach and keep right on pulling. No idea what the rpms were. Glad it isn't mine I would kill it for sure!!!

 

[Jeff190]

Its fun hearing a little engine do alot of work right?

 

[stmitch]

Personally, I think the Duratec 2.3 is a much better starting point for an engine build since it was lighter, more powerful, and more efficient, but if you insist on sticking with an NA Lima, this is where you should start looking: http://www.esslingeracing.com/crate-engine.htm

Plenty of parts for dirt track guys that use the Limas, but pretty pricey. That's why most guys just boost them since you can get more hp/$ vs an NA build.

 

[Jeff190]

Im not so interested in power. Everywhere you go, someone's got something faster. Another question, is going with a carb the only way to make good power?

 

[tomw]

A MAF'd injection system will pass a passel of air and the proper injectors will give enough fuel to produce a lot of power. Check the flow rate of the injectors and compare to what you need for your 'proposed' engine rpm. If it will go by the MAF, and you straighten out all the curves as you like, you can do a lot. I better quit at that as I have not gotten into doing the 'chip' type stuff which can modify fuel supply & ignition curves as desired. There's a lot that can be done with stock components if you have the knowledge & skills. You do have to understand how the system works.
A carb can also do a lot, and there are/were four barrel manifolds for the Lima. I think the duratec DOHC is more limited in aftermarket and 'power' mods, but for sure could be wrong.
tom

 

[Jeff190]

Cool man. Looks like I got a little more research to do. Thanks for pointing me the right way everyone!