2001 Ford Ranger engine swap

[andytom]

I recently picked up a nice 2001 Ranger 2wd in need of an engine. Ship, naturally, I want to make it way cooler and better by putting a 5.0 from a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, also 2wd, down in it. Both vehicles currently run, though the 3.0 in the Ranger is eating its bearings, while the Mountaineer runs and drives. I plan on rebuilding the engine to slightly higher than stock, with the intent of installing a Kenne Bell supercharger later on. Here are some pics of both vehicles with more to come.

 

[Ab_Reed]

I always appreciate a good engine swap/build. Good luck and keep us updated on progress.

 

[bobbywalter]

keene bell with 10 psi and a cooler is definitely a radical setup for torque on these engines.

but doing it under 8 k isnt too easy. unlike in the past, the eec4 processors are getting unreliable.

so a ms3 or holley or some other later system adaptation with hp tuners might be something to factor in.

i installed a setup for some people, with an aero motive fuel system that made me gasp when she showed me what she spent on the system.

for 500 crank hp....i was feeling sick but that was a big number back then and it was all cutting edge.

but, it was a solid and reliable setup. she ran that thing for over ten years and never did anything but oil and belt changes and a few clutches and a t45 upgrade before she sold it.

it is a qualified you get what you pay for system if you do it to the tee.

not sure what it would cost today...but i bet that same system would be 10 grand.





i would just do this today....

 

[Ab_Reed]

keene bell with 10 psi and a cooler is definitely a radical setup for torque on these engines.

but doing it under 8 k isnt too easy. unlike in the past, the eec4 processors are getting unreliable.

so a ms3 or holley or some other later system adaptation with hp tuners might be something to factor in.

i installed a setup for some people, with an aero motive fuel system that made me gasp when she showed me what she spent on the system.

for 500 crank hp....i was feeling sick but that was a big number back then and it was all cutting edge.

but, it was a solid and reliable setup. she ran that thing for over ten years and never did anything but oil and belt changes and a few clutches and a t45 upgrade before she sold it.

it is a qualified you get what you pay for system if you do it to the tee.

not sure what it would cost today...but i bet that same system would be 10 grand.





i would just do this today....

Seems like from the small amount of research. The modular 5.0 is a cool swap for v8 noises but thats about it. And the v8 modular isnt much better. But its harder to swap.

 

[bobbywalter]

that is a godzilla.

if your willing to supercharge something...i would assume 450-500 hp is the goal.

this is a target. and ass u me-ed....


the point being....you still have to swap the v8 powertrain in. this is a task regardless of powertrain choice. a 1 uz....vk56....coyote...romeo...windsor...big block chevy....big block anything....even....a v 8 diesel....it takes a certain amount of work for a given application.

of course the romeo and coyote/big blocks are a different challenge.

what platform being used is one big key--sla verse tib/ttb....2wd....lowered or lifted..4x4...sas vs stock type 4x4 suspension ect...wide range of variables on this platforms chassis configurations.

so.


this is cost x. for a typical 302 you are looking at 160-240 whp with good hci....being based around stock gt40 heads.

adding power to cost x is where the real decisions are, in this case a keene bell for a windsor 5.0 is on the menu, doing a proper kenne bell to a 5.0 to get 500 wheel hp is 7-10 grand..

there are guys you will see report 10-15 k to do a 302 or ls engine swap.

and there is definitely a reasonable expectation there.

people think the ls swap is hard or out of cost control. but like the 302 this depends on experience and goals and compromise.

what i can do for 3 grand all in with a typical ls swap a typical 302 swap wont survive.

there is alot to be said for that.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Seems like from the small amount of research. The modular 5.0 is a cool swap for v8 noises but thats about it. And the v8 modular isnt much better. But its harder to swap.

V8 noises and that's about it?

I have a bone stock one in the parking lot that is just shy of 400hp... they make dang good power and are especially receptive to boost. Any other mod motor that didn't crawl out of something with a snake on it is barely walking compared to a Coyote lol.

But yeah, packaging is a nightmare in a Ranger.

Zilla or baby zilla is about the same size as a old 351W. A hair bigger than a old 302 but a whole better at making power.