3.0

[black06xlt]

im thinking about buying a 1998 ext cab 2wd with the 3.0 automatic. i know in the taurus the 3.0 wasw good little engine but i dont know to much about the 3.0 in a ranger. ive owned 2.3 and 4.o rangers and really liked both motors. so how well does the 3.0 perform in a ranger?

 

[adsm08]

Its under powered IMO. It is basically the same engine as the Taurus, but the power to MPG ratio in the Ranger you might as well have a 4.0 and be happy.

 

[Curious Hound]

I have the 3.0. It works. But there's nothing to brag about. There's not much low end torque. I haven't driven rangers with the other engines. So I don't know how it compares. I re-geared my diff's so I will be running slightly higher rpms with the tires I chose. That will probably hurt gas mileage a bit. I'm hoping it will help get me closer to the power band during low speed operations.

If that's what is available and within budget, don't be afraid to get it. Mine will need a rebuild or replacement in the next year or two. Not sure what route I will go with that project. I would like to have a diesel.

 

[black06xlt]

the truck im looking at is a 98 2wd ext cab automatic. its a fixer upper for $400 what the hell right? i currently have a 2006 4wd ext cab 4.0 automatic

 

[Curious Hound]

A $400 price tag makes up for a lot of shortcomings.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[black06xlt]

is there ways to get more power out of 3.0

 

[stmitch]

Sure, it just depends on your budget, skill level, and how willing you are to dig into it. The best options for starters are an underdrive crank pulley and e-fan conversion. They'll both free up some power, and should improve your fuel economy. It's also a good idea to check the throttle cable for extra slack as they stretch over time. If there's extra slack, do the Throttle Cable mod to eliminate the slack.

If you still want more from there, there are roller rockers, shorty headers, boost, porting/polishing, etc. My 3.0 has all of the above, and it's a far cry from when it was stock. It also cost a pretty penny to get it to this point though.

 

[2002edgeplussupercab]

Sure, it just depends on your budget, skill level, and how willing you are to dig into it. The best options for starters are an underdrive crank pulley and e-fan conversion. They'll both free up some power, and should improve your fuel economy. It's also a good idea to check the throttle cable for extra slack as they stretch over time. If there's extra slack, do the Throttle Cable mod to eliminate the slack.

If you still want more from there, there are roller rockers, shorty headers, boost, porting/polishing, etc. My 3.0 has all of the above, and it's a far cry from when it was stock. It also cost a pretty penny to get it to this point though.

OK, I'll bite. How much boost ? Completely rebuilt with forged internals ? How much HP now ?

 

[stmitch]

Stock internals, balanced. ARP head studs, 1.8 roller rockers, stiffer valve springs, Ceramic coated stainless JBA headers, Whipple supercharger running 9-10psi depending on the day. Intake manifold, cylinder heads, and blower manifold have been ported/polished. It's a flex fuel setup, but I try to run it mostly on e85 unless I'm someplace where it's not available. Haven't had it dyno tuned. It just had it's first oil change. Hopefully I can get it on a dyno later this summer.

Overall, it's pretty similar to JP02XLT's setup, but I think he has 1.7 ratio rockers and runs more boost than me.

 

[2002edgeplussupercab]

Cool.