60mm Throttle Body on a 1999 3.0L

[Ranger101]

I’m considering putting a 2000 Taurus (Metal) or 2001-2008 Taurus (composite) upper intake on my 1999 3.0L XLT automatic. The metal UI is shorter than the composite and I think would fit better overall.

Understanding that porting will need to be done using either one, I’m interested to know which Fords have a 60mm or larger TB that would work in this setup and what needs to be done to marry the two. I’ve read that the Escape/Tribute TB works easier because the throttle linkage is on the same side of the TB as my Ranger.

I’m trying to get options before I start my junkyard hunt. Any suggestions for mods from the airbox to the TB (Filter, MAF, tube changes, removing vacuum lines, etc.) would also be appreciated.

 

[cbxer55]

I recently purchased a 56 mm BBK throttle body off another member here. Had to do some tiddlywinks with the throttle cable, but got it to work. Some say it won't make a difference. I have put larger throttle bodies on all three of my Fords, 98 Ranger, 04 Lightning and 07 Mustang. Big improvement in off idle throttle response on all of them. The end reality for my 3.0 Ranger, is it needs more fuel. With the no muffler exhaust, MAC cai, 93 octane tune and the larger throttle body, it simply doesn't like full throttle anymore. It's GREAT at about 3/4 to 7/8 throttle. But stuff my foot in it, and it doesn't want to do any more. I'm thinking I may need to up the injector sizing.

So the 60 mm should be great off idle. Even better than the 56 I have.

 

[O No 3.0!]

What escape engine are you going to get a tb off of? I was at my local pull a part last weekend & took a tb off an escape & tried it on an 01 3.0 ranger & it wouldn't bolt up. Different bolt pattern. Not sure what engine it came off of, but it was waayy larger than the one i got off an 01 3.8 mustang.

 

[mc17eln]

It's GREAT at about 3/4 to 7/8 throttle. But stuff my foot in it, and it doesn't want to do any more. I'm thinking I may need to up the injector sizing.

@O No 3.0! While thinking about the MAF mod I mention in the "3.0 performance mods" thread, @cbxer55 finding quoted here tells me that any intake mod alone (air filter, MAF, intake tube, TB) only moves the throttle-to-power curve away from WOT down towards close throttle -- the side effect is the power output peaks before WOT (flattening the top end curve). We are only changing the behavior of the throttle, not increasing the maximum power of the engine, unless we also mod the fuel supply. Good stuff, guys.

 

[cbxer55]

Actually, a the 3/4 to 7/8 where the power is maxxed, it is decidedly more than it was before. It's just if you keep trying to give it more, it flattens. I do like the better throttle response off idle. It's definitely more peppy in that zone. Remember, this is all old school seat-of-the-pants feelings. I wouldn't spend the money to dyno tune the old girl. Seat-of-the-pants works fine for me.

 

[O No 3.0!]

I call b.s. on the 3/4 throttle. My truck will now spin the tires from a dead stop at wot, whereas it would not do it before, and i have put 245/50/16 tires on mustang wheels on it in place of the 185/14 that were on it when i got it. It would not spin either before the mass air porting. I would say the stock injectors are good to 220+ hp. It would be easy to find out if it were starving for fuel, pull the vacuum line off the regulator & go drive it. If you can wind it up wide open, then you probably do need bigger injectors.

 

[Ranger101]

The 99-2004 3.8L Mustang has a 60mm throttle body that will match a 2000 Taurus metal intake manifold. The manifold will need to be ported so the throttle blade of the larger throttle body does not hit the inside of the manifold. Port the lowers of the intake manifold also for even better air flow and performance. Mill down the right side of the manifold so the spring of the throttle body will have space for it to fit flush on the manifold. You will need to use the longer throttle cable from the Taurus you got the manifold from.

I would also suggest using the larger injectors that are for the 3.8L Mustang. They fit the Ranger fuel rail. Consider a new or higher pressure fuel pump to get the additional fuel needed for the larger injectors and throttle body.

FYI. I’m not a mechanic and don’t even play one on TV. This information is garnered from other forum threads and YouTube videos. I’m in the process of collecting the various parts from my local junkyard and plan to put them all on my 99 Ranger. I’m also considering completely swapping out to a 3.0 Taurus engine. This would give me the SAME engine I currently have with, hopefully, less miles and wear. I would need to replace the Taurus lower intake manifold with the one from my Ranger and replace the oil sump and pan with the one from my Ranger (the orientation of the Taurus engine (FWD) mandates this). A new ‘Ranger’ water pump will also be necessary because of the fan shaft length.

Again, I’m not a mechanic. Just a guy who is looking to play around with modifying his Ranger. Feel free to chime in.