'88 ranger engine mods?

[kaifretz 612]

Hey guys I'm new to the ranger community and I'm looking for some help/advice if any one has the time. I just bought an 88 ranger 2.9 v6 auto and I'd like to do some engine up grades. I want to eventually do a carb'd 302 swap but don't have anything close to the means or know how to do that yet. I'm on a budget like everyone else so if anyone has feed back I would really appreciate it. Some of the things I was thinking were headers, throttle body? Cold air intake? I don't even know that my truck is compatible for all that just sort of guessing, thank u for your time

 

[kaifretz 612]

 

[kaifretz 612]

 

[cody93]

the truck already has a cold air intake from the factory, theres only so much air that engine can pump, well with in reason of the factory manifolds. if you want to suck more air, port n polishing and a MAF swap, a MAF setup will be able to cope with the increased airflow..

personally, if you want more power to the rear wheels, id do a 5spd manual swap. im gona assume your tires/axel are stock, but if its got bigger tires and stock gearing, it will be a dog, regearing to match the tires will help it alot.

 

[kaifretz 612]

I'd love to do the 5 speed swap I am just really new to wheeling in general and don't have the knowledge.

 

[87anger]

Ok first of all I know you have probably heard this already but:
TECH LIBRARY AND SEARCH FUNCTION ARE YOUR FRIENDS!
That being said, hell ill bite. When looking for ENGINE power you should first start with allowing more air into the engine(ram air, cone filter etc) and a better flowing exhaust to evacuate air faster. I would get an aftermarket turbo muffler of your preference(I like flowmaster). That would be a good start. Also add a high flow filter. I dont know about the filter options for a 2.8 but you can make a cone filter work for a 2.9l.

As for WHEEL power like was said a manual transmission is your friend. From the factory the gears are set up for economy. So consider whatever tire size you are going to run and what you want out of your truck(ie more power, less economy, more economy less power, or a balance) and select the appropriate gears. Again the tech library is your friend for this.
Gear swaps are costly though so make sure you have the tires and engine you want to avoid having to change gears again down the line.

This is my advice hope it helped. Good luck with the truck.
EDIT: Oh and check and make sure your 2.9 has the larger throttle body. It should but if not its a bolt on mod.

 

[cody93]

86/87 had the larger TB i believe, like i said before, the engine will need a few mods for it to take advantage of the increase in airflow. headers and dual exhaust with free-er flowing CAT and muffler will help. a ram air setup can help slightly. i still say port n polish with MAF swap and mabey a couple more lb injectors. but the most bang for buck is your trans and gearing. remember its only a 177ci engine..