95 2.3L improvements list

[bubba cakes]

Without going into the engine, i'm considering the following improvements to my little truck, to make it all it can be.

1. Disable the EGR valve, thus eliminating exhaust gases from combustion air.
2. Remove the catalytic converter, replace with straight pipe.
3. Install an electric fan to eliminate drag on the engine.
4. Install a set of underdrive pulleys, to further diminish engine drag.
5. Remove the a/c compressor, for even less engine drag.
6. Install a higher numerical ratio rear end, with LSD.
7. Do some DIY intake porting.
8. Remove the air intake muffler and baffle.
9. Install a Jet ECU upgrade kit.
10. Install a hotter thermostat if more research indicates that will help.
11. Install a throttle body spacer from JET.
12. Install a booster rocket in the spare tire space.

just kidding about #12.

so if each of those improvements increases my hp and economy by a few percent, i ought to go from 100hp to 125 maybe, huh? Economy ought to go from 26mpg to 35, right? just kidding again. i have no idea, but it ought to be a big improvement, i would think.

am i wasting my time for just every day puttering around town?

 

[turbo cat]

removing the egr can actually decrease your fuel economy. The egr recurculating the exhaust gas lower temps which allows the ecu to run more timing resulting in better efficiency. removing the cat will maybe give you 1 hp if that it would be just for sound

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

1. Disable the EGR valve, thus eliminating exhaust gases from combustion air.
2. Remove the catalytic converter, replace with straight pipe.
3. Install an electric fan to eliminate drag on the engine.
4. Install a set of underdrive pulleys, to further diminish engine drag.
5. Remove the a/c compressor, for even less engine drag.
6. Install a higher numerical ratio rear end, with LSD.
7. Do some DIY intake porting.
8. Remove the air intake muffler and baffle.
9. Install a Jet ECU upgrade kit.
10. Install a hotter thermostat if more research indicates that will help.
11. Install a throttle body spacer from JET.

this has ALLL been covered already.

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. yes
5. no
6. yes
7. yes
8. yes
9. yes
10. no
11. no

 

[bubba cakes]

I read somewhere that the little 2.3 likes to run hot, that it is more efficient that way. Is that wrong? That author also said that the EGR gases are added after the ECU has determined proper air/fuel mixture for current conditions, which screws up the mixture. Is that wrong?

Can you explain why you have said no to the cat, the fan, the a/c, and the spacer? Thanks in advance!

If it were your truck, and you wanted it to be a nice running truck for puttering around, and you didn’t want to spend more than a thousand bucks, what would you do?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

your stock t-stat is a 190-degree unit, thats plenty warm for proper combustion. by running a warmer t-stat you run the risk of a thermal runnaway which could destroy your motor.

the EGR is monitored and controlled by the PCM. the PCM takes into account the effects of the EGR system and changes timing and mixture accordingly.

your cat converter is the same design as so called "high flow" units. if this was a 70's vehicle you were talking about, removing or replacing the old pellet style cat would make a significant improvement, but its not. modern cat converter dont present a restriction in the exhaust system. removing your cat is also against FEDERAL law (that means it doesnt matter what your state law is) and is punishable by a hefty fine.

the e-fan has been argued to death. the fact is is that claiming improvements with an e-fan goes against the law of conservation of energy. its physically impossible for it to provide and improvement. a properly working fan clutch will cycle the cooling fan on and off the same as an e-fan does. on top of that, your mechanical fan has a much higher capacity than most aftermarket e-fans, meaning an e-fan could get you in trouble later down the road.

your a/c is disabled during full throttle accelleration...so removing it will provide no change. when the a/c is off, the belt is free wheeling the idler pulley on the compressor. the amount of power used is negligable.

throttle body spacers came about from the carb and CFI days. the added plenum volume allowed the fuel more time to properly atomize, thus you got more complete combustion. those spacers also helped to keep the carb or TB cool. your fuel is injected directly into the intake port, AFTER where the spacer would be installed, thus it isnt changing anything.

again, this has all been covered. i could go into further detail on all these subjects, but i wont. use the search at the top of your screen.

 

[Bryan22]

with all that money you plan on spending to get 25 more ponies, why not do a turbo swap and get the most bang for your buck?

 

[Ozwynn]

the re-gear is the best performance mod for the money, period. next to that is the 2.3L turbo swap.

 

[bubba cakes]

thank you for all the time you put into your reply! it was great. i did try searching for the info i want, but probably didn't use the right words. finally i just scrolled through the threads, and they were so interesting, i didn't keep after my own interests. but your reply was great. it ought to be on the tech forum, 'cause it had "bottom line" verdicts on quite a few options for the 2.3L. i'll read it again tomorrow, when i have more time (i still haven't eaten supper, and it's going on 9 o'clock!).

 

[bubba cakes]

my last post was for Wicked Sludge, but i don't know how to place these posts under a particular post by someone else. as for the turbo suggestion, i'll see if i can find the posts on that topic. i'll enter "2.3L turbo" in the search box, i guess, or maybe "2.3L turbo swap". that will probably lead me to lots of info about it, right? everything i'll need to know? i'm curious to see what the benefit is. it seems like it might be expensive, 'cause i've read a little already, and there are other things that might need to be changed, like injectors, computer reprogramming, higher octane gas.... ok, i'll do some reading. oh, by the way, this Ranger Station website is fairly f.........g awesome, imo.

 

[dtmaxwell]

try this page:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.php

then look down to the section called Engine Rebuilds/Swaps

 

[phatcap]

i thought UD pulleys were only available for the v6's. am i wrong?

would this be a worthwhile upgrade for a 4-banger if they are available?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the 2.3 is one of the most raced motors ford has made. they have incredible aftermarket support. the same engine was used in mustang, capris, thunderbirds, rangers, etc. check ebay.

 

[phatcap]

would this affect the size of the serp belt needed?

 

[Ranger44]

Yes, you'll need a slightly smaller belt.

Oh and listen to Wicked. I agree with what he is saying.

 

[bubba cakes]

i mean to swap out the induction system. i thought somebody had said he installed a turbo on his 2.3 for $150, doing all the work himself. if it's master mechanic only kind of stuff, with computer whiz on top, then i'd want to pass. i don't want to race, or even particularly go fast. i just want to be able to get to speed fairly effortlessly, and run as economically as possible while retaining that easy-running ability. thanks for the website url, maybe you know the one for modifying the 2.3 from MFI to turbo? and do you know what SVO stands for? the only thing i can think of is standing vroom only, but that doesn't make any sense. or does it...