brother just got a 3.slow

[goodie85]

i told him to do a 5.0 swap like i did but he dont wanna listen to me and he wants to know what else he could do to the 3.0 to make a little more snappy than stock without spending a bunch of money of gears.....hes a tighta$$.........but still pretty open on doing things so whats there all to do to a 3.0 to make it go somewhere reasonably quick

 

[Froggmann]

Reasonably quick is a relative term.

E-fan and Underdrive crank pulley is a great place to start. Better fuel mileage and it frees up some power.

 

[goodie85]

i told him thats where i would start to and i know a little bit on the e-fan conversions but he really doesnt so basically ill be helping him so ill have to look up exactly how to do it

 

[Jason_J]

Reasonably quick is a relative term.

E-fan and Underdrive crank pulley is a great place to start. Better fuel mileage and it frees up some power.

Not!!! An XCal and some 1.8:1 rocker arms, will actually show some results. You can also get Morona's cam grinds right off his web page and have a local machine shop grind your cam for 50 bucks like I did. Do something that produces real gains, not hypothetical bs. I mean who really cares about a teo tenth gain? Go to a wrecking yard and get some rockers off a v8 mustang.

 

[goodie85]

xcal...scanner/programmer? and yea i seen that moranas had som pretty good stuff on there as well

 

[goodie85]

Not!!! An XCal and some 1.8:1 rocker arms, will actually show some results. You can also get Morona's cam grinds right off his web page and have a local machine shop grind your cam for 50 bucks like I did. Do something that produces real gains, not hypothetical bs. I mean who really cares about a teo tenth gain? Go to a wrecking yard and get some rockers off a v8 mustang.

what cam grinds would you go with a stock 3.0?

 

[RollinWOT]

Definately take up the slack on the throttle cable. That will help with the feel of throttle response and should feel crisper too.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah I would do the Throttle Cable mod, I did it and an exhaust and I think my truck is pretty zippy... then again I am easily impressed.

My next mods will be Rocker arms, U/D Pulley, E-Fan, XCal programmer. Might do a port n polish on the intake and heads, and cam shaft. Then gears when I get 33's

 

[stmitch]

Go to a wrecking yard and get some rockers off a v8 mustang.

Do this at your own risk! Mustang rockers require modification to work, and still don't usually match up perfectly to the Ranger valvetrain geometry. Morana's roller rockers are supposed to be direct bolt on for the 3.0, and that's the route I'd go if you want some rollers.

The other mods mentioned would be good places to start though. They're cheaper than $400 rockers or tuners (the throttle cable mod is basically free). You could do an underdrive pulley and e-fan for under $200. Start with the cheap, easy stuff, and go from there. Also, don't underestimate the value of a good tune up!

 

[goodie85]

yep he bought a k&n air filter(ive been told it doesnt do much) he got a fuel filter and he also bought a new maf and is now thinking about ordering those 1.8:1 rockers but in my opinion the way hes acting he seems to want the most so i told him a 5.0 swap would be best especially since i know how to do it.....it would be way easier....does anyone have a write up on the E-fan

 

[goodie85]

also we did the zip tie trick to the throttle cable and it didnt help drastically.... barely noticable

 

[koda6966]

Is it an auto? Check the kickdown cable from the tranny, mine was on the manifold and it melted the cover and rusted. Snapped it, now I have no balls till it's fixed.

He could look for a junkyard axle with 4.10's it's cheaper than having his re-geared.

Other than that, I'd say put in a better engine. I know that's not what he wants to do but the 3.0 is a turd and always will be a turd. Damn good engine though, as long as your oil pan doesn't rust out.. don't even get me started on that one..

 

[pcollins]

The K&N filter isn't gonna do anything except whistle. Theyre useless as a power gain on any vehicle.

 

[koda6966]

The K&N helps some vehicles because they install the full K&N intake. Depending on the vehicle, you'll have gains.

On a 3.0 it will suck in hot air, stick with the stock intake with a nice filter. You have a natural cold air system in your truck IIRC.

 

[RollinWOT]

Be careful with the K&N filters. The oil on them is very sticky and if you use too much the intake will suck it up and gum up the MAF. That's how I see a majority of Nissans getting screwed up. Some punk kid goes out and K&Ns the car and over oils it. Then again Nissans are very sensetive, but still go with the stock intake and a nice filter just like koda said.