Can a 2.3 put out more power or is a swap due?

[matencio]

I have a 96 2.3 with a 5 speed manualy trans. The engine is slow and lacks power for acceration. Is there any way to increase horsepower with out spending lots of money or should I consider a 6 cylinder? Anyone know if a 6 will bolt in using the 4 cyl mounts? What size 6 will fit?
Thanks

 

[adsm08]

I don't usually respond like this, but you asked one of the most common sets of questions, so here goes...

I have a 96 2.3 with a 5 speed manualy trans.

It's manual, not manualy.

The engine is slow and lacks power for acceration. Is there any way to increase horsepower without spending lots of money

No.

should I consider a 6 cylinder?

Or an 8.

Anyone know if a 6 will bolt in using the 4 cyl mounts? What size 6 will fit?
Thanks

Search. Search search search search search. Use Google, use the internal search, read through the "other engine conversions" section. We see this at LEAST once a month, the info is there if you just go find it for yourself.

 

[Mark_88]

The only thing I would add to that is to check the gas pedal for excess play. It is more common on the older models but can happen...the cable stretches and there is slop in it before it actually moves the thingy on the motor that gets the computer to push more gas into the other thingys on the engine to make more power.

The fix is to put some zip ties or similar around the end of the cable (inside the truck under the dash) to take the slack out of the cable...this results in better motor response including faster acceleration.

There is a tech bulletin on this in the Library (main page) that should help you see how to fix it and what to expect if there is slack...

 

[SenorNoob]

The only thing I would add to that is to check the gas pedal for excess play. It is more common on the older models but can happen...the cable stretches and there is slop in it before it actually moves the thingy on the motor that gets the computer to push more gas into the other thingys on the engine to make more power.

The fix is to put some zip ties or similar around the end of the cable (inside the truck under the dash) to take the slack out of the cable...this results in better motor response including faster acceleration.

There is a tech bulletin on this in the Library (main page) that should help you see how to fix it and what to expect if there is slack...

Wouldn't that be basically the same as IDK, mashing the pedal a little harder. Or do they stretch so much that when the pedal in on the floor it still hasn't pulled the flap open all the way?

 

[RonD]

I have a 96 2.3 with a 5 speed manualy trans. The engine is slow and lacks power for acceration. Is there any way to increase horsepower with out spending lots of money or should I consider a 6 cylinder? Anyone know if a 6 will bolt in using the 4 cyl mounts? What size 6 will fit?
Thanks

Turbo charge it

Read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Turbos.shtml

No, the 2.3l doesn't easily swap with any V motor, you will need to change the transmission and motors mount, to start with, and if you are going to have to do that then you skip over the V6 and go with a V8, same effort and more power

 

[Mark_88]

Wouldn't that be basically the same as IDK, mashing the pedal a little harder. Or do they stretch so much that when the pedal in on the floor it still hasn't pulled the flap open all the way?

Yes, the cable stretches to the point that the TPS doesn't ever sense WOT and mashing it makes no difference...

Ever fell in love with a computer geek? They are all logic and no leeway for those hot steamy nights and, try as you might, their logic over rules all desire to go fast and furious!

So you need to make the computer happy before there is any of that fast and furious stuff going on...in both cases, you actually have to zip tie your cable to make the computer happy...

 

[scotts90ranger]

you don't make any more power by going from 75% throttle to WOT (ok, might get a couple percent in that 25% throttle...), believe me... although with the throttle linkage setup that last 25% of the pedal might be 50% of the throttle opening so it could make some difference, the next paragraph is key though...

The trick with the stock 2.3L is to keep it in it's happy place, which is above 2500rpm which most people don't do, back when my ranger was stock I shifted at 4500rpm and cruised between 2500-3000rpm for best mileage, cruising above 3000rpm has a tendency to push it out of closed loop fueling so it runs richer...

That said, you probably have 3.45:1 or 3.08:1 gearing in the rear axle, to get some more power in the ol butt dyno, find a '93 or newer Ranger rear axle in a junk yard with 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 gears and it'll help acceleration and putting the engine in it's happy place at better speeds...

 

[straycat]

I don't usually respond like this, but you asked one of the most common sets of questions, so here goes...

It's manual, not manualy.



Search. Search search search search search. Use Google, use the internal search, read through the "other engine conversions" section. We see this at LEAST once a month, the info is there if you just go find it for yourself.

Quote:
Originally Posted by matencio
I have a 96 2.3 with a 5 speed manualy trans.

It's manual, not manualy.

LOL, adsm08:
Give 'em hell, Bro!!!! But you see...he has to manualy shift it..so he is right!!

LOL

 

[broussard91]

I dont know if its the same motor mounts but i had a 2.5 that i put a 3.0 in with ease only minor adjustments