Carbureted 2.8L V-6 to a bigger engine, have you done it?

[blk84ranger]

What’s shaken fella’s?

OK being the newbie I’m going to ask lots of really stupid questions, so let’s start out with a good one.

I have an 84 Ranger 4 X 4 manual tranny. I don’t drive it because I can’t get it to pass smog in Cali.

I want to swap engines for a larger sized one like a 4.0L V-6 or a 4.5 V-8. I know I need to get it approved by a smog ref and I have no problem with that.

Have any of you vets done this before? anyone in Cali

How hard was it and what was the basic cost?

What difference did it make in MPG, HP, & Torque?

Any of you think of installing a supercharger after your rebuild?

What tranny changes did you need to make if any? I have limited slip and traction lock with original gearing.

Thanks guy, trying to figure out if its worth the hassle, this was my first truck and I would like to be able to drive it again someday.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well The engine swap would be a bad Idea I think because if you swap it you will get a. worse gas mileage b. Need to have good enough emissions for the year of engine you put in but no lower then emissions standards of your truck so if it got worse emissions then what your truck is supposed to get then it will not pass. Just from what i've heard. Alaska just got rid of theirs and I don't live in cali so not sure. You could try putting on a few new cats( remove the old one and put two new ones in its place.

 

[Eric Kropp]

I'm not completely sure, but I don't think you can change to a different engine here in CA. I think it would not pass the "visual" part of the inspection. I have to admit, I am not completely sure of this, but I think they base the smog test on data from the Vin. no. and the diagram under the hood. Also, I am a firm believer that any vehicle that has passed smog in the past can pass smog now. It is a matter of finding out what the problem is and correcting it. Yes, I am making it sound simple, but if it worked right once, in can work right again. I have 320,000 miles on my 1983 Ranger 2.8 and it keeps passing smog. I just tell the smog tech, failing the test is not an option, either fix it or tell me what's wrong and I'll fix it. Every couple years I put $200.00 or so bucks into it to pass, but that is a small amount compared to car payments.

 

[Totalled]

I know a guy who put a 4.0 into his 85 BII. He took it to a referee station or whatever it's called in cali and they certified it smog compliant. Just remember, you have to swap all the smog equipment from the donor vehicle over to the recipient.

 

[bobbywalter]

that is an ideal swap. (4.0)

if you have a solid donor engine its the best way to go.


you will think you have a hemi in there after driving that 2.8 all this time. especially if you use a manual trans

 

[Mavrick70004]

I am interested in this question also. i recently got an 85 Ranger STX, and my friend is soon OHV his 92 ranger with a 302 and i am planning on taking his 4.0. I SUGGEST that you save up some money and possibly try to buy a reallly cheap beat up ranger that has the 4.0 since you are going to need the wiring harness, the engine, ecu, all the fuel lines and everything else realted to fuel, just my opinion it seems like it would make things alot easier and happen faster rather than starting the project and then getting stuck because you dont have a part you need. As for the engine swap legality as it was said yes it is legal you just have to make a ref appointment for a "engine change" and if you pass you get a smog certified sticker or placard. if you don't pass they will tell you why. As for power increase my friends 92 4.0 has no problem smoking the tires down the street through the gears. MPG i would think would be better since you are off the pedal (haha ya right) more. If anyone in cali has done this i would like to know what i am getting myself into also.