Creating HP on a 2.3 (naturally aspirated)

[$White lightning$]

Hey yall im new here, I'm gonna start off by saying this truck is a project truck that already has way too much money into it so im not too worried about cost efficiency, I just want it setup how i would like.

Basically what I would like to do is put a high performance cam, modify the intake of the truck, and a pcm of some sort to make sure everything is timed and firing with the best performance in mind.

its a 1993 2.3l ford ranger 2wd long bed. Im removing the intake baffles for it in the next few days.

I believe it a roller style engine, I am having a hard time finding a cam for it because I want one to have the ideal rpm range under 4000 because thats as high as my truck revs.

Ive read that a chip will over ride the pcm and tell everything when to fire but my truck has nowhere to plug it in so I was wondering if there is a whole new performance pcm I can use for the truck.


I already know putting a turbo on the truck would be a more effective way of gaining hp but I would like to keep it naturally aspirated. As much input as possible would be greatly appreciated

 

[racsan]

It won’t really give you horsepower, but putting lower gears in will help. Especially if it’s geared really high like 3.45’s

 

[adsm08]

Add a second 2.3 for double the power.

 

[$White lightning$]

im not looking for crazy power or anything just want to change it up a bit, you dont think any of that will do anything

 

[tinman_72]

...I believe it a roller style engine, I am having a hard time finding a cam for it because I want one to have the ideal rpm range under 4000 because thats as high as my truck revs...

The cam is a major factor as to how high your motor can rev. If you put a high RPM range cam in it then it will rev past 4K.

...Ive read that a chip will over ride the pcm and tell everything when to fire but my truck has nowhere to plug it in so I was wondering if there is a whole new performance pcm I can use for the truck...

You can have the PCM reflashed or you can buy a chip that will plug directly into the PCM box. (EEC)

 

[19Walt93]

Keep in mind that a cam with a higher RPM range will give up power at low RPM.. Earlier 2.3's would tolerate planing the head .030" to gain compression and make more power but you'd likely need higher octane fuel. I agree that a gear change is a good idea if you have 3.45's or even 3.73's, it will launch better, accelerate better, and if your are is hilly like NH, it won't hurt the gas mileage because it won't work as hard on hills. If you live in flat country lower gears will cost you some mileage. Better flowing exhaust will help a little but please avoid fart mufflers.

 

[pdxracer]

Check the tube from the air filter going to the intake, make sure there is no air restrictor inside there.

I had on in mine, discovered a few years ago (emissions thing), removed it a few years ago, the difference in air flow was night and day.

 

[fastpakr]

It's -louder- without the insert in there, but it's not any more powerful.

 

[Fredness]

Late DP head ('95+) flows an average of 17% better out of the box than the early dual plug head, but you have to change intakes...
Junkyard head and intake would be a good start.