Decisions, Decisions.

[Spootnuke]

Hey fellas,

I've gotta a serious issue on my mind. I'm thinking about what I'm gonna do when I start working this new job thats coming my way. Right now I have a 3.0 with around 170k on her. I'm wanting a little more oomph... ok, a lot more oomph, but I don't know which direction to go. I'm not that big into custom fabrication, nor mechanics in general, but I'm learning. There are three directions I can go.

First off, I could go ahead and build up the 3.0. Roller rockers, intake, manifolds, headers, stroker kit, blah blah blah, etc. I'd even see if I could pick up one of those fancy turbo things. I just want more get up and go without the super modifications required by throwing in the 302 because I could help better to manage it. ( Unless you guys say otherwise)

Second, I have the 5.0 on my mind. I'm sure there is an explorer waiting to be ravaged around here with 4x4 and the 302, but I'm not sure if I can handle it. My father has a very nice friend whom used to be a master mechanic and knows the ins and outs of everything. He has done all the repair jobs for me so far and has been extremely helpful. I'm sure he could help me out, but as I search through the tech library, I've come to learn that not everything is eazy squeezy. I want a sleeper, and not to be outdone, I'd definitely throw the money out for a SC if I came across one. I don't want it to be noticeable though, as wanting a sleeper of course.

My final choice would be to just finish up what ever could be left with it and get a new vehicle. I saw a very nice 06 Lariat F150 Crew Cab 4x4 the other day within my price range of 20k, so ya.... I'm also open to sports cars, especially since I recently became fond of the GTs even though I don't really like the appearance all that much as opposed the older models. (I'm a bit biased as my uncles has an 2000 Something Roush that runs high 8s.) I'm not just a ford guy either, but I will NOT buy any GM piece of crap. Unless I came across a v8 Camaro 09+. (Even though the Z28s aren't to bad.)

I guess I'm stuck in a pickle here. I'm wondering if anyone could give me insight into what choice would be better. I would like the 3.0 build for nostalgic purposes, but also the 302 for the perfomance, and the new vehicle idea, well, you get the idea. (For the v8 swap though, I'd want to keep 4x4)

Any advice?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well I am kinda in the same boat your in... I want to keep the 3.0L cause it serves me well but I want a little more out of it... Mostly Lower end torque cause its nice when I head out to the beach...

I agree with mtnrgr, car payments are a hassel and I do not agree with you on the camaro thing either... as much as I hate to be against any one company I just hate GM's new vehicles as they are all cheap plastic garbage. I would go for one of the newer mustangs. Or a Taurus!

As for to swap or build I would probably swap if you could find a good condition donor but building the 3.0l would be neat plus it would be easier to swap in stuff... however it would probably be more expensive...

 

[stmitch]

I vote build the 3.0. I recently faced the same decision, and have committed to building the 3.0, primarily to avoid long periods of "down time". You've got all of your pros/cons right. And as the others have mentioned it would probably be the more expensive route to 200-300hp, but cool doesn't come cheap, and how much power can you actually USE in a ranger?

 

[Spootnuke]

Hm... Thanks for the opinions guys. Sorry for taking so long to reply, been busy straightening out situations locally. A younger friend of mine died yesterday due to injuries resulting from a car accident, no alcohol involved, just the driver missed his gear. They were all 18-19. The boy was in the passenger seat when they struck the tree and got his head knocked pretty bad. To much head trauma basically made him into a vegetable. Well, not for sure, but that was what the doctors were saying after the parents got a second opinion. They pulled the plug on him as they knew he wouldn't want to have lived that way. He was a very honest and friendly, not to mention quite popular, young man. Shame.

Anyways though, I'm not sure for gears, I'm guessing 3:73?

I'm trying to help my buddy get the hookup on a c6 as well for his 351M in his 91 bronco so I'll have someone to pull me out of really deep mud! lol on a side note of course.

I found a 5.0 4wd 98 Explorer with around 90k on her for like 2k, but I don't have the job yet, nor my truck payed off. lol. Working on that one.... But anyways, I would like the 3.0 build-up, but I love to have power. How much could I get out of a 3.0 if I stroked her and bored her out? Like 10 over of course... ? With roller rockers as well? shes at the standard 150 Horses with odd amounts of torque at certain RPMs, but I'm not sure how much I could really get out of her. Also, with 170k on her, it kinda makes me want to get on track with the motor swap anyways. But If I were to get a new ride of course, I'd like to pick up the glass top Mustang GT, although the Taurus SHOs are pretty sexy.....