Engine Questions

[83rattyranger]

i have a 83 ranger with the 2.3 and a 4 sp. manual tranny... the truck is just a play toy with 35 inch mudkings, but i am looking to increase the power so the truck will turn the 35s in the mud better i am wanting to keep my original tranny but does any body know of what other ford motor with bigger balls will mount up to my tranny so i can have more power.... or really what do yall think my best bet is for more power is in this truck

 

[Ranger44]

Gear change to some 4.88's. This will give the engine more leverage over those tires.

 

[mudnsnow]

look into the tech library, this type of transmission is a light duty transmission, and can't handle to much power. The easy way to put a bigger engine in your ranger is to transfert engine,transmission and t-case from the same car. then you will just have to make your driveshaft cut and weld by a shop

 

[83rattyranger]

Well i see that now days that most people are switching to peanut 4 bangers to 302 V8... i have been told that a straight 6 is the way to go for that truck...

 

[mudnsnow]

a 4.0L from 90-00 will have between 150-160 Hp
a 1989 302 have 185HP it's not a big difference if you tink about the lighter weight of a V6. but i like the sound of a V8

 

[zamos]

A 5.0 HO out of a mustang 86'-94 has 225hp stock & 300ft/lbs of torque and thats what will turn those tires - you wont be using your existing trans though - running the 2.3 with the 4 speed in the mud -your asking for trouble - the gears are a good idea , but the 4 speed isn't up to the task.

 

[Nighteyez]

A straight six would not be a good idea, it is longer, than the four, and you might run into firewall or radiator clearance issues. Changing the gears would be the cheapest way to get those 35's moving better.

 

[Turbo-T]

2.3 TURBO. When the boost goes up that little engine gets big. If you don't do things like dumping the clutch on it, the 4 speed will hold up for a while. It'll give you time to look for an M50D-R1 5 speed to put in its place. The 4.88 gears are a good idea.

 

[1990 sc]

if you can find a 3.8 super charged out of a 89 to 95 thunderbird. would be a great idea . has more h/p an torque than the 5.0 an it weighs less the 488 gears are a good idea depending on the ratio you have now . with 35's the could range anywhere from 300's to 355's as we speak..the 4speed is a very weak link in the old ranger try to find a better one the first gear ratio is alot better in the t5's

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

How much power do you want?

Rebuild the current 2.3 with a ported head, cam, header, 10:1 compression and you'll swear it has a whole new motor in it. Of course a naturally aspirated 4-cyl can only make so much, but there lots of room for improvement on the 2.3s.