Engine rebuild

[bathtub.toaster]

I just recently bought a 98 4-cylinder ranger, 308k miles and definitely needs some tlc. I'm rebuilding the engine and I'd like to see if anyone can make a list of parts or point me to one. I want to try and have a turbo setup and I'd like to see both budget and performance options for parts. Price isn't really an issue so go nuts, I just want this thing to haul ass

 

[19Walt93]

First consideration would be if your state does emissions testing, if they use the Gordon Darby system like NH, changing the engine or PCM won't fly.
The next step is to find a good machine shop. Turbo Coupes had stronger pistons to handle the extra stress, I don't think the blocks or cranks were different. Fox body Mustangs, Capris, and Fairmont/Zephyrs as well as Mercurs all used 2.3 turbos, too. They were all EEC IV/OBD 1.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’m moving this to the appropriate engine section, might get better responses there…

 

[bathtub.toaster]

First consideration would be if your state does emissions testing, if they use the Gordon Darby system like NH, changing the engine or PCM won't fly.
The next step is to find a good machine shop. Turbo Coupes had stronger pistons to handle the extra stress, I don't think the blocks or cranks were different. Fox body Mustangs, Capris, and Fairmont/Zephyrs as well as Mercurs all used 2.3 turbos, too. They were all EEC IV/OBD 1.

Luckily my state doesn't do emission testing, machine shop is not a problem either. I know I'll definitely have to switch to some forged pistons, I'd just like to know, or at least have a list of compatible parts that I'll need to replace the stock components and have the truck run and sound great

 

[Blmpkn]

@scotts90ranger knows his stuff about turbo 2.3s

Rods & crank are apparently good for up to 300hp, which is somewhat convieniently the limit for the trans as well..

You could take care of tuning with a Tweecer RT, this is the route I'm taking. Already have the tweecer but won't be making the swap to turbo for a while yet..

If cost really isn't of any concern.. buy yourself a fancy head from boport. 2700 extremely well spent. Again.. this is the route I'll be taking with my truck.

1994-2000 Dual plug CNC ported Head Assembly 7mm | Boport Racing

NO CORE CHARGE! Tired of your 2.3 or 2.5 ranger having no passing power? Tired of downshifting to maintain highway speeds? Tired of no power above 4000rpm? Tired of getting smoked by Toyota Prius's? This performance head upgrade is the answer! This is a brand new upgraded thicker casting that...

www.bo-port.com

 

[19Walt93]

One of my friends used to race a 2.3 Mustang around in circles, he got a lot of parts from Esslinger.

Esslinger Engineering - Chino, California | Esslinger racing | Ford Race Engine | Performance Parts | Duratec |Ecoboost | MZR

Esslinger Engineering, Esslinger racing, Esslinger Engineering Inc., has been a dominating force in four-cylinder Ford performance products for over forty years. We produce engines and products that have powered everything from off-road trucks to sprints to midgets to ministocks and hydroplanes...

esslingeracing.com

 

[scotts90ranger]

I haven't looked at 2.5L performance parts but they're just a stroked 2.3 but the factory used hypereutectic pistons and powder rods if I remember right and aren't up to adding too much power to, not sure how the crank holds up... some people just throw 2.3L rotating assembly in when doing non stock stuff...

Lots of forged circle track pistons out there (at least for 2.3L's) but they don't recommend them for boost which is a big part of why I'm running stock forged pistons... I've heard of 2.5 parts out there but haven't looked... I've been tempted to try to find a spare 2.5 for my '97 just to have a spare around

The stock heads seem to have a tendency of recessing the valves which makes the valve geometry not work right, but also all of the restriction is in the head porting...