engine swap info

[Dav]

i'm looking for another series one ranger. this one will be a 4 banger. i have the 88 with the 2.9 auto. i want a gas sipping long distance voyager and that 2.9 ain't it!
if, and i stress that 'if' i can find a decent one, it will have the 4 plug motor. how much beer drinking/cussin' will be required to put a late 2.3 eng/trans in? i'm hoping that it will be a simple change eng/trans/wires to the brain and brain swap, not a 'gotta cut some here, where's the bfh? type swap.
i've only seen 4 plug motors at the junk yard and no 2.3 newer than 96 and none of them recently.
lastly, what is the last year of 2.3 production? am going to have to buy a'new' work truck at the auction. only need it for 2 years ('til i retire) so that will be the donor truck.

 

[bobbywalter]

tdi for max economy and awesome power.

 

[RonD]

2.3l SOHC Lima engine was first used in 1974 Pinto and last used in a 1997 Ranger
4 Plug was last used in 1988 Ranger

2.3l DOHC Duratec engine was first used in a mid-2001 Ranger and used until 2011
2001-2003 had some issues and added parts not needed, but 2004 and requires you to used the instrument cluster along with "the brain", so lots of extra work

Yes, if MPG is the goal the diesel TDI would be the direction

 

[Dav]

tdi stands for what? i hope it's not 'turbo' cause when turbos go they take the bank account with them, or so i hear.
a search here for tdi gave nothing.
okay, did some googling of tdi and am confused. 1.4 tdi from a fiesta? is a diesel that much more powerful than a gas motor that a 1.4 could replace a 2.3? or are you refering to something that i have yet to find on google?

 

[bobbywalter]

Not necessarily. Actually these modern setups are quite robust.

When I say TDI I generally refer to the ALH or mechanical style Volkswagen 1.9 diesel.


Turbo. Direct injection.

 

[Dav]

took a fast look at alh vw for info, then craigs list. wow! 15 year old cars are still going for big bucks! going to need much more info before getting into a project that big. i'm getting long in the tooth and will be on a fixed income soon so this will probably never happen

 

[Uncle Gump]

A TDI swap is most likely in my future... not sure how distant that future is. I don't even have the Ranger yet... or maybe I do?

I think the adaptor is about $1300... so to budget swap a TDI into a Ranger... probably not going to happen.

In the end... a TDI swap it would be worth it. I'll just keep looking and when the parts can be had at the right price I will pick them up.

Good luck on whatever direction you go...

 

[BlackBII]

I have had both the 2.3 and 2.9, and I don't think the fuel savings will be worth swapping in the 2.3

The Lima 2.3 is supposed to get a combined 23mpg, but I never managed more than 20, which is about what my 2.9 was able to achieve.

The Duratec 2.3 on the other hand, would likely be able to get 25+

 

[pjtoledo]

I have had both the 2.3 and 2.9, and I don't think the fuel savings will be worth swapping in the 2.3

The Lima 2.3 is supposed to get a combined 23mpg, but I never managed more than 20, which is about what my 2.9 was able to achieve.

The Duratec 2.3 on the other hand, would likely be able to get 25+

my 2005 2wd reg cab easily did 28 hwy and 23 combined. both with 400 lbs cargo at all times.
manual transmission, 3:73 gears.
the wrong tires can reduce mileage by 2-3 mpg.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

i'm looking for another series one ranger. this one will be a 4 banger. i have the 88 with the 2.9 auto. i want a gas sipping long distance voyager and that 2.9 ain't it!
if, and i stress that 'if' i can find a decent one, it will have the 4 plug motor. how much beer drinking/cussin' will be required to put a late 2.3 eng/trans in? i'm hoping that it will be a simple change eng/trans/wires to the brain and brain swap, not a 'gotta cut some here, where's the bfh? type swap.
i've only seen 4 plug motors at the junk yard and no 2.3 newer than 96 and none of them recently.
lastly, what is the last year of 2.3 production? am going to have to buy a'new' work truck at the auction. only need it for 2 years ('til i retire) so that will be the donor truck.

Quickie 2.9 mpg build:

Bosch iridium plugs
PCV catch can
Remove and port your upper intake
Replace paper air filter with cotton gause style
Remove mechanical fan and replace with electric puller fan and thermostat
Brass cap and rotor
Resistor wires 8mm
Set timing to 11 deg BTDC
Synthetic lubricants with ZDDP additive
Remove and clean lower intake
Consider new injectors
Replace fuel pressure Regulator with newer one
Bosch O2 sensor
EPAS power steering conversion
Replace front and rear springs and have it aligned
MSD Blaster Coil
Seafoam at every oil change
Only use Exxon fuel.
Royal purple diff fluids
MT90 in the FM146 trans

That was my original build on my 2.9 before I realized I could buy superchargers for $30-120 at my local u pull it

I was getting 21-24 mpg in Hill territory in Pittsburgh PA

 

[Snoranger]

my 2005 2wd reg cab easily did 28 hwy and 23 combined. both with 400 lbs cargo at all times.
manual transmission, 3:73 gears.
the wrong tires can reduce mileage by 2-3 mpg.

My '02 5spd 2.3l gets 28 average and it's abused everytime I drive it. It seems to like high rpm.

 

[Dav]

because i have knee trouble, i can't use a standard anymore so i am stuck with the auto trans. used to love down shifting into corners.
what motor came between the lima sohc or '97 and the dohc of '01? and will a 2.3 with a 55e trans be worth looking into?

 

[RonD]

Ford stroked the 2.3l SOHC Lima for 1998-2001.5

It was the 2.5l SOHC Lima, used from 1998-2000 and 1/2 the year in 2001, then in July 2001 Rangers got the 2.3l DOHC Duratec

 

[Dav]

saturday morning is the auction. there are 12 rangers in it. 2 are 96's with 2.3. don't know about the rest yet.
if there is a 2.5, is it worth bidding on or are they a lemon? or were they just plain 'not so hot even if it's bigger' motors? i mean like they only made them for 2 years, right?
okay, went back to the auction site. only 4 are pre 05 and the other 2 are 3.0s. narrows it down a bit.
we'll see what happens.

 

[RonD]

A 1995 to 1997 2.3l Lima will working in place of the 2.5l lima
1994 and earlier will not

The 2.5l was made from 1998 thru 2001 mid year, so 3.5 years
But its the same engine as the 2.3l Lima with a different crank and longer connecting Rods, a stroked 2.3l
Same head and pistons, just longer stroke