Engine Swap Question

[Justin's Green Truck]

Hi, I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 5-Speed Manual. It has a 4.0l V6 engine. My question: Is it possible to swap this engine for the 2.3L four cylinder? The reason i want to do this is for fuel mileage. Im not really concerned with power (got a 77 for that) and the 4.0L is on its way out. So, is the 2.3l compatible to my transmission? Has anyone done this? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[bigblockford79]

Hi, I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 5-Speed Manual. It has a 4.0l V6 engine. My question: Is it possible to swap this engine for the 2.3L four cylinder? The reason i want to do this is for fuel mileage. Im not really concerned with power (got a 77 for that) and the 4.0L is on its way out. So, is the 2.3l compatible to my transmission? Has anyone done this? Any info would be appreciated.

According to this chart in the tech forums of this site (http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html) your trans (Mazda M50D-R1) will bolt right up to a 4 cyl engine. From what I see in the chart the only difference between the 4.0 and 2.3 box is the gear ratio. The 4.0 has a slightly higher gear ratio since it makes more torque, meaning you might notice the need for a little more throttle or clutch action to take off after the swap, especially if you are hauling anything.

 

[cammeddrz]

According to this chart your trans will bolt right up to a 4 cyl engine

what?.....uh i don't think so. it says that nowhere in that chart. and even if it did it wouldn't be true

 

[bigblockford79]

what?.....uh i don't think so. it says that nowhere in that chart. and even if it did it wouldn't be true

I guess the chart leaves room for a lot of interpretation

I guess he will need to find a 2.3 with the m50d still attached

 

[Justin's Green Truck]

Why would I need to find a 2.3l with a M50D if that what my truck has? Unless im reading that chart wrong, thats the only transmission my truck would have came with, right? Were the bellhousings different depending on which engine you had or something? Thanks for the info, please keep it coming.

 

[kevinsranger]

Why would I need to find a 2.3l with a M50D if that what my truck has? Unless im reading that chart wrong, thats the only transmission my truck would have came with, right? Were the bellhousings different depending on which engine you had or something? Thanks for the info, please keep it coming.

yes bellhousing's are different, and gear ratio's are different

 

[Justin's Green Truck]

So, if I found a 2.3l with transmission, would that transmission bolt up to my transfer case? Or are they different too?

 

[cammeddrz]

So, if I found a 2.3l with transmission, would that transmission bolt up to my transfer case? Or are they different too?

it will bolt to your t-case just fine

 

[Beanmachine7000]

it will bolt to your t-case just fine

If you could find a 4x4 2.3L M50D-R1 they're rather rare...

 

[scotts90ranger]

if you swap some of the internal parts around they'll work... but yes, if it's a 4x4 2.3 M5OD then it'll bolt to your T case