Engine Swap

[CowBoyDave]

What engines can fit inside of a 1988 Ranger XLT. I have the 2.9, but looking to go a little bigger without changing a lot. If that is possible. And if nothing else does, where can I get those lowest costing engine rebuild kit(master)?

Thanks for any info.

 

[97RangerXLT]

With enough money and fabrication skills you can put any engine you want in there

But for quick/cheap/and effective I would swap in an early 90s 4.0. Almost plug and play and there are some really good write ups in the tech library on it.

AJ

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[RonD]

2.9l and 4.0l OHV('90-'00) use the same block, so motor mounts and transmission bell housings match up.

2.9l = 140 horse power
4.0l OHV = 160HP

But the swap to 4.0l would also require full engine wiring swap with some parts(MAF sensor setup) and 4.0l computer.

Any other engine swap would require the same but also another transmission to match new block.

Good info here, on the 2.9l and swapping engines: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-engine-fuel.shtml

You can just rebuild the 2.9l but not up grade it's internals for more HP
Your current computer setup uses Speed Density software to calculate air/fuel mix, this is programmed for the stock 2.9l engine, what this means is that if you were to add a bigger Cam or turbo the software wouldn't be able to add more fuel because it can't "see" the higher air flow into the engine, so the upgrades wouldn't change power by much.
You can of course change computer software, although that is not inexpensive.

Ford switched to MAF(mass air flow) sensor and software in the early '90s on some engines, this allowed you to increase air flow and get more fuel in each cylinder so more power to the wheels.

ebay often has good deals on rebuild kits

 

[CowBoyDave]

Thanks for the Info you guys. I guess I will just need to see what I want to do. I will need to at the thread. Thanks Again.

 

[CowBoyDave]

2.9l and 4.0l OHV('90-'00) use the same block, so motor mounts and transmission bell housings match up.

2.9l = 140 horse power
4.0l OHV = 160HP

But the swap to 4.0l would also require full engine wiring swap with some parts(MAF sensor setup) and 4.0l computer.

Any other engine swap would require the same but also another transmission to match new block.

Good info here, on the 2.9l and swapping engines: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-engine-fuel.shtml

You can just rebuild the 2.9l but not up grade it's internals for more HP
Your current computer setup uses Speed Density software to calculate air/fuel mix, this is programmed for the stock 2.9l engine, what this means is that if you were to add a bigger Cam or turbo the software wouldn't be able to add more fuel because it can't "see" the higher air flow into the engine, so the upgrades wouldn't change power by much.
You can of course change computer software, although that is not inexpensive.

Ford switched to MAF(mass air flow) sensor and software in the early '90s on some engines, this allowed you to increase air flow and get more fuel in each cylinder so more power to the wheels.

ebay often has good deals on rebuild kits

Where could I look to change the software?

 

[Snoranger]

2.9l and 4.0l OHV('90-'00) use the same block, so motor mounts and transmission bell housings match up.

2.9l = 140 horse power
4.0l OHV = 160HP

But the swap to 4.0l would also require full engine wiring swap with some parts(MAF sensor setup) and 4.0l computer.

It's not the 20 more Hp that makes the difference... It's the 50 more ft-lbs of torque.

 

[97RangerXLT]

And all thst torque at about 2700 rpm..

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[RonD]

Since most vehicles use MAF now the Speed Density software is getting scarce, check Moates they may still have it.