keep it v6 or just go ahead v8?

[major376]

Hey guys im back. I'm at a cross roads. Before i ask my question, i remember saying im doing a 4bt cummins swap, so just to reassure ya'll, Its still on, i just have to change the pumps and stuff on the engine, and alot more out of my , I did get to hear the engine run though! But right now is what matters. My truck is out of order, but so is my temporary college car. Me and my dad ripped out the 2.9l v6 out of my 86 ranger, and that engine is basically done for( piston slap, leaks the whole nine yards). HERE is my question, should I just spend around 160ish to get a replacement v6 from the local Pull-a-part, or maybe spend around 290ish for a 302, transmission, ecu and computer? need your opinions, thanks guys!

 

[bobbywalter]

pop a 6 in and save for the 4bt

 

[major376]

ok, im just figuring stuff. I was thinking maybe the 302 for reliability over the 2.9l, since this engine is going to have to last me for the next 5-6 years of college (which diesel wont happen till i'm graduated), and maybe the 302 for the fact that I'll be running a solid axle in the front in the next 2 years. so would maybe 150 bucks more be worth it? thanks again.

 

[bobbywalter]

thats totally up to you.

the fact you would ask makes me hesitant to suggest a v8. theres no major economy win over a diesel swap...diesel fuel has options a 302 will never have to make it ridiculously cost effective. so a 4bt has some huge potential and a definite worthy endeavor..

reliability is a non issue one to another in my eyes...the v6 if in sound condition is just that. extraordinarily reliable is my experience with the rbv engines if one takes care not to overheat them and is reasonable on general maintenance.

nutless is being kind about the 2.8/2.9/3.0 engines, but that is relative....most 302's are nutless as well in the 300 dollar range in my experience.





to muddy it all up, i would do the v8 with an overdrive....simply because i can.

its very easy to do for many, yet seemingly impossible for some

if you stay near stock weight and size along with reasonable tires...say 373 gears and 33 in tires, your fuel economy is tunable to acceptable levels and its possible to rival or do better then you can with a 2.9 in the same conditions. in my cruise conditions when i went v8 i won on hiway cruise mpg's over the tired 2.9 and had tons of power and a proper sounding vehicle to my ear to boot.

easy button is the same engine.

smart upgrade is a 4.0

difficult upgrade is a v8 of course.

in todays market i would run the lowest mile 4.8 or 5.3 powertrain i could find...something from a 04-08 gm truck would be a likely choice for a gas v8 engine if i needed a longterm college ride that sounded good. a good alum 5.3 unit from a h3 or something would be an insane improvement over a 2.9...but not a weekend swap and probably be atleast 3-4 k to do it quickly.


looking at it this way....buying a different running truck is probably the most cost effective thing to do...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

With what you are doing another V6 would be the way to go.

For $290 you have an unknown 302 and trans sitting on the floor. It will take a fair amount of time and $$ to get them into your truck and doing something if they are any good. You also have to figure, mounts, filter adaptors, cooling system, any accessory differences, driveshaft(s), exhaust... and that is just the big stuff. I had around $700 between just the exhaust and having the stock driveshafts altered. I don't see the point of going down that path if you intend to go down another anyway.

My 302 swap was shelved throughout high school and college due to the lack of funds and time to do it. It was a couple years after I got out of college before everything came together.

I opted to just buy and maintain a good running set of wheels to get me through college and to work rather than throw the Ranger together in a hurry and depend on an experimental project.

 

[dangerranger83]

pop a 6 in and save for the 4bt

Exactly this.

 

[2813josh]

Probably best to stick with a 6, given the circumstances.