Long Time Lurker and Ecoboost Build

[Boost Bucket]

Greetings from the Midwest!

I'm a long time lurker here at TRS and I first wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who participates here. Growing up I never took any interest in cars or trucks until I got my first Ranger (a '93 XLT 4x4 5-speed 4.0) about 8 years ago. It had a small lift and even with bald tires it was an absolute blast! Around the same time I sort of fell into a k04 turbocharged VW GTI. Ever since, I've been addicted to Rangers and boost. I don't have much formal automotive training but mostly due to this forum and the university of YouTube I've been through 2 headgasket replacements and a complete 3.0 rebuild between 2 Rangers and a B3000 since, with some VW service sprinkled on top for good measure.

I've always been fascinated by the amount of power and MPG my 4 cylinder GTI was able to put down compared to the old 2.3 rangers from the 90s that struggled to get down the road if there was a cross wind. With all of that said, I've finally committed to starting a build of my own and give back to the community in any way I can along the way. Used truck prices are crazy right now so I've been waiting for the right deal to appear for a build platform. I'm currently targeting a 98-00 super cab.

I was extremely fortunate to strike a deal on a wrecked 2020 EcoBoost Ranger full drivetrain that I now have sitting on a pallet waiting for a platform. I originally wanted a 2.0 Escape EcoBoost due to cost and availability for an "every-man" boosted build, but I think that would have ultimately fallen far outside of my skillset. I recently test drove a 2019 Ranger EcoBoost at the dealership and fell in love with the power but not with the $40k price tag. I realize it is an unconventional build, but I don't think a V8 is the solution for everything and at the end of the day I'd like to be able to pass someone on the interstate for once and make decent MPG doing it. My goals are as follows:

• Dyno at 300hp with the Ranger version of the 2.3 EcoBoost
• Retain 4wd
• Achieve 24-26mpg

Coming from a non-automotive background, I hope to answer questions, take pictures, and give back to the community I've learned so much from! My current Ranger/Mazda lineup and a picture of my new (to me) drivetrain are attached here.

 

[franklin2]

There are so many neat newer engine platforms out there you can get with low mileage. The problem I have is the engine management system required to run them. You need a lot of money and a engineering degree to get them programmed and running.

 

[cschannuth]

My wife has the 2.3 eco-boost in her very heavy Explorer and I have been very impressed by the power, responsiveness, and fuel mileage. My neighbor test drove one of the new Rangers and he didn’t like it because the throttle was so touchy. I laughed at him and told him it was because he was used to driving his old Colorado that didn’t have any power and needed at least quarter throttle to get it moving. If it all works out you’re going to love that engine in that little truck.

 

[rumblecloud]

Welcome to TRS.
Nice looking group of trucks.
This will be an interesting build. Looking forward to following.

 

[Boost Bucket]

There are so many neat newer engine platforms out there you can get with low mileage. The problem I have is the engine management system required to run them. You need a lot of money and a engineering degree to get them programmed and running.

Too true! I believe this combo has something like 36,000 on the clock; I'd have to check the paperwork to confirm. I actually have a degree in Computer Engineering Technology which is why I was finally bold enough to give this a go! I have limited experience with talking to actual ECMs, but I'm becoming used to not even being able to adjust headlights on our GTI without plugging in a laptop and having special software. I'm sure a lot of V8 swaps have been born out of a solid knowledge of automotive engineering but lack of electronics experience. Since I come from the other side of the coin, I hope to answer these questions and fill in the gaps. My drivetrain actually came with the wiring harness, ECM, and even gas pedal attached, so I'm hoping the modding will be minimal.

 

[Boost Bucket]

My wife has the 2.3 eco-boost in her very heavy Explorer and I have been very impressed by the power, responsiveness, and fuel mileage. My neighbor test drove one of the new Rangers and he didn’t like it because the throttle was so touchy. I laughed at him and told him it was because he was used to driving his old Colorado that didn’t have any power and needed at least quarter throttle to get it moving. If it all works out you’re going to love that engine in that little truck.

I actually had my eyes on a 3.5 EcoBoost from an Explorer to do this build instead but those are even more expensive and complicated and I'm sure I'd end up with major fitment issues. My daily is the green 93 4.0 from the picture above and unless I have a run at it I cannot maintain even 70 going up a hill on the interstate. It drives me nuts that it looks mean but has no bite.

 

[franklin2]

Too true! I believe this combo has something like 36,000 on the clock; I'd have to check the paperwork to confirm. I actually have a degree in Computer Engineering Technology which is why I was finally bold enough to give this a go! I have limited experience with talking to actual ECMs, but I'm becoming used to not even being able to adjust headlights on our GTI without plugging in a laptop and having special software. I'm sure a lot of V8 swaps have been born out of a solid knowledge of automotive engineering but lack of electronics experience. Since I come from the other side of the coin, I hope to answer these questions and fill in the gaps. My drivetrain actually came with the wiring harness, ECM, and even gas pedal attached, so I'm hoping the modding will be minimal.

Do you know about Forscan? It's free, but if you pay a reasonable fee they give you even more power to do things like the anti-theft stuff, and possibly take some features on the network out. That may be your largest problem, making the ECM happy with all it's network brothers missing(body control modules, etc.)

 

[Boost Bucket]

Do you know about Forscan? It's free, but if you pay a reasonable fee they give you even more power to do things like the anti-theft stuff, and possibly take some features on the network out. That may be your largest problem, making the ECM happy with all it's network brothers missing(body control modules, etc.)

Thanks for the tip! I've heard of it but never had the opportunity to use it because my '93 and '94 don't have OBD2. OBD2 is one of the reasons I'm targeting 98-00.