Making a 2.3 faster

[BlueRanger93]

i have a 2.3 in my 93 ford ranger i was wondering if i could make it faster, if so how? or would i be better off doing a conversion????

 

[Jason]

turbo. Swap. Drop it out of a plane. those are the good options

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Well...my buddy is putting out right around 500hp with his 2.3L turbo truck. Its a 94 reg cab splash 2wd. It's his daily driver and drag truck. He sprays it as well. Runs in the mid 6's in the 1/8 mile. He's working on a roll cage so he can tune it to go faster this year.

 

[Slipknotyk]

i have a 2.3 in my 93 ford ranger i was wondering if i could make it faster, if so how? or would i be better off doing a conversion????

There are a variety of different ways you can go.

The 2.3 does have a large aftermarket following. It's the Miata motor. It's stable and can throw down large power numbers with the right turbo/cam/head/bottom end. This can get a bit pricy.

You can also look into the Folvo (Ford/Volvo) 2.5 I4. Turbocharged, this motor can build power slightly greater than the 2.3

There's the 3.0, which you can supercharge with either the Eaton M90 or M112 (Cobra Terminator Supercharger) and build into a pretty decent little block. There is also a stroker kit (Tom Morana) available, and you can convert to E85.

The 4.0 is an other option. This motor can be supercharged with the Eaton M90. Cams are made by Comp Cams, and there's a Stroker kit made by Tom Morana.

The 4.0 SOHC has all the available aftermarket following of the old 4.0 but I can't seem to find cams or heads. The Eaton M90 also works for this motor along with the Stroker kit.

A common (non factory) swap is the 99-01 Explorer 5.0 V8. This engine features a lot of interchangeable parts with the 5.0 Mustang. Explorer Express makes a supercharger for this engine. This is an option good for TONS of useable power, and something that can be a reliable daily unit. However, you will probably have to modify your driveline. A 4R70W or 2wd A4OD is a good choice. You will likely need to shorten your driveshaft. You may want to get the 8.8 built, as it will not handle 280 lb ft torque. If you choose to supercharge the 5.0, you may need to look into a built 9-inch. This option can get very, very pricey.

 

[Psychopete]

There's the 3.0

I think I just puked a little..

 

[06RangerXLT]

4.0

no 3.slow

 

[disciplerocks]

It is the same motor they put in the newer hatch and ST model Focuses, Escape, and Mazda3 (or 5 not sure which or both). Lots of aftermarket parts available, but you are not going to notice much with average bolt ons. Your best options are turbo, motor swap, and/or gearing change. Anything else wont be much help.

 

[heptofite]

There are a variety of different ways you can go.

The 2.3 does have a large aftermarket following. It's the Miata motor.

No, it isn't.

The miata has never had a motor that big.

 

[heptofite]

It is the same motor they put in the newer hatch and ST model Focuses, Escape, and Mazda3 (or 5 not sure which or both). Lots of aftermarket parts available, but you are not going to notice much with average bolt ons. Your best options are turbo, motor swap, and/or gearing change. Anything else wont be much help.

and again, no, it's not.

 

[AllanD]

Well...my buddy is putting out right around 500hp with his 2.3L turbo truck. Its a 94 reg cab splash 2wd. It's his daily driver and drag truck. He sprays it as well. Runs in the mid 6's in the 1/8 mile. He's working on a roll cage so he can tune it to go faster this year.

Even on spray I'd have to be present for the dyno runs to believe that...

Because a 2.3 doesn't spin all that well, and without an esslinger head doesn't flow all that well and well before any possible torque/rpm combination would produce 500hp that crank would come out of that block like a torpedo out of a submarine

Now on MEthanol, turbocharged with spray if you can live with bringing spare engines to the track with you 400hp is possible... though not particularly reliable... but then probably only if you are "Turbo Joe" Morgan

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[feellnfroggy]

Hands down the best way to make a 2.3 faster is go to the pet shop and trade your current squirrels for a set of jack rabbits, upgrading to fox squirrels is nice, but really only helps in the torque dept.

The turbo upgrade options sounds the best and most affordable. Aside form tuning.

 

[dasfinc]

What are all of you talking about....?
Its not the Miata motor
Nor is it the 'current' generation mazda/ford Duratec, NOR zetec motors...

The OLD 2.3 is the PINTO engine, what the hell guys???

Either boost the piss out of it, or dump it for a v-8.

I dumped my 2.5 in favor of a 5.0, and I wouldn't think twice about doing it again.

 

[Jason]

2.3 makes me think Tempo. LOL

 

[Psychopete]

2.3 makes me think Tempo. LOL

LOL those OHV engines are even weaker than the SOHC engines power wise, but the Tempo 2.3Ls are just as reliable, if not more. I have 2 good motors with 182K inuse and 143K as a spare. I see them around here all of the time. Might not be the greatest looking car, but it's a good beater to get me to work and get decent enough fuel mileage. Not exactly the easiest thing to work on though, but have enough spare parts that I shouldn't need to think about buying a new beater car for a while.

 

[ThatGuy]

In '93 I bought a '89 2wd Ranger w/2.3L. Lowered the piss outta it and had a shop in Murfreesboro, TN build my 4-banger. They done a cam, headwork, header, mustang injectors, pulleys, and burnt my chip.

It would run 10.88 in the 1/8. My buddy's brand new '93 S-10 w/4.3L would run 10.78