New to it all with a 92 ranger

[2.3l]

Ive recently purchased a '92 ranger 2.3l xlt. I know minimums about vehicles but I really want to learn. Im intrested in vehicle modifications and getting my hands dirty doin it. I would like to modify as much of the vehicle with my own two hands as possible. I realize there are some areas that I will not be able to do such things without proper knowledge. But im willing to learn. No time budget no money budget. Just some pointing in the right direction and tips would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tanner.

 

[RonD]

Automatic or Manual trans?

Ranger 2.3l is a single over head cam(SOHC) 4cyl engine, its common name is a Pinto or Lima engine, it was first used in Ford Pinto cars(1974) and these engines were made at the Lima, Ohio Ford plant
It was used in the first year of the Ranger in 1983, but as a 2.0l or 2.3l, 2.3l was a 2.0l block bored out to make it a 2.3l, it was used until 1997, in 1998 a new crank and longer rods were added to make it a 2.5l(stroked 2.3l) and used in Rangers until 2001.

In 2001 Ford switched to a Mazda 2.3l Duratec DOHC engine, the 2.3l lima and 2.3l duratec are not related and engine and parts are not interchangeable.

2.0l/2.3l/2.5l Lima engine share most of the same parts, good read here on that: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4cylinders.shtml

Mods you want to do really depend on what you want to use the truck for, it is a truck so not built for a good ride or speed, it is built to haul things, smaller things, lol, it isn't a full size truck, so not made for towing, especially with 4cyl engine.

 

[2.3l]

Thanks so much, already learning something new.
Its a manual trans. But I want to maximize handling and grip. As well as adding some horses under the hood. Ive looked into turbocharging and cold air intakes as well as exausts and suspension kits but have been skeptical about where to buy parts from and if thy are going to be compatable with my vehicle or not.
"If I buy a certain part am I gonna need to buy 2 other parts? " questions like that.

Sent from my SCH-R890 using Tapatalk

 

[Elutheros]

Welcome to the forum. Don't know anything about the 2.3, but I'm sure some others can help you with that.

 

[RonD]

'92 Ranger already has Cold Air intake(CAI), pretty much any fuel injected vehicle will.

Ford exhaust is "tuned" but for mid-range power in Rangers.
"Headers" can be made for low-end, mid-range or top-end power, one of those three.

Tuned exhaust creates a low pressure at the exhaust valves at a certain RPM, this helps pull out the exhaust gases so not as much crankshaft power is used to push it out, the nearer the engine is to that RPM the lower the pressure and the more power you have.
The size and length of the exhaust port pipe and the size of the "collector"(where the pipes meet) decide the RPM range where the lowest pressure will occur, the "tuned" RPM range.
It is a science and above my pay grade , but lots of info on this on the net.

One Myth that comes from this is that "some engines need back pressure"
No 4-stroke engine runs better with back pressure, for sure, 2-stroke engine yes, but that's another story.
Where Myth comes from:
People would remove factory exhaust manifold(tuned) and slap on larger pipes, often referred to as "free flowing", so they lost the negative pressure the tuned exhaust provided, they do a test drive and discover they have LESS power........of course.
So they wrongly conclude that this engine must need back pressure, oops, lol.

Lower profile, wider tires help with handling, suspension is out of my area of suggestions.


Turbo is your best bet, electric radiator fan can free up 2-4 horse power