2.3L ('83-'97) Quick performance checks/ upgrades for the Lima 2.3

[ccaissie]

I find the power output of my '93 XL with 176k somewhat sluggish, and before I get into it, ask for advice.

I'm getting great mileage because of my oldman driving habits, and the tall rearend ratio and tall tires. My odometer reads 90% of actual mileage, and speedometer about -8%,

My temp gauge reads at the bottom end of the range...I have a 180F thermostat to install...could be a bad gauge...Oil pressure is good/high, Voltage is good/high

Here's what I will tackle soon...
Check plugs for heat range, deposits, gap. Previous owner said it's a pain to change them...any ideas? I never touched the plugs on my Splash, so I'm asking about that.
Replace air filter, oil filter and oil. I tend to run Rotella T4 @ 15-40 because I have farm equipment. My rusted out Splash always started here in Maine using the T4.

But any increase in power would be welcome. It may be the taller ratios from my Splash that is making me think it's a bit sluggish....

 

[franklin2]

What transmission are you running? Is it overdrive?

 

[scotts90ranger]

What ratio do you have now? I'm guessing 3.45... Fuel mileage and power are a balance... my '97 has 4.10's and it's decent but I'm getting 24mpg (extended cab) with fairly old man driving style, I rarely get over 3k and cruise around 2-2400rpm for the most part.

Plugs on the drivers side aren't all that fun, on my '97 I think it has a different intake but I pulled the upper intake to do it, back when my '90 was stock I could do the drivers side on that without disassembly. Passenger side is cake though...

 

[ccaissie]

What transmission are you running? Is it overdrive?

I'll research that. I doubt it's od, not designated such...I've seen F-150 shifters with the designation od, not a Ranger...

 

[ccaissie]

Ratio is 3.45:1. My 93Splash was 3.73. Enough to make a difference.
Original tire size 195-70R14
Now 215-75R15...that's 10% larger and accounts for the odometer reading 90%.

I thought I was getting good gas mileage, then remembered the odometer was off...I'm getting very good gas mileage.

So, no wonder it seems sluggish, like I'm starting in second gear to 6th gear.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Back in the day my '90 had 3.08 gears and 195 75 14 tires, the dumb thing got 28mpg... I probably should put the 3.08 axle in my '97 and put smaller tires on it to see if it would do similar but I like the 4.10's , power and lack of downshifting is really nice...

If you have a 5 speed manual you have overdrive, everything after about '88 had overdrive auto or manual, 5th is like .79:1 on an M5OD, the OD is OverDrive...

3.73's would probably get you back to the speedo/odo reading right and get some better power without a huge change in mileage, easiest way is to just swap axles, I've done it half a dozen times...

 

[oldgeek]

I'm dreaming of putting 4:10 gears in. Without looking, I think I presently have 3:45. I'm sure getting a used rear axle assembly would be the easiest, assuming I could find one. But I figure if I found one, I would want to recondition it anyway, so would there be any difference of putting the gears in my present axle? What kind of job is that?

 

[franklin2]

I'm dreaming of putting 4:10 gears in. Without looking, I think I presently have 3:45. I'm sure getting a used rear axle assembly would be the easiest, assuming I could find one. But I figure if I found one, I would want to recondition it anyway, so would there be any difference of putting the gears in my present axle? What kind of job is that?

If you do not mind checking and setting up the gears, it would not be bad. A cheap dial indicator from harbor freight and the procedure from the manual should get you through.

 

[oldgeek]

Another question. In looking for a used axle, I found one with posi-track. Would that help both back tires to wear evenly?

 

[Blmpkn]

The lima is of the right era where changes to the intake/exhaust can make a considerable difference in available mustard. Pay to play or put in the elbow grease.. your choice..

-An exhaust starting with a long tube header & ending with 2.5-3" pipe could increase power output buy 20% or more. It wouldn't exactly be a bolt on affair and requires larger injectors according to math I've seen here on TRS.. but that's a MASSIVE difference for relatively little effort. Under a grand investment if you build it.

-A BoPort stage 1 cam swap doesn't require tuning and will add 15hp (13% power increase) to an otherwise stock truck.. (it would be worth more if you paired it with that sweet exhaust you should build).. 500 bucks for the cam + new HLA's and then whatever a new valve cover gasket costs..

-Modifying the intake.. smooth aluminum tubing from the STOCK BOX to the throttle body.. cheap, easy, & the gains would compound nicely with other airflow mods..

-Underdrive pulleys.. adjustable cam gear to be able to fiddle with the curve a bit..

-an electric fan would free up a meaningful percentage of power. Go snag a factory fan&shroud from the junkyard.. whatever will fit.. a simple fan controller kit is like 50$ and easy enough to wire.

-Aluminum wheels.. same style wheels can have a 10lb weight difference between a steel one and it's alloy copy.. losing 20lbs of rotating mass would make a measurable difference..

-If you wanna fly even closer to the sun you could get the stage 1.5 cam.. those ones are good for 25hp on an otherwise stock truck.. get a tweecer piggyback tuner for another 400 bucks..

.. axle stuff too naturally..


Couple-few grand and some effort could reeeally wake that truck up.. I'm in the middle of building a so called 'drag truck' that's gonna have all of the above & some more.. already built the exhaust, currently fiddling with fixing the frame and stuff while I save my pennies for a fancy new built head.