ranger engine swap contour 2.5 duratec v6?

[_ZERO_COOL_]

i have a 94 ranger super-cab with a 2.3 I4 in it.
i used to own a 1998 contour with a 2.5 duratec v6. i have always wanted to know if it would be possible to mount the 2.5 v6 in my ranger and if a transmission would mount up to it in order to power the rear wheels like the 2.3 I4 3.0/4.0 v6 position. i know it is normally mounted horizontally in the car, but can it be made to fit laterally in the truck and what tranny and bell housing would have to be used?
i know that the I4 to 5.0 v8 swap wold be much easier and cheaper. but this is an idea ive had kicking around in my head for years. the other more common engines just dont seem to have the "cool" or "unusual" vibe that the .2.5 v6 has with that intake manifold.
if nothing else this should spark an interesting discussion?

 

[straycat]

You can do anything you want if you have the time and money, LOL. It might be a waste of time and money since it is a front wheel drive motor. You would need all the electrics, trans etc. and then have to modify it to run the rear wheels. That motor only put out 170 hp in the V6 form. A 4.0 swap would be much better and and a V8 would be even better!!!But then...you would need to upgrade to a 8.8 rear end for the 4.0 and V8 and that adds more to the expense of the Ranger. Maybe just buy a 4.0 Ranger?

 

[Jraymer360]

You can do anything you want if you have the time and money, LOL. It might be a waste of time and money since it is a front wheel drive motor. You would need all the electrics, trans etc. and then have to modify it to run the rear wheels. That motor only put out 170 hp in the V6 form. A 4.0 swap would be much better and and a V8 would be even better!!!But then...you would need to upgrade to a 8.8 rear end for the 4.0 and V8 and that adds more to the expense of the Ranger. Maybe just buy a 4.0 Ranger?

Compared to the 4.0's 160 HP

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

But then...you would need to upgrade to a 8.8 rear end for the 4.0 and V8 and that adds more to the expense of the Ranger. Maybe just buy a 4.0 Ranger?

Not really...

Compared to the 4.0's 160 HP

That is a long ways to go to get 10 more hp though.

 

[Captain Ledd]

From what I've HEARD:

The 2001+ rangers that had the Duratech I4 use the same bolt pattern as the whole Duratech family. So any transmission behind the Ranger 4 banger will work (M5OD or whatever automatic they used).

As for upgrading axles though, if you routinely do clutch dumps, then yes, upgrading would be a good idea. Otherwise if you gently enjoy the extra power but really just drive it, you'll be fine.

The weak point in the 7.5's is the spider gears, Some welded ones have put up fairly well behind V8 abuse.

 

[killj0y]

Compared to the 4.0's 160 HP

I'm sure the truck version had more torque though...

 

[_ZERO_COOL_]

ive been thinking about doing this "because race car" and because ive grown tired of seeing the same thing done over and over again. this type of swap would be epitome of hotrodding. yea it may not make alot of power but when an idea is new interesting or innovative, top horsepower is not always the end goal.

i just think that that 2.5 v6 engine is wasted in that it is a good engine wasted. in Europe these engines are turbocharged and then taken racing. the car called the ford mondeo over there.
i dont think this swap has ever been done before. therefore it needs to be done.

 

[_ZERO_COOL_]

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/because-race-car

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i dont think this swap has ever been done before. therefore it needs to be done.

It would be a neat project to see how close it would be to working... but the above sentances are not words to live by. There are a lot of things that haven't been swapped that do not need to be swapped.

 

[country0001]

Do it, take lots of pics, might turn out great, might fall on your face. Never know until you try!

 

[straycat]

Compared to the 4.0's 160 HP

You are right for the older 4.0 motors, Bro.

Here is the true facts from our website:
4.0 motor:
160hp @ 4200 RPM (1990 - 2000)
207hp @ 5250 RPM (2001 - 2007)

 

[adsm08]

I can see one huge issue with this idea.

The 2.5 V6 was built and designed specifically to be run with a transverse mounting. The coolant flow through the engine is routed for the airflow around a transverse mounted engine. Even the location of the water pump shows this design intent. The water pump is not part of the FEAD, similarly to the late-build 3.0 DOHC the water pump is run off the back of the bank 2 camshaft. You would literally have to take the engine back out just to service the water pump.

Also, the coolant flow means that if you position the engine in a normal orientation it will melt itself down. You could probably get away with swapping head gaskets like you can with a Taurus 3.0 into a Ranger, but as far as I know the 2.5 V6 was never used in any RWD application.

If you want to do different and cool, grab a 3.0 DOHC engine and trans out of a Lincoln LS.

 

[cody93]

ya know, most bad ideas looked good on paper....

 

[adsm08]

ya know, most bad ideas looked good on paper....

Sigged.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"on paper" I think a 3.7 in a Ranger would be very fun.