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Hey all. I've been a lurker here for a few months combing through forum pages trying to find a clear answer to my questions, but everything I have found either pertains to a different engine/trans combination on these trucks, or doesn't give clear information on what the best option is.
So. I've got a base model extended cab Mazda b3000 with electronic 4x4 and an 8.8 rear with 4.10's in it. 5- speed MOD-R1 and a 3.0L v6. As everyone knows, the 3.0 is underpowered and gets mediocre fuel economy on a good day, so I've considered a plethora of options for improving the state of my truck. My end goal is to build a highly capable offroad/towing rig- upgraded springs on the rear end, a 5 in lift, 33's, a locker for the rear axle, and all the other equipment that goes into such a build. All of these additions will make their way onto the truck at some point, regardless of the power option I choose.
I realize the first thing people will say is "Just buy a new truck" but I've got a personal grudge against anything newer than 2010 and anything with a bed shorter than 6 feet. I drove a 2004 5.4 f250 years ago that got 8-10 mpg on a good day, so I don't really relish the idea of getting something bigger. I like the truck I have now and I want to keep it- so I'd like to make it more capable.
Here are the options I have considered for improvements:
1. 4bt swap. I'm partial to all-mechanical diesels and diesels in general. I realize the motor is massive and weighs almost 800 lbs, but given the 5 inch lift, clearance ought not to be an issue. My biggest concern is clearing the 4x4 components in the front and finding a transfer case I could splice to the electronic control already in the truck (or not, doesn't need to be electric) that could also take the transmission-shredding torque of a Cummins. My ideal choice of transmission would be a ZF6 from a 6.0 as ford adapter plates for the 4bt exist and the zf6 would require minimal modification of the truck to bind to existing ford components. The added weight of the 4bt in front would also help eliminate some of the concern of an excessively heavy trailer load, and its torque would make any towing concerns a thing of the past.
2. w100/ W1200AX Twin-screw Supercharger. I'm a big fan of positive displacement superchargers and the torque they provide, as well as the instant power and minimal change to the driving behavior of vehicles. The w100 is a 1.6L 5th-gen whipple, and the w1200AX is a 1.2L 2nd gen whipple which was designed and released with the 3.0 in mind. both of these would provide the benefits of forced induction at a relatively minimal initial cost ($2000-$2695) and one of the two is by default compatible with the motor already in the truck. However, both would require timing changes, fuel system changes, and no small amount of fabrication and time. I'm not scared of fabrication, nor time, but the modifications would require mounting the supercharger somewhere in the engine bay, finding a way to drive it from the crank, rerouting intake plumbing and the throttle body, intercooling the charge air, fuel adjustments, supporting upgrades for the motor, potential electronic modifications, plumbing the charge air pipe from the supercharger output, and possibly more. It would be a fun fabrication project but I'm not sure that a. the 3.0 can take the boost pressure I would like to feed it to make my goal ~300 whp, and b. that the rest of the drive train can eat that either.
3. 302/5.0 windsor swap. This is by far the most reccomended one I've seen. There are four problems with it, however. 1. I want to keep a manual in my truck. 2. I want to retain part-time 4x4 capability. 3. the 302 does not meet my horsepower goals and would require additional modification to reach them. 4. my truck is a 2002 4x4. For some reason, for all my searching, there seems to be no record anywhere of what exactly would be required to pull this off. I know complications come with post-00 rangers, as well as 4x4 rangers, but what those complications are exactly aren't specified. It doesn't seem like a very desirable option, but it's cheap, and for a swap, there's a lot to say for that.
4. GM v8 swap. This one is an idea more than something I want to do. I owned a 3.8L firebird last year, so I've done an excruciating level of research into gm v8 swaps. I know for sure that they are never as cheap as they seem- wiring and mounting alone, as well as ignition control, is a huge expense. not to mention the need for a new gm truck manual (which are excruciatingly rare) as well as associated control modules, and total incompatibility with cab wiring, the need for a new transfer case, etc. make this the least appealing option. This is only mentioned because I know it will be suggested at some point.
Of these options, which seems the best from an economical perspective? What considerations have I forgotten? What complications may arise that I am unaware of? are there other options I have not considered? I'm open to input, and this isn't something I'm going to jump on in the short term- If I'm doing this, I'm doing it right, and I want to take my time with it.
I'm leaning most toward a 4bt swap, or supercharging it. This isn't a race truck, but I want torque and economical long term usability. I'm open to thoughts and opinions. Thanks!
So. I've got a base model extended cab Mazda b3000 with electronic 4x4 and an 8.8 rear with 4.10's in it. 5- speed MOD-R1 and a 3.0L v6. As everyone knows, the 3.0 is underpowered and gets mediocre fuel economy on a good day, so I've considered a plethora of options for improving the state of my truck. My end goal is to build a highly capable offroad/towing rig- upgraded springs on the rear end, a 5 in lift, 33's, a locker for the rear axle, and all the other equipment that goes into such a build. All of these additions will make their way onto the truck at some point, regardless of the power option I choose.
I realize the first thing people will say is "Just buy a new truck" but I've got a personal grudge against anything newer than 2010 and anything with a bed shorter than 6 feet. I drove a 2004 5.4 f250 years ago that got 8-10 mpg on a good day, so I don't really relish the idea of getting something bigger. I like the truck I have now and I want to keep it- so I'd like to make it more capable.
Here are the options I have considered for improvements:
1. 4bt swap. I'm partial to all-mechanical diesels and diesels in general. I realize the motor is massive and weighs almost 800 lbs, but given the 5 inch lift, clearance ought not to be an issue. My biggest concern is clearing the 4x4 components in the front and finding a transfer case I could splice to the electronic control already in the truck (or not, doesn't need to be electric) that could also take the transmission-shredding torque of a Cummins. My ideal choice of transmission would be a ZF6 from a 6.0 as ford adapter plates for the 4bt exist and the zf6 would require minimal modification of the truck to bind to existing ford components. The added weight of the 4bt in front would also help eliminate some of the concern of an excessively heavy trailer load, and its torque would make any towing concerns a thing of the past.
2. w100/ W1200AX Twin-screw Supercharger. I'm a big fan of positive displacement superchargers and the torque they provide, as well as the instant power and minimal change to the driving behavior of vehicles. The w100 is a 1.6L 5th-gen whipple, and the w1200AX is a 1.2L 2nd gen whipple which was designed and released with the 3.0 in mind. both of these would provide the benefits of forced induction at a relatively minimal initial cost ($2000-$2695) and one of the two is by default compatible with the motor already in the truck. However, both would require timing changes, fuel system changes, and no small amount of fabrication and time. I'm not scared of fabrication, nor time, but the modifications would require mounting the supercharger somewhere in the engine bay, finding a way to drive it from the crank, rerouting intake plumbing and the throttle body, intercooling the charge air, fuel adjustments, supporting upgrades for the motor, potential electronic modifications, plumbing the charge air pipe from the supercharger output, and possibly more. It would be a fun fabrication project but I'm not sure that a. the 3.0 can take the boost pressure I would like to feed it to make my goal ~300 whp, and b. that the rest of the drive train can eat that either.
3. 302/5.0 windsor swap. This is by far the most reccomended one I've seen. There are four problems with it, however. 1. I want to keep a manual in my truck. 2. I want to retain part-time 4x4 capability. 3. the 302 does not meet my horsepower goals and would require additional modification to reach them. 4. my truck is a 2002 4x4. For some reason, for all my searching, there seems to be no record anywhere of what exactly would be required to pull this off. I know complications come with post-00 rangers, as well as 4x4 rangers, but what those complications are exactly aren't specified. It doesn't seem like a very desirable option, but it's cheap, and for a swap, there's a lot to say for that.
4. GM v8 swap. This one is an idea more than something I want to do. I owned a 3.8L firebird last year, so I've done an excruciating level of research into gm v8 swaps. I know for sure that they are never as cheap as they seem- wiring and mounting alone, as well as ignition control, is a huge expense. not to mention the need for a new gm truck manual (which are excruciatingly rare) as well as associated control modules, and total incompatibility with cab wiring, the need for a new transfer case, etc. make this the least appealing option. This is only mentioned because I know it will be suggested at some point.
Of these options, which seems the best from an economical perspective? What considerations have I forgotten? What complications may arise that I am unaware of? are there other options I have not considered? I'm open to input, and this isn't something I'm going to jump on in the short term- If I'm doing this, I'm doing it right, and I want to take my time with it.
I'm leaning most toward a 4bt swap, or supercharging it. This isn't a race truck, but I want torque and economical long term usability. I'm open to thoughts and opinions. Thanks!
