The Ranger Experiment

[2rangers]

Hello,

It's a beautifull day up here in Massachusetts and it time to start...

"The Great Ranger Experiment"!

We've asked the question time and time again: "How to get more out of my Ranger 2.3?" Well, I have decided to make it my mission to answer that.

There are alot of ideas but, by no means, a unanimous decision on what modifications work to produce more power, more speed, more torque, from a 2.3. Of course, there's the undeniable turbo. However, I think most don't want to deal with the time and expense of installing a forced or compressed air system. Head porting and a new cam? Thats expensive and time-consuming, too.

This "experiment" will be carried out based on the notion that science and theory often clash with real-world experimentaion. Is it (or not) possible to gain at least moderate improvement with minor changes? Some say yes. Others say no. I intend to find out for myself (and others) what works, and what doesn't.

So here's the deal.

I'll be working with a bone-stock 1993 Ranger, 2.3, 5 speed. It has 103,000 miles and runs excellent. I run 87 octane. It has a cheap aluminum cap and @ 350 lbs in the bed. This truck has not had a recent tune-up and that will be part of the experiment.

Today, I decided to begin my work, to find out what (relatively minor) changes can make improvements. But how to do that?...

Warm the truck to operating temperature. Keep accessories off and gas tank full. Drive over to Williams Street and approach the railroad tracks doing exactly 40mph in 4th. Punch the pedal to the floor and check my speed at the "Hilltop Farm" sign. Then take a second pass to check discrepancy.

Today, 2/11/09, my totally stock (no mods) Ranger, 2.3, averaged, from 2 runs, 25.5 mph at the sign.

The next test, my first modification, will be to remove the air intake baffle and test my speed as above. All else will be equal as above. I'll add to/edit this thread as needed when reporting. Feel free to add your thoughts and ideas.

Stay tuned...


2/12/09 Update:
Test #1
Remove baffle from intake.
Results: Negative. First run I could not make it to my mark (the farm sign) without bucking (below 20 mph in 4th). Second run, I made it to 24mph. Likely problem was a stiff NW wind at the time of testing. Will try again under calmer conditions, likely Saturday 2/14.

2/15/09 Update:
For those interested in this thread, I've hit some snags. First, I happily left my home today thinking I'd get 2 tests done. Instead, I found one half flat rear tire. Don't know how long it's been like that. The other 3 tires were under-inflated (didn't think to check my tires air pressure ahead of time, dumb). This may have thrown off everything up to now. Also my excellent test site is not so excellent (too much traffic!). And I forgot to reset my odometer after filling up today. So far, so bad, eh? To make matters worse, I'm having difficulty finding a suitable replacement test site (a straight, smooth road with a gradual up grade and no traffic) and the weather has not been very cooperative. (I'm kinda @#%$&* pissed.) So it's back to the drawing board until I get things worked out.

There is some good news however. My mileage is pretty darn good (better than expected): 20.5 mpg
in mixed driving with over 350 pounds in the back (not including the cap) AND seriously underinflated tires. That's with the intake baffle out. And I did pick up all my tune-up supplies yesterday. That's it until further notice.

2/16/09
Going back to beginning. Checked tire pressure (All are 32 now), topped off gas, reset odometer, reinstalled baffle (back to all stock). I'll test at a new site, check mileage and, if all goes as planned, will report back in a few days with an official starting point.

2/23/09
I came. I saw. I quit.
This experiment turned out to be a pretty big committment. But that's not even the half of it...
A few months back I made an offer on some cheap real estate, a fixer-upper. Never expected the bank would actually accept my offer. (They did.) About a week ago I became the happy owner of a run down house some 40 miles away! And it's going to take all my spare time. Unfortunately, the Ranger Experiment will have to go on the back burner for a while, maybe permanently. My regrets, especially to those who had an interest in this idea. If anyone wants to pick up the ball, be my guest.
So long for now.
2rangers

 

[skyy_4life]

are you going to do things like ignition system, cold air, exhaust? or only very cheap mods? a very cheap mod i have is ofcoarse weight reduction. spare tire....air conditioning shit(if it has it) any un-needed stuff.

 

[2rangers]

Yes, all of that. But within reason. Weight reduction will be limited to the contents of the bed only. The cat will be replaced with a straight pipe, tune-up, etc. Simple things. I also have a spare set of tires that's one size smaller. (I'll have to factor in the gear reduction in regard to the speedo. If anyone knows the math for this, please let me know. I'll be going from 225's to 215's.) Each mod will be performed and tested one at-a-time.

 

[z3ro]

why not do street legal only mods? Im pretty sure removing the cat and adding a straight pipe isnt street legal, so-as most people arent gonna do it.

 

[2rangers]

Here in Massachusetts an emissions test is not required for vehicles older than 96, just safety. But keep in mind, the removal of the cat is just a test. If there are minimal, or no gains, it'll go back on. Also, I'll be watching fuel consumption. If mileage goes up after removal then, in my opinion, that's an acceptable reason to keep it off.

 

[z3ro]

Sorry, i didnt know. Good luck then, im gonna be watching this thread

 

[2rangers]

Doh, repeated myself

 

[pops13]

re

I have a 97 5 speed, I took the cat off because it had a hole in it, and went from 225/70 14s to 205/75 14s because I got a set of used tires a alloy wheels that are like new very cheap off a wrecked truck, anyway yhe truck has a noticable gain in performance, but is louder with no cat on it.

 

[ILLEGALCONCEPTS]

Removing a cat. is illegal by federal standards. It doesn't matter if you have emmisions or not. Get caught for some reason and it's a HUGE fine.

If you are going to remove the cat, replace it with a high flow unit. The newer style cats only rob something like less then 5hp. Hot rod did a test on an engine build with several different exhaust set ups. It was a per cat car but they tried the cats anyway. They gained tourqe and only lost a few HP.

James

 

[Z3CHYD]

why not do street legal only mods? Im pretty sure removing the cat and adding a straight pipe isnt street legal, so-as most people arent gonna do it.

I did it, sounds better and lil more torque, (on my 86 2.9 ranger) and its legal just got it inspected
(i removed the old cat cuz it was rusted out, im lookin for a cat to put on it)

 

[Resurrection Ranger]

I recently took the scud missle baffle out of the air intake tube on my 2.3 and added a drop in K-N. The biggest difference was audible at mid to full throttle given I essentially removed the "muffler" of the intake. Has a little whistle at idle as well. Felt a minor difference in performance. I really need to get rid of the oversized choking OEM style muffler for a freer flowing one but can't decide between annoying muffler #1 or annoying muffler #2
I think that would help this mod out

 

[2rangers]

Tires

Pops,

Occasionally you'll see a F250 or 350 (or whatever) pulling a load and they're running dinky tires. It' an easy way to lower your gearing for more torque. Looks a little funky and messes up your odometer but it works. And you don't have to screw with the rear end. I'm gonna test the 215's I have hanging around and see how that changes things. Probably not much but it should be an improvement.

 

[2rangers]

I did it, sounds better and lil more torque, (on my 86 2.9 ranger) and its legal just got it inspected
(i removed the old cat cuz it was rusted out, im lookin for a cat to put on it)

Did you have an emissions test?

 

[rangerbro]

I will definately be watchin this thread. I just have 1 suggestion, as you go keep track of your fuel mileage and see if the mods help that as well.

 

[2rangers]

I just have 1 suggestion, as you go keep track of your fuel mileage and see if the mods help that as well.

I was thinking about that today. My best guess for stock is @ 23mpg in mixed driving. I don't have a clear record though, just casual observation. I'll do what I can starting tomorrow.