Uhhoh, another know-it-all Ford fanatic.

[crusin93]

Hi all. Ford custom shop owner from the mid atlantic. Deal mostly with 1/4 and 1/8 mile fox mustang based hot rods. Looking to expand into the off road scene. Long time Ranger owner. Currently housing an 87 2.9 4x4 supercab and a 98 4.0 4x4 supercab, both automatics. Experence includes, but not limited to: L1, sheet metal fab (little bit), frame and chasis, (heavy, light) diagnostics, Engine performamce N/A (real performance 800+F/CBB) 3yrs marine expirence and can do one hell of an oil change:0

 

[Earl43P]

You'll like it here.

Welcome!

 

[Hopman]

I look to bask in the glow of you knowledge.

Any clue how to make a 2.3 twin spark 4 make 500 N/A HP on 87 octain? For under $100?

 

[crusin93]

Wow, Hopman, It seems you have a better sense of humor than most.

 

[94twodoor]

I look to bask in the glow of you knowledge.

Any clue how to make a 2.3 twin spark 4 make 500 N/A HP on 87 octain? For under $100?

I too would LOVE this answerd I assume twin turbo from a JY with a LOT of freebies

 

[jetblack93]

me three ,even four hundred is good

 

[crusin93]

You know it's not too much to ask of a 2.3 in proper trim. I have customers who are well into the 10's with 2.3 turbo mustangs. These cars dyno well over 400 bhp. The aftermarket is strong and growing. However, the limiting factor remains the factory 86 SVO block wich was not cast to handle double hp duty.(factory rating was 215). It would not take much to drop a powerplant like that inside a ranger. Put a built C4 behind it with a good 8.8 and viola. Instant hot rod.

 

[Hopman]

Okay wise guy, but how much power can the m5od handle? If I can help it, I like driving my "Spanish" transmission, "Manuel."

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

You know it's not too much to ask of a 2.3 in proper trim. I have customers who are well into the 10's with 2.3 turbo mustangs. These cars dyno well over 400 bhp. The aftermarket is strong and growing. However, the limiting factor remains the factory 86 SVO block wich was not cast to handle double hp duty.(factory rating was 215). It would not take much to drop a powerplant like that inside a ranger. Put a built C4 behind it with a good 8.8 and viola. Instant hot rod.

Been there done that, except with a M5OD that still isn't broke. To give you an idea of what state of build I have, my ranger dual plug head flowed 220 cfm at .500 lift after I got done porting it... The exhaust ports are 1/2" bigger in diameter than stock

And yes, it makes for one heck of a wild ride in an old ranger

 

[Frank The Tank]

Or you can do like me..........

Toss in a set of 4.88's behind a 5spd, stock 4.0 with straight pipes, and voila instant hot-rod.......... up to 85mph. Ok so you can drift small tracks and run 1/8th miles like a mother!!! HP is overated.

Next time I'll go with 5.13's and stock tires........ with a gear venders over/under drive so I can shift 10 times instead of a measly 5.

Frank

 

[Tommy]

Welcome to TRS!

 

[crusin93]

This is just the place I was looking for! Thank you all for the warm welcome.
It looks like I have a bit of homework ahead of me. I know nothing about the spanish transmssion or it's limitations.(the know it all part was a joke!) I also enjoy a stick car or truck. It seems that due to the limited traction and drivetrain failure non backhalved and narrowed hi-po little rangers are prone to, a lot of guys go with an auto, mostly c4. I know for sure the bellhousing for a 2.3 will accept a world class t-5 from BG. Those little guys are tough, and inexpensive to rebuild, when compared to tko series.

Like I mentioned before I'm new here and want to learn and share, so I'm not trying to start ww3, just testing the waters. I have a feeling that what I know about the foxes might cross over espesially with 2wd 4cyl street trucks and those who convert to sbf powerplants. Btw those flow numbers are very impressive. Do you mind if I ask if the numbers were at 18" or 24"?

 

[Beowulf]

After reading thru this thread, I think I better go spend a few nights at a Holiday Inn Express!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Btw those flow numbers are very impressive. Do you mind if I ask if the numbers were at 18" or 24"?

I don't remember if the shop even told me. I'll see if I can find the balance and blueprint sheet they gave me.

And, just so you know, the M5OD is not a spanish transmission, but rather made by Mazda in Japan. The light duty 5-spd in the F-150s is almost identical, but scaled about 12.5% bigger. The M5OD has the reputation for being the best, most durable, longest lasting tranny available from Ford in a Ranger. But I agree it's not the best for a performance application. I'll probably go with a built, manual shift AOD in my turbo ranger if/when I break the M5OD. But as of now it has 265,000 miles on it (15,000 of turbo) and still works pretty flawlessly (I do have a heavier clutch to hold the turbo engine torque). The secret is keeping fresh ATF in 'em.

And I think my next daily driver is probably going to be 95+ supercab, 2wd ranger with either a 331 or 347 EFI stroker and a world class T5. So I may have some questions for you when I get to building it.

 

[crusin93]

I welcome any questions you have. I hope to have a relevant answer for you.
The last "ranger" we put together was a mildly moded 88' in 2006. While it was backhalved with a 4 link and an up to date cage, the rest of the chassis was stock. It handled the power of a 347 sbf with a 250 shot without any problems.
Look to Art Carr for your AOD. They know their stuff. Make sure to stay away from the newer adoe (they look very similar) unless you plan to hack up a doner car for its harness and ECM to run the trans.

Thanks for the info on the m5od. Any manual trans with 265,000 on factory internals has gotta be well built!