V8 or another 3.0????

[Teddyzee]

Anyone with a V8 Ranger should go and drive a 3.0 for fun. I own a Splash with the 3.0

It will be good to bring a smile to your face, if you know what I mean!

 

[Mac]

There are a couple of good write-up's on the wiring, Matt Harwood Perforance has one to cover your year, downloadable. It's similar to the one put out by FRPP. Both use the '93' Mustang harness as their reference.
Dave

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Anyone with a V8 Ranger should go and drive a 3.0 for fun. I own a Splash with the 3.0

It will be good to bring a smile to your face, if you know what I mean!

Going from a not so hot 2.8 to my plain jane 5.0... I have been grinning from ear to ear as I drive it.

 

[Scrambler82]

Man, first off I am not “the End-All V-8” type of guys, I do drive a three cylinder diesel tractor, BUT in case of a Ranger… there are so many possibilities for engines that will fit the Ranger base, IF you have the money to do it that is, Diesels, larger v-6s, 4 cylinders, the 4BT Cumins…

The 302/5.0L Swap has a lot of used adapters out there for this setup, used wiring, used headers; there are so many used parts you can do a std 302 setup for cheap money and if you can get or access to a '92 or '93 Stang for cheap then all of the electrical parts are there.

A Turbo’d 3.0L, how much are we talking, guessing around 3K$.
Putting in a Cam, opening up the exhaust, adding more on the intake side too, how much, not sure but thinking when done around 2 to 2.5K$.
if you take a 3.0 or even a 4.0 and send it to the machine shop for a bore, balance, new pistons, new cam, exhaust and intake, rework the heads, new smaller pulleys, you are going into the 4K$ plus range and you still need more parts.
If this guy can’t do a V-8 setup, all done for less than 2K$, using used adapters and harnessing I would be surprises.

The V-8 will give you a new driving experience in the Ranger. Response and drivability will improve 10 times, yes the gas milage will depend mostly on the weight of the foot but new habits can be learned.

Now once the v-8 is in, changing the intake and air supply, opening up the exhaust pipe size will result and a good seat of the pant increase in torque and a great sound, add a cam and larger Carb or Throttle body and the 5.0L come alive. If the money is there and you want new heads; the Ranger becomes a Bear, up another level.

Again, I am not all V-8 but when it come to basics… you can’t beat a V-8.

These are my opinions and as humble as they may or may not be I loved the feel of my ’88 STX/5.0L and my latest truck the V-8 is on the list.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Man, first off I am not “the End-All V-8” type of guys, I do drive a three cylinder diesel tractor.

Poor guy...

 

[Psychopete]

It will be good to bring a smile to your face, if you know what I mean!

lol drove around in mine the other day, drove my 2.3L Tempo the next day, it's a nice reminder of how slow your car is. You don't tend to notice as much when you're used to it.

I had a 3.0 with 148 hp and now I have a 5.0 with about 220 hp. Does that clears up for you? The only bolt on is Torque Monster headers. Worth every cent.

You have hell-a torque now, too.

 

[hoosier1104]

About 235 lb/tq I believe is what it comes out too.

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

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Also consider the transmission and t-case he will be using with the 302... it's much better than whatever the 3.0 has.

I'm swapping in a stock Crown Vic 5.0 in my '93 Ranger. Power isn't the main reason why, but rather that I feel the 5.0 and AOD combo is much more reliable than the 4.0 and the junk auto it came with.


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I initially installed a 5.0 roller from an 87 Crown Vic into my V-6 Ranger, and it seemed gutless. They are rated at 140 HP, 270 ft/lbs of torque (approximately), and have the mildest roller cams and low flowing heads. I got approximately twenty three miles to the gallon though, and good city milage as well.

I then bought a 5.0 HO, and it was a huge improvement, (225 HP), but I wanted more power. I bolted on a 4-barrel Holley and a high rise intake, and it had more power. It ran great and got approximately 20 miles to the gallon on the highway after I installed a 70's stock Mustang 2-barrel carb/intake.

I swopped out the 5.0 HO with a 351 Cleveland, and now I'm happy with it. Driving it puts a big grin on my face too! Go with the V8. You will be glad you did.