what engine would YOU use

[ranger man'02]

I want to know what a guy would swap into his truck budget aside as small as you want as crazy as you want like swap in sbc or maybe a ls crate engine sbf 302 whatever YOU want

 

[superj]

if i was smart enough, i would do an ecoboost 2.0 from an escape that bolts to the newer mustang rwd trans. the dudes on youtube are tuning them for 500hp and still 20mpg

 

[gaz]

@Ranger Man
1987 regular cab longbed 4×4:

302, flow bench port/polished intakes to heads, custom roller cam, roller rockers, fully balanced bottom end, engine oil cooler, 5 speed, appropriate carb(s), headers, single 4" exhaust w high flow cat, high power coil, dual puller electric fans/single pusher, dual core radiator.

 

[djfllmn]

this

 

[Curious Hound]

Rolls Royce Merlin. Will probably require extending the front clip a few feet.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

7.3 Godzilla

 

[scotts90ranger]

Rolls Royce Merlin. Will probably require extending the front clip a few feet.

The Merlin purists don't approve of most non airplane uses anymore... I know a guy that had one in a tractor pull Allis Chalmers with zoomies, he blew up the supercharger on one run and couldn't replace it from what I've heard... that was my favorite pulling tractor!

 

[Ric]

7.3 Godzilla

When my 4.6 goes, I'm going this way.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When my 4.6 goes, I'm going this way.

This is the way.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The Merlin purists don't approve of most non airplane uses anymore... I know a guy that had one in a tractor pull Allis Chalmers with zoomies, he blew up the supercharger on one run and couldn't replace it from what I've heard... that was my favorite pulling tractor!

Allisons used to be dirt cheap power for pulling back in the day too.

 

[racsan]

300 I-6. backed by a ZF.

 

[Blmpkn]

As far as pushrod V8s go.. unless an individual is unfortunately stricken with BPDS (brand purist derangement syndrome) any of the LS's are going to take the W in pretty much every conceivable way.

Cost to purchase, price & selection of aftermarket parts, power-per-litre figures while stock, dollar per HP gain ratio when wanting to add more power, maximum power output without needing to mess with internals... the list goes on and on..

An objectively better American V8 simply does NOT exist for the average enthusiast who wants to go fast. None. Every single FAST pre-coyote mustang at my local track has been swapped with..... an LS.


It took Ford quite a long while to build a mustang that would keep up with the Camaro once chebby started putting the LS in them..

GM probably didn't realize the gravity of their decision at the time but... The virtues of hiring a handful of NHRA nerds to act as lead engineers for their flagship V8 are/were nearly endless. Easily one of the best decisions that company has ever made.. and has hands down had the BIGGEST effect on the average joe who wants to haul ass..


V8 swaps are cliche AF though. Get yourself a 13b and stuff that sucker in there... nothing comes close to the unrelenting wail of a dorito motor when it's high on the pipe.. And I'd be willing to bet that there probably isn't a single rotary swapped ranger in the country..