Lets all remember that this thread was started by a Stage 1 member....he probably doesn't know a lot about how the site is run and this may be one a several threads that he posting on all the Ranger Forums.Because you can, do you need any other excuse. That is like asking why do guys lift their trucks or why do they lower their trucks. I am not a fan of rice at all, but there is a member on RPS that is using a S2000 motor with turbo in his bagged and BD Ranger. Why? Because he can. Because he can go to a show and be one-of-a-kind amongst amazing bagged and BD mini-trucks.

 

I second the call for a 4bt swap!

 

I almost forgot, do the 5.0 explorer drivetrain. It seems to be very popular and reliable. And do it before California changes the law, cuz I think Virginia just changed over to no V8 in small pick-ups like the Ranger or S10. Someone on RPS posted an update on this law a few months ago.

 

Yeah the 5.0 would be awesome too, but that 4bt swap is tempting with the mileage and torque they make

 

Didn't the 5.0 stop in '01? Didn't he say he had an '03? Doesn't Cali not allow an older engine (than the vehicle it is going in) to be swapped in a vehicle?

 

Yes, in California you must use the same year or newer engine, as was stated in this thread two weeks ago. It's also posted in the V8 forum so it only makes sense to assume he's talking about a V8. The rest of you guys are way off base. Read first, then write.

 

I vote 3cyl from a Geo Metro


JK
I think you may as well just stick with the 4.0L SOHC and throw on some bolt-ons.

 

As for "legal" motor swaps if it passes emissions/smog test who cares. My car has no cat, and countless illegal mods but i still fool the computer with the defouler trick so I don't get a cel, and I will pass emissions. Thats the same way it is with any mods. The dummies who hook up the obd2 for emissions tests don't know a v8 from an i4 from a can of mountain dew. No codes means you pass.

 

Cali and some other states also do a visual check. If there's anything on your vehicle that's not CARB certified, you fail. Anything missing, you fail. Anything not working, you fail. Anything altered, you fail.

 

I'm not saying that it is a bad thing or anything but most people who do pull out their engines usually go ahead and do the swap. I don't care what forum he puts those in, I'd just thought I'd remind him which forum he was in is all. P.S. those are good engines I aint knockin them at all. And there you go again stirring the pot, shame on you dude. (no harm or foul meant).

 

If they can't tell the difference between an I4 or V8 just from the sound of it then they are indeed stupid. Any 302 I've ever heard usually sounds like an old harley davidson when it idles including the bone stock ones. That is why that was one of ford's most popular engines of all time. And the main reason is to the fact they're cheaply priced compared to the others. And best of all they're easy to find and get parts for them too. Plus they just don't hook up a scanner to obd cpu either. They hook up a smog machine that measures how much smog and hydro carbons that are coming from your exhaust. They also do a visual inspection underneath the hood and the vehicle and if they see one part that doesn't comply with O.E.M. you're screwed. The police if they wanted to can rght you a ticket for improper equip. just for changing your exhaust because you're not using O.E.M.

 

So you have the same swap law I have as of next month. they passed it here in my state and it goes into effect next month or in a few weeks in this case. We do have a Grandfather law about it though. If the swap was done before the law went into affect then they just have to purchase some additional smog equip and install the same year or newer catalytic converters. His would be a "track use only" truck.

 

Ditto. Now that we know what he has in his truck, it's alot easier to get parts for his than the 3.0. hell all he has to do is go to comp cams and type in his engine size and 3 or 4 cams will pop up along with valvetrain components instantly. not mention headers, CAI's , etc.

 

Those are pretty good engines yes and I do understand that. But I won't do it.