I am getting ready to start revamping my 96 ranger. What is recommended for the increase in engine size. I have a 2.3 liter and want to put a larger engine in with the least amount of cost. Any suggestions?

 

Welcome to the forum

There is no upgrade for worthwhile power increase except a Ford 302/(5.0l) V8

The 2.3l transmission won't mate with any other engine, except 2.3l/2.5l Lima engine
And of course the computer can't run any engine except the 2.3l Lima engine
So trans and computer with wiring harness need to be swapped

Lots of info out there on doing a V8 swap into a Ranger, been done many many times
Most buy a rusted out or damaged Explorer with a V8, 1996 to 2001, for a parts car to do this swap.

But any ford 302/(5.0l) can work if you want to use a carburetor and distributor, and then an AOD automatic or manual transmission
No computer is needed so less expensive


Another option with the 2.3l is a turbo charger, but can get expensive, best thing about turbos is you keep the better MPG of a 4cyl if you keep turbo off line, "foot OFF the gas pedal", lol
Worst thing about the turbo is you WANT to put you foot to the floor to feel the power

 

Thanks,
. So for selecting an engine i keep seeing that it goes by the vin number. Is this true? And how does that work?
bill

There is no upgrade for worthwhile power increase except a Ford 302/(5.0l) V8

The 2.3l transmission won't mate with any other engine, except 2.3l/2.5l Lima engine
And of course the computer can't run any engine except the 2.3l Lima engine
So trans and computer with wiring harness need to be swapped

Lots of info out there on doing a V8 swap into a Ranger, been done many many times
Most buy a rusted out or damaged Explorer with a V8, 1996 to 2001, for a parts car to do this swap.

But any ford 302/(5.0l) can work if you want to use a carburetor and distributor, and then an AOD automatic or manual transmission
No computer is needed so less expensive


Another option with the 2.3l is a turbo charger, but can get expensive, best thing about turbos is you keep the better MPG of a 4cyl if you keep turbo off line, "foot OFF the gas pedal", lol
Worst thing about the turbo is you WANT to put you foot to the floor to feel the power[/QUOTE]

 

If you want the same engine then yes, but Ranger had two different 2.3l engines
1997 and older had 2.3l SOHC Lima engine
2001/2 and newer had 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine

They have nothing in common no exchangeable parts, but BOTH used VIN engine ID of "A", up to you to know what year the 2.3l is

 

Ok so which engine do you recommend?
bill

 

Stay away from the Duratec engine, there's no woodruff key on the crank and no keys on the cam sprocket gears.
All that holds them in place are very high torque values.


If they come loose, then you will have bent valves.

 

You can only replace current engine with a 1995 to 1997 2.3l Lima engine, unless you change the computer, transmission and wiring harness.
2.5l Lima maybe, but really not worth it since they have same power pretty much.

If you don't like the 4cyl Ranger's power then sell it and buy a V6 Ranger.

This isn't the "old days" where you could swap engines fairly easily, i.e. the carb and distributor days, no computer in sight, lol.
And the transmissions had detachable bell housings so you could keep the same trans if you wanted

Now-a-days, engine, computer and wiring harness are "one piece", matched set, and automatic transmissions need same computer so are part of the set, so while you can replace a bad engine, just the engine, you can't easily swap to a different size or model of engine