I am planning on putting a stroked '84 2.3L race block in an '86 short box 2wd(sorry 4x4's) Ranger. The race package is as follows; Stroked block, over bored (.020" or .040"), Ported head, 4 barrel carb., and a stand alone spark package. I will have to see if I can get a hold of Mustang tranny cheap. A heavily modified version of this will push about 360hp, but I'm shooting for 250-300hp. I pretty sure I want to make it an off-roader. With this many ponies I will be able to put huge treads on this thing.

I don't know many technicalities about lifts and off-road suspension though. And the truck is totally strip down right now and it is going to get built from the ground up. So I'm starting this thread for everyones input, wisdom, and ideas. I want everyone to help me build this thing so I can maybe put a big RANGER FORUMS.COM vinyl on the sides when its done.

It going to take a lot of work , along with modding my new '04 I just got. I will post pics soon.

 

Hm..Well what you've got going so far is really quite nice..360hp estimated for a 4-cylinder is pretty nice if you ask me ha. But anyways, if I were you, put a nice 6 inch lift on it, with maybe some...34's? And definitely invest in an explorer axle swap, it'll help even out the power..Other than that..I'm not sure what to tell ya :\

 

want todo mine after your done?

 

A couple grand and I can get your head and block done for U.
I'm still trying to talk my racing buddy into givin up his old engine.

I'm sure I will need to swap that axle and a couple other main componenents. Otherwise that engine is going to tear that POS truck its going in to pieces .

 

explorer axle swap comes with disc brakes doesnt it?

Also. when you do all this go get a deaver race pack for rear leafs IF your sticking with leafs. just for all obvious reasons. also your gonna want either a REAL good set of traction bars (Welded) to prevent you from flexing your leafs OR a good four link system which would allow you to use coilovers and a bedcage (Try Camburg.com)

If you need a gear ratio guide to go with the axle/tire/power given ratio go to Gear ratio guide
itll give you a good idea what gear ratio to go with compared with what tire size to keep that optimal amount of power to ground level up. oh. and if its going to be a serious beater. definilt look into steering box build to last.

Theres LOTS more to give. some good some bad ideas. all depending on what you want to do with your truck. but if it has ABS and you dont want it theres a thread on here that will tell you how to make an on off switch for it. or just remove fuse #14 (If that fuse is designated to abs on your year truck)

Edit:Link <- Try that site for almost ALL 4banger performance parts.

 

Awsome man. Just what I need. Thanx.

Probably sticking with leafs. Besides they are probablly a lot simpler. I don't need too much range in my suspension -I don't crawl too much, I like to just fly over sh*t!

 

me too.

 

Is this stroked engine a tall deck block and rotating assembly to match? or just a regular block with a stroker kit?

 

I believe they use the stock head and blocks. If they don't already have one assembled(tall deck or not) then I will be using my stock block and head.

 

I hate to be the one to say it but that is an unrealistic goal for a N/A 2.3 that you plan to drive on the street. It would take a lot more compression which would require race gas and you would need to turn it 8000 rpm or more to get over 350hp.....with a stock deck block you aint goin much over 2.5 either.

If its goin in an 84 I would HIGHLY suggest doing a 2.3t swap with a Merkur harness.With mostly stock parts its easy to break 300hp with these using junkyard parts.I know cuz my old 87 put 306 to the wheels with 95% stock junk.

Look around at the prices of the parts you will have to buy to build that N/A motor compaired to a stock 2.3t , you could build a nice stroked windsor for about the same price!

A few years ago I built up a really nice 84 2.3N/A motor for my kids first ride which I thought was gonna be a pretty cool ride.Wrong. I built a fresh 89 2.3 shortblock,ported & milled .040" round port head,RR cam,adjustable cam gear,ported pinto intake,modded Autolite 300cfm 2v carb,MSD ignition,header,4 spd trans,7.5 with a posi and 3.73 gears.I even tuned it with my LM1 wideband to get the carb setup right.My stock 98 3.8 auto Mustang could walk it without even tryin.

Just my $.02 and dont take it as a flame.....



BTW....you cant build the ultimate 2.3 beater,I already did!
This 87 was my daily driver 365 days a year for three years.
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/743/949/64752.jpg
This was the motor in it
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/743/949/8216.jpg
And this is what I did all summer.
http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/743/949/142483.jpg

 

make sure you put some 4.10's in the rear. And try to make the ranger as light as possible. You wont even be close to 350hp. But rangers are light enough to not have a lot of power but still move pretty good. Stock 4.0sohc have like 170hp to the wheels. They move pretty good for a stock pickup. I try to get 200hp to the wheels. which would still be a challenge with the little 2.3 n/a. But 200hp would make for a quick ranger.

 

Great job on that ranger Brian, looks like you put some work into it.

Yeah, 350 is a huge number for this engine. My buddy said his barely lasted one racing season on that setup. But he did win the majority of the races in his class! I don't plan on drivin this thing on the road. It won't last the miles. Also, If I can get over 250 I'll being happy putting that to only 2wd. I'm trying to bullet proof it a little more than his race setup. (Like putting the rev limiter to work)

I'm a fan of of turbo, but wanted to keep it simple with this engine. I also have a back-up engine only(50,000) orig. miles on an '84 block, if this one pops.

I'll have to post an old pick of my '84 when it was still in one unbroken piece. Salvaged the engine after I had a fight with a tree one winter. The truck was quite a gem.

I'm thinkin about usin it at the dunes for the most part.
I also think I'm goin to leave the box off the back. Just weld up a roll bar cage type of thing. Maybe I could leave room to bolt some extra seats in. It would save weight and look pretty cool I think.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

How about a supercharger for a 4banger? I do have that other engine....

 

i would just get a motor and everything from a turbo coupe and go from there.

 

My problem is I have fresh 2.3 carb. motor and all the racing parts I can get my hands on are carb. motors...........anyone want to trade?

My other thing is that a turbo complicates things a bit more. I know how a lot of things work, but I'm no mechanic, the extra electronics are not my specialty. Thought I could kick it old school with the carbs.

 

4.10's came stock in my ranger. to help with the fact its weak on power. i had 4.56's put in. 4.88's and higher wont fit in the 7.5 axle. and the 4.56's can be fragile. so make sure you get warranty that covers all BS.