Hey everyone, new to the forum. I need some advice on picking a cam for my currently stock 2.3L. Also not trying to be an @$$ but just trying to reduce reading and make it short and to the point.

1996 Ford Ranger
2.3L
5 speed
2wd
4.56 7.5" rear
stock header
probably close to 275,000+ miles
no smoke, average 130 psi compression
dual plug head
Used to pull roughly 1800-2000 lb single axle trailer ( note that when loaded I can pick front up and pull by hand on flat ground)
Keeping it N/A NO TURBO BUILD!!! (Turbo is nice and best bang I know but too costly and no tuners locally around)
Shift at 3,000-3,500 RPM's, cruise at 2,800 RPM's 5th gear OD at 65 mph
235-70R15 all terrains
NO buying a new truck, to expensive only looking at spending a 1,000 or less

Here's my problem, I can't get over 50 mph! I can on a downhill I can pick up speed but and the way back up, it drops quick. I was told that the cam is what holds it back (turning 3,000 rpm's in 4th). I heard a A237 cam in a 2.3L and to be honest, it sounded pretty good. I can't buy that cam anymore but there are a couple cam manufactures that make a copy cam. Here are the specs if anyone is wondering

int duration 226/ ex duration 234
LSA 112
lift .420
RPM Range 1400-4600

Also going to run an adjustable cam sprocket, port and polish the head with the help of a friends flow bench and shave the head to get it up to 10:1 CR

What do ya'll think?

 

Problem here is that you have 4.56 gears. I can do 180km/h no problem with 3.55s. and I have 2.3L 5 speed manual, 7.5" rear.

Regear, it'll be easier to take care of than a cam and will solve the problem.

 

I can too without the trailer, different story with the trailer. Im trying to get it to pull the trailer better, which is why I swapped 4.56 in place of the 3.73.

 

I tow a pop up camping considerably above the max towing capacity of our trucks even with my 3.55s(should be 4:10)

4:10s is where you should be in all honest. If your trailer cant be towed by your 2.3 with 4:10s then your truck wont have a hope in hell of stopping it so you shouldnt be towing it.

I wish I had better advice. 4.56s are just too deep. Unless you're running the truck at ridiculous RPMs that will eventually kill it you'll never get about 50 or at best 60mph.

You may have the power with a new cam to get it to 5000rpm for the 60mph but you'll kill the motor before long for sure.

so TLDR is, rock 4:10s and maybe put a cam in to give it more power to run those 4:10s. Also look at the budget things like ABS piping for intake, remove your stock airbox, block your EGR, etc.

 

get rid of those 4.56 gears and youll be golden...in the end its 4 cyl ranger...not meant to be a workhorse and fast

 

65 mph only nets 2900 rpm's, pretty easy for a 4 banger or am I wrong here. It pulls good through 3rd, but in 4th, it hits the wall at 3000 rpms and in 5th, the slightest incline will cause it to lose speed. The trailer can be moved by hand easily by hand when loaded. But it has a 4' tailgate made from expanded metal. Will that pull the truck down that bad?

 

that sounds normal for a 4 banger...4th and 5th are cruising only not acceleration

 

The trailer shouldnt be an issue then. have you checked compression on the motor? sounds like its just down on alot of power. My 3.55s make my truck REALLY low on torque and I still have no issues doing a wheel stand or even a burn out.

Cam may help this then based on this info but I still think you're geared wrong. you should be 4.10s unless you're running 31s or something.

djfllmn is correct but I have no problem towing 3000lbs with my ranger in 4th.

 

I did my best to leave as much info in the original post, compression etc. I'm not trying to break speed records while pulling a trailer lol! But would just like to be able drive the truck with the trailer like you would a normally. If I can just get it to roll about 65-70 I would be golden. 4.56's did help as I used to only be able to pull 35-40 on an encline. Just need that extra little oomph. Do do you the cam would be a good choice?

 

Well yes and no. What you're asking it to do is unrealistic to be honest.

I tow with my 2.3L a 3000lbs trailer and my opinion of just fine is that on any kinds of hills I need to downshift to 3rd. And even then it drops me to 75 sometimes 70km/h from my cruising at 100-110. If I see a big hill(as big as they get in ontario...) coming I need to pull like mad to get it up to almost 130 and by the top I'm usually down to 75-80km/h

Realistically its a 2.3, its not meant for towing other than a REALLY small utility trailer. These are the things we deal with.

Very soon a new motor is going in my truck, whether its this one rebuilt as a turbo, a 4L straight 6 or a 302 out of an expo still remains to be seen. But dont expect miracles.

 

^ you mean 4.0 V6? ford didnt have a 4.0 I6

 

Who said anything about Ford? AMC 242. Bulletproof motor and makes GOBS of torque at super low RPMs. *drools*

 

So no a cam won't do anything

 

It will but not much.

 

So when would it be feasible to swap the stock cam if I may ask? I was told by a guy that the stock ranger cam runs out of steam because of the lift and duration and that swapping out a cam will put it in a slightly higher power band and that an adjustable cam gear would be a good idea with a cam and port work. He's kind of a doo doo head so I dont plan on putting any faith in what he says, rather listen to what you folks have to say.

 

dont waste your time...the gains would be marginal at best...just put in a larger motor if you want more power

 

^^ Agreed. You may only get a couple hp/tq out of it. the only benefit would be that some cams will push the power band up the rpm range.

 

can you please explain why 4.10 gears would be better than 4.56's for towing? Seems the lower the gear, the better it would pull.

 

4.56s are too deep for your truck with stock tires ...and if you cant tow something with 4.10s then you shouldnt be towing it at all...ill say this again its a 4cyl ranger not meant to be a real tow pig/workhorse..want something that tows better buy a new truck thats meant to tow..the 4.56s are just masking the lack of power issue..the truck is only rated for 1500lbs..any more than that you are not only putting your truck at risk but also yours and others safety on the road

 

At lower speeds yes. The higher numerically you go the worse it'll be for highway.

 

4.56s are pretty high, but it sounds to me like you are just way down on power. Since your compression is ok and mileage is high it might be a tuning problem. Simple things like cleaning your mass air sensor and checking for vacuum leaks couldn't hurt. If you have never done it, it is way past time to replace your spark plugs, plug wires, and o2 sensors.

 

sound advice Ranger Smith, I did have a full tune up about 9 months ago but didn't clean the MASS. No vacuum leaks as I know of.

 

After much thought and a call to a friend, I think I might look into turboing my ranger. I guess I'll move on from here and bump the turbo threads and start getting a price and parts list worked up. Thanks for all the help.