Good morning, I have a 2005 ford ranger 2.3 Duratec 188,000 miles 4:10 gears. Currently I have MSDS headers followed by 2.5 exhaust and hush thrush muffler. I removed 1 cat and kept one. Custom 3” intake, stage 1 crowed cams with a VERY lengthy tune by 5 star. I was looking at doing a turbo but I also read about doing head work, and high compression pistons to achieve more hp. The reason I like the motor work is it’s easier to find someone to do the work. Turbo on a duratec sounded discouraging. Maybe I’m wrong? There is zero companies out here that are comfortable building a turbo for a ranger. I will do a full rebuild but with performance in mind.
My question*** What parts can I use to increase hp? I’ve read about using focus head and high compression pistons but I can’t find the exact details...will someone help point me in the right direction please? Money is not the issue and I can buy today.
Side note***im fully aware of a V8 swap- not interested!

With the mods ive already made the truck responded amazingly. So I can only imagine what following through would be like.

 

Reads like a nice Ranger

The 2.0l and 2.3l Ecoboost is a slightly different engine but used the same Block as your 2.3l Duratec, not sure what parts of the turbo might fit, whole engine should just bolt in but again not sure since these Ecoboosts were usually transverse mounted

Ecoboost info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_E...t_engine#2.3_L

 

I looked at doing a EcoBoost swap but I’d like to tear down the 2.3 and either stroke it or port and polish with high compression pistons. This may all sound dumb lol. I’m learning as much as I can about this motor.

 

Yes, I was thinking more for the turbo parts you were thinking about, already made for the 2.3l and smaller engine bays

 

What about head work and the high compression pistons? Then doing a stage 2 or 3 Crowe cam. The intake I have is more than sufficient. I’ll tune it...but what about fuel injectors? Will I need bigger ones?