Engine Upgrades?
 

98 ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed 4x4. Now i love bella(my ranger) but shes gets 12 to 14 mpg and tops out at 75, 90 down hill. is there any way i can get more speed and power out of her with more MPG. I no it aint no 4.3 like the s10 but theres gotta be somethign i can do to her

electric fan conversion will pick up mpgs and a few horses

If you want more MPG's then get the 2.3 or 2.5.

Realize your mistake of buying a 3L. Accept it. Then sell it and buy a 4L. ;-P lol I'm totally just kidding dude. Don't take offense.

lol its cool i thought the 3 would be good my mom has an escape and its gets like 18 and is fast. i didnt realize the ranger and escape had 2 differant engines. id like a 4 but they usualy dont come in 5 speed and 4x4

This will add noise to the electrical system - noise in the stereo, noise in any radio comm equipm’t, not always the best choice but it will give you a few more ponies.

My 2.3, 5sp 2wd got 24 overall, nice, wish my 3.0 got a little more but I am thinking V-8 and I should end up with at least what the 3.0 is getting so I need to get used to it.

U may b kid’g but it is so as you stated. A mistake, so sell and get a 2.3L or which ever other motor you think will be better.
You mother’s vehicle is getting better milage because she does not have a lead foot.


Swapping engines MAY get you more milage but the work involved is a lot, unless you really want this truck; these engine swaps are not what they appear to be unless you have the money to throw at it.
Most of them have a lot of problems that are not mentioned or you have someone that knows exactly what to do; a shop will screw you to a wall with labor cost on something like this so beware.
As PSIJOE stated and I agree, start looking for something else, easier in the long run.

Another thought, 85% of your gas consumption is use in only 15% of your driving method. Acceleration, Up hills and passing; consider chg’g your driving style, easier take offs - no lead foot, do not over accelerate up hills and easy passing. Biggest problem is usually too much lead foot and excessive speed when considering the 3.0L gas milage, especially if you are running larger tires, another milage killer.

KEEP YOUR FOOT OUT OF IT !

Another thought, not sure if it will give better milage though… how about a Super Charger.
That should only set up back about $5K, $3K for the unit and $2K to install it properly.
Some people say the chips work but I am not always sure of that. Increase in HP always causes a “Lead Foot” so there goes the milage.

A higher ratio Rocker Arm (1.7 vs OEM 1.6) can increase low end torque, giving the feel of more HP and night increase the milage, something to look into.

Chk out all of these avenues and chk cost vs what you get in return before doing anything.

Luck and live with it for a while, then if things don’t pick up, sell it and buy just what you want.

The only supercharger made for the 3.0 is the wipple supercharger from like 7-8 years ago?
I'm not sure where you would be able to find one though? :-/ I used to have a magazine that had the article in it. Bought the mag cuz at the time I had my 01' with the 3.0. I wanted it sooo bad. like most supercharger kits though it was right around 5-6k...Plus install. No thanks.

I ended up not worrying about it being slow. Instead of putting money into it and not really seeing any gains I just bought another car that was already quick for around the price of a supercharger kit or a motor swap. Then you have a backup car as well. Then threw time you can make that car even quicker buy throw a bit of money at it here and there. Your call though.

OK,i am having a hard time with this 3.0l to 4.0l. 50 hp 50ft pounds toque is the difference the 3 is a way better motor with a few little set backs i get 18 mpg on average and have 100k on it. love my Vulcan!

my 3.0 was a turd. I bought a parts ranger with a 4.0 in it and the thing hauled some ass compared to my 3.0. never drove it long enough to compare gas mileage though. my 3.0 got 14-16. although I will say I've had mine up to around 110, my buddy with a 3.0 ranger passed me when I was doing 110, so lets just say they go faster haha. best thing to do, accept you have a 3.0.

ive had my 3.0 for 4 years now and the little buger s fast and by fast i mean fast for a truck it has won many races against shitvics. easist most noticable upgrades were exaughst electric fan (if wired correctly has no effect on the stereo) and a custom full 3" intake tubing from the maf back.

just sayin.. if you wanna light'm up when ever you want this is what you need

and i forgot to mention i am at a solid 20 mpg mixed driving and yes that includeds STOMPING on it

The best 3.0 mod is this, you take the 3.0L+2.0L= 5.0L. Their problem solved

...You ever take it to the track???

Unfortunatly no it has quiet the personality and likes to mess with me ie random things breaking that have already been replaced. I ran a 1/4 mile once with my phones speed view app and came up with an 18 somthing. How ever that was before mods such as.....
"Cold air intake"
electric fan
New egr valve solving a narly. Vacume leak
Swaped 3.73 8.8 trac lock rear end
james duff traction bars
straight piped exaughst

I have a sneaky suspicion with the roller rockers and intake done its going to turn some good numbers
p.s its a 4x4 not bragging just. Saying what I know lol

And for those of us who can afford a 5.o swap these upgrades are affordable

Ahh for sure. You should take it to the track to see what it runs. I'd be interested in what it runs while still being a 3.0

my buddy had 2000 3.0 5 speed 4x4 ranger he had glass pack not sure if he did anything to the intake and he had chip. he said he got 15 to 18 and hes truck hit 100 no prblem. now bella like i said 12 to 14 tops out and 75. and i only have to lead foot just to make it go. and that normal driving shifting usualy every 10mph or 25 to 3 grand rpm. i dont try to run her hard cause i dont wanna break her i can afford to fix her lol. mayb i should quit complaing she is my first vehicale lol

oh ya i havent stated that she barrly holds 65. u have to mash it in 4th and 5th just to hold 65 in the high way

I had the same issue when I first got mine.
do a tune up and try to save enough $$$ make a cold air intake using spectra universal parts I think it came out to about 50$ but I already had a air filter as far as exaughst im using a glasspack can't beat the sound. It will still feel. Alittle doggy but better then before for sure.

Anything after that just take it easy on her

I had the same issue when I first got mine.
do a tune up and try to save enough $$$ make a cold air intake using spectra universal parts I think it came out to about 50$ but I already had a air filter as far as exaughst im using a glasspack can't beat the sound. It will still feel. Alittle doggy but better then before for sure.

Anything after that just take it easy on her

i have heard that the headers that jba makes for 3.0 help add a little pep but the problem is they are $600 for the pair last time i checked

Headers will work if you open up the intake side, air tube, air filter, throttle body, maybe even 1,7 Rocker Arms and the exhaust from header back, larger pipe, bigger cat and muffler, maybe no cat.

Engine = Big Air Pump, more air in / more air out and more power made.

How well the 3.0L responds to the mods, not sure, I am not a mechanic but in theory it should work.

3.0 actually likes back preasure so don't go crazy with exaughst. Everything else reward you with burning rubber

Check your injectors. You should be getting around 18mpg unless you have ridiculous tires.

18 is a solid mpg number