my brother has an '89 2.9l ranger with somewhere around 275k miles. does anyone know how to get more power and torque out of it for not a lot of money? (exhausts, air filter, or even chips maybe?) thanks guys!

 

aside from the obvious power increasers, such as a Tune-up (plugs, wires, distributor) and a good block flush, there's not a whole lot you can do to it to increase power. if its got a carburetor, you could always explore adding on a performance carb, changing your air cleaner, or even having your carburetor cleaned and adjusted. with EFI, there's not a whole lot you can do to tweak the system. and, although many people may disagree, run 93 octane. it's a cleaner burn, better mileage and slightly more power.

 

throw a 5.0 in there its not that expensive in an older truck

 

Just to add to the problem...........
'89 2.9l will have the Speed Density computer software
This means even if you added a Cam and high compression pistons you wouldn't get much more power, let alone with simple bolt on parts.
Speed Density is programmed for the engine as it was shipped/sold, also called MAP system.
Newer vehicles use MAF system, these are setup for the engine but since they are air flow based you can upgrade engine, within reason, and get extra power.
But bolt on parts don't change air flow so don't increase power in any case.

To get more power from any engine you have to burn more fuel, this means you have to get more air in the engine.
A 5.0l engine has more power than a 3.0l engine because it can pull in more air, 2.0L more air, and so burn more fuel, simple as that.
Larger Cam allows engine to pull in more air.
Turbo or super charger adds more power because it forces more air in so more fuel can be burn, more fuel = more power.

So ask yourself, does this "add-on" part add more air to my engine?
If the answer is no then power will not increase.

No, "chips" don't work, for any vehicle, just FYI.
CAI(cold air intakes) don't work, 30 years they did, Ford and every other manufacturer, added CAI when they switched to fuel injection, so you already have it.
Headers change where the engine makes the most power/torque, you have mid-range power band now, you can move power band lower or higher with correct headers, but power stays the same.