Drove an 04 2.3 4 banger reg cab
 

My friend was too drunk to drive, so i threw him in the bed and I drove him and his truck home.
This is the first time i drove a reg cab ranger with a 2.3 duratec. I must say, im impressed. It had plenty of power to spare. Nice acceleration and seemed like plenty of torque. Some people said the 4 banger is slower than the 3.0, i'd have to disagree but I wanted to share my experience.

I second that statement :approve: The 2.3's are a decent engine for a light truck.

Id take it over a 3.slow anyday :) :)

your all slow.

mine to... :dunce:

Damn Ford... :shrug:

You are old, Some people here were still in diapers when you ride was made.

:wink:

i dont know if i'd go as far as to say that the 2.3l isnt any slower than the 3.0. I owned the 2.3l before my current 3.0, and WITHOUT A DOUBT the 2.3l was slower.

wow my engine suck so bad I think an 18 wheeler could beet me of the line. seriously in traffic goin up hill this engine sux. what the diff. between a reg. 2.3L and the "Duratech" 2.3L???

Im 20..

And if your talking about my car, it has power locks! And runs better than some of the horror stories i hear about on here :shrug:

:smirk:

ANYTHING is fast compared to your old truck, Sally.

Its funny cause its true. :smirk:

i dunno, ive driven both and the 3.0 has much better response...

:lol: :lol: :lol: seriously though if the 2.3 came in the edge i might have gotten one

There is not much difference in HP or torque between 3.0 and 2.3

It's not much, but the 3.0 has a better take-off due to the extra torque. Of course, if the 3.0 has tuning issues (which some do) then it loses that advantage.
The 2.3 is an all aluminium dohc, so it will rev like crazy once it gets going. Around 3K it really comes alive, and pulls very strong up to redline. I still bounce off the rev limiter, because it of the "jump" at 3,000 rpm.

I like my 2.5....but have never driven a 2.3......If it is Manual it helps a whole lot too.....

not really mine a manual...goin up hills sux ill get to the top goin bout 35

One day leo, one day......ill be faster than you!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA you watch!

jon your 3.0 wasnt a bad apple it was a rotten one....I think a Geo in reverse was faster than your old truck, but you have left those days behind ;)

Comparison 2.3L - 2.5L ?
 

Does anyone have experience with both the older 2.5 L and the newer 2.3 L engines and if so, any notable differences? I have a 2001 2.5 I-4, the last time the 2.5Ltr was installed.

i have a 99 with the 2.5lima and a 01 with the 2.3duratec

the old lima engines are DOGS compared to the newer Duratecs

and with the right setup (usually my case since mines lowered, and smaller rims, and the 3.0 has some 31s or so) the duratec will take the 3.0

Oh well....ive never had any pullin trouble from my truck.... :shrug:

Is the lima the one with the 8 spark plug wires.....? :shrug:

my 2.3L is fine i can run the freeway with the a/c even on and pass people no problem...we call them gears i just drop to 4th from 5th thats all

Yup

Well i have driven both the 3.0 and the 2.5 and i like my 2.5 better.I dont know why cuz i know its a dog compared to duratechs and all but i like it.It wasnt really fair to judge the 3.0 i drove though cuz it was 4x4.