Best advise for my 2002 ranger edge
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From: Oldsmar FL.
Best advise for my 2002 ranger edge
I'm slowly rebuilding my ranger and I'm looking for advice on the motor and transmission swap I have a 3.0 with an automatic transmission was interested in a V8 swap or 4.0 swap after reading and watching videos what a pain in the butt at this point it seems easier to just keep what I got and have it rebuilt or by rebuilt and swap what are you guys think and what could I do to get more power I seen one statement about a turbo so what is your best advice on getting my old edge over the edge
Welcome to the forum
3.0l Vulcan engine is not a good candidate for boost, turbo or super chargers, its compression ratio is higher than 9.0:1
The 3.0l was designed in 1984/5 as a high RPM engine(so its old tech as well), makes best power(torque) at 3,500rpm, best HP at 5,000rpm, specs here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...nger-3-0l-v-6/
Most engines have best power at 2,500rpm, so if you drive it like "most engines" it will be gutless, same as driving another engine at 1,500rpm all the time
So don't be afraid to get the RPMs up into best power band, 3,500rpm
Unfortunately you have an Automatic so shift points are preset closer to the "most engines" RPM range, but you can put it in 2nd and see where you feel the best power, if you don't have a tach thats OK you should feel the power pickup at around 3,100rpm to 3,900rpm, high RPM
This engine got the nick name "3.slow" because of this higher RPM power band, but its still only 150HP engine
Changing engine size is a lot of work, besides the engine and transmission(have to change trans too) you need a new computer and wiring harness matching the new engine size, then match new harness to the 2002' harness, the truck part, and then the mechanical differences
Best way to "get more power" is to fix what you got, and then sell it
Rangers with the 4.0l SOHC engines(2001-2011) have 207HP, close to 302/5.0l V8 at 215HP
Thats the least expensive and most reliable way to get more power in a Ranger, and the Mazda B4000 2001-2010 can often be found at a cheaper price than Rangers, same vehicle with different body lines and badges
These are opinions
3.0l Vulcan engine is not a good candidate for boost, turbo or super chargers, its compression ratio is higher than 9.0:1
The 3.0l was designed in 1984/5 as a high RPM engine(so its old tech as well), makes best power(torque) at 3,500rpm, best HP at 5,000rpm, specs here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...nger-3-0l-v-6/
Most engines have best power at 2,500rpm, so if you drive it like "most engines" it will be gutless, same as driving another engine at 1,500rpm all the time
So don't be afraid to get the RPMs up into best power band, 3,500rpm
Unfortunately you have an Automatic so shift points are preset closer to the "most engines" RPM range, but you can put it in 2nd and see where you feel the best power, if you don't have a tach thats OK you should feel the power pickup at around 3,100rpm to 3,900rpm, high RPM
This engine got the nick name "3.slow" because of this higher RPM power band, but its still only 150HP engine
Changing engine size is a lot of work, besides the engine and transmission(have to change trans too) you need a new computer and wiring harness matching the new engine size, then match new harness to the 2002' harness, the truck part, and then the mechanical differences
Best way to "get more power" is to fix what you got, and then sell it
Rangers with the 4.0l SOHC engines(2001-2011) have 207HP, close to 302/5.0l V8 at 215HP
Thats the least expensive and most reliable way to get more power in a Ranger, and the Mazda B4000 2001-2010 can often be found at a cheaper price than Rangers, same vehicle with different body lines and badges
These are opinions
Last edited by RonD; Apr 1, 2023 at 03:50 PM.
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