im looking for power gains for my 1998 ranger xlt 4.0
what can i do to get better gains.
what is the best intake, catback , tune, headers,spark plugs,
i really want to know i like to push this thing to the limit(power wise)right now it feels real sluggish and i need a tune up but i want to do replacements and aftermarket. can you guys help....

 

SOHC or OHV? And tell us your mileage, as that may be a large factor. Are you running any sort of lift and/or running larger then stock tires?

 

being a 98, im going to say its an ohv.

 

Ok is it a manual or automatic tranny? Super Chips would have the best tuning capabilities for tuning. 8 mm sparkplug wires Taylor wiring is good for that. E3 spark plugs or Nkg's are ur best bet. STAY AWAY FROM SPLITFIRES they can and have been known to damage engines quite severely. Flowmaster mufflers are good but I use Flowtech's Terminator muffler 6 inches behind cab No tips or nothing myself. Try Underdog performance www.underdogperformance.com for ur headers. Msd Ignition modules are a really good product and they're affordable too. Swicth to 4.10 gear ratios for bottom end performance and u'll be pleased with ur upgrades to say the least.
K&N has alot of air intake systems to choose from. They're the best U can get. Or u can build ur own. Autozone has alot of goodies for building ur own air intake, including "Track Use Only" air filters. For throttle bodies I'd recomend changing from a 65 mm to about an 80 mm + and BBK performance usually would have it. Also shop around a bit because alot of people especially Ebay will just rip U off. There are a few good people on there but most are just plain greedy. If U need a camshaft I would recomend Crane Cams. They're extremely good camshaft company and can regrind or better than that replace ur old worn out cam with A high performance version. Scorpion Performance Rockers (1:7.2 ratios are killer). I agree with WOWmike2001 because ur actual mileage is what determines ur Tune up schedule, usually it is around 125,000 +/- miles.

 

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High mileage also affects what you want to do with the engine.. if its a 98 running 200k+ miles, I woudl suggest looking at a slightly newer vehicle to play with, unless you plan on rebuilding the engine.

If its a low mileage engine, your best bet is to start with a seafoam treatment, clean the insides out, then start tossing on the bolt ons. Bolt ons are the cheapest way to get good useable power out of your vehicle with the downtime being only a few hours average, with the "hardest" bolt-on being an Underdrive Pulley.. and that is only because it can get complicated if you dont have the right tools for the job.


The order of modifications I would personally recommend:

*SIDO Exhaust w/ 2-2.5" tips, or a Single 2.75"
*CAI (Cold Air Intake), the K&N FIPK II is the most popular at the moment
*Underdrive Pulley, the full kit will net a noticeable increase in power
*Ignition Coil and Ignition Cables, 8mm as mentioned above with decent plugs as well
*Headers, JBA has some decent sets ranging from $350-650.. the more expensive ones keep the engine bay cool and allow the CAI to function more efficiently in keeping hot air away.
*And lastly, a Tuner Chip, Underdog Performance has a great tuner available for this.

 

Damn it I forgot about the mileage. But u are indeed right wowmike2001. I should've read the thread a little better than I did. That stuff is real good (Seafoam). Now the underdrive pulley full kit how much does that run? I am need of a new belt and pulley system. I have one pulley that is extremely smooth and has "black Streaks" on it. and it squeals really bad when U start it especially if it hasn't been run in a couple of days. Even worse in cold weather. Yeah Underdog Performance would be a good starting point. as far as headers go, I'd stay away from the really expensive ones especially if U are on a budget especially a tight one. Check with www.underdogperformance.com and go from there. Also visit ur local auto parts store and see what U can find there. I haven't had the time to really look to see which pulley it is. What is ur mileage dude? The exhaust is not too bad. Check out gibson for ur headers, and Look into getting a Delta Flow 50 series Flowmaster. They recomend the Delta Flow 60 series with a 2.00 inch pipe. MSD also has alot of stuff for rangers too.

 

Also what size tires came on that model from the factory? if ur running 31.0X10.50's i would go back to stock size and go to Walmart and get a set of Liberator tires P235/75/R15's. That also could be another factor as well. ur engine may be too old to handle a larger tire size. Those tires I just mentioned are affordable and reliable too. they're All terrains (OWL series). Plus U can reverse them. U can have them mounted with the white lettering on the inside facing ur rotors or have them shown to the public. Sorry WoWmike2001 I forgot how many miles he had on his truck.

 

haha, not a problem at all :-) Alot of people rush righ tot he goodies.. I woudl have LOVED to mod out and trick up the older ranger I've got.. its an '88 in pretty semi-good condition for its age... ticks like a kitten *hah* But sadly, All I plan on doing is cleanign it up with soem seafoam, changing spark plugs a bit, and getting rid of it.. for probably 750 or so.. help fund my new truck

 

$750? right. What size engine does it have? if it has a 4.0 killer. I smell a V8 swap (grinning from ear to ear). 289 will fit perfectly. The 302 would fit but pray U don't have to work on it though. Ur right about the goodies. alot of stuff to choose from. Why in the hell is ford getting rid of these trucks (rangers) i'll never know. The best damn truck for ur money period. not hard to get parts for either especially after a V8 swap. It's like when chevy got rid of the S10's. That was indeed stupid. Ford is also about to make the same mistake. Mine first ranger was a 97 XLT model 2.5 Liter 4 banger. I miss that truck. The Ranger if u ask me is a working man's truck period. Not everyone can afford those fullsize trucks. What else is needed for that 88 model?

 

Ive got an '89 chevy S10 with the digital readout gauge as well with the big V6 in it.. my '88 ranger is a 2.3L 4 banger 5 spd manual.. im pretty sure you coudl swap about anythign you want in there.. it doesnt have AC, power steering, and pretty much no creature comforts.. so engine bay wise.. I can literally dig two hand sin and do anything I need when fixing it up.

It runs perfectly fine, its got 3 good rims and 1 spare tir erim with a set of godo rubber on it... some idiot got aflat before I owned it and left the wheel on the side of the road, went back to get it.. and it had been taken.. grrr..

Already did a full fluid swap on it, I need to charge the battery because my neice put the light son and killed it after a day of me not being home... and well yeah, not much else with it.

 

It will be a while b4 I can do anything, my budgets running low this week. alot of xtra bills and stress to the max. They're trying to kill us at Utility Trailer. But the S10, A 350 will drop right in there with no problems.

 

i have 68,000 miles on it

 

manual transmission

 

Switch to a 9in housing and go with 4.10 gear ratios that will help on the bottom end of the RPM range. Switch to Cold air intake, change to 10W30 synthetic motor oil, and change ur plugs. That should help some. I'll let U know how my exhaust turns out. I have to get a new system and that will be all for now.

 

I will be M.I.A for the next few days so don't be alarmed. I may even leave for a while no reason in paticular just got too much to do around here. I see u guys later.

 

go with a K&N intake with a Gibson Extreme dual exhaust system you won't be disappointed