hello doods and doodets im fairly new to car stuff always was big in to physics and computers, i got a 1998 ford ranger auto 4cy and i absolutely love her. i wanna get more into cars and slowly do stuff because i would like to one day be able to drift but ik there is tons of stuff that would need to be done but i dont mind at all . slowly chip at it and learn as i go and recommendations or resources for learning or ideas that i should do. ive done alot of maintenance to her but any ideas for the direction i should go in

 

You have a 2.5l SOHC Lima engine, first used as a 2.3l SOHC in a 1974 Ford Pinto, so nick named "the pinto engine"
The 2.3l was stroked in 1998 to make it a 2.5l, last Lima engine was in 2001 Ranger for 1/2 year, in 2001.5 Ranger got the 2.3l DOHC Duratec 4cyl
It was made in Ford's Lima, Ohio engine plant, so also called "the Lima engine"

Google: 2.3l hot rod

This engine was around for many many years and used in many many Fords including Mustangs, so no end of "things to do" to it, lol

Essinger is probably the best guy for 2.3l SOHC modifications, his website is here: https://esslingeracing.com/