I have read how many 2.3/2.5 lima owners fail to find an aftermarket header for their trucks and stumbled upon this while scouring ebay for a new/used bed.

Now it is obviously being aimed at folks who own the older mustangs, merks, capris, etc. but in the description is does state that it will fit Rangers equipped with the Lima motor.

Ford 2 3 2300 Race Header Under Chassis NASCAR NHRA MS | eBay

 

I noticed you purchased another members truck recently, I gotta say that's awesome. I've been a lurker on this site for years, a while back someone posted a thread with this website, some of the info in here is awesome, but it is fairly generic. Since you are looking for horsepower gains in your lima check this out. It may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it is helpful.

Ford 2.3L Performance - Route 66 Hot Rod High


Also here are various other threads i've seen around on the lima motor. Keep us updated with your build, and good luck with your axle.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...cylinders.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/43...n-be-done.html

 

Just as a "heads up" about headers.
Stock exhaust systems are generally tuned(yes tuned) for mid RPM range power.
Headers can move this power band lower in the RPM range or higher in the RPM range, they don't add power, just move it to where driver wants it, this is done with the length and size of the pipes.
These lengths and sizes create a low pressure at the exhaust ports/valves, at it's lowest pressure is when you get the most power, which will be a specific RPM, just above and below this specific RPM is the "power band" for this header setup.

"Racing" headers read like the power would be moved to the higher RPM range.
Which is great if that's where you want it, but you do lose power in the lower RPM range, i.e. off the line power.

So check the specs, and don't get surprised, lol.

 

^ Thank you both for the great information.

The little Lima motor intrigues me just because of how reliable it seems to be. I became a huge fan on the motor after all these miles and it still runs just crazy smooth.


Once again, thanks for the link with the great info and also for the explanation of the characteristics of different header systems.

 

Thanks man! There will be some updated progress here probably the end of March. I'm debating making a project thread as I slowly fix the little ranger up. Thanks for the links!