Hi! I own a 1995 2.3 EFI 4cyl 2wd 8 plug ranger

its slow
its rusy
and its loud

the engine has 300k on it and the trans howls like a wolf. I wanna squash a little dohc scion tc bc this mf wont shut up about how fast his stock mom car is.

some things about my truck:
no rear shocks, broken left leaf spring.
when its “cold” it stutters at like 2k rpm
no power steering
no ac
no fuel gauge sometimes
thermo is broken
bounces like crazy


heres my question. Right now on the to do list is to get tranny fluid, new plugs, new fuel filter, maf sensor cleaner etc.
will that help?
can i take the cover off of the stock air intake and just run it like that as a “cold air intake”?
what can i do to make it go faster than 95?
am i losing gas mileage without a muffler?
It doesnt want to start sometime until i fidget with the fuel relay and then it runs fine (mostly when its hot) is it a bad relay, pump, or connection?

and finally if i got a 85 svo turbo, intake manifold, pinto oil pan, oil supply line, svo pistons, blow off valve, boost gauge, and gaskets across the board, can the crank, block, rods valvetrain and trans take the 200 hp?
Any advice or tips or recommendations on squeezing out power cheap parts and anything else that will help is appreciated

 

The 2.3l Lima SOHC engine was first used in a 1974 Pinto...........................so its 1970's technology, 50 years old
The 2.3l's main feature is that it LASTS, its like the "energizer bunny" just keeps on keeping on

It has a low power to weight ratio, its a very heavy engine, 450lbs, weights as much as a V8, with 1/2 the horse power, lol

They can be built for better power to weight, but its not inexpensive, and, as said, you are starting with 50 year old technology

https://esslingeracing.com/ford-2-va...-engines-parts
These guys wrote the book on 2.3l Lima upgrades

You have a Cold Air Intake, all fuel injected Ranger did, taking the cover off air cleaner makes it a warm air intake, as it will be pulling in air from engine bay, stock system is pulling air from behind the grill, cooler outside air, have a look

Check out Mustang Forums, the smaller Fox Body Mustangs used the 2.3l Limas for many years, and have tried EVERYTHING to get best power
Ranger 2.3ls were bought for best MPG, if owner wanted Power they would have gotten the V6 Rangers

Yes, you can turbo charge these, most say 5psi boost is safe, but you never know, weakest link and all, blows the engine, lol
Mustang 2.3l Lima turbos pushed 175HP

Your 450lbs 2.3l Lima has 112HP
The 250lbs 2.3l Duratec has 143hp(late 1990's Tech)

The 350lbs 2.3l Ecoboost(turbo) Duratec has 350HP(2010's Tech)