my 2.3 isnt that slow i can stay side by side with my friends 91 lumina with 3.1, i can actually jump him off the line

 

I had a 2wd w/ a 3.0 v6... that has to be the worst motor ever, it has the power of a 4 cylinder and gas mileage of a v8.. my buddies 2.3 is lifted w/ 33's and my 3.0 had 33's and his truck was faster w/ the same stock gearing.

 

Like 1/2 the prerunners in cali are 4 cylinders (well the not true prerunner ones)

 

Nothing wrong with a 2.3 I had my old truck for 4+ years and spent crap loads on it, painted it myself, full stereo, and crap loads more, and I sure as hell don't regreat it.

As for tires I ran 255/75's in the back, with a 3.55 gear. Never really noticed an mpg change but a little slower off the line. A regear would take care of that, and it is possible to do yourself if your a dyi'er.

Leveling the truck and tires would make it look good, but it comes down to whatever you like. Whatever makes you enjoy the ride. Just don't forget there are other options out there if there just isn't enough power for you. imo it's not worth dumpin alot of money into exhaust, intake, ect in order to get a marginal at best increase in performance. That motor just wasn't meant for it. I know I eventually got to the point where power was a big enough issue, and size, so now I drive a V8 ranger, not for everyone, but there are options.

 

You need to find out the overall diameter of the tires that you have on it now. Anything taller will be like putting a taller gear in, i.e. affect get up and go but good for highway, less engine rpms for same wheel rpms and vice versa for anything shorter.

 

hey man i gotta 2001 2.3L 5speed with a 5.5" lift, sittn on 32's and ive never had anything go rong with her. Its plenty of fun to drive and take off road. if you got the money go for it!

 

First of all, your truck probably has a baffle in the air intake that restricts air flow. It will be in a plastic housing between two sections of the air intake. It can be knocked out of the plastic housing, or replaced with a section of pipe. That will help you out some with power.

You might want to look into a Dynomax cat back exhaust system. They are reasonably priced (around $200), well made, and sound nice even with a four cylinder. You will see slight power and fuel economy gains (at least I did).

There are a number of other performance modifications out there too. Jet makes a chip for your truck, and you can get a K&N or Ford Racing air filter (made by K&N I believe).

Odds are, you already have 4.10 gears, but if not, you might want to look into a set. There will be a tag on the differential cover which will tell you what gear ratio you have.

Really, with a Lima engine, your only limit is how much money you have. These engines are used in dirt track racing, sand rails, etc... You can go as wild as you want with one if you have the cash.

Don't be afraid to get the most out of the engine when driving it either. These engines don't make peak HP until 5000 RPM stock. They like higher RPM. If you shift before 3000 RPM, your truck will feel slow no matter what you do to it.

 

well heres my 4 banger.....it doesnt have any power left in her....before long i will be pulling the 2.3 and rebuilding from bottom up...the owners that had her previously sunk her in the mud everyday and ruined her...so i bought mine for a good price and now i'm rebuilding her bit by bit...but i have some nice mods so far...new Euro headlights, clear corners, new 2007 Ranger tail lights..(Thanks 07Ranger). I would like to also get bigger tires and new whels put on her....wouldnt mins some Pro-Comp equipment on her.....also looking to get dual exaust soon. but heres the truck so far....and i'm only getting 16mpg with her...thats why i say its almost time for rebuild.....my truck loves to see the gas station as much as the 351 V8 rolling on 32's..lol.

 

Well I love my 2.3 It is an awsome car!! I get 32mpg and that is awsome I put exhaust and a cold air intake on it, and she moves!! Roasts em 2nd gear even! I lowered it 4 in too, and she takes turns like no tomorrow!! Race ready suspension and to tell you the truth there is a ton of things you can do with a 2.3 engine wise. New rods and pistons (forged) and a port job will really open her up!! Maybe even throw a svo turbo in it.

 

If I wanted a race car, I'd buy a race car. I wanted good mileage. The 2.3-4 banger is good enough to haul me around in. Gas mileage, that's what's important to me. I don't need speed or power.

I had a Chevy Silverado a few years back and 13/20 miles per gallon was all I could get. 17.5/31 with the Ranger sounds good to me.

 

dude i feel ya. im in colege so i dont have alot of money but my new brother in law works at discount tire so i got tires and rims pretty cheap. i also put a k&n filter on and put spring spacers in between the front springs to level it out that was cheap, like 12 dollars at the napa in town. i nbought mine for 800 dollars from a guy at college, all togather i got about 1900 dollars into it. o ya forgot i cut the exaust off all i have is one glass pack for a muffler and two chrome tips, not great but theres not one head i havent turned. and i still get about 28 mpg, not bad... if you dont have alot of money take it from the expert just make the outside look good and worry about the rest later if you really want to go fast just buy a mustang, for real.

 

hey if your the guy im thinking of you know someone i went to college with, he just broke up with his girlfreind and hes out of colleg right right now we called him j dog you know him right.

 

only 72K miles on a 94?!?! goodness... thats a nice 94... my 93 2.3L had 125K when I got it drove it till 145K and sold it, and kinda glad i sold it when I did...

 

he's right, those things can take a beating and last for ever... unlike some of the other ranger engines...

 

i would watch it with the leveling coilsl i put one on my 91 and it ruined the tires!!! i would get a full lift kit for TIB and go with that. if you get the leveling coils you will need a Beam drop bracked to correct the camber. the kit is a cheaper way to do it. you will spend the same amount om money on the kit as you would with doing the front components seperately

 

flip the rear shackle for a safe way to level it (will bring down the rear)

 

man I got a 91 ranger I got it for $100, and all I it needed was a new clutch, and to tell you the truth I got 6 cars and my ranger is the best! it is no looker (RUST!! but I am working on that!) but I love it, I just got new shocks for the rear and that added about 2-3 inches on it! I put gauge over lays on it (got them off e-bay for $5) did the 60/40 Bench Seats to 40/40 Bucket Seats, and i changed out the stock steering wheel out with a 87 Mazda steering wheel, it is sweet!(pics coming soon!) i also made a custom exhaust, I got a SVT contour resonator right after my cat with a 90 after the resonator, it sounds GREAT! you know I would not want any other truck because the 2.3L with the 5 speed, rocks! I can do a good burn out and still chirp my wheels in 2nd and I get good MPG! My next mod is bigger tires, and a leveling coils for the front.

 

been a while since i came on here. i had a 2001 2.5 with a 5 speed (murdered by a buick). i had 5 inches of lift with 32's and the only time i was wanting for power was going up hills. i had to down shift out of od, sometimes into third depending on the grade and length of the hill. i loved that truck and would give anything to have it back. like every one has been saying, the power is good for what it is. a fuel efficient 4cyl engine in a truck. i got around 20 in mine. oh the only thing i did to the motor was removed the baffle and put in a k&n filter.

 

with that low of miles you can do anything you want. i wish i had a 4 cyl rather then my 4.0, 13-15 mpg sucks