i have a 2.9l 88 ranger with a healthy motor, and it runs excellent, but is very weak. i would like some help with finding a way to increase the hp. i know i could get a throttle body spacer, aftermarket headers/exhaust. if i get aftermarket exhaust, i dont want it too loud as i like to enjoy my music often. i am good at working on cars, but i dont know much about aftermarket parts or ways to increase hp, thanks for the help

Throttle body spacers are waste. The only way to get more powerpower from the 2.9 Is to port the heads and port match the intake and exhaust, but this can get complicated and if done wrong can be very costly. The next option is a 4.0 Or 5.0 Swap.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

Look on the web site "the ranger station" in the technical section there is a long article about how the 2.9 will never be a powerful engine regardless of how much time & money you throw at it.
Having said that I port matched my upper & lower intake & installed a Pace maker header (they are the only ones that make a 2.9 header) it gave me a little more response but not much more power
If power is what you want do a 5.0 swap best bang for your buck

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1988 Ranger STX, custom built flatbed, winch, 33x 10.5 BFG mudders
1974 Suburban (AKA "the sub") lockers front & rear, 383 cu in not even close to stock motor, snowplow 37 x 12.5 HUMMV tires, 4.56 gears
1952 M38 (CJ3) Jeep - my newest project - 289 ford, hardtop, got it with not one wire in it. Hope to have it driving this year

OK, thanks for the help, I guess I'll leave it alone

5.0 swap is better than the 4.0 swap?

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92 STX - Red, Regular Cab, 2.9l Manual, 2" lift with 31" tires

oh yea

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

this is not increaseing hp but if the motor runs as good as you said do a gear swap be the best way to wake that motor up - so for ex if you are running 3.50 gears swap to a 3.75 and it will help

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1988 ford ranger XLT

yes gears .i have a 88 2wd long bed with an automatic and im thinking about changing the gears in it .not sure how low it is now but im going to check.and if you want more power spray it !50shot of nos .lol its not for everyday use but there when you need it

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rather be jugded by 12 than carried by 6

Yeah 5.0 swaps are easy in the 88 not to much complicated wiring and motors are common and cheap in wrecking yards I've seen budget build swaps in those older rangers for under $1K which will probably net you a 100hp increase or better.

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New DD-2009 Mustang GT/CS candy apple red

(For Sale)2003 XLT 5speed swap, Hurst Shifter, STX valance SLP drop coils, thunderbolt hood scoop,Screamin demon coil, Flo-pro super v, 1.8:1 Morana rockers, Roush sway bars, SCT tuned by Fred at Rogue, Taurus E-fan, 15x8 Torque thrust wheels gunmetal on chrome, Led 06 tails and smoked HID projectors, mud flap delete, painted drums/calipers, Rear flip kit.

I would recomend doing a bodylift it will help with the clearance of the heater core bottom of the cab where the bellhousing will sit