Opinions needed on possible Mods 2.3L

Siperdo · #1 09-14-2011, 01:31 PM

Truck: 2003 Ranger 2.3L I4 5spd Manual. Everything is stock except replacement plugs, wires, belts and Clutch, all manufacturer replacements.

I have been doing a lot of research lately on how to improve the MPG in my truck without drastically changing it's abilities. 98% of my driving occurs under no load, just transit and mostly highway at that. I do have a bumper hitch and use the bed to haul brush and logs around on occasion.

The truck currently gets about 22.5 MPG no matter how I drive or what I haul. The truck has no power in 5th gear and even the slightest hill sends me into 4th gear when I drop from 75 down to 60 on the highway. I'm not sure if the truck is having problems or if I just have an underpowered engine with a mismatched transmission, but the truck simply does not have the power to "GO" and I still get low MPGs. I have gathered a few of the less expensive and least drastic modifications and would like your opinions on them:

1. Pulstar Pulse Plugs
2. Air dam for the front end
3. Suspension tweaking to lower the suspension 1-1.5"
4. Replacing Catalytic converter with a resonator, exhaust filter, or straight pipe
5. Smaller rims and tires to lower profile

*In my Dreams* - Turbo to increase power while cruising or on take-off

If you have any other suggestions or questions just let me know. Thanks

killj0y · #2 09-14-2011, 02:05 PM

What is your gearing that makes a huge differance. You can google ranger on ecomodder they went all out lol. But the max average drivers get is 27 to 30. Some claim 33 but who knows? Besides its probably highway lol.

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hifiwest · #3 09-14-2011, 06:59 PM

Yeah turbos and takeoff power don't mesh. A turbocharger will introduce you to the glorious world of lag. You punch it, wait a little, then off you go! There's an intrinsic time lag because a sequence of events involving gases (which are flexible and therefore lethargic) must occur to create real roaring power:

-Throttle opens allowing more air/fuel mixture into the motor.
-The engine spools up creating increased exhaust pressure.
-Said pressure passes through the turbocharger causing the turbine the spool up. (time it takes the turbine to get going depends on weight of the rotor, diameter of the rotor, quality of the turbine etc. etc.)
-The turbine converts the rotational energy derived from the exhaust pressure into clean-air pressure in the intake manifold.
Which increases the density of the fuel/air mixture which makes more power, which sends more exhaust volume through the turbine and so on and so on until you're going full steam.

No matter what you do, you'll lag. Physics prevents the turbo-charged car from popping off the line.

If you want to spend tons of money rapidly breaking your motor, then I suggest a supercharger, it'll give you a bit more edge on takeoff, no lag.

But does anyone make a duratec supercharger?

Siperdo · #4 09-15-2011, 10:27 AM

Yeah, I used "turbo" as a substitute for any kind of airflow varying equipment(Turbo, super, intakes, exhausts) and the like. People seem to favor the use of Turbochargers around where I live so that was a slip. Either way, short of making my truck look like a sperm because of all the aerodynamic mods that are on ecomodder, what do you guys think of the other things I had on my list?

Also, what do you mean by this:
"If you want to spend tons of money rapidly breaking your motor, then I suggest a supercharger, it'll give you a bit more edge on takeoff, no lag."?
I can't see a super breaking an engine like the one in the Ranger. it may be relatively small, but they are built to withstand higher pressures anyways. The weakest parts of my engine are the head gasket and the seals around the intakes just because of age. I would hope that the extra boost wouldn't be sufficient to hurt the engine, but then again, I'm completely new to modding and all that goes with it. Thanks for the head's up though.