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  #1  
Old 12-17-2009, 12:45 PM
dkrhardy dkrhardy is offline
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Default 1997 gutless wonder

Hello all. I'm new to the forum ... I do know how to use a search .... I have looked through many, many of the threads here also. My concern is probably waaay too basic to have been addressed here.
My '97 is a 4cyl 5spd man with 110K on it. I've had it for a year and I'm happy with it, uhm mostly. It had been (and still is) well maintained and is straight and clean. It is used for "stuff" around the house and as a rainy day driver. So my concern? It is a gutless little thing! I've had the plugs changed, the fuel filter changed, air filter replaced with a K&N cone type, cat removed. I have new plug wires for it but haven't taken the truck to my mech to have 'em put on. I'm hoping wires may help. But, so far none of the above things have helped it when it comes to pulling into traffic! I have owned 4 cyl cars before and they have all had adequate power. My teenage daughter has a 4 cyl with auto trans and it also has great power. Are these 4 cyl Ford engines just weak? Or is there something that you folks can pass on to me?
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  #2  
Old 12-17-2009, 12:53 PM
rdnekgt rdnekgt is offline
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donald its a four cynlider truck with a 110,000 miles on it come off the showroom floor with only a 112 horses on the hood. good truck great on gas and a lot of people love them. but i aint going to break any speed records at least not in stock forum
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  #3  
Old 12-17-2009, 01:12 PM
whippersnapper02 whippersnapper02 is offline
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If anything you lost power with that cone filter since you are sucking up all kinds of hot air. But as mentioned above its 4 banger.
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  #4  
Old 12-17-2009, 01:13 PM
Fx4wannabe01 Fx4wannabe01 is offline
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The 2.3/2.5 Lima series engines are workhorses. But....as said above, the most power put out of one is 119hp(2001 2.5L) and the older smaller ones are even less output. It's a 4cyl. You want power? Invest about $500-1000 into a turbo header and intake and turbo. Those guys are putting down 300hp to the wheels with minimal money and parts out. Or maybe invest in a 4.10 rear axle to help out in the go-fast department.

Something about the 4cyl cars that need mentioning is that they're front wheeldrive, and the trans are geared alot differently than a truck.
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  #5  
Old 12-17-2009, 01:39 PM
DHEM DHEM is offline
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my dad had an 86 ranger 2.3, he had the head cleaned up then got it ported out, then it got some balls. You could try that, you could put a turbo in it, but if you really want power you could throw in a 5.0 cobra.
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  #6  
Old 12-18-2009, 08:21 AM
dkrhardy dkrhardy is offline
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Thanks to all of you. This truck is for errands and to drive when it is raining. If I really want power I saddle up the 'vette. I was just hoping that there was some easy yet little known "something" that folks do to pop it up a bit. Every forum I've been on has resident experts that know their stuff. Sooooo I was hoping maybe this little workhorse had hidden potential. I'll just be thankful that it runs well and does the job that I bought it for. Oh well!
Thanks again to all,
Don
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2009, 01:24 PM
DHEM DHEM is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkrhardy View Post
Thanks to all of you. This truck is for errands and to drive when it is raining. If I really want power I saddle up the 'vette. I was just hoping that there was some easy yet little known "something" that folks do to pop it up a bit. Every forum I've been on has resident experts that know their stuff. Sooooo I was hoping maybe this little workhorse had hidden potential. I'll just be thankful that it runs well and does the job that I bought it for. Oh well!
Thanks again to all,
Don
If it makes you feel better, check out a diesel ranger 0-60, makes yours look fast.
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mauqc_BiN_w[/YT]
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SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers

'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP
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  #8  
Old 12-18-2009, 03:13 PM
dkrhardy dkrhardy is offline
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If it makes you feel better, check out a diesel ranger 0-60, makes yours look fast.

Nooooo thanks! It is all in your perspective, huh? That does make me thankful though. See .... you folks will keep my head on straight!
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2007 Corvette ... silver coupe ... 6 spd manual ... Z06 bi-modal exhaust ... Z06 wheels powder coated black with machined spokes and wheel lip ... K&N
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  #9  
Old 12-18-2009, 08:37 PM
TheStig TheStig is offline
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go to a junkyard.....find a different head and proceed with:
valve job....cam....porting....bigger Throttle body and MAF

then, bolt on......re-tune

you MIGHT see 200hp at the crank

i noticed a HUGE difference in my 1st gen when i had the head re-done and tweaked
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  #10  
Old 12-19-2009, 10:33 AM
dkrhardy dkrhardy is offline
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Thanks, but no thanks. It is a truck that I hope to get a few miles out of. It is not even a daily driver. So I'm not willing to put in the time and effort to do all that. I guess I needed a reality check from some of the members .... it is a 4 cyl truck!
I got a good power "fix" today with the 'Vette so I'm OK for a little while. May need another dose this afternoon .... sun is shining after all!
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1997 Ranger

2008 Veracruz

2007 Corvette ... silver coupe ... 6 spd manual ... Z06 bi-modal exhaust ... Z06 wheels powder coated black with machined spokes and wheel lip ... K&N
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