'90 2.9 performance parts
 

I've got a '90 Ranger, 2.9, 5 speed, manual transfer case, and I need to rebuild basically the entire driveline.

I figured as long as I've got it all torn apart, I might as well do some performance mods to the engine, and a shift kit in the trans.

Anyone have a link where I can buy said performance parts?

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

have you tried summitracing.com?

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

Well, pretty much everything is going to be hard to find and custom. Do you have a goal in mind? Now may be a time to consider a 4.0L or 5.0L swap, more cubes off the bat, and a slew of aftermarket parts available for much lower cost.

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

A friend of mine had a 2.9 Ranger that he put about $600 worth of parts into. Then he got into a high-speed chase with the cops and managed to outrun them.

BTW, I trust this friend. He's always honest about everything.

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

FWIW, I had thousands of dollars in mine. Doubt they gave up because of how fast it was versus safety concerns. Ever done 110mph in one of these trucks? They are less than safe at best at any kind of high speed. There's no magic or special trick, it's 2.9 liters of displacement no matter how you cut it in a truck that's far from being aerodynamic. They're also prone to roll over..

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

slap a 4.0 into it and i've been 120 in mine and scared the shit out of me and i will never go over 80 mph again

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

well ive done over 90 or so in this beast and it was scary as hell... i would just do a 5.0 swap if you want power

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

The problem with a 302 swap is that it's more expensive and more work than I currently know how to handle.

I have the 2.9 driveline, completely intact (albeit in much need of repair). I figured it would be less expensive and easier just to pull as much power out of the 2.9 as I can, throw a shift kit in the trans, rebuild the t-case and rear diff, and clean up the frame/suspension.

I know I can handle a complete tear-down and rebuild of a vehicle. Replacing an entire driveline with something that was never meant to be in a vehicle is a little beyond my mechanical prowess.


Basically, I'm looking for an inexpensive alternative to get my truck highway worthy again, and still have enough power to be able to run above 80 mph. (She's puffin' pretty hard at 75.)

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

going fast is all about how you drive.. it can get to 80 in 4th gear easily for me in my ext cab 2.9l 5 speed 2wd so idk mabye the 4wd is geared diffrently

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

what kind of shift kit do you plan on putting into a 5 speed? I've never seen one.

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

my wheel doesnt even steer straight on my '89 and ive gotten it up to 90...pretty scary but that makes it more fun;)

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

They are right as far as the 4.0 or 5.0 but I see what you mean about the 2.9 as well. My 87 Ranger is in its final stages of being rebuilt. I have tried to upgrade everything I could on the way.

Some of these may not necessarily add power but are stronger, more efficient or just a safer alternative.
I installed a high volume oil pump - part number M-328 (better oiling)
Bigger WIX oil filter for additional 1/2 qt of oil -part number 51773 (better filtration, cooler oil temps)
Radiator from 1994 Explorer with auto transmission (Twice as thick as 2.9 radiator, more cooling)
Clutch, Flywheel, and Starter from 94 explorer with manual transmission (Much more surface area, will hold more torque)
port matched throttle body, intake plenum, intake manifold, and heads (better flow means more air)
180* thermostat and plenum spacers will drop incoming air temp (for each 5* or so you drop the incoming air temp, you increase hp by 1%. So a 200hp engine could gain 5hp by dropping intake temp by 15* from stock 195* to 180* for about 5 bucks)
cold air intake with K&N air filter (Same concept as above)
Flowmaster exhaust and hi flow cat
electric fan (Less drag on engine)
timing set at 12* btdc
cap and rotor with brass terminals

I am currently looking into free floating rockers and see if anyone has already made a set. The only internal mod I havn't found yet.

These are things I have not done that should increase power as well...
19lb injectors
adjustable fuel pressure regulator
headers
performance coil or ignition box
computer chip
5.0 throttle body conversion

The 90' ranger 2.9 throttle body is really small compared to the 86 2.9 throttle body, that's a quick, easy bolt on for a bigger throttle body.

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

There are different cam profiles that will yield more power

And if your A/C doesn't work, remove the belt, it can only help.

from what I here there are higher ratio rockers that can be used and maybe even roller rockers

Another easy way for more torque is to go to lower gears in the rear end. But if you go higher you can get more take off.

If you have 3.73 gears and want more pulling power, go to 4.10 gears.
If you have 4.10 gears and want more miles per gal, go to 3.73 gears. The best way to determine your proper gear ratio is to go by a chart such as this.

Gear Ratio Chart 1
Gear Ratio Chart 2
Gear Ratio Chart 3
Gear Ratio Chart 4

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

I will have to look up the specs in Sven Pruett's book for you. He doesn't offer exactly the specs of the spacers them selves, but the tolerances that they need to be. Camcraft makes them, but you can't find them on their site. They do/did also have 2.9L cams, but I would HIGHLY suggest having one custom ground for your exact application. They do have their original site archived:

Rocker arm spacers:
http://www.camcraftcams.com/archive/...cer-bronco.htm

Roller tip rocker arms:
http://www.camcraftcams.com/archive/...ip-rockers.htm

Flow benched World heads:
http://www.camcraftcams.com/archive/...e/powermax.htm

Don't think you'll need the 19lbs injectors. I ran these on a similar engine that you are building and ended up having to step them down back to 14lbs. They are listed on TRS as a performance upgrade, but they do not work well at all on the speed density/map computer system. I upgraded to a 1990 california emissions computer, which utilizes a mass air flow sensor instead of vacuum. But even then used an IST mass air adjuster to fool the computer.

Re: '90 2.9 performance parts
 

Haha. I agree with many ppl here. Mine has a 4in lift with 31's and I once did 103 with mine. Yea, it was very shacky and scary.