I have a 2000 2.5L 2wd ranger. I have been trying to find info on what mods are available. I understand the 2.5 is a 2.3 stroked, but are the cams exactly alike? I am also thinking of trying to tackle the turbo install. Some people are saying you cant do it b/c of the cast pistons. One told me that you can get away with it by calibrating the boost under 10psi and no extreme racing. Is this true? If the cams are alike, does anybody know where you can purchase a performance cam for the ranger? Any input will be greatly appreciated.........Thanks!

 

Your biggest bang for your buck... IMHO is to install a cat-back exhaust (Gibson, Dynomax) and a cold air intake (MAC Performance, SSD, K&N).
If smog laws let you change cams, or install an adjustable cam gear (Racer Walsh), those may yield a noticable improvement...BUT that improvement has to be better if you have enhanced the breathing first (intake and exhaust).
There is a limit to the benefits from a cam without porting and polishing the head and improving on the intake manifold itself.
When you need a new catalytic converter be sure to install a HI FLOW one....there's gonna be some improvement, here too....most ikely realized with a more open exhaust.
Cap off the above with a computer chip and you should have more power than stock with bolt-ons.
After all...you have a 4 cylinder engine...after all, in the final analysis the only substitute for cubic inches is LOT OF MONEY.
The above types of bolt-ons are relatively easy, inexpensive and not difficult to do. And you should still realize the 4 cylinder economy, provided you can keep your foot out of it !

-Cajun