Questions about powering up a 2.5 liter
 

It's in my 2000 model ranger...I've never owned anything w/ less than 5 liters....and well...this thing is such a dog its not even funny...I have to be careful getting on the interstate...so far it's completely stock. What all can be done veeeery cheaply to pep it up a little bit. I plan on a gear change sometime in the near future. I really don't want to spend 100 or more on a CAI....Only for sure thing I'm gonna do is take the cat off of it next week....if the check engine light comes on b/c of that how do I need to correct it? Any other good ideas?

I don't think removing the cat will perk it up any. You would lose the torque from less back pressure and the computer will see a lean condition. However if the unit has over 50,000 miles on it you can swap the cat(s) for a higher flow unit and leave off the muffler. Won't mess up the computer, will lose a little back pressure, flows better on the top end and changes the tone of the exhuast.

Just check out the mods in my signature. I can now beat 5.0L F-150's. It will never be amazing power, but it's much better than stock.