I have a 1994 Ford Ranger 3.0 slow engine in my truck right now, I am thinking about putting a V8 in there probably a 302 out of a mustang. What would have to be done so the 302 will fit in my ranger? also i am looking to race this engine and would like it to push out 600hp with NOS is this possible or should i go with a diff engine? And also how much do you think it would cost to make the engine push that much HP? Thanks in advance

 

Frame mounts, radiator hoses, radiator, a complete engine including accessories if you go efi then you need the entire harness and computer and a lot of patience. Not entirely impossible obviously but very time consuming. YOu may find that 600hp to have a quick ranger is probably shooting too high at that point you will have invested a lot of money into rebuilding the tranny and rearaxle and something will break not to mention the rollcage you will need if you plan on going to the track. Now that the reality of it is out of the way go for it, I enjoy small trucks with v8 power they are a lot of fun. Pretty sure YOu could get into the 12's with 400hp and the right gearing no problem. Engine cost depends on who does what and parts used realistically think $1500+ and that is being conservative with someone else doing the assembly if you want forged internals and something will better or aftermarket heads would definitely run more try at least a $1000 more not counting initial price of purchase of motor. Tranny can run $500-$1000 depending on who does it and what you install not counting original price of the tranny used $50-$200 depending on condition not to mention converter $200+/-, rear end initial price $150+ for a good one You may very well get away with a stock 8.8 unit for a while as they are pretty solid pieces but they will break if you constantly abuse them as any will might look into a heavy duty differential cover it would cost the same as the original rear axle thought $150+ and will help it keep the gears aligned under pressure forgot to mention and eaton or equivalent posi unit $250 +/- oh yeah potentially you may need the drive shaft shortened or modified some work some don't. As a thought shoot for the strongest internals you can afford and use the least amount of nos or boost to get you where you want to go or if you mainly plan to use it on the street try and figure out the best balance between nos and boost that will give you what you want at the track and keep your motor very streetable on the street. These are only suggestions not trying to tell you what to do in any way so please don't take it that way. All costs figured are guessestimates as I don't know who or where you will be getting your parts from who will be doing the machining etc and what hp level you realistically plan to go for. With a little luck you might find a used unit ready to drop in and save yourself a bundle. Good luck and should you go through with it post on here your results I would like to take a look at it. Think 351(393.408) if overdrive isn't a concern think c6(very strong in stock form not too bad to rebuild price wise) if you do want overdrive think e40d(basically a c6 with overdrive and strong in its own right) but expect to pay out the but for the overdrive. Later

 

this seems like it will take alot of time and money for the 302, is it possible to put the 351 engine in the Ranger? would i get more hp out of this engine instead of the 302?

 

It's a really tight squeeze for the 351. The 302 is plenty for a ranger. Go to Yahoo or Google and type in "v8 ranger". There are many sites about this swap. Most swaps are 5.0's out of mustangs, but I have seen one ranger with a 351 Cleveland. That was a drag race only truck though.

 

the 351 would allow for more hp and tq and do the job a little better at that. But considering the weight of the ranger a 302 wouldn't be a bad choice at all. the only difference between putting a 351 in a ranger as opposed to a 302 is in some cases you have to modify the heater core cover. Shoot for the purchase of a 351 but don't kick yourself if you end up with a 302 as it would allow for a very strong ranger. Search search search just like EPNCSU2006 mentioned

 

ok thanks for the help guys i might just get the 302 then and just throw NOS in it.

 

You might be surprised at how a stock 5.0 feels in a ranger. Or, if you are really ambitious, I came across a twin turbo 5.0 when I was looking for v8 swapped rangers.

 

hehe.........a 302 is plenty when you build it right in a ranger
put a little nitrous on it and you can run in the 11's
cause i GOT ONE!!!!!! mwhahahaha
I made my own motor mounts out of 1/4 thick metal and used the stock motor mounts........and butched up a set of long tubes to make 'em fit.......here's my ranger
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/450289
If you have any question just let me know

 

what all did you have to do to make the 302 fit? I know to the mounts but what else? and how much did all this cost you?

 

I went cheap.......REAL cheap.....the headers i used where from summit and cost 79.95$ (summit brand long tubes for an old mustang) had to modify them alot and cut part of my frame, but i added some 1/4 metal and welded it to the frame so it wouldn't lose stregth. I used an AOD.....TIGHT fit I wouldn't suggest it if you don't have a body lift......I banged on alot of stuff to make it fit.....snicker. uhm......I used the explorer front pullies cause they are about an inch and a half shorter than the mustang ones and then used a 5.0 explorer radiator and an electric fan.
basicly I just cut and welded and zip tied everything in there............but when i first got it in there(before i started making it go fast) I spent less than 500$ to get it in there and running