I want to increase the power in my 2.9L 1990... I'm considering going to an electric cooling fan, better air cleaner, and maybe a power chip. Does anyone have any experience with these that they can share?

 

First thing you can do is give it a full tune-up....plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Then it all depends on how much you want to spend on it. You can put in a K&N air filter, use 93 octane gas and increase the timing, put headers on it and run duel exhaust with flowmasters or some aftermarket mufflers. Another thing you can do is replace the gears in the rear, and front if you have 4X4.

Regarding the chip....the Mustang guys say that chips aren't worth it on a stock Mustang engine, not sure if that holds true for the Bronco II. But it can't hurt to try it.....just make sure to follow the instructions for the chip.

Hope this helps.

 

Hey guys - I'm new to the forum, but had to drop a note on the 2.9L Power issue.

A Cold Air Induction kit and improved exhaust system would be a huge help, not to mention improve the gas mileage as well (I know we are all looking for a way to get better mileage with the current prices per gallon). I know that the options for breathability are ready available, I think Hedman makes a set of headers for the Bronco II and there are a couple of others that I have run across as well (can't remember all of them off the top of my head though).

Other than that, I don't think they make a "performance" chip for the 2.9L engine, I could be wrong though. Not to mention that a performance chip will usually only give you about 20 HP gains at the most. With your ride being an OBDI classification controller, reprogramming options are limited as well. However, I chip could improve overall drivability. I got the name and number of a guy that does FORD ECM tuning though (e-mail me and I can send it your way, you can always talk to him more about the options on that.

Otherwise I am pretty sure there are Rocker Arm and Camshaft combinations that can be done (gains of about 25 - 40 HP can be seen depending on combinations used). Another internal engine option is higher compression ratio pistons, if you can handle internal engine work.

Hope this at least gives some ideas of potential.

I have 2 Bronco II's right now, my 87 i drive everyday (well usually right now it is on the lift while I am checking the oil pump and low oil pressure problem i am having (any idea? the oil pump itself checked out as far as specs and wear goes) and putting a new timing chain in after 153K - 253K miles (not sure which since I just bought it about 8 months ago). My 88 I got plans for - 3.8L supercharged engine stroked to a 4.6L (see morano V6 racing), Dana manual locker front axle and dana rear axle, and of course tranny upgrades to hold up to the 350 RWHP I am looking to put down. ought to be a good smoke show at 1/4 mile track, especially in 4WD.

 

I am no engineer nor do I have oil flowing in my veins, I am mechanically inclined and I do know the oil gallies placed throughout the motor are inadequately sized. What's more there are no performance oil pumps for the 2.9. I have a book for the 2.9, it is by a well known Ford motor tweaker, I can't remember his name, too early, but it relates to the "Kunz Corner" days. If you remember back that far, he hosted a forum for the ranger and BII. What I'm trying to say is that I will look it up and post the suggestions for increasing oil pressure. Your probably not going to like it though, I had the same issue on my 86 BII, both motors, and until I had one cleaned and bored, decked and honed did I not have any oil pressure issues any further, however I had to rebuild the whole motor...

 

Your talking about Swen Pruett, he has a book on modifying the 2.9.

Pat Kunz moderated the 2.9 board at the long gone fordranger.com.

 

Ok to get more power out of what you have, instead of upgrading to say a 302 or a 351, you could get a K&N filter, or a mendrel bent CAI tube from a 95-99 Dodge Neon and hook up a cone filter as well, they fit perfectly in the B2 engine compartment. There is also chips made by Diablo Sport (see Motohaven, one of our sponsors) and a few more placs make them as well. Headers are made by Hedman, Pacesetter, JBA, and James Duff. If you have an automatic tranny though, only the JBA and Duff will fit, and they're a little more expensive.

20 HP would be a tremendous gain coming out of the 2.9, considering that the 2.9 starts out at 140 HP. And the chip further increases what you already have, you wouldn't want to add a chip without having headers and some other mods as well.

 

considering the b2 comes with 140hp and my 87 has now 210hp i think you can upgrade the 2.9L with a little knowhow and some skills.

 

But.. Monty, You've spent quite a bit of money on your 2.9.. for what you've put into your 2.9, you could get a 5.0 and have it upgraded a bit.

 

my 2.9L is the equal to a 302 in stock power now after all the upgrades without the gas problems

 

No one mentioned the 5.0L Mustang TB swap. I bought a couple for my '90 Ranger 4x4 2.9L, but haven't had the chance to mod them and bolt them on. A custom air intake tube would be better than the 3" radiator hose intake tube from the factory.

 

What TB swap? I haven't heard of this! Tell me more. Ohh and I do have custom air intake.. bwahaha!

 

you take the 63mm tb from a 5.0 stang. and with some pvc or equal you make your intake. come on romer you of all people didn't know about it.

thing is it's not for everyone.

 

Well I've researched plenty and haven't come up on that one. Might have to give it a shot lol.

 

This I would love to see!!
To gain Hp in the 2.9 you need to do a lot of head work.and go with world product heads.Also you need to port and polish the upper and lowet intake to mach the heads.Headers,good flowing exhust.Git a TB off a 86-87 2,9 its a direct bolt on and is 8mm bigger then the one on the 89 2.9.The neon cold air intake is a JOKE.all it does is draw the hot air out of the engine compartment.The stock air box is a true cold air system and with a few mods {larger air tube to box}and a drop in free flowing filter will give the 2.9 enought COLD air In.
I would go with the 91-9, auto,ac radeatorto keep it 2.9 cool and a 190 t-stat.
The book Ken00 was talking about will show you the head work that needs to be done.
By the time you do all this work,spend all the money it will take to do this,you could do the 5.0 swap and have all the HP your BII can handel. JMO

 

The neon CAI isn't a joke, if it's done right. Sure I've seen people do it just to be "cool" but when it's routed right, with some mods, it'll give you gains. But the best thing is just a 5.0 swap.. maybe even a 5.8!