I just bought a 1993 ranger it has a 2.3 8 plugs a supension lift and body lift with 31's and it doesn't seem to have much power, so i was wondering if any one can give me so info on mods or what i can do to get as much power as i can out of the 2.3, thanks

 

I doubt you'll be able to get much more power out of a 2.3 than what you already have. My concern is that your running 31s and a lift kit. What rear-end gearing do you have?

 

I am surprised you can get it to move with 31's on it. Stock tires were about 27" on 14" wheels, you have taken the gear ratio way high with that big tire.

 

Any improvement in engine breathing will help some, such as a K&N air filter or cold air intake, and freeing up exhaust restriction. These will make minimal improvements. Ford motorsports sells higher lift and duration camshafts for this engine, and they are not hard to change being overhead. Two drawbacks though: You truck should have a roller cam in it, and the roller cams for this engine are not cheap. The second thing is the extra power will come on at higher RPM's and you will have to change rearend gears to get the benefit from the cam. They also sell a camshaft sprocket with different keyways cut into it so you can advance or retard the cam 2-6 degrees in 2 degree steps. This is well worth the money. Advancing the cam will bring the power band down 400-500 RPM. You may get some better low end power with your existing gears by installing the adjustable cam sprocket on your existing cam to bring the power you have on sooner. It will cut back your upper RPM limit, but I doubt your engine sees much high RPM use. I have installed a Ford Motorsports cam and adjustable sprocket on my Son's Ranger 2.3 a few years ago.

 

I have read some artical where they use some volvo head on the 2.3 bottom end. Anyone got any idea what volvo head they were talking about?

 

Yes, some people are using the B234 dual cam head. Circa 1989-1992? However this is not a bolt it on and go swap and requires modifications that are not in the average persons pervue. There are several of these running though. They have a message board on yahoo dedicated to the conversion.

Oh if you live in a state with smog checks, I would be surprised if you get it passed.

 

To compensate for those tires, you need to put in a lower gear ie. 4:11/4:56. A properly designed header, equal length, 1 5/8" about 34" long primary's, particularily Tri Y would help with low and mid range.

 

Mill the head and use and esslinger adj. cam sprocket
crane and lunati also make great cams for the 2.3