I am goin to buy an 83 Ford ranger and it will be my first Ford. too bad lol, anyways I want it to do between 11's and 12's on the strip. But I dont no what engine to put in. I dont no if i should put a 302 and do some mods on it or just put a 351 in it. I want to do this as cheap as possible and I will be recording everything I do cause Hot Rod will want to get this. I mean the story and pics. Its going to be a low low budget. I want to make a truck go 11's on a low budget. See how much money i have to spend to make it run 11's. If you have any input on this PLEASE PLEASE post back.
thanks again from That One Guy

 

Well if you can fit a 351 in there easily go with it. Most kits I see though are for the 302.

 

I agree with Mustang. The 351W would be the obvious choice for power and torque, but being that it's wider up top I think you'll have problems fitting it in there and getting any sort of exhaust to hook up. Not saying it can't be done. But not without considerable engineering and dollars.

 

Look for the Kaufmann racing products website, they have 302 swap kits and other parts. Concerning a 351W swap: Logically, the 302 is the biggest practical swap to do with the ranger, when you start going bigger on engines( there is a company out there that has351w and 460 swaps for rangers, but requires a rear frame clip to mount 16 inch wide slicks, and they stress, for track only use.....), it almost gets impossible to hook up traction wise, ad the frame is not set up for big cubic inches. For example, your ranger needs to at least have a ranger 8.8 rearend under it, your current rear is a 7.5(the numbers denote ring gear diameter, the 8.8 is large-truck based, whereas the 7.5 is from the fox-body mustang). You can find 8.8's under later 4.0 2wd and 4wd rangers, and if it is out of a 2wd, it should be a direct bolt in. Also, there will be need for traction help(the 4 banger ranger is easy to spin the tires with, can you imagine how much trouble you can get in with a 351?), ask Kaufmann about that. If I were to give a recommendation about what to run, I would go with a late mustang 5.0 engine, stock fuel injection if you can afford the swap, carb if you can't, performer RPM or weiand Stealth intake, road demon 625cfm carb, the headers that come with the kit, electric fuel pump with regulator, a late T-5 5-speed, tranny, or Tremec TR-3550(more durable) 5 speed, centerforce dual friction clutch, 8.8 rear with 3.73 gears, traction bars, and a set of 275/50r 15 BFG drag radial T/A's on 15x8 wheels. That (with the proper driving skills) should get you well into the 12's, add a 150hp nitrous shot, and you will be into the high 11's and needing a roll cage.........The mustang forged piston 5.0 engine can be made to fly low in light trucks, with a good-condition engine, can support upwards of 550 hp on the stock block.