Ok so I've got this 1992 Ranger extended cab 4.0 automatic looking good and running good with only two more repairs I need to make and then it should be done with what I want to do to it. I'm working repairing a small front crank seal leak and a driveshaft center support. Everything else is in good shape. It has 105,000 miles on it. It brakes good, steers good now, shifts good, drives good, and is a lot more comfortable than my 98 Ranger. However, I'm not impressed with the power of this 4.0. I know it's not a v8 but it was rated 160hp and 225lbs vs the 119hp and 146lbs ft on my 98 Ranger's 2.5. It does have quicker throttle response than my 98. I was using the BBK 66MM throttle body on this 92 4.0 but it created too many problems and it's now back to stock but for a Dynomax muffler and a Spectre high-flow stock size air filter, which combined with the two probably didn't give it another 1hp or 2. I see chip modules from Jet for this 4.0, Davis Unified Ignition coil packs and 10mm wires, all kinds of headers, and ignition control modules, and numerous cat back exhaust systems. Without comprimising driveability what's the best thing to do to give it some more power? It will still very easily spin the 15x7's and a dry straight stop which I can't hardly do on my 98 which has 14s. I guess I just got spoiled driving my big block Charger, just looking for more power. But I always know like on my 73 Charger that it ran the best when it was brand new stock so that's why I changed this 92 Ranger back to stock. Should I leave everything Ford or try some of these performance enhancements?

 

Yea a 5.0 or a 5.8

 

Obviously. If I was going to put that kinda money down I would just buy a Dakota R/T and be done with it. Ford should've made a production Ranger with a 5.0 it would've been a good match.

 

Chips for trucks this vintage are just snake oil, so are CAI's and aftermarket T-bodies, if you want to spend a few$$ make it breathe better and install one of those sets of headers.
Another problem is the slop-o-matic trans, the 5spd and 4.0 are much better suited to get up and go than the auto.

 

Yeah it's a shame to screw up a nice engine by putting a slugomatic behind it.

My 2.9 is a kick to drive with the 5 speed, but it would be a real dog with an auto trans..

 

Some people are forced to drive automatics due to a disability (like me) and although true an automatic is not going to give the same results as a 5 speed, you can still improve the performance of the engine itself to obtain the performance you want. I agree with the above in that the best thing to do is make it breathe better. Headers and a cat back exhaust would wake up the 4.0. As for a chip, I have no experience with one on the 4.0, but I saw no improvement in my 1990 460 from a Jet chip.

Jim

 

Do a google search on "Sven pruett ford V-6" he wrote a book on how to build the 60 degree V-6 Fords.

 

Probably the biggest hinderance to what you want is the automatic trans. I have a 94 and all I did was install a free flow intake and a pretty much straight thru exhaust. The guy that built the exhaust put a high flow cat in and a magna flo muffler and kept all the bends as gentle as possible. Truck has 300000+ on it and still runs good. just went and had the clutch system, oil pump R&R's and they found what I thought was a rear main leak. Turns out it was valve covers and rear intake.

It has the 3:08 rear end so it is not an off the line screamer and this is where you might look. Maybe, just maybe a gear change would do what you want. OBTW I am running larger tires but it still gets good mileage and performance is good as well. The OHV is a simple workman engine not a high performer as far as I know. So maybe a question on building the trans and a gear change would be more appropriate? I spend more time in 3d gear around town than anything else

Forgot to add, the exhaust was built from the Y connector back, reason for the cat is that we do annual emissions here and had to have one

 

That is one expensive book.

Jim

 

Going with 4:10 or 4:56 gears will improve performance a bunch. Gas mileage is likely to suffer.

 

There is a lot of performance potential in the Ford Cologne 60 deg V-6, the original German Mercury Capri (with parts we weren't allowed to have in the US) could keep up with anything on the autobahn.