juustinp

Got a 89 ford ranger xlt 5 spd 2.3 (w blown head).is there a newer model 2.3 head that would bolt on? From what i hear the design for this head model is crap.If not whats the newest model 2.3 that i can put in there with out changing a lot of stuff? ON the flip side Would a v-6 bolt on to the 5 spd tranny? I know ill have to change wiring,exhaust,radiator,ecm (or brain box or whatever is in there).I really dont want to go back to the older 2.3!!!! Tanks any help would be appreciated. Thank again, Justin

mre_power

i think i heard the 4.0 bolts up to the 2.3 but i am not sure. problem is the 2.3s transmission isnt really up taking the torque of the 4.0 best bet would be to find a rolled truck that still ran and swapped most of the internals over.

go a head and count on replacing the radiator if you get a bigger engine as well as the headers and with most any engine upgrade you need the ecu and wiring from the donor engine.

juustinp

Thanks for the info. Do you know if there is a newer 2.3 that i could just swap out? if i have to do the v-6 swap i would have to do so much extra stuff,I got it broke down to the lower end.And would just as soon put a total rebuild in ;But has the design in newer 2.3,s changed or is the spark plug still super close to the cylinder.