I was flipping through the pages of the September issue of Truckn' magazine and found an article on page 28 titled FORD'S SECRET TRUCK ENGINE. It talks about a DOHC 16 valve 2.3L that Ford has introduced. THey say it is all aluminum and weighs 90 pounds less than the current 2.5L. The ratings given are 135 HP at 5050 rpm and 153 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm . That is 16 more horsepower than the current 2.5L which is rated at 116 at 5000 rpm, and 7 lb-ft more torque(currently 146 lb-ft at 3000 rpm). There is an expected 2.5 mpg improvement in fuel economy. THis sums up most of the article but if you can get ahold of that issue, check it out.
THis would mean with some of the mods we currently do to the current 2.3's and 2.5's, we would already have a 16 HP jump.
Just wanted to let everyone know if they already didn't.

GOOSE

that engine has been put in the rangers for a while already....one question, is it a ZTEC engine? kinda like the 2.0 in the contours?

Really? I didn't know. Dont really keep up with the newer Rangers.
It didnt mention anything about it being a ZTEC.

Yah it was introduced in 2001, kinda cool my friend bought a 2001 mazda and I got to experience the engine first hand. You can feel a pretty good difference between teh old 2.3 and the new.

The new engine is part of the Duratec family. I like mine!

I drove a reg. cab one with a 5 spd. It moved pretty good above 3,000 rpm. It felt like my 98 2.5 below that though. Above that and it was very "spirited". :) I recommend atleast going to test drive one. You will be pleased. I may trade mine in after flight school.

Duratech is a DOHC 2.5 L V6 that is in Cougars and Probes I think.


ZeTech is the new DOHC 4 cylinder engine that are in the Foci and other's I'm sure. the 2.0 ZeTech motor is rated at 130 HP with 135 Ft/lbs of torque. What I kinda' wonder is if all the aftermarket stuff for the 2.0 motor will work with the 2.3... like the Jackson Supercharger and the Turbos and junk. :)

yes, I have pondered on this same subject. I'll look into it. I'll contact jackson Racing. Maybe a performance idea.....:) :) :confused:

No real progress. Of course I pretty much knew that they would not know. However guys on here and on www.Fordranger.com have used a small B&M blower(supercharger) on the 2.3. They reported gains but nothing extraordinarily large. I think the best bet might be for a turbo setup. However, this engine is a whole new animal. Now, if someone had a truck w/ the new 2.3 and kew where a import performance shop was they might have a kit available. Then, if you can kiss enough but they MIGHT let you look at the kit and then you could compare it b/w the engine on the focus and the ranger. anyone else have any ideas? :) This is in no way definitive info..:eek: