Realistic Power goals

[91chevywt]

Working with a 2006 2.3 automatic. The truck is a shortbed regular cab with about 40k miles. The truck also has the 4.10 rear. I'd like to start trying to get more power out of it. I know stock they made 143 hp. I'll be looking at doing a cold air intake and possibly a tune. I'm not sure what to expect, or what even else to do with it to get more power. It seems like for the size the engine is pretty powerful and efficient. Seems like a header or aftermarket intake manifold would be a bit of a waste since the stock stuff looks pretty good.

Keeping the long block stock, what should I be shooting for numbers wise?

[Tumbler]

Port and polish. Gasket match the head. free up the exhaust.

[91chevywt]

wasn't really looking to pull the motor apart. looking to do more bolt on mods than anything else, probably do the tune after it all. Gonna be adding to the whole truck, dont want to dip all my funds into just the engine. If I get to porting i'll be spending way more than I wanted to

[Ponyguy]

About the best you can do without taking the engine apart is to get an engine computer (ECU) tune from Doug at Bamachips.com or (my friend) Justin at VMPTuning.com. They'll write custom tune files for the 2.3 Duratec using the SCT XCal2/3 tuner, which will deliver about the most bang you'll get for your buck.

The ubiquitous "Airbox mod" with a free-flowing filter (like a K&N) will give you all the cool fresh air the engine could possibly use, along with a little more authoritative sound.

Underdrive pulleys have been discussed, but I am not aware of any currently available for the 2.3 Duratec used in the Ranger.

That's about the extent of available power upgrades for the 2.3 Duratec; at one time Draxis (I think) made an exhaust header for the engine, but it's been discontinued... if you can find one lying around in someone's garage, it'll help a little. Frankly, I think I'd see what kind of aftermarket camshafts are available; I know that there are some available, but I'm unfamiliar with their specifications. There has also been some talk of a turbo setup for the engine, based on the system used on the Focus 2.0/2.3 Duratec engine, but it was all just talk... nobody stepped up with some serious money, so the idea sort of died.

Good luck!

[91chevywt]

Thanks, i'll have to do that airbox mod. I already put one of the K&N drop in filters in the truck. The tuner looks like a good start also, definitly have to look into that. The exhaust manifold doesnt look very restrictive on this engine, looks similar to a header so i'll probably leave that alone with the exhaust. Have to look into the underdrive pulleys also or maybe an electric fan swap since this one has the big plastic fan.

[pauly2300]

what's this airbox mod you speak of ?

[Tumbler]

[91chevywt]

Posted by pauly2300

what's this airbox mod you speak of ?

not 100% sure until i have it in my hands. seems like if you take the airbox apart, there is a silencer and lower tube you can remove which will restrict air flow giving a similar effect as a cold air intake. I think its even better if youre using a performance air filter like k&n. I'll have to give it a shot over the weekend

[UST8]

Posted by Tumbler

Port and polish. Gasket match the head.

Okay, call me enginely retarded, but will someone explain these two mods, and the airbox mod please??

[Ponyguy]

Posted by UST8

Okay, call me enginely retarded, but will someone explain these two mods, and the airbox mod please??

The "port and polish," along with "gasket matching," involves dismantling the engine and removing the rough spots, and casting flash, then enlarging the intake and exhaust airways inside the intake manifold, cylinder head, and exhaust manifold; then making the runners of the intake manifold exactly match up with the intake ports of the cylinder head; and making the exhaust ports of the cylinder head precisely match up to the runners of the exhaust manifolds/exhaust headers. This is a big job.

The "airbox modification" involves removing and disassembling the "airbox" assembly which houses the intake air filter, then removing the silencer from the inlet of the airbox, and re-installing the box. This allows a freer flow of cooler air into the engine, delivering a more authoritative sound and perhaps a little more performance. This is a rather quick and easy job.

I hope that answers your questions...

[Tumbler]

Posted by Ponyguy

The "port and polish," along with "gasket matching," involves dismantling the engine and removing the rough spots, and casting flash, then enlarging the intake and exhaust airways inside the intake manifold, cylinder head, and exhaust manifold; then making the runners of the intake manifold exactly match up with the intake ports of the cylinder head; and making the exhaust ports of the cylinder head precisely match up to the runners of the exhaust manifolds/exhaust headers. This is a big job.

The "airbox modification" involves removing and disassembling the "airbox" assembly which houses the intake air filter, then removing the silencer from the inlet of the airbox, and re-installing the box. This allows a freer flow of cooler air into the engine, delivering a more authoritative sound and perhaps a little more performance. This is a rather quick and easy job.

I hope that answers your questions...

1. cheap. cost of correct bits and new gaskets
2. free

[UST8]

Yes, it helped.
Could after you take the silencer off, replace the airbox with a aftermarket air filter?

[Tumbler]

ya

[91chevywt]

I wouldnt exactly call porting and polishing easy and cheap. You could do it at home but what kind of a port job would you have? I wouldn't want some backyard ported head on anything really. It would have to be flow tested, and I would want it ported by someone who does it for a living or at least has the capabilities to flow test.

I would imagine mazda put a lot of effort into port design for these heads hence why i'd like to keep the long block stock. Theres a lot more effort in modern port design than there was 10-15 years ago. It's not an old small block chevy. 143 hp out of 140 or so cubic inches is pretty efficient I would say.

[Tumbler]

I think I have only "professionally" ported about 45ish throttle bodies for the dodge magnum motors...And quite a few heads. Flow tested and all from a buddy of mine. Heads are quite simply the same concept. Im not saying to do it if you have no clue what your doing..

[Aguilar]

HI there I'm brand new to this site.. I'm a member of a similar site called DezertRangers.. Just had a question regarding this engine.. Do you know companies who sell cams for this engine.. this one is the newer DOHC version right? Thanks !!

[Aguilar]

I have already done the air box mod. have an intake installed (custom) and a flowmaster exhaust. I'll be looking into the "port and polish" and the ECU mod. but would like to get a set of cams . just have nt found nothing anywhere!!