what all can i do to a 97 ranger to get more horsepower?

Question

4 cyl 5 speed what all can i do orbuy to add power

Answer 1

A '97 Ranger? There is nothing in the world you can do to make that a powerful or fast vehicle. Save your money.

Answer 2

jon p has the right suggestion,429 cobra jet with 4.11 gears

Answer 3

low restriction air filter and intake manifold about 60 hp and about 50 ft lbs of torque

and low restriction exhaust manifold around 15 hp

Answer 4

Drop in a 429 Cobra Jet.

Answer 5

It depends on how much $$$ you got.

Your stock engine is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Pinto_engine#2.3_OHC

If you could find a turbo four from a Thunderbird, Merkur XR4T or Mustang, it should fit; and your stock transmission should be okay. If you decide to go this route, you should try to get the whole donor vehicle so you can grab the other parts you need - like the ECU, brake system, etc.

For example: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/518016327.html

V8 conversion, probably about the same price, maybe a bit more, worse fuel economy.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html

This is the gearbox your truck is supposed to have came with:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_M5OD_transmission

If you want to keep the four cylinder, you could look for a mid 2001 or later Ranger with the Duratec dohc 2.3 which puts out 143 hp, or more than 30 hp more than your stock engine, while providing better fuel economy.

Another thing you can do is change the rear gears. If you have a 7.5" rear, you can get 4.10 gears. You can also put smaller diameter tires on the rear to lower the effective gear ratio; this will improve acceleration at the expense of fuel economy. You will need to have your speedometer recalibrated. For a lowered truck, I would go with 15x7 wheels with 225/50R15 tires.

Lowering your Ranger will improve aerodynamics.

Answer 6

Put a cold air intake...or........what the last guy suggested

Answer 7

Attach more horses to the front bumper and get a whip.