2.9l Ford Suggestions?

[Fordboy77']

Does anyone know much about what kind of power can be seen out of these motors? i have head headers and camshafts and such do not add much gain because they use a MAP rather than MAF, Is this true? Would it be worth switching to a MAF system? I have no experience with these other than driving around my girlfriends bronco II. any help is greatly appreciated.

[bronc_17113]

302 swap

[Fordboy77']

302 swap

i have really considered it, i have debated back and forth between a 302 and 4.0l out of an explorer so i could upgrade he axles while i was at it. Then the cost factor comes in. I am still looking into a motor swap. But i have also been doing some reading on the 2.9L, an i found a write up on a MAF conversion, and i have heard some people who were really happy with just doing some porting on the intakes, and throwing world heads on there ported and polished. which is still cheaper than a 302 swap, and its my GF's rig and she does not have much funding to work with. I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions or personal experiences with there 2.9L's

[84broncoII]

From personal expierence the cheepest upgrade is to the bigger intake found on some 2.9's it can be identified easily with a tenis ball most of them a tenis ball wont fit the bigger one a tenis ball will fit through the opening .another thing that i think really wakes up the broncoII is a 411 gears either that or get the smallest tires 14"rims but I thing small tires look funny LOL most BII's I found have 373 gears and an overdrive trany with 373 you naver even get to use overdrive with even 215/75x15's I think stock tire size on these was 205/75x15 but they look funny

[Fordboy77']

From personal expierence the cheepest upgrade is to the bigger intake found on some 2.9's it can be identified easily with a tenis ball most of them a tenis ball wont fit the bigger one a tenis ball will fit through the opening .another thing that i think really wakes up the broncoII is a 411 gears either that or get the smallest tires 14"rims but I thing small tires look funny LOL most BII's I found have 373 gears and an overdrive trany with 373 you naver even get to use overdrive with even 215/75x15's I think stock tire size on these was 205/75x15 but they look funny

4.11 have been a thought, hers is lifted for 33's but is currently sitting on 31's now that looks funny!!! but i might start looking into a cheap early explorer with the 4.0l. I bleieve those all have 31 spline 8.8s? and the better dana 35, instead of the dana 28? which are also good upgrades from what i have read and easily installed. Do you know much about those conversions?

[shawns 64 F100]

Gearing will definitely help the best. I dont see how a pair of WORLD cylinder heads could be cheaper than a 302 or 4.0l engine swap. :dontknow: Them heads are big bucks.

[PaleBlue90]

it doesnt make more power but adding a 4.0 rad keeps the 2.9 cooler and makes them happeyer, i got one for 20$ if ya want it :D

[Fordboy77']

Gearing will definitely help the best. I dont see how a pair of WORLD cylinder heads could be cheaper than a 302 or 4.0l engine swap. :dontknow: Them heads are big bucks.

its cheaper to rebuild the 2.9, the world heads are cheaper because i already have set on a different 2.9. I won't put a used motor in a vehicle unless i personally go through it and make sure everything is sound. just the way i was raised.

[bronc_17113]

the way u were raised? you grew up in a engine shop?

[Fordboy77']

the way u were raised? you grew up in a engine shop?

I was raised into a family of mechanics in a way. One of my grandpa is a machinist, the other grandpa is a chef maintenance mechanic for united airlines. Any my dad was a millwright. I am also a millwright. I build install and maintain industrial machines. Such as all the equipment used by coors and budwiser to brew there beer. I also work on Steam,Gas,Hydro And wind turbines. All types of conveyor, bridge cranes, coal crushers, and pumps. The robotics used to build cars. Pretty much all industrial machines. If you have watched the show how its made is, i build the machines shown in the factories there. My grandpa machines his own motors on the side, and drives a 400horse 69 blazer. Pretty much all i know about mechanics and cars i have learned from my grandpa's and dad. And they always taught me if you take it out of the vehicle and have any intent of putting it back in to rebuild it, or inspect at the bare minimum. I strive to fallow there instructions and foot prints because all of there stuff last forever and still looks great today after many years. That how i also wish to be

[Hypoid]

I am also a millwright. I build install and maintain industrial machines. Such as all the equipment used by coors and budwiser to brew there beer.
That explains how you can afford so many trucks. :)

So what is Coors putting on top of the malt house?

BTW, I work in the east rail-yard at Coors.

[shawns 64 F100]

its cheaper to rebuild the 2.9, the world heads are cheaper because i already have set on a different 2.9. I won't put a used motor in a vehicle unless i personally go through it and make sure everything is sound. just the way i was raised.

Well already having the heads is a good thing :thumbsup:, but if you were to go buy a fresh 302 even it would still be cheaper than buying them heads for the 2.9l and building an engine thats even worth having them heads bolted to. Not only that the 302 would already have more power it takes to get from a 2.9l with a shitload of dough piled up into it. just my :twocents:

oh and being raised this way is a good thing. I know how that is dealing with machinists and others who are VERY particular how they do things. A very unique quality in a person some will call it (being picky)

[bronc_17113]

Lol was just a joke

[crawlin91]

4.11 have been a thought, hers is lifted for 33's but is currently sitting on 31's now that looks funny!!! but i might start looking into a cheap early explorer with the 4.0l. I bleieve those all have 31 spline 8.8s? and the better dana 35, instead of the dana 28? which are also good upgrades from what i have read and easily installed. Do you know much about those conversions?


yes all 91-94 explorers have 31 spline 8.8 with 10" drums and dana 35's. The front bolts right up, idk about the driveshaft. Then just flip the spring perches and shock mounts on the 8.8 and your set. 95 and newer explorers will have disc 8.8's

gearing will help but in my opinion 2.9s arent worth the trouble. If youve got the skills to do an engine swap you could find a cheap donor explorer pretty easy. although a 302 would be cool.

[rwmorrisonjr]

Do the 4.0 swap, it'll plug right in to the 2.9 harnesses and away you go.

[Fordboy77']

That explains how you can afford so many trucks. :)

So what is Coors putting on top of the malt house?

BTW, I work in the east rail-yard at Coors.

Well right now i am actually working on the keg line. But from july to October i was working on the new malt cleaning system for malt houses 123. And i believe that new construction on top malt house 4 is for the kilm ten expansion. I will hopefully be on the mechanic install on that end of things. Haha yeah from working insane overtime on the installs at coors lately and stilll living with my folks, helps to afford so many trucks :thumbsup:

[Fordboy77']

Do the 4.0 swap, it'll plug right in to the 2.9 harnesses and away you go.

This sounds like what i will be doing

[RayLCC]

Remove the radiator cap and hold it up in the air. Have a couple buddies push the Bronco II out of the way and while still holding the radiator cap up, have them push a v8 Explorer with its hood up and its radiator cap removed into the spot where the Bronco II was. Reinstall the radiator cap on the Explorer.

Viola!!!
You now have the v8 swap, the front and rear diff swap, the brake swap and all the other upgrades done for you, right from the factory. :thumbsup: lol!

Seriously, I think the 4.0 swap would work best. If you can't buy a whole donor car there is always pull n save and western auto. Theres usually plenty of RBV's to pick parts off of.

[Fordboy77']

[QUOTE=RayLCC;77768]Remove the radiator cap and hold it up in the air. Have a couple buddies push the Bronco II out of the way and while still holding the radiator cap up, have them push a v8 Explorer with its hood up and its radiator cap removed into the spot where the Bronco II was. Reinstall the radiator cap on the Explorer.

Viola!!!
You now have the v8 swap, the front and rear diff swap, the brake swap and all the other upgrades done for you, right from the factory. :thumbsup: lol!

Seriously, I think the 4.0 swap would work best. If you can't buy a whole donor car there is always pull n save and western auto. Theres usually plenty of RBV's to pick parts off of.[/QUOT

Wenesday night i picked up a 1993 running explorer donor for less then a pull and save would charge for the motor alone. still going to rebuild everything

[BLOODBANE]

In all honest what everyone is telling you about a swap is correct. The 2.9 was(nor ever will be) a HP monster. There is a book out on the 2.2/2.9 blocks, but there is quite a bit of machining involved(almost to the point of balancing/blueprinting). After that you would still be lucky to pull the numbers you would out of a 302/5.0. I did my original 302 swap for around 1500(800 was for a t-case adapter). It can be done on the cheap and still done correctly. The 4.0 swap works nicely as well, but like you said, buy a wrecked Explorer and take everything. Good luck on your quest, and if you do swap(or even if you dont,) take lots of pics......

[Fordboy77']

In all honest what everyone is telling you about a swap is correct. The 2.9 was(nor ever will be) a HP monster. There is a book out on the 2.2/2.9 blocks, but there is quite a bit of machining involved(almost to the point of balancing/blueprinting). After that you would still be lucky to pull the numbers you would out of a 302/5.0. I did my original 302 swap for around 1500(800 was for a t-case adapter). It can be done on the cheap and still done correctly. The 4.0 swap works nicely as well, but like you said, buy a wrecked Explorer and take everything. Good luck on your quest, and if you do swap(or even if you dont,) take lots of pics......

I picked up an explorer last week. Looking to begin the swap this weekend. Yeah i am gonna take lots of pics because its easier to remember that way!

[Mad_Scientist]

I have done the 4.0 swap as well as the axles out of the Explorer. Everything went into my wifes Ranger just fine. After all the 4.0 is only a re-worked 2.9. My driveshaft bolted right up. I am a fan of the 2.9 as well so some will say I'm crazy. The Explorer axles were the best thing I did to that truck so far. Full size axles will be the next step though.

[Fordboy77']

I have done the 4.0 swap as well as the axles out of the Explorer. Everything went into my wifes Ranger just fine. After all the 4.0 is only a re-worked 2.9. My driveshaft bolted right up. I am a fan of the 2.9 as well so some will say I'm crazy. The Explorer axles were the best thing I did to that truck so far. Full size axles will be the next step though.

What gen was the ranger you put the 4.0 in? and what kinda of issues with wiring did you have? i am not the greatest when it comes to wiring side of things

[bronc_17113]

yo9u getting rid of the tranny that is behind the 2.9 now?

[Fordboy77']

yo9u getting rid of the tranny that is behind the 2.9 now?

I am unsure. i know i have upgrade it to take the 4.0l power so i am pricing out weather it is cheaper to upgrade or buy a new one. It is an a4ld

[bronc_17113]

If u r getting rid ofit shoot me a pm with the price and I will prolly buy it off of you I need one

[Mad_Scientist]

the Ranger is an 88 supper cab with the motor comming out of the 92 Explorer. Get as much of the wiring that you can off the doner vehicle to make it easier. You will also need the computer as you will be converting to a MAF system at the same time. If you can get it I would recomend All Data for the wiring schematics. I'm still using the 5 spd from the 2.9. The chalenge is to get all the right clutch components. the A4LD can work with alot of expence. I have heard of a company making adapter plates to install the 700R4 behind the 4.0

[Fordboy77']

the Ranger is an 88 supper cab with the motor comming out of the 92 Explorer. Get as much of the wiring that you can off the doner vehicle to make it easier. You will also need the computer as you will be converting to a MAF system at the same time. If you can get it I would recomend All Data for the wiring schematics. I'm still using the 5 spd from the 2.9. The chalenge is to get all the right clutch components. the A4LD can work with alot of expence. I have heard of a company making adapter plates to install the 700R4 behind the 4.0

Thank you very much for the help! i really appreciate it. I am going from an 92 explorer to an 88 B2. If i run into problems wiring i am probably going to ask for some more info and such. thanks

[JennMenzies]

Hey about that 88 Ranger with the 4.0, thats my baby if you want to take a look at her Ill have more pictures up soon.

[Fordboy77']

Hey about that 88 Ranger with the 4.0, thats my baby if you want to take a look at her Ill have more pictures up soon.

Alright! Sounds Great, Thanks