A good friend of mine builds 2.3L motors. He once told me that the head is the first thing holding that motor back. Something about the way they routed the ports in the casting is restrictive to flow. Only so much can be done with these heads as far as enlarging and smoothing the ports I guess, which is why most guys force-feed them with a turbo.

I think the later Rangers had better intake manifolds and throttle bodies (maybe off of a 2.5L), you might check into that.

I know that the stock computer also de-tunes that engine (to help engine last longer). I don't have a clue what's out there in this department, but it might be worth checking into.

I sold my 2.3/5spd for $200 and dropped in a 302/C4. That didn't help save gas though.

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Ryan
-'61 Falcon Futura 2-door, 200ci I-6, 17x8" Bullitt wheels
-'78 F-150 Ranger 2wd, 302ci V8, C4 trans