Need more HP

[Mikey00768]

Ok, I have a 92 explorer 4x4.
I have an automatic,
I have a flowmaster, K&N custom induction and mass air set up.
Richmond 4.10 gears.

I have 123,000 miles, and it just doesn't have any balls, it seems so damn weak.
Would plugs, wires and fuel filter be a good idea?

 

[Jason_25]

With 123K miles alot of things would be a good idea........

But there's no reason to waste money.

Try to be more descriptive about what seems "weak" in the truck. RPM's? Idle prob.? Noises at all? Fuel Mileage?

 

[jimbo74]

its a friggin truck!!!! if you want balls get a Z06 Vette or a Viper GTS-R........ try a chip and an exhuast......

 

[Mikey00768]

actually..

It runs perfect, Starts easy, idles fine, doesn't stall, and runs perfect. But the way it drives, It seems like someone threw a 40 foot trailer full of iron behind it, its just a dog. It accelerates VERY SLOWLY, but the trans is ok (knock on wood) theres no slipping, and it shifts very crisp. What should I do, Maintence wise to get that motor a little more peppy?

 

[Jason_25]

Heh it's kinda hard to say.......

What you may be describing is perfectly normal for a 4600 pound vehicle with 160 HP.

Have you tried hooking a code reader to it and seeing if it threw a code?

 

[Mikey00768]

no

I haven't done that,

Do you think a new fuel filter, plugs and wires would be good? I just bought it and I don't believe they have been yet,
I hear things about the EGR valve, ect.. any tips? if not,
I am pissed enough to buy a 302 and C4 trans, and make this my project. Its pretty sad ford would put such a weak engine in a 4600 lb vehicle. and the way I see it, the 4.0 doesn't seem like the type of Engine I would want to "Build Up"
Im not trying to go fast, I am just trying to Enter a freeway without having to get out and help push my damn truck.

 

[Jason_25]

Ok well if your acceleration is that bad then there is a problem.

Plugs and wires would be a good idea. So would running a couple of bottle of fuel injector cleaner too. Also, clean your MAF. Lastly, you should buy a bottle of AMSOIL power foam and use it to clean the intake of the motor out.

 

[jimbo74]

my X is slow...but it accelerates damn fast enough to get on the freeway.... i have many a time passed up the speedometer reading and made the needle get stuck on drive... which is like 95+ mph

 

[explorer4]

my explorer accelerates fine and i only have a few bolt ons, lol

 

[Mikey00768]

oh

WELL YOUR NOT HELPING..
ANd I think my explorer would be fine with nitrous..
Im selling it, and buying something with a V8

 

[explorer4]

lol and ill still beat your V8

 

[Mikey00768]

well now

Heres the thing, Nitrous would be badass for racing, and some serious Dune Climbs,
HOWEVER... I don't do either of those,
I guess the most frustrating part is the fact that I used to have a SOHC Ranger it was 95 with a 5 speed, and that thing had 4 times the balls of my explorer. So I decided.. why build a V6 when you can own a V8 stock and have more torque and HP, and GET THE SAME MILEAGE..
I know a guy who drove an F-350 Turbo diesel from Mi To Fl He got Better mileage than me, pulling a 36 foot trailer, then I do daily driving.. Thats Sad..

 

[explorer4]

yeah i hear ya, im just a die hard explorer lover,

 

[Ben99]

The 4.0L SOHC wasn't offered in the Ranger until 2001 in the EDGE. Was your Ranger a 4cyl? If so, I used to have a '97 w/ the OHC 4cyl single cab w/ the 5 speed and it was slower than balls. I even had custom intake, plugs, wires, full custom cat-back w/ high flow cat.

 

[james t]

get an X with a 5.0. ive got a few bolt-ons on mine and on a trip to Dallas a few weeks ago i averaged 19.5 and that was 75-78 the whole way including some in-town driving AND with 3:73's. and no, i don't light-foot it either.

 

[mosinman]

sell the truck and get one with a V8. Unless there is something horribly wrong with your 4.0 ohv, nothing you can do to it will probably be satisfactory...or cheap.

 

[Alec]

Ok, time for me to chime in.

Either your X is weak cause it needs new parts, or it's the normal X anemia. I'm guessing with that many miles there are a lot of things that need to be replaced and/or serviced:

plugs/wires
fuel pressure regulator/fuel filter
coolant service
tranny service
fuel injector service
O2 sensors
catalytic converters
clean MAS/TB
and more....

Could definately be caused by a clogged cat though, is there much exhaust flow out the tailpipe at idle?

Ok, if it's not maintenance related, then some more bolt-ons can help. However, they can only go so far before you need to take a big performance step. Good luck!

 

[BetchaCantRide]

A good 'ol compression test and valve adjustment probably wouldn't hurt w/ that many miles on there. Definitely do the cap/rotor/wire/plugs/fuel filter/fuel injector cleaner/check air filter.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by BetchaCantRide
A good 'ol compression test and valve adjustment probably wouldn't hurt w/ that many miles on there. Definitely do the cap/rotor/wire/plugs/fuel filter/fuel injector cleaner/check air filter.

I don't think a valve adjustment is possible on the 4.0 motor.

 

[BetchaCantRide]

Originally posted by Jason_25


I don't think a valve adjustment is possible on the 4.0 motor.

oh? maybe so. I'm not too familiar with the head layout yet, guess I just took for granted. So how is the head layed out (valves, rockers, cams, etc)?