Ford's Secret Truck Engine
Truck makers usually have no problem calling attention to themselves. Even if it's a minor revision to a pokey product, we can usually count on getting at least an exhaustive press release and dozens of photos. But when Ford introduced a new 2.3L, DOHC, 16-valve 4.0L as the base engine in the Ranger and Mazda B-series compact pickups, the company said practically nothing. All this is more surprising because the engine itself presents some interesting firsts for Ford and Mazda.
First among firsts is that the new 2.3L is Ford's first all-aluminum truck engine, and it weighs 90 pounds less than the 2.5L SOHC. The all-aluminum construction also indicates that this is an all-new engine and not just yet another rehash of the ancient Pinto 2.3L. It's also Ford's first multi-cam, multivalve four-cylinder truck, though the DOHC, 32-valve 5.4L V-8 in Lincoln Navigator beat it to market as the company's first twin-cammer.
Most of the new 2.3L's engineering is typical contemporary engine design. Each of the four runners in the composite plastic intake manifold has a butterfly valve, and at low engine speeds those valves are partially closed so that air velocities into the engine are increased. As engine speed increases, those valves are held open to provide a larger volume of air. The result of that butterfly trickery, says Ford, is the horsepower and torque are more evenly distributed across the engine's operating rpm range (90 percent of the torque is around for 80 percent of the engine's operating range).
Of course, a new engine wouldn't be worthwhile if it didn't pay off in power production and fuel economy. Compared to the old 2.5L, the 2.3L makes 16 more horsepower (135 at 5,050 rpm versus 116 at 5,000), but just 7 lb-ft more peak torque (153 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm versus 146 at 3,000 rpm). Most importantly, the engine meets the U.S. Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) emissions standards, and, according to Ranger Chief Program Engineer Mark Bill, buyers can expect about a 2.5-mpg improvement in real-world fuel economy.
Truckin'
Nationals to Rock Firebird RacewayAttracting more than 23,000 spectators and participants to last year's event, the 2001 Truckin' Nationals promises to be an even larger spectacle, offering a manufacturers' midway, monster truck rides and competition, a rock garden, and the toughest 4x4 competition ever. The event will be held October 13-14, 2001 at the Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix. New to this year's event is the co-sponsorship of yours truly, McMullen Argus Publishing, home to such great magazine titles as OFF-ROAD and Truckin's SUV. This year's Truckin' Nationals will offer the coolest, fastest, and toughest trucks and 4x4s, as well some bitchin' Harleys and bikini-clad beauties in the crowning of the Miss Truckin' Nationals.
In addition to everything truck related, the Truckin' Nationals will feature the likes of off-road racing legend Ivan Stewart, who will be on hand to hobnob with his fans and sign autographs. Enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to testdrive Toyota trucks, drive go-carts, and witness the first-ever triathalon of truck racing, featuring drag racing, roadcourse racing, and a combination on- and off-road race. Big Foot, Snakebite, and Bounty Hunter monster trucks are booked for the monster truck competition, and the Off-Road Ride and Drive will allow participants to test drive their favorite make and model of vehicle back-to-back. For more information, call Firebird Raceway at (602) 268-0200 or check out the Web site at www.truckinationals.com. Event information is also available at www.Gr8Ride.com, the title sponsor of the event.