In 2011 Ford stopped making the Ranger because they thought nobody wanted a small truck anymore. Idiots. In 2019 they brought the Ranger back, but it was larger than the Ranger before it. Then they found themselves having to make the Maverick which was the size of the original Ford Ranger because people wanted a smaller truck than the new Ranger. Idiots. But before the Maverick and the Ranger there was the Ford Courier. And yes, you can still find these out there. The new Maverick uses an inline turbocharged 4-cylinder making 250 horsepower. What if you could build a Ford Courier for a fraction of the cost of a new Maverick?
Jon Hagan stuck a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder from a 1980s Mustang SVO into a second-generation Ford Courier, creating a 450-horsepower 4-cylinder Ford sport truck that could outrun those new Mavericks.
Jon upgraded the 2.3 to EFI that’s using a Stinger Performance PiMP management system. He also uses a reluctor wheel conversion kit that drives off the original distributor. This allows the ability to run LS coil-near-plug coils.
The bottom end of the motor is stock with the exception of new piston rings. The factory cylinder heads received a mild port job and a Bo-Port Stage 3 cam kit and valves. Fuel is fed by Bosch 210 injectors. The head is covered with a Kevco Racing valve cover.
The turbo is a VS Racing 61/62 which makes full boost at 4,500 rpm. Jon fabricated the turbo kit with 3-inch aluminum on the intake side and 3-inch stainless steel on the exhaust, using a pre-bent tubing kit. The exhaust dumps into a Flowmaster Flow FX muffler. A KLM radiator and air-to-air intercooler keep everything cool.
The 2.3 has made 415 horsepower at the wheels on 27 PSI of boost with the clutch slipping. Jon thinks it will dyno at 450 horsepower once he gets the clutch sorted out. The transmission is a Top-Loader 4-speed.
The Courier rides on Jegs 17 x 4.5-inch SSR Spike wheels in the front and 15 x 8 SSR Spike wheels in the rear wrapped in 255/60/15 Mickey Thompson ET Street tires.
The Courier’s interior is fairly simple with an 8.50-certified chromoly cage and Kirkey Pro Street Seats.
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