2.3L Crankshaft

[JackalX3]

As some of you already know, I’m in the process of building a wild 2.3L turbo motor. The plan is to throw the book at this thing. I don’t want to spend money frivolously, but I don’t mind spending money where necessary to ensure I reach my goals and preserve (to a certain degree, anyway) reliability.

I’m looking to build ~400whp on boost, then maybe toss some nitrous on for kicks (more for bragging purposes then anything; lets face it, the bottle in the trunk is cool).

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on crankshafts and like everything else I’ve researched for this build, I cannot find a definite answer. I want to use a forged crank if at all possible. I know Cosworth makes a unit, but I don’t feel $3500 is justifiable (hence my frivolous spending comment).

I’ve been told by a number of people not to run the stock Mazda crank as it will not handle the load. A lot of people seem to run cranks out of Ford Rangers. I’ve read on a number of forums (not this one) that this is because the Ford Ranger crankshaft is infact forged (and lighter). I then read another article stating that the Ford Ranger crank is actually cast as well! So… Why bother?

(I know that less rotating mass is definitely desirable and that the Ranger crank does weigh a few pounds less + eliminates the balance shafts; I’m just playing devils advocate).

If anyone has some insight on the matter, please let me know.

Are there any other options out there?

I’d also be interested to know if any other aftermarket suppliers make a unit that is much more reasonable in cost (vs. Cosworth).

[Donutz]

Cosworth and Ranger are the only options I know of. Your best bet is to PM people like Amnizer, Cain, and jhersorin on m3f. Those guys are putting down plenty of power on built motors; they can give you the best answer.

I have read, but have no first hand experience, that the Ranger crank is plenty strong and is capable of holding up to high HP applications. I'll try to source you some posts from M3F from people who have first hand experience.

[dentinger]

to add to what Donutz said, you should probably look around Mazda3forums, as there are a few people over there with high horsepower cars, running aftermarket internals. last time i checked, no one on here is, only a couple boosted mazda3's.

[JackalX3]

Thanks a lot you guys, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

My problem is the majority of my conflicting information comes from various Mazda 3 forums. There's a reason you were always told not to believe everything you read on the internet...
I need some data to support various arguments for and against.

I've called Ford and had a number of mechanic friends call jobbers and scrap yards and nobody can verify if the Ranger crank is forged or cast (or locate one to sell to me, which is a problem in itself).
Ford doesn't carry them (never has carried them as an individual part apparently), which means I'll have to source one from a wrecker. If that's the case, what am I asking for? Can't seem to find a definite answer on that either. Everyone throws around the term 'Ranger crank', but is there a specific generation I should be looking for if this is indeed the way to go?
(I'm already pretty sure I need a unit from ~2001, but I'd like to be 150% sure before I spend any money; I mean c'mon, it shouldn't be this difficult to locate this kind of information)

Apparently a number of engine builders use the 'Ranger' crank in their forged short blocks, but I haven't been able to get a hold of any of them to verify where they are sourcing their parts from. Assuming they assemble a fair number of these motors, I doubt they're locating components from wreckers on a case by case basis... Their volumes would be too high (otherwise they wouldn't be in business).
There needs to be someone out there producing them...

Again, Ford apparently only sells the crank in a complete stock short block, not as an individual component.

[JackalX3]

I guess another question is, is the MazdaSpeed 2.3L crankshaft forged? If so, is it a drop in?

(Think I already know the answer to this though... If this was indeed the case, I'm sure I would have heard a lot more about it...)

[dentinger]

if you can physically look at the crankshaft, you should be able to tell if its forged or cast.

a forged crankshaft should have a "seperation" or "parting" line, where the flashings have been ground off from prodution. this line will run down lengthwise the crankshaft.
cast SHOULD be smooth and uniform all over.

[JackalX3]

Right, because a sand casting doesn't leave a parting line, where as the two halves of the die from the forging process will. The problem is, I have no way to inspect physical components. Before I put the effort in to locate a component, I want to come to a conclusion with regards to what I actually want. Like I said, I don't want to spend money frivolously or spend money and end up with something that won't work. I don't have the luxury of inspecting a buffet of cranks. You did bring up a good point though. If anyone is capable of confirming this, it will be of help.

[dentinger]

according to the Focus Werks website, the ford ranger crankshaft is cast
http://www.fswerks.com/ford_focus_crankshafts.htm

however, the price is a lot cheaper than i would have thought....