 |  | | ROADTESTS | SAC Ford Ranger Montana Supercab 4X2 2.5 TD
Tests independently conducted by Mark Jones - Power Motoring Media cc | | - Junior goes big - | | Ford have made their trusty Ranger even more attractive to the market with keen pricing and the addition of a dressed up Montana version. | | Now, master tuners, Steves Auto Clinic, have gone and made it simply irresistible with one of their legendary power upgrades. | | No one can really argue that the Ranger still has good styling and a reliable reputation. | | But where there is no dispute is in the power department. The Ranger is a junior in a class of seniors. | |  | | | Coming in standard at only 80 kW of power and 257 Nm of torque against the likes of the Nissans and Toyotas making over 100 kW and 300 Nm, it is seriously outgunned on the road. | | Before we even get into the magic worked on the Ranger by SAC, lets consider a few facts that you should take into account when choosing a workshop and even more importantly, before you part with your money. | | As many claim to be able to help you, but when it comes to producing reliable results, you are often left feeling disappointed and somewhat poorer too. | | Steves Auto Clinic have been in business for over 20 years now, so you know that they have a wealth of experience behind them. | | You then have the convenience of there being branches situated countrywide. | | Add to this the fact that all these branches employ the best staff the industry has to offer, using the latest state of the art equipment; you know your vehicle is in good hands. | | If you still have some doubt, then consider this. | | They are the only performance workshop in the country that buys and develops their own cars and maintains a strategic test fleet for you the customer to sample. | | No ‘trial and error’ on a customer’s car here, and it is this confidence that allows them to offer a host of ‘No Worry Warranty’ options on all the work they do for total peace of mind motoring. | | Enough of the talk, lets get to what makes Junior go big. | | Well first up, SAC offer you three stages of upgrade, so there is something to suit any budget. | | Stage 1 consists of carefully calibrating the diesel pump to match the boost and timing requirements and adding a freeflow exhaust. | | This sees an increase from 80 kW to about 89 kW and 257 Nm to 270 Nm for only R1 950 (all prices are incl. of VAT). | | Should you want more than what Stage 1 offers, Stage 2 involves the fitting of a larger, more efficient intercooler to go with the calibrated pump and freeflow exhaust. | | Power now jumps to 100 kW and the torque goes up to a healthy 300 Nm. | | This complete option comes in at R7 500, although if you act quickly, it is currently on promotion at SAC Diesel in Centurion and Boksburg for R6 200. | | Finally, should you really want to become a bully, then Stage 3 is the way to go. | | Added to Stage 2 you now get a turbo upgrade thrown into the mix and this sees Junior now pumping out 110 kW and 320 Nm of tar churning torque. | | Should your Ranger’s existing turbo be in great condition then this complete package will cost you only R9 900. | | If this is not the case, then SAC have a solution that costs a fraction of the dealer price, they can recondition your worn out unit and this package still comes in at a competitive R14 000. | | So you have seen the power figures, but how does this translate onto the real world of the road? | | Well I can assure you that you won’t need a dyno graph to tell you that your Ranger is now better, you will feel it instantly. | | In outright sprint terms the SAC Ranger destroys the standard 0 - 100 km/h time by more than 3 seconds and continues to grow this advantage the longer the road gets. | | | | | But sprinting is only one small part of everyday driving. Where it gets even better for me is out on the open road in top gear. | | Once in 5th gear, you will very seldom have to gear down in order to make rapid progress around traffic, as the response is instant once again and the extra power and torque now on tap makes short work of overtaking. | | 4 seconds quicker from 120 - 140 km/h in 5th gear is impressive but nowhere as impressive or safer than the fact that this same manoeuvre now takes almost 150 metres less to complete. | | Top speed as always is almost academic with this type of vehicle due mainly to limited gearing and safety issues related to excessive speed. | | The SAC Ranger goes a bit quicker at nearly 158 km/h, with the speedo showing a very unrealistic 175 km/h but again it impresses by getting there in half the distance over standard version. | | And can you believe it; there is an added bonus to the extra pull and responsiveness of the upgrade, the SAC Ranger uses somewhat fuel than it did before. | | This is thanks to the engine efficiency being better now and this translates into the driver not having to use so much accelerator and gearbox to keep the Ranger on the boil. | | All in all, we came away from this test very impressed and can report that this upgrade is available from all SAC branches, all you have to do is visit www.steves.co.za and the friendly staff of your nearest branch will contact you and take care of all your motoring needs. | | And if you want to test drive the SAC Ranger and experience first hand what we have said here, then contact Deon van Wyk, the owner / manager, at SAC Boksburg on 011 823 3676 or 083 702 8059, and be impressed. | | Before & After Tests
- SAC Ford Ranger Montana Supercab 4X2 2.5 TD - | | | Standard | SAC | | 0 - 60 km/h: | 6.64 Secs | 5.28 Secs | | 0 - 80 km/h: | 10.43 Secs | 8.59 Secs | | 0 - 100 km/h: | 16.97 Secs | 13.64 Secs | | 0 - 120 km/h: | 25.20 Secs | 20.97 Secs | | 0 - 140 km/h: | 42.87 Secs | 35.11 Secs | | 1/4 Mile: | 20.14 Secs @ 109.03 km/h | 18.99 Secs @ 115.25 km/h | | 1000m: | 37.45 Secs @ 135.05 km/h | 35.66 Secs @ 140.53 km/h | | 100 - 120 km/h (5th): | 8.14 Secs | 7.33 Secs | | 120 - 140 km/h (5th): | 17.70 Secs | 13.69 Secs | | Top Speed (indicated): | 153.73 km/h (170 km/h) | 157.73 km/h (175 km/h) | | Power: | 80kW / 257 Nm | 110kW / 320 Nm | | Tests independently conducted by Mark Jones of Power Motoring Media cc using Racelogic Vbox Test Equipment. | | | | | Click Here to get an SAC consultant to advise you on your conversion! | | Performance / power conversions, modifications, engine upgrades available for Alfa, Audi, BMW, Chev, Chrysler, Colt, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Opel, Toyota, VolksWagen and more... | | | |
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