The folks over at RGMotorsport have released a tuning package for the Ford Ranger Raptor, handing the South African-built off-road bakkie some extra power and torque.

The Randburg-based tuner says its Stage 1 upgrade for the Ranger Raptor’s 2,0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine improves its peak power from the stock 157 kW to a healthier 180 kW. According to the company, the tweaked engine’s power exceeds the stock value from 2 400 to 4 000 r/min, thanks to the use of a Unichip X with EasyConnect harness.

Peak torque, meanwhile, has been hiked from the standard 500 N.m to 590 N.m, the latter delivered at just 1 500 r/min. RGM claims that at 2 000 r/min, where the stock engine makes its peak twisting force, the tuned version generates 548 N.m.

The firm, which has been working on the kit for the past six months, says the gains are the result of “carefully matched hardware and software solutions” that allow the engine to “breathe far more efficiently”.

The upgrade includes a hand-made intercooler as well as an RGM-Techniflow exhaust system (the catalytic convertor is removed and a 76 mm downpipe fitted), plus a cotton-gauze performance air filter.

Priced at R33 000, the Stage 1 upgrade comes with RGM’s six-month/20 000 km warranty (but, of course, voids Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa's warranty).

Original article from Car