whats up guys i recently purchased my first ls based engine 4.8l for a 1997 ford ranger id like to make a race truck out of and i hope to get input from you all on how to make this little 4.8 a little monster

 

That should be a lot of fun!
You are going to have your hands full, anything can be done with enough time. The engine will either have to come forward with relocated mounts/extra support welded in OR the firewall will need to be cut. You will also have to plan on headers that are flipped or rewelded around the steering shaft, again fairly easy with time and also all the little things that will pop up.

I cant wait to get mine completed, this thing is going to be squirrelly as **** lol.