[CamaroKiller01]

I just got my 1989 Mustang Lx with the 2.3L in it. I want to add some power to it but i only have about $300-$400 for performence parts. The car is beautiful and i work at a high end car wash to i detail it every week but it need some power so match. I have no experince with the 2.3 so i want to get some advice from people who know it well. My real question is what my best bet is to add as much power to the little four banger in that price range. Later on im putting the turbo in it but that wont be for a few months. Things like cold air intake, headers, ect because i dont have much knowledge with 4 bangers. So if anyone could help me and recommend some parts to get them wheels spinnin' i would be HIGHTY GREATFUL!!!

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by CamaroKiller01

Later on im putting the turbo in it but that wont be for a few months.

I would save that $300-$400 for when you want to put the turbo on, as you will need to add some stuff for the conversion. The right exhaust manifold for starters. If you buy headers now, you won't be using them months from now with the turbo.

[CamaroKiller01]

well what exhaust manifold will work with the turbo?? Will have to use the stock manifold? The turbo is coming from a scrapt mustang i found they told me i could take what i wanted for $100( believe me the cars not goin anywhere)!! So the turbo is not that big of a deal, i just dont want to do it now. but what will be some of the things i will need to modifie or buy for the convert from stock to turbo??Anyway the turbo aside what else is there i can put else is there now that i can do?

[sleeper_inc]

Get a 2.3 turbo engine. If you can't then read this

Turboing a 1987-1990 2.3 N/A

Ok, many of you have been asking how to turbo a 2.3 N/A without swapping engines. Well I'll tell you how to, but keep in mind that I have not attempted this 'yet' (meaning I will in the future)

So, first you have 2 ways to go.

1) Forged Pistons
2) Cast Pistons

1) You replace your current pistons with forged pistons so you can run more boost and feel safer.

Now, you decide if you want to run your stock computer or a turbo computer.

Turbo Computer
Computer (duh!)
Injectors to go with the computer (#30 or #35)
Vam to go with the computer (small - 2.5" large - 3")
Repin your harness

Stock Computer
Injectors (High impediance (sp?) #24 (max 15 PSI) # what ever, the higher the better)
Valve on your BAP sensor (controls the amount of boost that enters)

Once you have decided on what you want to do, time to get to work and make it run!

Basics for doing all of this
- Remove the engine from the car
- Take the engine apart (head, oil pan, etc)
- Take the pistons out (unbolting the main caps and slowly pushing from below)
- Look for any damage to your cylinder head, cylinder walls, crank shaft, etc
- Install new pistons
- Make oil return (tap a hole in the oil pan above the oil)
- Make an oil supply (tap off the oil line by the pressure sensor/sender)
- Put the engine together
- Put the engine back in the engine bay of the car
- Reconnect everything
- Put all the turbo stuff on
- Repin your harness (only if doing the turbo computer)
- Install the bleeding valve on your BAP sensor (only if using stock computer)
- Install your injectors
- Test fire the engine listening for 'ping'
- Make sure your not running lean and every thing is connected before you put any load or boost on the engine
- Start off with very little timing 2* with spout out and knock sensor connected
- get 91 or higher octane gas
- disconnect the knock sensor and play with your timming untill you hear 'pining' then back it off 2* - 4*

All done. Now be careful with the boost on the stock computer. If your running a turbo computer than its just like a 2.3 turbo engine

2) Same as with the forged pistons, only you want to be running a little rich as not to hurt your cast pistons. They will only take 15 PSI MAX and they wont take it for to long before they start to go down hill

It is recomanded that you don't run to long on the cast pistons as they will melt or explode if you lose your tune or run lean, even for only a second

[74stang2togo]

Thread closed; here's why:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...3-members.html

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...aspirated.html

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...aspirated.html

All of this has been covered thoroughly. Also, this would belong in the tech section.