[animalguy10]

Okay front frame rails are fixed cars going back together... I have a two merkurs both running cars and access to a TC 88 so i am reading i should be taking the cam computer lifters for my 84 svo..2.3? is the merkur and turbo coupe 88 the same cams..? one better then another..? What about the mafs.. and rear end ? any response is appreciated.. i wish i could post a pic of the repaired frame rails.. 1200 later but it looks stock amazing work if anyone is around toronto ontario i have a this guys number ...

any help is appreciated

[TOM RENZO]

Both of those cams are sliders. Do not use them. Buy a roller cam and you will save your self a lot of problems. The 2.3 turbo motor does not have a MAF it has a VAM. The TC has the biggest VAM if memory serves me. The 88 Tc if a 5 speeder has a 3.55 ratio final drive. And if its a auto it has a 3.73 final drive. All TC have shure grip axles. Remember NEVER USE A SLIDER CAM IN A 2.3. Always use a ROLLER. Good luck on your project. TOM

[animalguy10]

Wow I thought a turbo coupe and merkir all had roller cams. Thanks a bunch

[NavySVO]

The VAF meter for the 87-88 TCs and the SVOs are 3-1/8" inlet and outlet.

The 84 and 85 SVOs had a slider cam from the factory and worked just fine. Most people just don't install them correctly during replacement by leaving the system dry on startup instead of flooding the HLAs with oil via prelubing the engine. This will wipe a slider in about 2k miles or less. But, a roller definately has considerable advantages over the slider.
Also, when starting an engine for the first time for break-in, it is recommended that a mineral oil be used vise a synthetic. After break-in you can then switch.

[TOM RENZO]

Hi kurt . I have been building 2.3 fords since day one. And here is some good advice. NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER use a slider cam in a 2.3. The absence of ZYNC in modern oils will kill the slider faster than you can spit. Years ago even when Zync was in the oil 2.3 cams went south. In 26 years of the 2.3 i have changed a dumpster full of flat slider cams. The reason all modern engines use rollers is because of the zync removal. You can also get better profiles with a roller. Now here is something that will make you think. I use roller arms on all cams even ones that are sliders. I never use sliders on anything

[NavySVO]

that is why there are zinc additives like ZDDP for oil these days.

[animalguy10]

guys this is confusing me I just read some previous posts that say 87 88 turbo coupes and merkur had roller cams .. so are they slider or roller... lol and what is the advantage other then needing zinc does a roller have i imagien maybe the performance is better with a newer TC cam..?

[TOM RENZO]

The 87 & 88 TC engine are sliders from the factory. Kirt you dont have to buy ZDDP. To get zync in your oil. Head down to your nearest suzuki or honda bike shop and buy their 10W30 it is loaded with zync for now. Its only a matter of time before that to will have no zync. I have changed many a slider in a 2.3 from years ago even back then when all oils had ZYNC. It did not matter the 2.3 cams went flat with the zync oil. Whats the big deal if you are changing a cam go with a roller. Less friction and better profiles. The reason ford went to a roller on the 2.3 is because the slider cams went FLAT. Anyone That had a lot of exposure to repairing the 2.3 knows that the slider cams Grind themselves down. Hay if you have a slider and it works great. But i run big cams and big springs and that is a death sentence to a slider. Hope this explains it TOM

[b_chandler]

Even better than Motorycle oil is good ol' Shell Rotella T.

[evintho]

Get a roller. Go to the junkyard. All pre '93 (I believe) Ranger pickups with the 2.3 had the correct roller cam. Grab the cam and roller rockers. Or buy this........................
Ranger roller

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

Whats the big deal if you are changing a cam go with a roller.

I never said NOT to. I just wanted to say that going to a roller was not a REQUIREMENT. You make it sound like like there is no other option than to go with a roller. I know of a person with 200k+ miles on his slider engine. The key is to change the oil often.

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

The reason ford went to a roller on the 2.3 is because the slider cams went FLAT.

No, Ford went to that profile to reduce warrantee repairs.

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

Anyone That had a lot of exposure to repairing the 2.3 knows that the slider cams Grind themselves down.

So I am just a rookie?

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by evintho

Get a roller. Go to the junkyard. All pre '93 (I believe) Ranger pickups with the 2.3 had the correct roller cam. Grab the cam and roller rockers. Or buy this........................
Ranger roller

Those do not have a turbo valve overlap profile. They WILL work, but they are lack-luster for performance.

In the end, go with a Boport 1.5 series cam, followers, and HLA's. Follow his provided instructions to shim the HLAs. It should take about an hour with some beer time included.

[SM90Stanger]

Originally Posted by NavySVO

Those do not have a turbo valve overlap profile. They WILL work, but they are lack-luster for performance.

In the end, go with a Boport 1.5 series cam, followers, and HLA's. Follow his provided instructions to shim the HLAs. It should take about an hour with some beer time included.

Good to know... So I was going to use a roller cam out of a 1991 2.3 in my 88 turbo engine, I am guessing that would not be the best option because it probably doesn't have "turbo valve overlap"?