Newb to 2.3 - N/A buildup for Mini Stock Racing

2.3MiniStock · 09-12-2006

Hey all totally new to the site, I have an 85 Hatch that Im building up for Mini Stock racing.

Looking for insight and advice on building up the old 2.3 into a competitive/reliable powerplant.

Rules for my class mandate stock carb (or Holley 5200) stock exhaust and intake manifolds, and no porting/polishing. Past that its wide open for camshaft and compression... 2.3 is max allowable displacement plus a .040" overbore. I dont want to run real wild cam or have a super narrow powerband. I need something thatll pull(and stay together) up to 7.5k rpm redline

Any suggestions/advice are appreciated

dekoy411 · 09-14-2006

I have an 86 hatchback and mine doesnt seem to get much power after 4000 rpm. 7500 rpm seems to be really high i dont think this engine can take that much power. I dont know much about cams and compressoins though.

DirtRacin · 11-12-2006

http://www.4m.net/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=15

**74stang2togo** · 12-02-2006

The 2.3 is definitely capable of pulling to the 7000-7500rpm mark with a good flowing exhaust (2 or 2.25") a healthier cam, and a really well built bottom end. The stock-bottom-end 2.3 in my '74 stang saw 6500rpm or so on a daily basis for nearly a year when it was in an '88 Mustang with a blown-up A4LD tranny. These engine are pretty indestructible, the weak link is the camshaft followers, they tend to get spit out after prolonged runs above 6000 or so with stock components, if you use a roller cam and followers you can usually get away with 7000.

4GOTTN1 · 01-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74stang2togo

The 2.3 is definitely capable of pulling to the 7000-7500rpm mark with a good flowing exhaust (2 or 2.25") a healthier cam, and a really well built bottom end. The stock-bottom-end 2.3 in my '74 stang saw 6500rpm or so on a daily basis for nearly a year when it was in an '88 Mustang with a blown-up A4LD tranny. These engine are pretty indestructible, the weak link is the camshaft followers, they tend to get spit out after prolonged runs above 6000 or so with stock components, if you use a roller cam and followers you can usually get away with 7000.

LOL Really, so thats why i found this in my 78 2.3 when i took off the rocker arm cover just lying around :

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...T/DSC00443.jpg

Thats an accomplishment to a 17 yr old. You shoulda saw the clutch disk. lol.