If you wanted to stay with the four cylinder engine, you could swap in a DOHC 2.3L from a mid-90's Ranger. I don't think a head swap is possisible so you'd probably have to switch out the entire motor.
I was think in'of swapping in a 2.3 DOHC from the Ranger and mating it to a T-5 with 8.8in rear end. Give those import boys a run for there money maybe.
it depends on how much money ur really to spend. if u want to upgrade it and have the money then do it, but i think it would be cheaper to buy a better engine because look at it this way by the time u buy all the parts: cams, crank, lifters, pistons, valves, etc ur going to spend more money on parts all together then a whole new engine it self.
Racecar18 is right about the money. When it was all done , my bro & I had alittle over $ 4000 in the engine work and parts for the 1978 , that we did. That's not even counting buying the cars. But , we also had money at that time . Since then I , got buried (oops Married ) with children. There went my funds, for awhile .
Is it really worth trying to get power out of a 2.3L?
Normally Aspirated - NO! 2.3 Turbo...........oh yeah, it's worth it! N/A 2.3's are 88 hp stock. 2.3 Turbo stock is 200 hp. It doesn't take much to hit 300 hp. Free flowing exhaust system, minor head work, manual boost valve and a good intercooler will get you close. Proper tuning will get you there. Check out www.turboford.net. 300 hp is the norm. Lots of guys running 400 and above! Joe Morgan got what, 1100 hp out of his (although it's a full on race car). Do yourself a favor. Don't waste your money on a N/A 2.3. Once you've gone turbo, you'll never go back!
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'89 LX ragtop with turbo'd TC motor - Thunderstang!
'86 Turbo Coupe (daily driver)
'88 Turbo Coupe (parts car)
I have heard that putting a roller cam from a ranger will give you a little better power. Otherwise without lots of money there isnt much you can do to a N/A 2.3 to make it more powerful. Best bet is to find a turbo engine or swap out to a V8
Hey i just got a mustang to and 5.0 for life gave me sme good suggestions hope they will help
Cut out your catalytic converter(s), and weld in straight pipe. Any honest muffler shop should do this for about $30-$50 a cat. If you don't have emissions issues where you live, that is. A k&n air filter will help you breathe a little better too.
You could try advancing your timing and see if that helps any. Make sure your
Spark plugs and wires ect. are in good shape. IMO Motorcraft plugs work best
for ford engines. If your car is a standard, a new clutch will get you movin' a lot
faster if yours is worn out. Clutch for your car is cheap if you do it yourself. Those are some inexpensive things I can think of at the moment.
I was think in'of swapping in a 2.3 DOHC from the Ranger and mating it to a T-5 with 8.8in rear end. Give those import boys a run for there money maybe.
I hate tiburons
BTW.. I am really new to this topic...
Is the turbo 2.3 a modified stock 2.3 or a totally different engine?
I hope to God its not just a turbocharged 2.3 like Ford did with the late 80's T-bird
The turbo 2.3 is basically the same engine with forged pistons to the best of my knowledge. The N/A 4 bangers can top 200 horsepower with enough compression, cam and head work. In a backyard buildup of a '80 4 banger that my dad, brother and I did over a decade ago, we wrung out 140 and that was still burning 87 octane on a 2 barrel carb with no more headwork than removing casting defects and a very streetable cam.
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Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
The turbo 2.3 is basically the same engine with forged pistons to the best of my knowledge. The N/A 4 bangers can top 200 horsepower with enough compression, cam and head work.
So stock they run 88hp bw or at the engine?
What would it take to make my N/A 150-ish
I dont want to race or anything, just want more pep.
I'm not looking for anything drastic either, but looking through some of the catalogues got kind of depressing. I see the "89-93 5.0" label on EVERYTHING and I really want one, but anything to tide me over is fine.
This is my main transportation, so anything too drastic would be a waste.
I hope to God its not just a turbocharged 2.3 like Ford did with the late 80's T-bird
Thats the motor lol And I love mine in my mustang...If you dont beleave in the motor hop in my car. Ill take you for a ride. When we get back all you will be able to say is TURBO!!!
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1990 Mustang LX, 2.3T, 2.5 Intercooler Piping, Front Mount Intercooler, Ported And Polished Upper And Lower Intake, BBK T/B, Ported And Polished Big Valve Head, Ranger Roller Cam And Roller Rockers, Forged Pistons And Rods, 8.8 Rearend, 373 Gears, BBK Short Throw Shifter, And A Few More Mods Ill Keep To My Self ;-)
Well, I currently have a 2.0L DOHC Dodge Neon, and it is quick .. I have an opportunity to buy a 2.3L Mustang LX .. I'm just wondering, in comparison to my 2.0L Neon, how would this 2.3L Mustang pull? Is it going to be quick on the take off, and pull hard, and like most 4cyls, be crappy on the top end?
I just want some general information so I know what I'm getting into
Im no expert, but I have driven some neons. and the dohc really is decent for 150h.p. and from what I know from 2.3 stangs they are slow in almost any catagory. assuming they are not turbo. They feel like a brick tied to a kite when trying to get off the line. so in other words don't expect an improvement in performance just because its a mustang.
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2001 Mustang GT-"GONE"
Bassani x-pipe Catted, Flowmasters, CAI, March UDPs, Steeda Tri-ax, Functional Hood scoop, Matrix lowering springs, Steeda C/C plates, Roush LCA, Alpine-9885 Head Unit.
2003 F150 Sport 4X4 4.6-SOLD
1999 F150 Xlt Flaresode 4.6-SOLD
