Piston interchangability (is that word?)

pearldrumbum · Oct 13, 2009

I was wondering if a piston out of a carburated 2.3 turbo could be used in a FI 2.3 turbo. In other words, are the pistons in the '79-'81 2.3Ts the same as the ones in an 88 TC?

Sevensecondsuv · Oct 13, 2009

I know the 79-81 ran higher compression, and therefore much less boost. I'm pretty sure the piston was at least part of the compression difference.

Davis · Oct 13, 2009

they are however interchangeable. just be sure you get the right rings, the older ones could be standard and the new ones are metric.

pearldrumbum · Oct 13, 2009

cool, thanks guys

AllanD · Oct 14, 2009

The Carb turbo pistons are exactly the same mechanically to the Non Turbo pistons, the difference is that they were forged pistons.

It didn't help.

The problem with the carb turbo was high speed lean-out and lean ping.

this revealed a flaw in the piston design... the top ring land was too narrow
and any detonation would snap it off and stuff it into the top ring...

The carb turbo pistons are the cat's ass for a normally aspirated 2.3 engine, but...

Higher compression is the last thing you want, it reduces "boost tolerance"

AD

pearldrumbum · Oct 15, 2009

hmmm, sounds like i should lay off then. I was gunna buy them off craigslist, but the guy sold them anyways. I already have a set of pistons out of a 85 TC motor. It has one damaged piston that wanted to replace, and then theyre going in an NA block with the DP head. Theres a good chance the damaged piston would actually be fine, it came out of a running engine that I heard run myself. I never checked compression or anything on it, though. The plan from the beginning was to rebuild it because it had 200k+ on it.
After tearing it down i came across a 2.3 from a 93 ranger with only 60k on it for 100 bucks and decided to use that block instead and swap the pistons. I'm like 95% sure the slightly damaged piston wouldnt cause any problems, but I really dont wanna tear the engine down again later

Found these on ebay... thinkin about bidding on them if they stay under20 bucks. I'm trying to do this build right, but on the cheap at the same time. (which is why its taking so long, sweet deals dont come along every day) I think i gotta pick up the pace, though. The 2.9 just started smokin a little bit about a week ago... instead of diagnosing the problem I'm just speeding up the turbo build, lol. Cant wait tho, the day before the swap I'm gunna blow the 2.9 to oblivion, and take video!

Piston interchangability (is that word?)

pearldrumbum

15+ Year Member

Sevensecondsuv

15+ Year Member

Davis

15+ Year Member

pearldrumbum

15+ Year Member

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff

pearldrumbum

15+ Year Member

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