2.3L ('02-'11) 08 2.3 improvement recommendations

[JStutz]

long time lurker first time poster... Got a great deal on an 08 with the 2.3 because it sounds like woody woodpecker is inside and trying to get outside. I'm guessing its a rod bearing. So most likely going to pull the engine and rebuild it. Any recommendations for improvements? Not looking for maxing out horsepower just looking to see if there are simple improvements that you guys know of that might improve power a little or improve longevity fuel economy etc. its going to be a daily driver not a sport truck. I tried searching and didn't see another thread about this so if I missed it please just give me a link to it. no need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[SenorNoob]

Howdy and welcome to TRS! Post up a pic or 3 of the new ride.

08 2.3 is the duratech isn't it? The engine that evolved into the EcoBoost 2.3? Maybe look at those for potential.

 

[JStutz]

 

[JStutz]

She aint much but should make a decent daily driver for a new driver. I have kid that should be driving about the time I get this back into shape.

 

[Blmpkn]

A thorough balancing of the entire rotating assembly will add some power, longevity, AND efficiency.

Having the head shaved for more compression will add both power (roughly 10% for each full point) and efficiency.. but would naturally require running higher octane fuel.. AND you'd need to buy a set of adjustable cam gears to retain factory cam timing. I forget at the moment if shaving an OHC head retards or advances the cam timing.. but yeah.. without adjustable gears it'll be a little off one way or the other. The duratec is also an interference motor so.. idk how far you could shave that head before things start to kiss each other. I like to think that it could get chopped down enough to get another point out of it at least but.. I'm not sure.

A little port work has the potential of adding power & efficiency, especially if you shave the head.. but even if you don't it could pay off.

Then there's always cams & a tune... That would be your biggest power increase if you wanted to go that route.. and would compliment more compression.. but.. last time I checked it was around 800 bucks for a set of cams from a decent company.