2.3 N/A engine build

[tbirddillon]

So I know everyone says to use a turbo but has anyone done a naturally aspirated engine build that makes good streetable power and torque like something around 175-230 range? What I mean by streetable is power that is usable not all in the high rpms. I'm not looking to make a race truck or anything just a fun DD, any build info and stories would be nice. Thanks.

 

[JayTee]

The simple answer your question is NO.

 

[kunar]

there's a ton of aftermarket support for the 2.3, but its not gonna be cheap. one of the shows on powerblock did a 2.3 n/a build not long ago. the details are a little fuzzy but IIRC they made something like 250 hp and spent over 10k to do it.

 

[4b316]

Still to be fun to drive on the street and not have a full blown race engine,you can get it bored 30-40 over,cut the block a little,cut the head about 70 thou,get a stage one cam from Esslinger,a little porting and a decent header.Makes a nice street 2.3 and have some power for under a $1000

 

[tbirddillon]

Pretty much what I expected to hear but was hoping someone might have done a decent build. I saw the build on the powerblock that was a joke most people can't afford that or really anything they buils on those shows.

 

[tbirddillon]

Still to be fun to drive on the street and not have a full blown race engine,you can get it bored 30-40 over,cut the block a little,cut the head about 70 thou,get a stage one cam from Esslinger,a little porting and a decent header.Makes a nice street 2.3 and have some power for under a $1000[/QUOTE


Have you had this done and what kind of power is it making?

 

[JayTee]

Pretty much what I expected to hear but was hoping someone might have done a decent build. I saw the build on the powerblock that was a joke most people can't afford that or really anything they buils on those shows.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. $40-$60k new vehicles are flying off dealership floors all the time.

Buy a turbo 2.3 engine, there are quite a few of them out there if you look around. Entire cars for $1000-$1500. Swap the engines and sell the donor as a non turbo and you are basically even money - less the work.

 

[tbirddillon]

Since the power I'd like is out of the question without spending a whole lotta money what would be a realistic expectation?

 

[Mark_88]

Still to be fun to drive on the street and not have a full blown race engine,you can get it bored 30-40 over,cut the block a little,cut the head about 70 thou,get a stage one cam from Esslinger,a little porting and a decent header.Makes a nice street 2.3 and have some power for under a $1000

I'd say yes to this one...had it done on my first 2.0 and the improvement was incredible...but I just went with the head porting/shaving and cam...really woke up the old 2.0...so a 2.3 with the bottom end done up would be awesome...even without the turbo.

 

[Road Angels]

a 2.5 crank has a 7mm stroke so you can add a lot of power to a 2.3, stock 2.5 crank and the right pistons will give you 150 horse right there with a 20 over bore job, and its all drop in stuff, port matching will help a little as well as intake and exhaust mods, keep it simple so retuning isnt a problem, or just find a 2.5 and do some light mods to that stocks about 140 hp, 160 with some mild mods is easy plus you want it to last

 

[tbirddillon]

Thanks guys that's the kind of info I was looking for. Really appreciate it.

 

[Kenneth S]

About 150 hp before the engine starts to become too radical to be a daily driver.

 

[tbirddillon]

When swapping in a 2.5 crank can all the 2.3 parts be used like the crank pulley and rods or do I need all of that from the 2.5 motor. I was wondering is there any good detailed write ups on doin a 2.5 crank swap? I'd search myself but my free time is very limited right now.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

The 2.5 has 7mm more stroke than a 2.3. I haven't done it myself, bit I highly doubt there is 7mm of extra clearance above the pistons on a 2.3.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[Mark_88]

I read how they did this...I think it is the height of the wrist pin and the length of the shaft that allows it to get an extra 7mm...I was thinking of doing it but then learned about the larger journals that are only on the later 2.3s...after 91 I believe when they went to an 8 plug head...