best 2.3 engine for turbo

[mallardhunter83]

I am building a vw rail and planning on using a 2.3 engine. wanting to build engine and run turbo. What is the best motor to start with (year and vehicle)? I am looking for something fairly easy to find, and not too expensive. Do i want carb or FI? What would be the best upgrades/ parts to use in a build to get max 250 to 300 hp? The more specific the better for me. Any estimates of how much a motor like this would cost me to build assuming i do all the work?

Thanks

 

[mallardhunter83]

also what do i need for a computer/sensors since this is going in a sand rail?

 

[shadetree]

1983 thru 1988 Thunderbird turbo coupes came from the factory turbocharged. 1987/88 were intercooled, prior were not. These two years also were equipped with the smaller IHI turbo. Prior years were Garrets. I think all the Garrets were oil cooled, and the IHI's were water cooled.

1984 thru 1988 Merkurs. All were Garrets, water cooled, no intercoolers.

1984 thru 1986 Mustang SVO's. Highest performing of the 2.3 turbos. 205 hp. They were Garrets with intercoolers. Hard to find. These cars are becoming valuable for restoration, and not many are being parted out.

Mercury Capris had 2.3 turbo's for one year, 1986 or 87. Can't remember. I think also the Cougar for same amount of time.

These blocks in stock form will handle 300+ hp, and is easy to obtain.

Look in the technical section at the top of this page, and if you have any other questions, post them here.shady

 

[mallardhunter83]

Seems like these engines would be hard to fine because the salvage yards get picked through a lot. If i were to get a ranger 2.3, to rebuild and put a turbo on, what would be the best (easiest and most economical) year to do this.

Will i use the stock computer from the ranger and piggy back something? or how would i do this since it is going in a rail buggy.

To get the hp i am wanting, what would i need besides forged pistons/rods?

I have no knoledge of the tuneing process, and have no experience with turbos. I just need more hp for my rail and i cant see spending 5 or 6 grand on building a vw motor that would max at 160/170 hp.

 

[rurouni20xx]

be aware that a turbo and sand dont mix, you sandblast the fins of the turbo and thats the end of it, get a good filter (not k&n) and mount it as high as you can to keep away from the sand. sorry k&n fans, ive used one b4 and when i went to service it and seen dust on the inside of the intake tract of my old offroad vehicle, i was not impressed. street wise, excellent flow, just had it in a remote location away from oncoming dust etc. all im saying is be prepared for the conditions your running. now if your building it for mud, just run it high away from the mud and rooster tails and give her hell! if your going to get the forged rods/pistons you might want to look into a higher performance crank that can take the beating and beef up your valvetrain, the cam may need to be ground as well, and im pretty sure the ports need some work too. try looking around at other builds and talk to the owners and see what you come up w/, 2.3T's are common from what im seeing.

 

[mallardhunter83]

not much sand here in alabama, mainly using for trail riding and climbing hills. If a turbo is not good for this application (i dont know) how much hp can i get without a turbo building the engine

 

[rurouni20xx]

good question but not much considering its a standard 8 valve pushrod engine, if you can find one w/ twincams and 16 valves you can get around 180 hp depending on the engine, ive done honda mods in the past and a b18 built up will get around 196 hp. ford wise im not sure havent seen a dyno sheet or anything. not trying to discourage you but the head needs to have boost cuz it wont pull as much fuel w/ the 8 valve heads as a 16 valve can. look at the other thread w/ the guy using the volvo head and youll see what i mean.

 

[shadetree]

Cranks in these engines are capable of withstanding over 400 horsepower, so should not be a problem. To reach high horsepower levels, you raise the boost, step up the fuel system, and several differnt methods of tuning the computers depending on what the engine needs.

High power levels have been gained by using the Ranger roller cams. Exotic cam profiles are not needed, but are available. Mild porting on the heads is all that is needed with the installation of slightly larger valves. Not a big problem at all. Aluminum heads are available for these engines if you want to go that route.shady

 

[Davis]

The 2.3 is a VERY capable engine. If you only want 250 hp, an 88 turbocoupe motor with a hacked off exhaust, and the T3 turbo @ 18-20# and a decent intercooler ought to get you there.

All pre 1996 (i think) 2.3 rods are forged. As shady said, you dont even need to think about a crank upgrade, you arent shooting for 600+ hp.

 

[mallardhunter83]

planning on getting a motor and completly rebuilding it, just wanted to know which engine would be my best bet on fairly easy to find, and best to produce high horsepower easily as in which has the most information on turboing and tuning, i can build motor but have no experience in turbo or tuning. Can someone send me a link to the aluminum heads. Are these just lighter weight? which vehicles came with the 16 valves?

 

[ttfiveohranger]

+1 The stock bottom end on the turbo 2.3 are solid over 400 to the wheels with slicks.. I've seen it. Mild work to a mostly stock 2.3 turbo= 250-300 hp like said above.. thats with stock turbo, ecm, big vam, etc. almost plug and play. All the old 2.3's had the same crank, rods, turbo motors have better pistons.. I suggest getting the whole turbo motor for an easy cheap swap and lots of power=Fun. Otherwise porting and massaging of a ranger head with a roller cam, and add forges pistons.. you should be good to 400 horse on the motor side with enough boost... but you will then need fuel injectors, turbo, tuning etc.. I'm tired and probably typing horribly. ranger motor+forged pistons= solid. turbo motor solid stock.. Plus everything else you need right there. so if your set on sticking a ranger motor 93 + have the roller cam and round timing belt teeth.. that come with a more durable timing belt. Someone chim in if certain year heads had better head comb. chambers.. I'm done looking up more easy to find info... I've read that certain ranger heads are the most similar to the turbo combustion chamber. If you want to spend shit tons there are insane aluminum heads for it as well. I've seen volvo aluminum DOHC heads modifies to work as well.

 

['93BajaSport]

Personally, I would be looking at a different engine if all you're after is a "cheap" 200hp Volkswagen alternative. The 2.3T weighs as much as a latemodel 5.0 and more than some of the all-aluminum Ford V6 and V8 engines. I think you would be better off with something that isn't turbocharged and doesn't need a lot of tuning, if any.

If you are really dead set on one, though, get the whole engine/harness/ECU/VAM as a package. For your purposes any '83-89 2.3T will suffice, but you will have to add an intercooler to the Merkur and '83-86 Turbocoupe engines.

good question but not much considering its a standard 8 valve pushrod engine

Perhaps you are thinking of the Tempo 2.3 which is a pushrod engine. The 2.3 used in Mustangs, T-Birds, Rangers, and Merkurs is an SOHC 8 valve. While not a heavy breather in stock form, they can be ported to flow over 220/180cfm. Esslinger makes three aluminum heads for it and there is supposedly a cast iron race head on the horizon from Rhea Performance Machine. They had some first run castings made and last was the last I head of it. That was probably at least 6 months ago. I do agree that it's not the easiest thing to get lots of power out of a normally aspirated 2.3.