Stick with the 2.3 4banger, or go for a swap?

[Speedwagon]

The truck is an '87 4x4, and used only for running the trails out here. At first when I got the truck, I figured I'd eventually just swap the engine out. Now that I'm reading more on this Esslinger performance place that specializes in the Ford 4 cylinders, I'm having second thoughts.

So, what are peoples opinions on this?

Stick with the 4 banger, and build it up? Obviously I don't have the need to swap out my entire drivetrain and wiring in one fell swoop if I go this route.

Or swap out the whole deal, and go for a 4.0 or 5.0 engine/trans?

Rock crawling is very prevalent out here in Colorado, so that is a lot of what this truck will see.

 

[PaleBlue90]

id keep it, u wont have the power to break parts....as easly lol

 

[Speedwagon]

id keep it, u wont have the power to break parts....as easly lol

I will once I start building it! From what I've gathered, I can put out 300+hp from this little 4 banger, and that could easily tear apart my Dana 28 and 7.5 axles.

 

[PaleBlue90]

I will once I start building it! From what I've gathered, I can put out 300+hp from this little 4 banger, and that could easily tear apart my Dana 28 and 7.5 axles.

holy chit! i want to see this site my 90 has a 2.3 .10 and a cam, id like to see what they do. 300+ would kill ur stock stuff lol

 

[organic]

If it runs decent then keep it, use the extra money to beef up the axles and suspension.

 

[Speedwagon]

holy chit! i want to see this site my 90 has a 2.3 .10 and a cam, id like to see what they do. 300+ would kill ur stock stuff lol

Well, I emailed Esslinger Racing. I told em for $1000(I figure I'd spend at LEAST that on an engine swap), what could a 2.3 do? They told me these engines are capable of 400hp, and that with $1k to work with, they could get a very good output from this engine.

What I really want is torque though, and this little 4banger get 130ft-lbs at only 1800rpm. So full on torque comes pretty low.

 

[Ranger44]

I'd say stick with the 2.3.

Yes you can get a lot of power out of these, but mostly high rpm with high octane fuel....

I'd say do small things like port and polish, longtube header, etc....

Save more money and modifly your suspension, and drivetrain.

If rock crawler is what you want, a doubler will help out tremedously!

What gearing do you have now? What size of tire do you plan on running?

 

[blackbronc]

Find a 86 to 89 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and swap that 2.3 in. I had a T Coupe and loved it. Over 200 hp before mods. Great mileage and power when you need it.

 

[Speedwagon]

I'd say stick with the 2.3.

Yes you can get a lot of power out of these, but mostly high rpm with high octane fuel....

I'd say do small things like port and polish, longtube header, etc....

Save more money and modifly your suspension, and drivetrain.

If rock crawler is what you want, a doubler will help out tremedously!

What gearing do you have now? What size of tire do you plan on running?

Current gears suck, I'm at 3.73. Can't decide if I want to upgrade the 7.5/D28 gears, or hold out for an 8.8/D30 swap with better gears. I'm thinking 4.56, 4.88, or 5.13. And on 33s at the moment, though I'll probably go larger once I get stronger axles.

 

[Ranger44]

Current gears suck, I'm at 3.73. Can't decide if I want to upgrade the 7.5/D28 gears, or hold out for an 8.8/D30 swap with better gears. I'm thinking 4.56, 4.88, or 5.13. And on 33s at the moment, though I'll probably go larger once I get stronger axles.

Damn, no wonder you want an engine swap..lol. 33's with 3.73's?

I'd say you'd at least need 4.88's, but even 4.10's would make a difference.

You could just swap a D35 TTB in. A 7.5 could handle 33's, but you could swap in an 8.8.

 

[Speedwagon]

Damn, no wonder you want an engine swap..lol. 33's with 3.73's?

I'd say you'd at least need 4.88's, but even 4.10's would make a difference.

You could just swap a D35 TTB in. A 7.5 could handle 33's, but you could swap in an 8.8.

Well, today was my first day running the 33s on the truck. It had the stock 215/75/15 prior.

But after running the truck with a GOOD head gasket on it, I think I'm going to stick with this 2.3L. Even with 33s and 3.73 gears, the truck did really well. That little 4banger can crawl well, and it will be even better with better gears. I think I'll go look for a junkyard 8.8 with some better gears, then either swap to a D35 with the same, or just replace the D28 gears for awhile. And I definetaly need a skid plate for the fuel tank, as I've got some nice dents in it now.