wanting a 2.3 turbo

[83bagged]

ok ive read and read, and run through different ideas. from a 2.2 diesel to turboing my carb, 302 of course, but ive seen these 2.3 turbos and they are just plain SICK!

ok now, ive looked a little bit and found some turbocoupes not to far from me in salvage yards. so in a few weeks or mid january, i will be taking a trip to pick one up

now i have a 83 2.3 carb'd automatic. and im wanting to swap the efi 2.3turbo in it. i drive the truck, but its not my daily. im wanting to keep the automatic (i think my truck has a c5, i looked at the id tech sheet) now if it isnt much harder i MIGHT swap it for a manual. idk for sure yet, maybe though

ok now, when i do get the motor i will want to rebuild it completely! im not looking for 400HP but somewhere around 200-300 would be good. i dont drag race or anything, its my show truck and i love the spool sound, but if i stomp it i wanna go! my stock 2.3 has a hard time getting onto the car hauler

so any tips or help i would appreciate. any certain size pistons you would change to? or leave them the same and change other things?

 

[turbo cat]

stick with the auto it will keep the turbo spooled thru the gears

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

www.stinger-performance.com makes an adaptor plate to mount any transmission with a small block ford pattern to a 2.3 engine.

They also have a lot of other 2.3 turbo parts.

 

[83bagged]

ok now. im looking up some parts at racer walsh and esslinger? (sp)

now i could turbo my carbed motor, which would be easier but would it be as fast? or buy a turbo coupe and to the whole swap? what would you do? now keep in mind id be going from carb to efi.

 

[therieldeal]

there is a wiring harness that is ~$400 available somewhere that is made for running the 2.3t in a carburated truck. plugs right in, hook up power, ground, and switched power... and you're done.

then you just have to run another fuel line, and wire in a fuel pump. either run an inline pump or swap to an EFI fuel tank.

its doable... and will run much better than a turbocharged carb motor.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

A turbo carb'd motor may take a little less time to install, but you'll spend more time fiddling with the carb trying to get the stupid thing to run good under boost than you will driving it.

A carb'd turbo can be done, but fuel injection is worlds better for a turbocharged motor. It will be worth it for you in the long run.

 

[83bagged]

hmmmm

well where that harness at? me and "mutant pony" have been discussing turboing my carb. i know there are pros and cons on both, BUT i know for a fact that the carb would be a slight pain getting it tuned in right. well with the turbocoupe i have to get a donor car, a $400 harness or try and splice and use that TC one, and wire up a computer to work right. and then get an adaptor plate for the tranny.

ok its not the parts, ill buy it if its truly better in maintenance and performance.

what would you do? try and find a TC?

 

[therieldeal]

adaptor for the tranny? it will bolt right to your stock tranny.

 

[turbo cat]

find a good running TC or svo stang

 

[83bagged]

even though id be going from carb to efi? im just wondering about the wiring and the computer?

 

[Turbo-T]

I have an '84 4X4 that I swapped from carbed to EFI. I bought a complete engine out of an '88 T'bird. The guys at the wrecking yard were kind enough to give me the complete wire harness.
There are a few issues you should be aware of. Most are easy. You'll have to use the Ranger oil pan. you have to cut a corner out of the heater box. The heater plumbing will have to be rerouted. The biggest issue is the wire harness. There are several books and websites that can help you sort that out. The fuel system will have to be swapped out all the way to and including the tank.
It took me a year to complete. Was it worth it? Yup. Would I do it again? probably.