Hey everybody, I've got a 1988 Mustang LX hatchback with a 2.3L, suffering from the usual "no power" issues. Like a lot of people with these cars, I want to build the engine to put out more horsepower, but here's the kicker; I want to STAY WITH THE N/A ENGINE !!!
I do not want to swap to turbo, I do not want to put in a V8, so if those are your only responses, please don't bother. Now here's a list of the ideas I have so far:
1.Port and polish intake manifold and head
2.Multi angle valve job
3.Either a custom header or the stock ranger one
4.Ram air intake somehow connected to a functional hood scoop
5.Bore out the cylinders and put in larger pistons
6.A bigger (roller) cam
7.Underdrive pulleys
8.Entirely upgrade the ignition system, coil, dist., etc.
9.I'm not sure if it's possible with the stock ECC-IV system, but reprogramming it (or replacing the stock computer altogether) to handle bigger injectors, bigger cam, etc.
10.Advancing the timing
So with that all said, how much horsepower do you think can be squeezed out of this engine by doing the above mentioned things and possibly more. Give any suggestions you can think of, and money isn't really a big deal because this project isn't under any time limit. And remember I DO NOT WANT TO GO TURBO OR V8 !!! This is strictly to see how much power can be pulled out of the existing motor without "doing what everybody else is doing".
I do not want to swap to turbo, I do not want to put in a V8, so if those are your only responses, please don't bother. Now here's a list of the ideas I have so far:
1.Port and polish intake manifold and head
2.Multi angle valve job
3.Either a custom header or the stock ranger one
4.Ram air intake somehow connected to a functional hood scoop
5.Bore out the cylinders and put in larger pistons
6.A bigger (roller) cam
7.Underdrive pulleys
8.Entirely upgrade the ignition system, coil, dist., etc.
9.I'm not sure if it's possible with the stock ECC-IV system, but reprogramming it (or replacing the stock computer altogether) to handle bigger injectors, bigger cam, etc.
10.Advancing the timing
So with that all said, how much horsepower do you think can be squeezed out of this engine by doing the above mentioned things and possibly more. Give any suggestions you can think of, and money isn't really a big deal because this project isn't under any time limit. And remember I DO NOT WANT TO GO TURBO OR V8 !!! This is strictly to see how much power can be pulled out of the existing motor without "doing what everybody else is doing".