2.3 4cyl. Why does it have 8 plugs?

tim_lemmy · Dec 13, 2007

I just bought a 93 mustang and was looking under the hood and discovered that it had 8 plugs and 2 distributors and i was wondering why Ford did this.

Red_LX · Dec 13, 2007

It doesn't have two distributors, it has two coil packs.

Basically, it was done for emissions reasons and nothing else. I've heard conflicting reports about the second set of plugs, some people say they fire on the exhaust stroke, others say both plugs fire on the combustion stroke.

At any rate, that's why they did it.

tim_lemmy · Dec 13, 2007

thanks for the info

bobaganoosh · Dec 13, 2007

I bet it has alot more power than my 88 vert

mike

Red_LX · Dec 13, 2007

If 17 hp is a lot more, then yes it does.

tim_lemmy · Dec 14, 2007

does anyone know of a turbo that will bolt on to my engine? the only turbos i can find are for honda and acura 4 cyl cars

GOvert · Dec 14, 2007

I assumed both sets of plugs fired on the combustion stroke maybe a little apart from each other to achieve a longer burn, but I don't know for sure. As far as turbo, I asked that question in my "Hello and have a question" post. The 8 plug engine is not well suited for turbo.
I was hoping to gain a little horsepower gapping the plugs an extra .002 or .003's. Also I saw in a magazine the other day a two pronged sparkplug that I would like to know more about.
I also wondered about changing to a different manufacture's computer from a 4 cyl 8 plug engine that would have adjustable parameters. The 1993 Ford ECM is not "tunable" however I guess it could be at it's peak of performance though. Anyone know more about this ?
I had an '88 model with a 5 speed for a while and it was a dog. However my '93, with auto will get up and go !

Red_LX · Dec 14, 2007

The problem with the N/A 2.3L is that ford never invested any money or effort into it to make any power, because it wasn't intended to. It was born of the era of good gas mileage at the expense of power (the 70's) and just never really updated.

So, it was saddled with fairly low compression, a VERY poor head design (the turbo guys can tell you all about this), and conservative timing.

For whatever reason, it also doesn't respond to bolt-ons. There are chips out there that get you somewhere around 10-15 hp by messing with the timing, but they require premium fuel and just aren't worth it in my opinion.

The one good thing about the engine is its torque. 135 ft-lbs out of a 2.3L engine is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it comes on at around 2000 RPM. Stock turbo engines made almost as much torque as a 5.0 HO

85_SS_302_Coupe · Dec 14, 2007

Well, not to side track, but you CAN build up a nasty 2.3 NA motor if you've got the cash/desire to go that deep into it. There's a local guy who just put one in a Ranger and it hasn't been dynoed yet but they're guessing well over 250hp to the tires.

Motor stats are
97 2.3 block.
00 2.5 crank.
Block was bored .040
Head was ported
ported the intake as well.
Stage 1 Racer Walsh cam.
Magnaflow muffler and catalytic converter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1D9B7nbhPg

Shawneebear93 · Dec 15, 2007

I'm not sure but I don't think the '97 2.3 is the same as the Lima blocks in the Mustangs and other earlier Fords.
EDIT: The '97 might be a Zeta or Zetec engine? But I don't think the Lima was used past '95. I searched the web a little and couldn't find much so I could be wrong.

ethangsmith · Dec 15, 2007

The 2.3L was last used in 1997 in the Ford Ranger. In 1998 it was upgraded to a 2.5L and was used until 2002, when it was dropped completely. The new 2.3L is a DOHC aluminum engine of the Duratec family.

Stinger · Dec 15, 2007

85_SS_302_Coupe said:
Well, not to side track, but you CAN build up a nasty 2.3 NA motor if you've got the cash/desire to go that deep into it. There's a local guy who just put one in a Ranger and it hasn't been dynoed yet but they're guessing well over 250hp to the tires.

Motor stats are
97 2.3 block.
00 2.5 crank.
Block was bored .040
Head was ported
ported the intake as well.
Stage 1 Racer Walsh cam.
Magnaflow muffler and catalytic converter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1D9B7nbhPg

I'll go out on a limb and say it will dyno 175-200rwhp.

tim_lemmy · Dec 17, 2007

screw it... I'm getting a 302. they're easier to deal with...

GT40 2 · Dec 29, 2007

85_SS_302_Coupe said:
Well, not to side track, but you CAN build up a nasty 2.3 NA motor if you've got the cash/desire to go that deep into it. There's a local guy who just put one in a Ranger and it hasn't been dynoed yet but they're guessing well over 250hp to the tires.

Motor stats are
97 2.3 block.
00 2.5 crank.
Block was bored .040
Head was ported
ported the intake as well.
Stage 1 Racer Walsh cam.
Magnaflow muffler and catalytic converter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1D9B7nbhPg

Would it have been easier to just buy a whole 2.5L bottom end?

tim_lemmy · Jan 14, 2008

does the stock 2.3 have dome cylinders? the one with 8 plugs i mean

Red_LX · Jan 14, 2008

No...it's only like 9.5:1 compression.

tim_lemmy · Jan 14, 2008

ok, a friend of mine said that might be why it had 8 plugs... one on each side of the dome

Red_LX · Jan 14, 2008

We already told you the predominant reasons that it has 8 plugs though

I don't really see what advantage there would be to having a plug on either side of a dome either. It's not like the dome touches the top of the combustion chamber.

tim_lemmy · Jan 14, 2008

i only asked because said friend has been building mustangs for 30+ years and i wanted to check

Red_LX · Jan 15, 2008

Well, he may have been building mustangs for 30+ years but has he been building 2.3's for 30+ years as well? Not trying to put down your friend or anything, but most mustang people don't know squat about the 2.3.

2.3 4cyl. Why does it have 8 plugs?

tim_lemmy

New Member

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

tim_lemmy

New Member

bobaganoosh

New Member

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

tim_lemmy

New Member

GOvert

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

Shawneebear93

ethangsmith

Member

Stinger

tim_lemmy

New Member

GT40 2

Member

tim_lemmy

New Member

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

tim_lemmy

New Member

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

tim_lemmy

New Member

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Similar threads

2.3 4cyl. Why does it have 8 plugs?

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

New Member

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

Member

New Member

Member

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

New Member

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency