• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

2.3T problems?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nick wright
  • Start date Start date Jan 25, 2009
N

nick wright

New Member
Jan 16, 2009
22
0
0
Jan 25, 2009
#1
  • Jan 25, 2009
  • #1
ok i have a 2.3na and i've put a turbo on it. it's runnin ok but the car is breaking up under hard throttle. does any one know how to fix this prolem or have had the same problem. any info u have is highly appreciated
 

robbo1987*2.3*

Founding Member
Apr 22, 2002
445
0
17
varina, va
Jan 25, 2009
#2
  • Jan 25, 2009
  • #2
turbo on n/a???????

carb setup??? fuel injected???any modds??????????? why not a 2.3 turbo motor to start with???????????????? but seriously what setup are you running?????
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jan 26, 2009
#3
  • Jan 26, 2009
  • #3
We need a few more details on your setup...are you running a turbo computer, are you using a stock VAM, etc.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jan 26, 2009
#4
  • Jan 26, 2009
  • #4
Without knowing any details, I would take a shot in the dark and say you need to close the gap up a little on your spark plugs. Any more than .028-.032 on a power adder car is just asking for misfire issues. I hope you're running a couple steps colder plug in that thing as well. Power adder cars don't like N/A spark plug heat ranges.
 
N

nick wright

New Member
Jan 16, 2009
22
0
0
Jan 26, 2009
#5
  • Jan 26, 2009
  • #5
ok thanks for replying my car is a fuel injected 2.3 n/a with a t-5 i just added a turbo too it a couple weeks back and i'm useing a non turbo computer the car had a miss, but we fixed that problem now the car is breaking up under hard throttle we belive the timeing is too far advanced, but we not to sure has soon as the motor goes a 2.3T out of a merkur or turbo coupe is going in it along with a la2 or la3 computer. when i do that i have a few mods in mind. what mods would u guys recomened for makeing more power. I was thinking of gutting and rotateing the intake,no a/c and no p/s,putting a tubular turbo header on it, 3 inch exhaust,8.8 with 3.73's,southside lift bars,lakewood 90/10,and 50/50's,subframe contectors,relocate the battery,190 lph fuel pump,(MAYBE) a 50 shot of juice,and 10-20 pounds of boost. what would u estimate that setup to run in a quater mile i was thinking low 13's
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Jan 26, 2009
#6
  • Jan 26, 2009
  • #6
You didn't state what you gapped the plugs at? Again, power adder cars will missfire at high boost and/or high RPM levels if the plugs are gapped too wide.

Have you had it dyno tuned at all, or are you just taking a shot in the dark with everything?
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jan 27, 2009
#7
  • Jan 27, 2009
  • #7
It's probably "breaking up" because it's running lean! Since it sounds to me like you're still running the stock injectors, the engine is completely running out of fuel at higher RPM's.
 

robbo1987*2.3*

Founding Member
Apr 22, 2002
445
0
17
varina, va
Jan 27, 2009
#8
  • Jan 27, 2009
  • #8
do what???

stock 4cyl ecu?, stock injectors, and all on a n/a block and internals. I would recomend no mods till you at least get some forged pistons in tha block and the right ecu/injector setup in the car. I also concur with gearbanger, if the plugs arent gapped right itll miss under w.o.t. Also, even with the right ecu/ injector installed you still have the cast pistons which are brittle. Anything over 6-8 psi of boost will send those pistons into your oilpan( atleast thats what i hear)

robbo
 

robbo1987*2.3*

Founding Member
Apr 22, 2002
445
0
17
varina, va
Jan 27, 2009
#9
  • Jan 27, 2009
  • #9
oops

i didnt read your reply fully nick. After you put the "turbo" motor in it you can do all kinds of things to them to "pep" them up mine is almost cracking 13's and all that is done is a port and polished e6 with the t/3 matched to the manifold and i also played with the timing a little bit.
 
N

nick wright

New Member
Jan 16, 2009
22
0
0
Jan 28, 2009
#10
  • Jan 28, 2009
  • #10
well i'm going to de advance the timeing this weekend and if the car still runs the same i'm going to look for a la2 computer and 35lb brown top injectors. i'm not going to do any mods to it i don't for see the motor lasting to long anyways. have come across 2 turbo coupes and a merkur that could probaly be bought for next to nothing when i drop in a new motor i would like to do a few mods and i hope to see low 13's or a high 12 second 4 banger from what i've heard low 13's and high 12's can easily be acomplished with a few mods
 
S

stangs4evr-roy

New Member
Mar 26, 2004
57
0
0
Jan 28, 2009
#11
  • Jan 28, 2009
  • #11
you are damn lucky you're not picking cast piston shrapple out of your butt!!!!!
get some FORGED pistons in there, PRONTO !!!!
 
N

nick wright

New Member
Jan 16, 2009
22
0
0
Feb 2, 2009
#12
  • Feb 2, 2009
  • #12
well i've exnayed the turbo conversion b/c the motor has to many mile on it and it's constanly leaking if it's not one place it's another so a 5.0 is going in it i found a wrecked GT for $250 bucks it has a go running 5.0 with a 5 speed and an 8.8 rear and a few other good parts
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Feb 2, 2009
#13
  • Feb 2, 2009
  • #13
Well have fun with that.
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Feb 3, 2009
#14
  • Feb 3, 2009
  • #14
wow.... there was a huge lack of thought process on this project. You should prepare that 5.0 because I don't see you having the ability to make a 2.3 run right.

First, as red said earlier, it is probably breaking up because it is running very LEAN. The only thing saving you from your own idiocy is the fact that it is probably too lean to ignite and burn the mixture.

If you want to continue running the 2.3, immidiately swap in a turbo computer with the correct VAM and injectors. You will have to rewire a few pins on the computer too. Consider that a research project. Do no get into boost again until after you add the turbo computer.

I ran a turbo with the correct turbo computer, injectors and VAM on my NA engine for about a year. I found on the LB3 I was running, that I had to reduce the timing by a lot, to around 0-2* base timing because it has too much low and mid range timing for the higher compression ratio of the NA engine. I would say you would be doing very well to run 14s on an NA engine without blowing it up. You may want to reconsider your plans.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
C4 trans help needed
  • CPH89LX
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
132
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 28, 2026
CPH89LX
C
T5 5th gear 89 gt
  • mac_55
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
159
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 20, 2026
Mustang5L5
Hard to start when engine is cold
  • 86_Capri
  • Mar 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
31
Views
747
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 21, 2026
86_Capri
C
1992 LX 2,3, automatic problems, oil dissapears.
  • Carpimp
  • Aug 10, 2025
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
2
Views
160
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Aug 10, 2025
General karthief
Fox Xtremely high fuel consumption
  • PonyGTrider
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 9 10 11
Replies
213
Views
3K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 9, 2026
PonyGTrider
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?