93 Mustang LX 2.3L

[Discipulus]

Alright guys. I've been talking to a few friends, and most of them said they'd swap out the engine for a bigger one. Then I met someone who was absolutely CRAZY about SVO's. Now, I don't know that much about cars, but I want to learn. So, what would YOU do to my stock 2.3L? I've seen people talking about an swap fora 2.3T, now, what's the difference between 'em? Just a turbo is hooked up to it or what? (Don't worry, I'm wearing asbestos clothes.)
Thanks for any help,
Discipulus

 

[Shawneebear93]

The internals in factory 2.3 Turbo engines are a lot stronger than factory Naturally Aspirated 2.3's. I'm sure others will chime in more differences, but that's the main thing. Putting a turbo on a factory N/A 2.3 engine does not work very well unless you keep it at very low boost (Who does that?).
Search this forum, join www.turboford.org and you will learn a multitude of information concerning 2.3T engines. The big thing is reading as much information as you can to become familiar with it, pictures help too.
EDIT: To answer what you can do to the engine N/A, most if us have fabricated a cold air kit, long tube header and full exhaust. That's the cheapest, most effective modifications you can do. After that, some people have milled the head, ported and polished the head, etc. I have not touched the head, but the majority believe it is not worth the money and is better to swap in a turbo engine. I have installed a long tube header and full exhaust and it helped high RPM pickup, but if you plan to go turbo, it's not even worth it.

 

[Keasbey]

There is many differences between 2.3n/a and 2.3T. 2.3t have forged pistons, stronger valve, a different compression rate(I think),a hole for the oil return line, oil coollant I certainly forget some of thoses differences but that's all what I remember for the moment. If you only put a turbo on a 2.3n/a, it could hold on for a month or so.. but not that much I would say.. Thoses engine(2.3T) come from Turbocoupe,Xr4ti or cougar.

 

[Discipulus]

Thanks for the advice. So what car makes/models should I ask for the engine out of when I start calling the junkyards around here?

 

[Keasbey]

Thanks for the advice. So what car makes/models should I ask for the engine out of when I start calling the junkyards around here?

Like I said, Thunderbird turbocoupe, Merkur Xr4ti, or mercury cougar

 

[Discipulus]

Brother said it ain't worth it...

My brother said that I couldn't get a turbo engine and turbo(s) for cheaper than the price of the car and that it wouldn't be worth it to drop all that in there. He said if I want power that I'd be better off getting a 5.0L after I sell the one I have now and that I couldn't get a T-bird Turbocoupe from the boneyard cheap (so I figured I'd call a few today). Oh well, I'll keep doing my research. Peace.

 

[93GreenLX]

I agree........... Peace

 

[Stinger]

Sounds like your brother is an idiot...or just likes to talk about things he knows nothing about...

 

[2.3Lxhatch311]

Sounds like your brother is an idiot...or just likes to talk about things he knows nothing about...

Hardcore!

 

[93GreenLX]

Sounds like your brother is an idiot...or just likes to talk about things he knows nothing about...

Stinger OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWNZ JOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Willy0314]

Sounds like your brother is an idiot...or just likes to talk about things he knows nothing about...

you can swap in a 2.3T for less then half the cost of a 5.0 swap and $2000 less then buying a used 5.0. If you find a good deal on a donnor car, you could be boosting for less then $600 easy.

 

[4bangen]

My brother said that I couldn't get a turbo engine and turbo(s) for cheaper than the price of the car and that it wouldn't be worth it to drop all that in there. He said if I want power that I'd be better off getting a 5.0L after I sell the one I have now and that I couldn't get a T-bird Turbocoupe from the boneyard cheap (so I figured I'd call a few today). Oh well, I'll keep doing my research. Peace.

I paid $250 for my first 2.3t motor with a fresh build, and am picking up another this weekend that I traided for a roller cam. ya he is right way more expensive than a 5.0l swap