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  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

Gonna build up a short block for a little boost,..

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stangler
  • Start date Start date Jun 20, 2006
S

Stangler

A.K.A. Mr. Hankey
Founding Member
Dec 20, 2001
1,357
1
37
Jun 20, 2006
#1
  • Jun 20, 2006
  • #1
What's needed in a 2.3 to handle about 300-350 RWHP? Will the block take it? Stock rod's? I know I'll be getting pistons, but tell me your combo's. I'm doing a turbo on my 5.0 first, but the daily driver is next. Thanks

Nate
 

evintho

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 12, 2003
683
245
73
Santa Rosa, CA.
Jun 20, 2006
#2
  • Jun 20, 2006
  • #2
2.3's are bulletproof! The stock bottom end will easily handle 300-350 hp. Do the standard stuff on the rebuild, turn the crank, resize the rods but don't go over .030 on the overbore. .020 would be better. Thin cylinder wall castings. Make sure you buy FORGED pistons, not the hypereu....(I won't even try to spell it)! Most of your power can be derived from the headwork and the intake/exhaust track. A Holset or hybrid T3/T4 will fill the bill.
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
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129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jun 21, 2006
#3
  • Jun 21, 2006
  • #3
What's needed to handle 300-350 hp?

Step 1 locate 2.3L Turbo engine
Step 2 rebuild with stock pistons
Step 3 make 300 hp

My engine is a recent rebuild, the only aftermarket stuff I have in the block is ARP rod bolts, a homemade windage tray, a crank scraper, and then I have ARP head studs (for peace of mind). That's it. People have run 400 hp on stock bottom ends with no ill effects.
 
S

Stangler

A.K.A. Mr. Hankey
Founding Member
Dec 20, 2001
1,357
1
37
Jun 21, 2006
#4
  • Jun 21, 2006
  • #4
Red_LX said:
What's needed to handle 300-350 hp?

Step 1 locate 2.3L Turbo engine
Step 2 rebuild with stock pistons
Step 3 make 300 hp

My engine is a recent rebuild, the only aftermarket stuff I have in the block is ARP rod bolts, a homemade windage tray, a crank scraper, and then I have ARP head studs (for peace of mind). That's it. People have run 400 hp on stock bottom ends with no ill effects.
Click to expand...

Are we talking a stock bottom end from a turbo motor, or my N/A motor? Do I need the turbo block if I'm gonna upgrade the rods and pistons?? I read someplace that the turbo block is the same, just it has a oil drail back. I will be looking for the turbo head though... Thanks for the info, please keep it coming.

Nate
 

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
Jun 21, 2006
#5
  • Jun 21, 2006
  • #5
I'm talking about the stock bottom end on a turbo engine...

However to my knowledge the n/a engines have the same rotating assembly aside from the cast pistons. Everything interchanges. You can use an n/a block if you run a return line to the pan, which is pretty easy to do.
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
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Stafford,VA
Jun 21, 2006
#6
  • Jun 21, 2006
  • #6
well see this summer if i can blow up a stock bottom end....................
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
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129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jun 22, 2006
#7
  • Jun 22, 2006
  • #7
Well, in that Shiny Avenger buildup (I think it was) in MM&FF, they had that SVO that made 412 hp at close to 25 psi (somewhere around there) on a completely stock bottom end. That shows you how godawful the stock heads flow though
 

Stinger

Founding Member
Jul 7, 2001
7,754
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118
Basehor (Kansas City), KS
Jun 22, 2006
#8
  • Jun 22, 2006
  • #8
Yeah, and 3 different people that I know of have cracked the 430+rwhp mark since then on stock junkyard turbo blocks/internals.
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
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48
Stafford,VA
Jun 22, 2006
#9
  • Jun 22, 2006
  • #9
Red_LX said:
Well, in that Shiny Avenger buildup (I think it was) in MM&FF, they had that SVO that made 412 hp at close to 25 psi (somewhere around there) on a completely stock bottom end. That shows you how godawful the stock heads flow though
Click to expand...
there also not useing a small IHI turbo...or a t3 even.
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
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129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jun 22, 2006
#10
  • Jun 22, 2006
  • #10
88stangmangt said:
there also not useing a small IHI turbo...or a t3 even.
Click to expand...

And your point is....?
 
S

Sims6986

New Member
Feb 26, 2004
50
0
0
Indy
Sep 10, 2006
#11
  • Sep 10, 2006
  • #11
hey guys, haven't been on here in a while, i just wanted to know if i understand what you are saying. I can use a stock NA block with a turbo head? Can i just put a hole in the oil pan for the turbo instead of the block? I just want relatively low boost at this point. do i just take the head from a turbo coupe, along with the manifolds, turbo, ecu, etc. this 2.3 i just purchased is a 93 dp head. I just wanted to know if i could swap it with a turbo head. also could i use two gaskets to lower compression a little more? I don't want to detonate. Thanks in advance for any info.
A.J.
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Sep 10, 2006
#12
  • Sep 10, 2006
  • #12
you dont want to use two gaskets, just put turbo pistons in there, and be done for good.
 
S

Sims6986

New Member
Feb 26, 2004
50
0
0
Indy
Sep 10, 2006
#13
  • Sep 10, 2006
  • #13
right now i don't want to pull the engine i just want to do a head swap, and leave the internals stock. this winter i will build it. so what all do i need?
 

Asha'man

Founding Member
Feb 5, 2002
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0
Denver
Sep 10, 2006
#14
  • Sep 10, 2006
  • #14
What you need is to swap shortblocks. Didn't we go through this already?
 
S

Sims6986

New Member
Feb 26, 2004
50
0
0
Indy
Sep 11, 2006
#15
  • Sep 11, 2006
  • #15
so can i not swap heads? the reason i'm not wanting to pull the motor is then i will have the temptation to put the 5.0 thats on my engine stand in this car. I don't want that. and plus i don't think i could find everything i need for less than 500 bucks without having to rebuild a the engine. i wouldn't mind just rebuilding a head and then i could swap it out in a weekend. any help please?
 

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
Sep 11, 2006
#16
  • Sep 11, 2006
  • #16
If you think you would be able to pull the 2.3 and just "drop" the 5.0 in there, you're sorely mistaken.
 
S

Sims6986

New Member
Feb 26, 2004
50
0
0
Indy
Sep 11, 2006
#17
  • Sep 11, 2006
  • #17
I know it won't just drop in. But that is more than likely what i would do, because i have the engine there. Can someone answer my questions? I want to get started on this if it is possible. What will i need.
 
S

Sims6986

New Member
Feb 26, 2004
50
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0
Indy
Sep 12, 2006
#18
  • Sep 12, 2006
  • #18
Can someone help me? Anyone?
 
B

BELL

Founding Member
Feb 21, 2002
722
0
0
California
Sep 12, 2006
#19
  • Sep 12, 2006
  • #19
NO:

NO N/A short block

NO swapping cylinder heads from turbo motor

NO double stacking cylinder head gaskets.

there i said it. do it right the first time.
 

evintho

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 12, 2003
683
245
73
Santa Rosa, CA.
Sep 12, 2006
#20
  • Sep 12, 2006
  • #20
This has been covered before, many times! To make a N/A 2.3 live and work properly with a turbocharger, you need:

1) FORGED, DISHED TURBO PISTONS
2) TURBO OIL DRAINBACK into the pan or block
3) TURBO HEAD

Under boost the N/A cast pistons will disinegrate sooner than later! That's why you need forged pistons!
 
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