ok so i have been thinking....i have saved up some money. what should i do to upgrade the motor. i want to go t3/t4 hybrid, front mount intercooler, bov and a boost controler. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... im new at this and was wondering what size turbo to get. thanks
1. Where do you live? It may save you cost.
2. Are you mechanically inclined?
3. Are you going to do the work yourself?
4. What kind of money are you talking?
Find a 88TC in the paper and tear out the engine and check it out so that you can rebuild what you must. Take all that you can from that 88 and swap it into the 93, using as much as you can from it. Dont toss the 93 stuff because some of that is going to be useable also. Check out stingers site and there is a great write up for this exact thing. he also has some performance parts on it that you can buy. Especially check out the re-wiring diagram because you HAVE to do that. Make sure you have a T5 also to drop in during the swap. PE computer is something that you will want to look into also. You may have money left ofer also and witrh selling some of the 93 stuff you may make some cash.
Buy a set of sway bars and a trac loc diff. and maybe a deeper gear set. those will leave you with money left and show the biggest gains in driveability. next buy a big valve ported head. you will see real gains especially at higher rpms. There I spent your $2500
Do you already have the engine, and everything you need for the swap? If so, you could build one hell of a nice setup with $2500.
- Custom exhaust manifold (Stinger, Rod, or 40Bob) ~$300-$500
- Bigger turbo (T03/T04 50 trim i'm told is the best matched combo for the 2.3 for up to 400hp) ~$not sure
- Lots of work on the cylinder head (ported, big valves, remove the shrouds over the valves) ~ $not sure
- Custom, or better, cam ~ $300+
- Bigger throttle body (65mm Ford Racing, anyone?) ~ $150
- Full 3" exhaust (turbo outlet back) ~ $300
- Big VAM and an LA2/LA3 computer ~$ less than 100
- 35lb/hr fuel injectors ~$50
Get the car running right and then turn your eyes to the suspension and brakes. I think a set of 11" 5.0 front rotors with Hawk pads, subframe connectors, good springs (Eibach, H&R, Steeda, even FMS) and Koni reds would do nicely.
Okay, so that's what I'm gonna be doing this summer....so sue me.