Looking for some cheap, easy power

[babybudistmonk]

Hey Guys!
I have just bought a 93 Mustang Convertible with a non-turbo 2.3l. I was wondering how would be the best way to get some power out of it without breaking my bank. It does have an automatic transmition, an A4LD and it is getting rebuilt because the guy I bought it from blew it. If anyone knows if there is a shift kit for that trans, I would like to know about it. Also, any information on cheap ways to reduce weight would be helpful too. Remember, I am a college student, but I would like to hear all of your thoughts. Thankyou very much.

 

[Wannabe2.3T]

I probabaly speak for the whole board when i say, dont waste your cash on rebuilding you a4ld, they are very expensive to rebuild (anywhere from $700-$1200 if its done right),a huge HP sponge, and probably on of the most least reliable RWD auto's that ford has made. buy a 5-speed tranny out of another 2.3 car, or you can usually find them very cheap on ebay ($100-$500). its pretty much a straight forward swap, but the pedal assembly is a PITA, plan on spending a hour or so on your back under the dash.. it's usually a lot easier if you remove the driver front seat. Stinger has some good step-by-step instuctions on his homepage. maybe he/someone will chime in soon with it, i dont have it off hand. Also if your looking to give your 2.3 a few more HP, visit the tech articles at the top of the threads. if you really wanna get some good hp/tq out these 2.3's, we all here recomend getting a 2.3 turbo motor/computer/wire harness out of a T-bird or merkur xr4ti, or a couple other ford cars. you are garanteed to atleats double the power you have now, and it is basically a straight forward swap (same exact motor except diferent internals and a turbo basically). they put out about 220 hp stock depending on the car and its year, and 300+hp with few mods.. there's also guys out there getting well over 400hp to the wheels out of these motor on pump gas. just a little info i thought you might want to know. again, visit the tech articles, visit stingers page, and just visit the forums and read other peoples threads, you will learn a lot just buy reading and listening.
last, lemme be the first to say welcome to Stangnet.

 

[babybudistmonk]

g

 

[slowstang92]

quickest and easiest way to get power is nitrous

a custom setup can be done relatively cheap

every other mod costs way too much for little to no gain in hp

the stock forged pistons were built to handle n2o and from what ive seen in my own car they handle it well

 

[Asha'man]

Stinger's site - read and learn, and then post. http://projecthp.ford23.com

the stock forged pistons were built to handle n2o and from what ive seen in my own car they handle it well

If you mean the stock pistons in the 2.3T motors, yes, they will handle nitrous. They were built to handle boost, so nitrous isn't a big deal. The stock pistons in the n/a 2.3 are cast and will not handle much of anything past stock.

Brian

 

[RustBucket]

Did they change pistons in '92? My 91 N/A has cast pistons.

 

[slowstang92]

Did they change pistons in '92? My 91 N/A has cast pistons.

im sorry i dont know why i thought that the n/a 4 cyl came with forged pistons

gotta stop smoking so much

in either case the cast pistons that come stock can handle a reasonable amount of nitrous, i know mine have