[Ga_50_foxbody]

Greeting to All,

I've postponed my work on the 5.0 to give back attention to my 2.3.

I've decided not to put a 5.0 in my car instead I wasnt to go for the 2.3Turbo engine. I know the 88 T-Bird has them but are there any other cars I could look for as well that used this engine ?

My 2.3 is an automatic and I was wondering if I should just be looking for the complete engine or should I also be looking for the tranny as well ?

Would my current tranny bolt up until I could find a 5 speed for this engine ?

And what else would I need to change to make this swap work ?

Looks like a 2.3T Powered T-Bird is hard to find out here in Ga. Maybe I should look out in Alabama or something ..


What does it take to push a 2.3T to 300HP ? And are they as strong as the rumors say they are ?

Info on my current car :

1991 Mustang LX w stock 2.3 Installed .. Everything else should be stock as well.

[ReverendDexter]

DEFINITELY find another tranny! The A4LD automatic is utter TRASH. I blew mine twice under normal driving with a STOCK 2.3L *non*turbo engine. You can find bellhousings to bolt the 2.3 to a T-5 (different versions of the T-5 came behind the 2.3 and 5.0). Find one of those, and put the 5.0-spec T5 behind it.

Insofar as other cars with the turbo 2.3, look at TurboCoupes, Cougar XR7s (though some are 5.0s), and Merkrur XR4Tis. I belive some early 80s GTs may have had them as well.

Yes, you can also find them in SVOs, but you should put those back on the road, not part 'em out!

[Ga_50_foxbody]

Hey Dexter how much HP have you ever seen someone put into a 2.3 Turbo ? I would like to see what is it going to take to push it at around 300HP. But if its going to cost a fortune I may want to rethink this. I've already found about 5 of these turbo engines here in Georgia and If it aint worth the time then I'd rather put my money elsewhere.

[ReverendDexter]

I've seen 400hp with some work, I'd say 300 streetable hp is doable, and I know Esslinger has a sandrail that puts out over 900hp. Some others will say that 400 streetable hp is doable.

Insofar as mods that will get you to 300, you're really not going that far from stock, assuming you find an intercooled motor. Now, I'll admit right off the bat that I've never built a turbo 2.3. That being said, were I to do it, the first thing I'd do is grab one of Esslinger's head/cam combos, and go from there. No point in doing a bunch of small mods now, only to undo them for the big mods later. I'm guessing that alone should get you damn close to the hp you're looking for.

Now all things being equal, I think you'll spend as much to put a turbo 2.3 in your car as you would to drop a 5.0 in it. What you get in the end though, is something a little lighter, better weight distribution, and a little different than the next guy.

[Ga_50_foxbody]

yeah I guess your right but Im looking for something different. I already have a 5.0 car and I love it but I'd also like to be the only one around here with a 2.3 Turbo. To convert a 2.3 over Id neeed a new rear end , tranny , engine , wiring and a heap of other mess. But to go 2.3 Turbo will be much cheaper.

Plus it keeps the car closer to what it originally is.


Thanks for the advise thought it will really help me out. I guess I need to go price that head/cam combo.


In the end I want to keep my V8 but also have a 4cyl with a little push behind it.

[TurboLX]

yeah nice choice...def. get a T5 tranny and instead of the small IHI on the turbo coupe motors upgrade it to a Holset HX-35 or HY-35 Turbo from a Diesel Dodge Ram, and that should easily put you to 350-400HP
theres alot of guys putting on those turbo's
here check this out http://www.projecthp.ford23.com/bolton.html
use it for reference and ideas, he runs one of those H-series turbos

[TurboLX]

and the best part about that car is its a bone stock N/A 2.3 with NO rebuild and a giant Turbo bolted up to it

[Ga_50_foxbody]

Wow , Thanks TurboLX you have now given me new hope on building a 2.3 Turbo. The Head an cam price from Esslinger costs more than the entire car did.


Not to mention I got a 2.3 Turbo and Tranny for dirt cheap.


Time to go find me a bigger Turbo ..

All hail the gods of 4 Cyl Turbo .....

[unstopablemustang]

i heard u get hit 300 over stock turbos with like a gerrit

[Ga_50_foxbody]

is the 7.5 rearend good enough for this swap or do you guys think I need to go ahead and change out to a 8.8 ? What would be the need ? And if I keep the 7.5 would I need to change gears for a little more notice ability ?

And it's looking like this wire harness is going to be a real mess. I'm getting rid of that parts car as soon as I get what I need so I want to make sure I get it all on the 1st go.

Engine , Trans , Harness , Computer , Intercooler.

[TurboLX]

no you would need to get rid of the 7.5, and swap an 8.8 in it, same with a V8, you wouldnt get the best performance with an 7.5, and i run an 8.8 with 3.55's for more top end speed cuz i do alot of highway driving, and you might not need the wiring harness, if the car already has one, and your gonna need the EEC as well

[beeker]

I would go with the 8.8 and 3.73 gears and add a couple extra clutches in the trac-lock.

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by unstopablemustang i heard u get hit 300 over stock turbos with like a gerrit

yes you can

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by beeker I would go with the 8.8 and 3.73 gears and add a couple extra clutches in the trac-lock.

thats what im saying

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by unstopablemustang i heard u get hit 300 over stock turbos with like a gerrit

oh you also slaughtered the word Garrett

[beeker]

Originally Posted by Ga_50_foxbody Hey Dexter how much HP have you ever seen someone put into a 2.3 Turbo ? I would like to see what is it going to take to push it at around 300HP. But if its going to cost a fortune I may want to rethink this. I've already found about 5 of these turbo engines here in Georgia and If it aint worth the time then I'd rather put my money elsewhere.

there are a few TRACK ONLY cars out there that are running close to 900 HP.

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by beeker Originally Posted by Ga_50_foxbody Hey Dexter how much HP have you ever seen someone put into a 2.3 Turbo ? I would like to see what is it going to take to push it at around 300HP. But if its going to cost a fortune I may want to rethink this. I've already found about 5 of these turbo engines here in Georgia and If it aint worth the time then I'd rather put my money elsewhere. there are a few TRACK ONLY cars out there that are running close to 900 HP.

this is true, the most hp people run on the 2.3's is ranged from 300-500 street drivin, im getting close to 500

[beeker]

what kind of times are you posting, TurboLX?

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by beeker what kind of times are you posting, TurboLX?

right now, none, the car is still awaiting completion which is nearing

my combo is a 2.5 with a 20" bore, JE low compression forged pistons and crank, a stinger header with a Holset HX35 and a 3" down pipe set at 5lbs right now, engine was just rebuilt so i cant go too hard on it but i will be turning it up as i go along, 62lb injectors with a Turbo "Joe" fuel rail, a Kirban FP regulator and a megasquirt stand alone system, custom FMIC coming soon and a HKS bov, thats pretty much it for now, i still got body work and interior to do, i will be posting some pics as soon as it gets near completion, right now its just a POS lookin mustang with a highly modded motor, so...but its a Vert to so my times arent gonna be fast do to the extra wieght, this is gonna be my daily driver and an ocassional drag race every once in awhile, my fathers 88TC puts 532hp to the ground and runs high 10's so thats my inspiration