Ford 2.3L turbo build thread (old 2.3L)
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:19 pm
OK, per a few of your requests I'm starting a build thread for my 1966 1600 getting the old school, Lima engine, the Ford 2.3L turbo motor.
This is a 1987 block, bored .030" oversize, stock crank, Carillo rods, CP forged pistons, ported big-valve head, medium sized cam, stock 35lb injectors, intake was cut and rotated 90 degrees to face forward to catch the charge from the front mounted intercooler.
Stock T3 turbo, 2 1/2" exhaust all the way back. Upgraded ECU with Megasquirt fuel injection, TunerStudio software allows tuning from the passenger seat. Well, sometimes from the driver seat, but that's not recommended...
Luckily this engine fit into the frame with NO cutting of the front crossmember and zero mods to the X-member. I actually set the T5Z 5-speed transmission on top of the X-member and bolted it in place with long (like 6 1/2 inch) bolts all the way thru the X-member. The trans mount pad sits on shock bushings, and I used another shock bushing (polyurethane donut) on top of the trans mount pad.
Exhaust exits on the passenger side, so I ran the exhaust pipe under the engine, in front of the oil sump and went back thru the frame the way Nissan intended. I did have to weld in 4x4 square tubes into where the X-member joins the frame rails to fit the 2 1/2" exhaust.
Enjoy and feel free to ask questions, make suggestions, Monday morning QB, shoot flames, whatever. IDC anymore how folks view what I do.
"The best weight you will ever lose is the weight of other people's opinion of you." - My favorite saying
I am willing to take extra pics and post them up if enough people are interested.
How much HP? These engines were rated at 190 HP in the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 205 HP in the Mustang SVO. I'm making a bit more than stock so I'm guessing 220 to 230 ish; 15 lbs of boost, pump gas. Rev limiter set at 6,800 but max shift point is 6,000 RPM.
This is a 1987 block, bored .030" oversize, stock crank, Carillo rods, CP forged pistons, ported big-valve head, medium sized cam, stock 35lb injectors, intake was cut and rotated 90 degrees to face forward to catch the charge from the front mounted intercooler.
Stock T3 turbo, 2 1/2" exhaust all the way back. Upgraded ECU with Megasquirt fuel injection, TunerStudio software allows tuning from the passenger seat. Well, sometimes from the driver seat, but that's not recommended...
Luckily this engine fit into the frame with NO cutting of the front crossmember and zero mods to the X-member. I actually set the T5Z 5-speed transmission on top of the X-member and bolted it in place with long (like 6 1/2 inch) bolts all the way thru the X-member. The trans mount pad sits on shock bushings, and I used another shock bushing (polyurethane donut) on top of the trans mount pad.
Exhaust exits on the passenger side, so I ran the exhaust pipe under the engine, in front of the oil sump and went back thru the frame the way Nissan intended. I did have to weld in 4x4 square tubes into where the X-member joins the frame rails to fit the 2 1/2" exhaust.
Enjoy and feel free to ask questions, make suggestions, Monday morning QB, shoot flames, whatever. IDC anymore how folks view what I do.
"The best weight you will ever lose is the weight of other people's opinion of you." - My favorite saying
I am willing to take extra pics and post them up if enough people are interested.
How much HP? These engines were rated at 190 HP in the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 205 HP in the Mustang SVO. I'm making a bit more than stock so I'm guessing 220 to 230 ish; 15 lbs of boost, pump gas. Rev limiter set at 6,800 but max shift point is 6,000 RPM.
