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Thread: 2.3

  1. #1
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    Default 2.3

    The previous owner claimed my t-top notch had a "broken connecting rod" or a "spun bearing". I've owned the car for almost 2 years, but have only tried to start it twice(its under cover in the garage now). The engine turns over--but doesn't start. I bought the car with a full 5.0L conversion in mind, but just might throw in a replacement 2.3L in the meantime, so I can just cruise around and attend shows. [Its also an original Borg-Warner 4 speed car]

    Question; were all '79-'93 2.3Ls created equal? I was thinking of looking for an Aero 4cyl('87-'93) since they may have lower mileage, and might be more durable. I know the major difference between the two is carb vs. EFI, however, I would like to swap the top of the existing engine, and apply it to the replacement engine(this way I don't have to mess with different wiring or re-route anything). It seems like something like this could almost be done in an afternoon.
    Last edited by Bryan Knebworth; 05-26-2014 at 07:42 AM. Reason: added text

  2. #2
    64 falcon
    66 mustang
    05 grand marquis

    dont just believe in miracles, rely on them!

    fordsix.com admin

  3. #3

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    you should be able to put your intake and carb on anything up to 90 with a distributor , i ran a 88 2.3T motor with the intake and carb off my 78 mustang II, quages and everything hooked up the same, the 2.3 is a resilliant otor that is simple as it gets, even have one out there with a roller cam out of a 93 ford ranger , got whole head off one in pick and pull for 35 bucks on a half price day pull cam followers and hla's in my garage and put them in the motor while still in the car

  4. #4
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    Thanks for the help fellas So it sounds like '90 might be the limit...I'd love to check out this j/y that I know of, find some 'strippo' Aero that some Librarian owned, slip it's 30K orig one owner engine out, degrease it, put all the '83 top end stuff on it, and be done with it! I'm going to give the place a call tomorrow...

  5. #5

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    bro, you don't need the top end just some intake and exhaust gaskets, swap the long blocks out put intake/exhaust on , drive by end of weekend, i always put a new timing belt on the motors when i put them in a car of mine, but , you do what you want,,, if it were me i would use the auxilliary shaft distributor and fuel pump, then the intake and exhaust and oil pan on new motor, drop it in in 1 day, driving the next

  6. #6

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    straight up i wish my car (79 notch) was a 2.3 car i would put a 2.3T in it so fast your head would spin, but mine is a 3.3 L6

  7. #7

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    I totally agree!check Craig's list in your area,you might be able to find a 2.3 turbo for sale.maybe out of a crashed svo or a turbo coupe.that's what I would do.what ever you decide,best of luck with your project. Chad

  8. #8
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Never has a Mustang been so controversial as the Lima 2300 engined Mustang II and, especially, the early 2.3 Fox Stang and Capri's. The versions before the EEC IV EFI 2.3, are an acquired taste, and aren't for everyone. More of an acquired taste than I6's, as they are quite rough and sound more like a Works Escort race car than a traditional Mustang, and they require a little bit of smart management to get them to really cook. Since it doesn't rumble like a dual exhaust I-6 and V6 can, or every V8 does, that puts the concept on the outfield from the moment you see one in motion on the street. The Lima 2.3 will always be a European style engine.

    After the amazingly smart M81 and IMSA GT variants never got sanctioned as road going staple diet 2.3's.






    They had it all in detail, but Ford SVO waited four long years to fix up the 2.3 turbo for proper high boost, V8 beating performance.

    Ford had won everything, Le Mans, European Touring Car Challenge, World Rally Championship, and it had the ability to head hunt Porsche at production car racing with just a little Lima 4.


    Instead it let Porsche off the hook.



    I've been told the 2.3 Carb Turbo got 132 hp stock at 5200 rpm with the factory standard 5.5psi, then 175 hp at 7 psi, and 190hp at 12 psi. , the prospect of the Indy car style variable HP screw, hi boost carby 2.3 turbo was ditched forever.



    More so when the 5.0 got its increasingly fortified 157, 160, 175, 200, and 225 HP factory options. As an engine base, though, its probably the strongest potentially.

    The best thing in its favor is that you can convert to the old 2.3 Turbo draw through. It can work exceptionally well if you keep the compression ratio down, and the fuels aki/octane ratio up. The stock exhaust and split carb to turbo intake manifold with too small 5200 series carb were the reasons the Turbo 2.3 never hit the big time. The 9:1 compression ratio, and some complicated O ring and clocking details at the oil feed and acres of vac tubing were others. The basics were there.

    And it still can be a very reliable package

    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...3-turbo-engine

    Name:  100_1973s.jpg
Views: 792
Size:  81.7 KB

    There are a few accounts from ohc230 on allfordmustangs.com of what happens when the exhaust, carb and vac restrictions are cleared.

    http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...-pace-car.html

    When they are, and using a proper good OHC Lima internals, a bigger 500 cfm Holley 2300 or staged 350 cfm Holley 2305 or perhaps a Weber 320 cfm DGAS38, the whole thing set sail. 275 to 330 flywheel hp (220 to 260 rwhp) with a better stroker 2.5 liter crank

    Massively.



    Name:  cpstang43ChrisMillers79Turbo23FoxStangNotch.jpg
Views: 1141
Size:  19.5 KBName:  cpstang43ChrisMillers79Turbo23FoxStangNotch0002.jpg
Views: 1224
Size:  50.2 KB

    It has Esslinger aluminum head which required filling in the oval ports on the stock intake to match the D-ports. Uses the FelPro 1035 head gasket as the standard head gasket would blow out. It uses a Holley 500cfm carb. In the Holley 350 and 500s I replaced the power valve with a plug. I am currently using the same boostvalve with the stock turbo and getting peak boost of 22 psi. After peak, it settles back to 15-17 psi. I also recently converted to E85 (in a QuickFuel Holley 500 2 bbl, 90 jets, 25 nozzle, blue pump cam) which has even higher octane than the 114 I was using.


    See all Chris and Paul's # 143 79 Notch. I think its Chris Miller owned, and often Paul Johnston or Ron driven.

    See all cpstang43's you tubes
    https://www.youtube.com/user/cpstang43

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxDbYINe1c

  9. #9

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    the big prob with the draw through carb turbo cars is the fact you can't intercool them, they do have 9:1 forged slugs in em, though some of your other info is in correct but im not going to pick apart a good post if the OP gets into them he will find it researching on his own, love the pics of those imsa cars
    Last edited by thmpsn70; 05-27-2014 at 08:40 AM.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by thmpsn70 View Post
    straight up i wish my car (79 notch) was a 2.3 car i would put a 2.3T in it so fast your head would spin, but mine is a 3.3 L6
    so, turbo the six then.
    64 falcon
    66 mustang
    05 grand marquis

    dont just believe in miracles, rely on them!

    fordsix.com admin

  11. #11

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    wonder if i can do a rear mount on it

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by thmpsn70 View Post
    wonder if i can do a rear mount on it
    anything is possible. i say go for it.
    64 falcon
    66 mustang
    05 grand marquis

    dont just believe in miracles, rely on them!

    fordsix.com admin

  13. #13
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Not unless its a low mount B or X code 3,3 like Lincs200, Does10's, fast64ranchero, or JGTurbo's 250 on FordSix Performance.


    See http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=24859




    See http://www.classicinlines.com/V8Bell.asp






    High mounts are a little more difficult to package, but not impossible.


    The best is this one by First Fox

    http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=71606

  14. #14
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Remember this?

    Quote Originally Posted by xctasy View Post



    Well, here's the original


    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...5-years!/page2
    Quote Originally Posted by m81mclaren View Post
    A few extra shots of the car, SW gages (23K mi on the clock), trunk (that's tar not rust!) and the manual boost controller that probably did the headgasket in!

    Hope the 2.3 upgrade is going fine...

  15. #15
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    Its funny that this post came up again since I am getting ready to finally purchase that 2.3! I called the shop that specializes in any and all things Third Generation, and much to my chagrin, the owner says the engines are already out!! he stated that the prices range from 200-600, which seems pretty much on-point, and I will be purchasing that Ranger exhaust manifold for better performance. What kind of clutch kit should I get? I know it will be about 3 bones, and I know I should avoid Vato-Zone as everybody calls it!! lol

    Its disappointing to think I will do all this work, and if I ever sell, the engine and all its components will be the first thing to get replaced. A 300 dollar clutch kit with only 12K miles will get thrown out for its 5.0L counterpart. If I had 4 or 5 grand to throw at this, I'd have a pizza/wrench party and slip in an E7 motor with GT40 appointments, THEN be done with it. On a sidenote, this t-top notch is unlike anything I've ever seen. Inside, you're surrounded by ambient light, its like sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet! lol

  16. #16
    FEP Super Member IDMooseMan's Avatar
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    Trying to catch up on my reading. I'd like to see what you do with this one, so I'll subscribe for future reference.
    Craig "IDMooseMan" Peters
    1979 Mustang Ghia Notchback, 2.3L, Holley 5200, 4-spd, 3.08:1 7.5" diff, A/C, PS, PB, AM/FM/8-Track, Sunroof, Rear Defroster
    USAF SSgt 63170 1983 - 1992; Co-Founder, Vice President, Omega Delta Sigma, ID-A 2/2015
    To those that serve and have served, "Thank You", to those that haven't, "You're Welcome"
    2.3L Horsepower Potential Thread
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  17. #17
    FEP Super Member IDMooseMan's Avatar
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    Has this project been put on the back burner? Any updates?
    Craig "IDMooseMan" Peters
    1979 Mustang Ghia Notchback, 2.3L, Holley 5200, 4-spd, 3.08:1 7.5" diff, A/C, PS, PB, AM/FM/8-Track, Sunroof, Rear Defroster
    USAF SSgt 63170 1983 - 1992; Co-Founder, Vice President, Omega Delta Sigma, ID-A 2/2015
    To those that serve and have served, "Thank You", to those that haven't, "You're Welcome"
    2.3L Horsepower Potential Thread
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  18. #18
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    Hey Craig, nothing yet. So tempted to transfer all the '88TC stuff to it, but would probably cost a fortune!! lol


    Until then...
    Last edited by Bryan Knebworth; 12-16-2015 at 05:09 PM. Reason: added image

  19. #19
    FEP Super Member IDMooseMan's Avatar
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    I understand completely. I've been thinking I should've kept the turbo assembly that came with my Ghia when I bought her, but then I remember why I bought her. Someone else can enjoy the turbo. I want to get my Ghia back on the road one of these days and the turbo modification would slow down my reaching that goal.
    Craig "IDMooseMan" Peters
    1979 Mustang Ghia Notchback, 2.3L, Holley 5200, 4-spd, 3.08:1 7.5" diff, A/C, PS, PB, AM/FM/8-Track, Sunroof, Rear Defroster
    USAF SSgt 63170 1983 - 1992; Co-Founder, Vice President, Omega Delta Sigma, ID-A 2/2015
    To those that serve and have served, "Thank You", to those that haven't, "You're Welcome"
    2.3L Horsepower Potential Thread
    Buyer/Seller Experience Link
    Build Thread
    The Four-Eyed Game - 2018 Version

  20. #20
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Malcolm, read this. Chris Miller is still doing it 10 years later on his 25 pound boost draw through 500 Holley 2bbl alloy head 79 Mustang notch! Its got a 2.5 liter Esslinger 3.35 stroke steel crank now. With 4.30 or 4.56 gears

    https://youtu.be/6d-JJ0Kdh8I

    Quote Originally Posted by xctasy View Post
    Never has a Mustang been so controversial as the Lima 2300 engined Mustang II and, especially, the early 2.3 Fox Stang and Capri's. The versions before the EEC IV EFI 2.3, are an acquired taste, and aren't for everyone. More of an acquired taste than I6's, as they are quite rough and sound more like a Works Escort race car than a traditional Mustang, and they require a little bit of smart management to get them to really cook. Since it doesn't rumble like a dual exhaust I-6 and V6 can, or every V8 does, that puts the concept on the outfield from the moment you see one in motion on the street. The Lima 2.3 will always be a European style engine.

    After the amazingly smart M81 and IMSA GT variants never got sanctioned as road going staple diet 2.3's.






    They had it all in detail, but Ford SVO waited four long years to fix up the 2.3 turbo for proper high boost, V8 beating performance.

    Ford had won everything, Le Mans, European Touring Car Challenge, World Rally Championship, and it had the ability to head hunt Porsche at production car racing with just a little Lima 4.


    Instead it let Porsche off the hook.



    I've been told the 2.3 Carb Turbo got 132 hp stock at 5200 rpm with the factory standard 5.5psi, then 175 hp at 7 psi, and 190hp at 12 psi. , the prospect of the Indy car style variable HP screw, hi boost carby 2.3 turbo was ditched forever.



    More so when the 5.0 got its increasingly fortified 157, 160, 175, 200, and 225 HP factory options. As an engine base, though, its probably the strongest potentially.

    The best thing in its favor is that you can convert to the old 2.3 Turbo draw through. It can work exceptionally well if you keep the compression ratio down, and the fuels aki/octane ratio up. The stock exhaust and split carb to turbo intake manifold with too small 5200 series carb were the reasons the Turbo 2.3 never hit the big time. The 9:1 compression ratio, and some complicated O ring and clocking details at the oil feed and acres of vac tubing were others. The basics were there.

    And it still can be a very reliable package

    http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...3-turbo-engine

    Name:  100_1973s.jpg
Views: 792
Size:  81.7 KB

    There are a few accounts from ohc230 on allfordmustangs.com of what happens when the exhaust, carb and vac restrictions are cleared.

    http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...-pace-car.html

    When they are, and using a proper good OHC Lima internals, a bigger 500 cfm Holley 2300 or staged 350 cfm Holley 2305 or perhaps a Weber 320 cfm DGAS38, the whole thing set sail. 275 to 330 flywheel hp (220 to 260 rwhp) with a better stroker 2.5 liter crank

    Massively.



    Name:  cpstang43ChrisMillers79Turbo23FoxStangNotch.jpg
Views: 1141
Size:  19.5 KBName:  cpstang43ChrisMillers79Turbo23FoxStangNotch0002.jpg
Views: 1224
Size:  50.2 KB





    See all Chris and Paul's # 143 79 Notch. I think its Chris Miller owned, and often Paul Johnston or Ron driven.

    See all cpstang43's you tubes
    https://www.youtube.com/user/cpstang43

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxDbYINe1c

  21. #21
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    I still haven't done anything with this. I'm going to free up some cash soon, via the sale of one of my foxes, and will be looking at (3) possibilities;

    (1) install a used 2.3L
    (2) install the driveline from an Aero; 5.0L/5speed, 8.8, 3.08
    (3) purchase, rebuild, and install a fresh 2.3L.

    Ideas? Post here, or better yet, send a PM
    Last edited by Bryan Knebworth; 09-22-2020 at 09:52 AM. Reason: added text

  22. #22
    FEP Super Member IDMooseMan's Avatar
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    I hear ya. I haven't been able, (physically), to do anything my Ghia, yet. She's still sitting, covered, next to the house; I can see her from my window.
    Craig "IDMooseMan" Peters
    1979 Mustang Ghia Notchback, 2.3L, Holley 5200, 4-spd, 3.08:1 7.5" diff, A/C, PS, PB, AM/FM/8-Track, Sunroof, Rear Defroster
    USAF SSgt 63170 1983 - 1992; Co-Founder, Vice President, Omega Delta Sigma, ID-A 2/2015
    To those that serve and have served, "Thank You", to those that haven't, "You're Welcome"
    2.3L Horsepower Potential Thread
    Buyer/Seller Experience Link
    Build Thread
    The Four-Eyed Game - 2018 Version

  23. #23
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    These are the two I'm thinking about......
    (1) install a used 2.3L
    (2) install the driveline from an Aero; 5.0L/5speed, 8.8, 3.08

    If I had a house/garage I found a 89 2.3 5-speed vert for $2000. Use the drive train/suspension for my 2.3 85 and the other parts for my 88 5.0 vert.

    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
    68 Coupe Inline-6 3-Speed-Man. Primer
    78 II Hatch 302 3-Speed-Auto Sunroof Black
    81 4-Eye Coupe 4-Banger 4-Speed-Man. White

  24. #24
    FEP Super Member Bryan Knebworth's Avatar
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    I'm still waking up here, but does anybody have a line on a '87-'88 T-Bird Turbo engine? I'm going with the Turbo engine for the stronger internals. Hope to install a Ranger Header too, along with a better exhaust. Post here or PM me for more...

  25. #25

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    The only real difference in between the NA and turbo 2.3L blocks is that the EFI turbo cars had forged pistons vs the cast in the NA ones. Cranks, rods, etc were the same. The rod bolts were the weak link in the bottom end.

    Are you planning on boosting the car? Not sure of where you're starting. Your post doesn't specify and I don't know the car.

    If you're not planning boost, the only thing you'll gain from the EFI turbo engine is a lower static compression, which isn't great for NA power.
    83 TC "Clone"
    85 Marquis LTS
    86 LTD Wagon

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