performance addons for 2.3L
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Well seth1, that's a loaded question! You could go right to twin turbos,chip,cam, full ported head etc.
What kind of power are you looking to get and can you afford the big ticket items?
Start your plan with the usage the truck will see. Tons of power isn't always the right way to go.
Plan the work and work the plan.
What kind of power are you looking to get and can you afford the big ticket items?
Start your plan with the usage the truck will see. Tons of power isn't always the right way to go.
Plan the work and work the plan.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Seth, what year is your 2.3L? Depending on whether it's a Lima (pre-'98) or a Duratec ('98+) will determine a lot.
First step on both is to improve the engine's breathing. Start with a air intake system to remove the restrictions in breathing. Then look into a cat back system like Gibson or Dynomax to open up the exhaust. After that, things start to get expen$ive, like performance chip$, head porting and cam$, $strokers, etc. If you want to bypass all that, you can look for a turbo 2.3L from an '80's thunderbird to swap in. All depend$ on how much you want to $pend.
First step on both is to improve the engine's breathing. Start with a air intake system to remove the restrictions in breathing. Then look into a cat back system like Gibson or Dynomax to open up the exhaust. After that, things start to get expen$ive, like performance chip$, head porting and cam$, $strokers, etc. If you want to bypass all that, you can look for a turbo 2.3L from an '80's thunderbird to swap in. All depend$ on how much you want to $pend.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 0
From: Claremore
Hey Stock, I you say that there is a big difference btwn the Lima and the Duratec... I assume you mean that there are more parts performance parts available for the Duratec? Cause I cant find much for my Lima, so I was wondering if maybe you had found a link that I've yet to discover? Lemme know man, cause im tired of downshifting in the 'ol 91 2.3L 
Thanks man...
Thanks man...
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
its a 92 truck but engine is a 94 (if that matters)
i took off the air muffler and put a stainless steel pipe in. would that help much? i also got a throttle enhancer chip. i made my own muffler, its like a dynomax ultra flo.
i took off the air muffler and put a stainless steel pipe in. would that help much? i also got a throttle enhancer chip. i made my own muffler, its like a dynomax ultra flo.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 47
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Trax, actually there is more support for the older Lima engines than there is for the newer duratecs. The Lima's have been around in one form or another since the 70's pinto. Duratecs are still in diapers by comparison. Since my '94 is a lima I can't speak for quantity/quality of duratec performance parts. For the older 2.3's check out esslingerracing.com, racerwalsh.com and/or raceengineering.com.
Seth, sounds good to me. My intake is a $25 civic I found on evil-bay. Custom Dynomax cat back cost me $180 at the local shop. What type chip you got? Some are good......some not so.
Seth, sounds good to me. My intake is a $25 civic I found on evil-bay. Custom Dynomax cat back cost me $180 at the local shop. What type chip you got? Some are good......some not so.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 0
From: Claremore
Cool, thanks Stock. So about these chips.... notice any diff? Mine is a 91 w/ the M5OD (5 speed) course the 2.3L. Also, how about that civic intake? Notice any difference? Gas milage? Power? Also, was it like a direct bolt in or did you have to do any custom plumbing? Also, keep in mind, I think that the location of the air box is different from the 91 to the 94, mine is on the passenger side, right behind the battery. Thanks dude... Stan
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
its called a caspers throttle enhancer. I got in at there website
www.casperselectronics.com
summit racing had some too but not the flat style connector (on the throttle body) which is what i have.
www.casperselectronics.com
summit racing had some too but not the flat style connector (on the throttle body) which is what i have.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 3
From: California Desert
Stock, I'm interested in that Civic intake you mentioned. Did it just fit right in with at least a relative match to where things are stock? Or did you have to cut and weld things to make it work?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
it hooks in the throttle body and is suppose to make the throttle more responsive when the pedal is pushed in 70% or more. its like $89 plus shipping and handling. i could tell a difference.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Trax, sounds like your intake config is different from my '94. My battery is on the driver's side with the filter box directly behind the passenger headlight. You may be able to use the same one by shortening the pipe. Don't know which one for yours. Browse the Ebay air intake section for one that's close to the shape of your existing hose/intake. I did the throttle cable mod at the same time, so I'm not sure which mod made the most improvement, but the two were definitely noticable. I had to do a little work on the intake to make it work. I carved up a PVC floor drain fitting from HD to make a MAF adapter and used a unibit to drill out that nipple on the pipe to make it large enough to hold my IAT sensor. No sweat if you can handle a drill and scroll saw. I didn't notice a significant change in gas mileage, but it certainly improved the fun factor in driving my truck. Under hood noise increased a little, but it's not obnoxious. As for chips, I have a Diablo which needs re-programming for my PCM. Chips are supposedly good for 10-12 hp and 15-20 lb.ft. torque. But you must use premium 93 octane gas.
Seth, never heard of that chip. I'll check it out.
Seth, never heard of that chip. I'll check it out.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 0
From: Claremore
so then u think the chips are worth the $240? whew.... alotta money, better be seeing atleast 15 horses coming to life, and thats no small feat.
Im not quite sure i understand this throttle cable thing.... so ur saying to just tighten up the slack? This will change my idle rpm wont it? I mean, i dont want the thing idling at 1500 rpm... or am i just confused?
Im not quite sure i understand this throttle cable thing.... so ur saying to just tighten up the slack? This will change my idle rpm wont it? I mean, i dont want the thing idling at 1500 rpm... or am i just confused?