2.3L performance upgrades??
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Amherst
2.3L performance upgrades??
Does anyone know of any upgrades i can do to my 1994 ranger's weak 2.3L motor. I was gonna eventually do a 5.0 swap but due to money, gas prices and other issues i just wanna make the one i got run better right now. Please give me some suggestions. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
My 2.5L is pretty sporty after the conical filter, intake insulation, and exhaust. The next step involves a slightly larger investment to get a Diablo sport chip. You are lucky in that the turbo from an SVO Mustang will fit your truck as well.
New User
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Turbo Coupe swap. Simple and nets you around 200 easy and reliable horsepower, and more if you are willing to do the turboford.org thing 
Only problem is TRACTION!!!
You'll need a donor 87-88 turbo coupe 2.3L intercooler turbo engine, the ECU, and then search around on turboford and you'll find some swap guides. It's EASY, and really you don't need too many wiring diagrams or anything. You'll also need a hi-flow fuel pump like a walbro 255 litre/hour, an intercooler from a volvo 740, and some PVC or hard-bent exhaust pipes for the intake system, some good boost and fuel pressure gauges, and a manual boost controller (spring-ball type). The total cost? Maybe $1000 for unlimited potential. How many bolt ins are gonna have you barking tires in the first 3 gears?
Only problem is TRACTION!!!You'll need a donor 87-88 turbo coupe 2.3L intercooler turbo engine, the ECU, and then search around on turboford and you'll find some swap guides. It's EASY, and really you don't need too many wiring diagrams or anything. You'll also need a hi-flow fuel pump like a walbro 255 litre/hour, an intercooler from a volvo 740, and some PVC or hard-bent exhaust pipes for the intake system, some good boost and fuel pressure gauges, and a manual boost controller (spring-ball type). The total cost? Maybe $1000 for unlimited potential. How many bolt ins are gonna have you barking tires in the first 3 gears?
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
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From: Claremore
Deffinatly going to be easier, quicker and cheaper to swap in a motor (as mentioned, the 2.3 Turbo'ed), as if you dont, and you want to turbo your current motor, you will have to upgrade all your internals to forged parts (for strength). Anyways, do a search for this in this forum, this topic has been brought up COUNTLESS times, with many great suggestions.
Stan
P.S. Welcome to FTE
Stan
P.S. Welcome to FTE
Senior User
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Originally Posted by maticuno
My 2.5L is pretty sporty after the conical filter, intake insulation, and exhaust.
Was there a noticeable performance/sound difference in the filter and insulation change?
Thanks
New User
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From: Kentucky
Trending Topics
New User
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Turbo performance site
here are a few sites:
http://www.esslingeracing.com/
http://www.fordpinto.com/
http://www.turboford.org
http://www.esslingeracing.com/
http://www.fordpinto.com/
http://www.turboford.org
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
Originally Posted by cary200
I've got a 2.5L 00 4X2. I'm wondering where you got your "look alike" connical filter, the insulation. For your exhaust, did you just buy the muffler and cat back and take it to the muffler shop?
Was there a noticeable performance/sound difference in the filter and insulation change?
Thanks
Was there a noticeable performance/sound difference in the filter and insulation change?
Thanks
The intake insulation came from http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101.
I had the local muffler shop do the Flowmaster and cat-back. I'm friends with the owner so I got it pretty damn cheap. It sounds a whole lot better now. Very throaty. I had a post with a recording of it, but the quality is so low it makes it sound ricey. I'm going to borrow my friends hi-fi equipment so I can get a good recording. As far as what it did for my power, when I finally get into my power band it will push you back in your seat a bit. I can also do a 30 MPH burn out and beat 5.0L F-150's.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: nortonville illinois
i have 2 magazines one is advance adapters(www.advanceadapters.com)they are in california (800)350- 2223 you can get any thing out of it for the 5.0 swap
and the other you can buy headers$139.95 ,pistons 119.95, rods$89.95, valve springs 48.95, lifters 32.95 , valve keepers $4.99, rings74.95-99.95, oil pans,oil pumps, bearings, pullys racing clutch timing belt carbs radiators water pumps and a bunch more www. speedwaymotors.com $5.00 catalog (402)323-3200
good luck hope this helps
and the other you can buy headers$139.95 ,pistons 119.95, rods$89.95, valve springs 48.95, lifters 32.95 , valve keepers $4.99, rings74.95-99.95, oil pans,oil pumps, bearings, pullys racing clutch timing belt carbs radiators water pumps and a bunch more www. speedwaymotors.com $5.00 catalog (402)323-3200
good luck hope this helps
Senior User
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Originally Posted by maticuno
I had the local muffler shop do the Flowmaster and cat-back.
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,107
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From: California Desert
Any 3" conical will fit, but you can just clean this one, re-oil it, and put it back on. I went with a 2.5" cat-back with a 40 series Flowmaster. Don't use me as a guide to doing it "right" though. I'm just a guy who did some work on his truck with some good results. Anyone else with any different combination of modifications could accomplish the same if not more. If you want to see everything I've done to my truck, look at my signature and check out my gallery.
