cup Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 people are getting 500+ hp/7500 rpms out of these motors @ 30lbs.. anyone have any comments on these motors.. they have been used in thee circle track arena for years. the other benifit.. it mates to a T5 trans.. simple.. plain and simple.. heres my idea. bored pinto motor worked head turbo cam lots of boost mega squirt i/c t5 should make for a VERY light powerful highreving 4 cyl. engine should sit far back.. 50/50 weight dist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun40146 Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 I realize what your trying to do. You want to keep it simple, however you should consider and SR20det. That motor swap has been done several times and most of the stumbling points have been fixed. Such as motor mounts; you can get the mounts and drive shaft from vilidini or the like. The harness has been worked out. But with the 2.3 swap alot of the work you are going to have to do will be custom and therefore VERY expensive. I'm not saying either swap is easy, but for the increase in power the sr20det offers I would go with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 You may want to check the weight on that motor. I've heard but haven't verified that it is almost as heavy as a 5.0. Also check your weight distro before you do the swap. When I scaled my car which had an L28, 5 speed, and R200 and an Autopower roll bar it was 49.5/50.5. The Z is REALLY close to 50/50 right out of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 I should also mention that I think it's probably easier to get 500 hp out of the 4 banger than it is out of the V8, ironically... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Now what kind of car would this be? 30 lbs is quite a bit, and wouldnt that setup be very expenive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 That's the thing, this is one of the most popular circle track engines for the 4 banger class, so you can get a motor built CHEAP. Then you just get a big ol turbo and crank the boost, and all you really need to worry about is the engine management. Last time I checke the circle track guys have these things pushing 280 hp NA out of a Holley 390. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I like the idea. You might contact Alsil on this site about the possibility of using the crossmember he developed for the 302. The mounts are close enough to the same that it might work with minor changes. My daughter's mustang has one of these motors in it and I've been tempted to get a turbo setup from a T-Bird Turbo Coupe or an XR4Ti to throw on it. If it weren't her only mode of transportation we probably would have done it by now. Keep us updated if you decide to go forward with the project. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zgeezer Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Actually, it would be a good choice. Check this for Turbo TBird, mostly stock time: http://www.dragtimes.com/Ford-Thunderbird-Timeslip-9233.html Somewhere, I think on this forum, I read about a 4 cyl Turbo Mustang into the 9s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cup Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 That's the thing, this is one of the most popular circle track engines for the 4 banger class, so you can get a motor built CHEAP. Then you just get a big ol turbo and crank the boost, and all you really need to worry about is the engine management. Last time I checke the circle track guys have these things pushing 280 hp NA out of a Holley 390. YEp,, thats my idea.. and w/ a borg warner T5 i can rebuild it myself (had a turbo 5.0 cpe) also, i really wonder how much easier and cheaper the sr25/20 motor would be.. i do all fab work/welding myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cup Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 I like the idea. You might contact Alsil on this site about the possibility of using the crossmember he developed for the 302. The mounts are close enough to the same that it might work with minor changes. My daughter's mustang has one of these motors in it and I've been tempted to get a turbo setup from a T-Bird Turbo Coupe or an XR4Ti to throw on it. If it weren't her only mode of transportation we probably would have done it by now. Keep us updated if you decide to go forward with the project. Wheelman migh do that.. a 302 crossmember should work fine.. thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete84 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 If anyone get get a close to typical build cost for such a motor setup, that would be great - I haven't heard almost anything on such high power 2.3's. Not really around that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 http://racerwalsh.zoovy.com/ http://www.esslingeracing.com/ I was looking at this yesterday and you can get a complete stroker shortblock with long rods and forged pistons for ~$1600 through Racer Walsh. Heads through them are ~$1000. So for $2600 you can have a professionally built long block from them. I don't know about Esslinger. They have a lot of stuff on their site but don't give prices for complete engines or heads, but they have a good name in the circle track world... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraz240z Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I put 25 pounds of boost on my brothers merkur with a cheasy intercooler and drove it like for 1 year and nothing ever messed up........ Good motor comes with forged internals stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledphoot Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 there are many tricks you can do with the 2.3 and even on a budget you can make good power. T-charged motors are seen in many sports and naturally aspirated they are dollar for dollar easy to build as parts are readily available... I say originality weighs in your favor as well. I can also say that the 2.3 is not nearly as heavy as the 5.0 There are some great heads available aftermarket also. Look into some of the old stroker kits used by circle track guys using Oldsmobile rods and such.... On a budget the 2.0 Ranger head is a quick trick as well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 From: http://www.team.net/sol/tech/engine.html Ford 2.3 turbo weight = 450 lbs Ford 5.0 = 460 (late 5.0s are a bit lighter) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalesince59 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 The 2.3 is a good motor. I have run them in my rail buggies for over twenty years. The bottom end is bullet proof! My current set up in my street /off road rail is pushing over 225 hp with a single carb induction. It is realistic to get over 300 hp with a stock IHI turbo on a modified motor . The last turbo 2.3 i built was mild and pushed 20 lbs boost with an un-modified{except for locked by-pass valve } IHI turbo.You really can't hurt these with 20 lbs boost. A stock turbo-coupe has 190 hp, add 20 to that with just a cold air induction. Any hp. over 350, turbo,nitrous or natural aspirated is going to require major head work or an aftermarket head. Both Esslinger and Racer walsh are good sources for these motors. I also have a couple of turbos for these if you are interested, you can pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledphoot Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 http://www.241computers.com/ford/ContentExpress20-30-38.html 380lbs W/TURBO FROM T-bird is what I have dealt with. I do see several variations and weights. Here is a handy chart for engine sizes/dimensions of many manufacturers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 That's what I hate about getting weights from the internet. I think your weight looks more realistic, so I think I'll believe that one until someone shows me different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cup Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 thanks for the links guys.. guess to 302 may be that light.. guess thats why they crack down the lifter valley @ 500hp under 6000k rpms... i hope to pick up a z in the next few weeks.. have my eye on one.. it seems everyone is into the import swaps and i REALLY think the pinto motor is the way to go especiallly w/ the tranny options.. but whats your view on the nissan 4 cyl twin cam? dale.. might be intersted but not sure what trim/a/r/housing i will need.. only messed w/ turbos on a 302.. i assume a t3/t4 hybrid would be the answer? i plan on having the head thoroughly ported w/ bigger back cut vlvs..etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cup Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 On a budget the 2.0 Ranger head is a quick trick as well.. a while back i read about a guy that was mating a volvo 16v head to the pinto block.. think he got it running... whats the scoop on the 2.0 head? is it better? bigger vlvs? more flow? required mods? when i do this it is gona be BIG:evil: was looking at some cosworth motors.. i figure i could find some euro head but it would probably be insanely expensive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.