I'd turbo a straight 6 before a straight 4... My '88 Ranger has a 2.3 and so far I am not happy with it at all.
Where did you get your 351c numbers?!? The solid cam 71 was 330 hp and 13.0 quarter off the showroom in a heavy Stang. The 70 4v was 300 hp... And who in their right mind would put a C in a Maverick and keep it stock?!? Dave
2.3 turbo CAN be made faster than a 302 powered car. But the 302 will have MUCH better off-the-line power. The 2.3 didn't do all that well from a dead stop...unless you have a 2 step and build boost really early. First things you'll want to do is to find a turbo coupe or SVO engine, get the motor, harness, computer, pretty much everything engine related. Then you'll have to have a high pressure/high volume fuel pump to feed it....which would be nice to have one in the fuel tank. Then you'll have to upgrade the lines and add a return line. The Maverick's stock fuel line will not handle the 60+ psi pressure (40 psi base pressure + boost pressure). The wiring and adding the EEC will be the hardest part, IMO. That said, yes it'd be a little work. No, it's not going to be much cheaper than just dropping a carbureted 302 in there. But, it'd be different, cool, and FUN! The turbo 2.3s run great...and don't let anyone tell you that they're turds. I had an SVO that I modded the heck out of...and surprised a LOT of 5.0 & 4.6 mustangs especially from rolling start. It (remember it was modded) would eat up WRX's and most of the import stuff (DSM's, etc) and ask for more. It wasn't the fastest thing out there...in fact, I had my butt handed to me more times than I can shake a stick at, but still....it was a fun ride, for a little 4 banger. After adding the Holset turbo and workign the bugs out, it would build 2 psi boost by 2500, 6 psi by 3000, then somewhere around 3800, it would be like getting hit in the back end by a Mack truck....it came on HARD and FAST. I never knew what full boost was--gauge only went to 30 psi and I sold the car before I got it fully tuned. But, in 2nd gear, it would start spinning the tires when boost came on, and in third gear, it would chirp them at the onset of boost. If you've ever driven a decent turbocharged car, you know the kind of power I'm talking about....its like riding a motorcross 2 stroke motorcycle---you go from what? 80HP to 200 HP in like a second...it's like flipping a switch. Learn how to harness and manage the boosted power, and you could very well have yourself a pretty fun ride
thanks for the info, i think when i blow up this 302 ima do twin turbo but like u mentd bout 2 step like a diesel, but the motor i found was a 2.3 n/a but only $50
ok, now i agree a pumped to the max 4 can be made to beat a stock carbed 302. now put a large turbo setup on a 302 that has been built for the boost, hmmmm.
The one thing you don't have to worry about with the 2.3 is block failure. It won't pull the main webs out and crack it down the camshaft like a windsor block will. A straight 6 would be cool, but you'd have to replace the no-flow head with a good cross flow, and I know the truck blocks are indestructable, but I don't know about the car blocks. They're just not as beefy, but having one crank journal per hole does help a ton. The heads and the electronics are the weak points on the engine, but those can be easily fixed. True, it's not a torquey engine and the N/A one barrell carb engines won't get out of their own way. It's only 140 cubic inches. The turbo coupes I've owned came out of the hole really hard though. I don't know where all of this non-drag racing stuff came from. The motor will easily over power the tires, which is your weak link in most street car ET capability. You don't have to build boost to launch. Just rev that sucker up and dump it. By the time you trip the 60 foot light you'll be shifting into second and the boost will be full on and she'll be screaming. The issues about fuel supply and electronics are very well stated. There is definitely some work that needs to be done there and if you're the kind of guy who would just rather bolt parts together, then I'd stay away from any EFI or turbo car. An N/A 302 or 351 will give you everything you can handle. If you don't mind doing a little fabrication work, then it's really not too hard at all. The '87 and '88 turbo engines have very good throttle response and package like a compressible liquid. The intercooler is top mounted and does a decent job so there's not any extra intercooler piping and stuff that has to be fabbed up. You'll have to use a late model Pinto oil pan to clear the steering linkage, and probably have to fab up your own motor mounts or at least heavily modify some pinto mounts. Other than that, there should be no fitment issues. Well, if you run a 5 speed or other late model tranny, you'll have to come up with your own cross member.
idont know which is better for you but I had an 83 turbo coupe that was probebley one of the funnest cars Ive had to drive jm2
I like those 2.3 motors. They can make 300hp NA ever see a sand rail dragster Not streetable but a well thought out 2.3l turbo is an easy 300 to 400 hp. I kick my own arse for selling my 88 turbo coupe. I got it the mid 13's with traction issues.
No one has been able to break a small block 6 cylinder block yet. They can handle ALOT of horse power, probably more then a 2.3. The rods are the weak point in a small block 6. I'll never own another 2.3. This one in my truck with less then 6,000 miles on it has left a bad taste in my mouth.
thanks for all the comments guys, unless i come across an 2.3 turbo motor ima stick with my 302, until it blows and ill boost the 302 cant wait
I threw everything at my SVO. Lesee, Eagle 5.7 in rods Weisco pistons, SDS computer, 255 LPH pump, 8.8 rear with 4.10s, ported head with Ferrea big valves. ported E-6 exhaust manifold, T-3/4 hybrid, Volvo intercooler, 65# injectors, 3" single exhaust with a Warlock muffler (Great when uncorked). It would flat run away from my friends LS-1 Six-Speed Camero at 16 PSI. I could put race gas in it and run upwards of 22 PSI. Felt like the end of the world when the boost came up Got 28 MPG. I am an idiot for selling it. Though it was no fun tuning it.
