2.3 4 cylinder engines

[Lloyd Cimprich]

I have a 1990 2.3 LX which I understand has 88HP while later models have
over 100 HP. Does anyone know how the later models develop more power? I
like this cars solid feel and handling very much but a little more power
would be a big improvement. I feel that a V8 will make the car a little nose
heavy and would prefer to stick with the 2.3.

Thanks in advance.

[Steven Fisher]

Uhhhh, the power (and quieter engine) more than make up for the weight
genious.

[JACarreira]

I believe your stang has 100 horsepower. It was either '90 or '91 when they
changed the 2.3. The newer engines had eight spark plugs(2 per cyl.) and a
distributorless ignition system(DIS) to get the extra horses. You can check to
see if you have this by looking at your engine. If you have a distributor you
have 88 horses if you have coil clusters you have 100 horses. There is no
logical way if your car has a distributor to change it to a DIS, you would have
to replace a lot of parts(not worth it). A V8 is much better than you think.
Find someone who has one and ask him or her to let you take it for a spin, you
may change your mind. You can also add performance parts to your 2.3. Believe
it or not many people race these cars. You can add a blower or turbo, pulleys,
K&N air filter, etc. Just ask around.
JAC
97 GT modified

[Maverick9D]

I think the 90 2.3L is an 88HP engine cuz the engine under the hood of my 90 LX
has a distributor and 1 plug per cylinder. I hate the lack of power this car
has. There is a bunch of stuff you can do to it. I heard of somebody who went
all out and made that engone equal to the SVO's which is near the 5.0 range.
The only upgrades i am considering right now on my 2.3L is dual exhaust and
possible the addition of a turbo. But if i turbocharge the engine, will the
transmission be able to withstand the torque?

[Phillip Price]

Hello all. I am new to the group. I've ben reading it for a while and
thought it was time to finally say something.
The 5 speed in a 4 cyl. mustang is actually a T-5 with a lower torque
rating than the 5.0 units. I drive a 2.3 turbo Merkur XR4Ti and know that
other XR4 owners upgrade to the 2.3 T-5 units. The units from Turbo Coupes
or SVO's are prefered over the 2.3 Mustang units, but the mustang unit
should withstand the power you could build a 2.3 to make. I will be making
this upgrade in my XR4 if I don't sell it and buy another Capri or Mustang.
I know of guys with turbo 2.3 units making over 280 hp a the rear wheels
with pretty mild mods. Beware, if you do add a turbo. There are a lot of
factors you must consider when adding a Turbo. The SVO, Turbo Coupe, and
Merkur 2.3's have some differences in head design and block design to prep
for turbo usage. I don't know how a regular 2.3 would stand up to 18 bls
of boost. Back to my original point though, the trans will hold up.

Phillip
87 XR4Ti,
Dreaming about another mustang or Capri!

Maverick9D <maver...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199803310511...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

[PGrady9543]

I also own a 2.3 mustang LX(1986). I really don't know what the modifications
are to the latter model 2.3's because of the lack of information on this
engine, but I would recomend replacing the old rear gears with new 4.10's, a
K&N air filter, and a high flow muffler. This should bring your car up to
speed while still keeping it on a budget.

[Stang99700]

To all you 2.3 lovers, where can I get a turbo for my 4-banger?
I just wish my baby could have a little more balls.
If you can tell me where and how much it would cost I would
be very happy.

[Mehmet Gokturk]

Try junk yards. By the way, I am selling my 89 2.3 LX.
White no dents or dings. notchback. at only 60k (really). changed
water pump and timing belt and muffler last month (as 60k regular
maintenance). Stereo power door etc. Automatic.
Asking 3000/obo. battery 1yrs old. located in VA.

Mike

Stang99700 (stang...@aol.com) wrote:
: To all you 2.3 lovers, where can I get a turbo for my 4-banger?

: I just wish my baby could have a little more balls.
: If you can tell me where and how much it would cost I would
: be very happy.

--
# Mehmet Gokturk The George Washington University #
# http://www.seas.gwu.edu/student/gokturk #

[Phillip Price]

Look in the junk yards. You may want to get the entie motor since the
turbo motors are a little different. You will want to get the turbo from
an XR4Ti, SVO, or pre 87' T-Bird. The 87 and 88 Turbo Coupes use an IHI
turbo that sel destruct at over 25 PSI. the other cars use a Garrett (not
sure of spelling) T03 turbo. Early SVO' and XR4's didn't have a water
cooled turbo like the later cars. A common and very good mod is to use a
buick GN turbo compressor housing (it had a T04) with the T03 exhaust
housing. Another note: if you decide to get the entire motor, the newer
the better. Early XR4Ti's and SVO's had an inferior head design and a
exhaust manifold prone to cracking as compared to later models. Beware of
the head on these motors. They WILL crack if the motor is not properly
cared for.

Phillip
87XR4Ti

Stang99700 <stang...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199804011850...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...

[Maverick9D]

Are there any web sites for the 2.3L?

[Matthew Jochum]

Maverick9D wrote:
>
> Are there any web sites for the 2.3L?

www.geocities.com/motorcity/6652

[Doc]

I bet a lot of us have them and wont admitt to it
Mine is laying in the shop next to all the other parts I took off the car
Doc