2.3L Turbo Ford???

**94jedi** · 05-06-2008 07:30 AM

Hey all, I've done a fair bit of research and I'm itching to build a 2.3L turbo ford motor in a 78-93 Fox body notch back mustang. Does anyone here have any experience with this??? I know a few of you had some insight a while ago on this topic, I was hoping someone could sort of guide me through the process.

Jon Baas, where are you!!!!

**Tiesto** · 05-06-2008 09:09 AM

You're not going to find that much info here. I don't even think I've ran acorss another member who has admitted they drive a Ford.

**94jedi** · 05-06-2008 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Tiesto

You're not going to find that much info here. I don't even think I've ran acorss another member who has admitted they drive a Ford.

probably true...buy hey, variety is the spice of life isn't it???

**94jedi** · 05-08-2008 01:45 PM

I think I'm going to do it. apparently the single cam and head are what holds this engine back...time for a Volvo DOHC head swap!!!

**Mike02A4** · 05-08-2008 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Tiesto

You're not going to find that much info here. I don't even think I've ran acorss another member who has admitted they drive a Ford.

I drive a Ford. It moves

Have you thought of just buying an 85-86 SVO turbo Mustang? Or do you only want the notchback style? Try www.corral.net or www.hardcore50.com for more info. I know the 5.0L stuff VERY well, but not too much on thr 2.3L Turbo.

**Four Play** · 05-08-2008 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by 94jedi

I think I'm going to do it. apparently the single cam and head are what holds this engine back...time for a Volvo DOHC head swap!!!

I wouldn't say the SOHC holds the engine back...

9 Second SVO

That also goes to show you what a proper auto setup can do

I do know they are VERY stout motors, you can run tons of boost and it just keeps wanting more.

www.corral.net has a 2.3L section on the forums, check it out.

EDIT: But it looks like you might have already found that forum, I see a thread about building a 2.3L notch, and he's from Maryland...

**b5a4gt28** · 05-08-2008 06:19 PM

I use to have a 2.3 turbo in a lx coupe mustang. It had a whole bunch of svo parts transfered over. That car was freakin awesome!

**99PanozAIV** · 05-08-2008 06:28 PM

You should check some of the Noble boards. I think that's the preferred combo in their cars.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=120703

**Gundem** · 05-09-2008 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by 94jedi

Hey all, I've done a fair bit of research and I'm itching to build a 2.3L turbo ford motor in a 78-93 Fox body notch back mustang. Does anyone here have any experience with this??? I know a few of you had some insight a while ago on this topic, I was hoping someone could sort of guide me through the process.

Jon Baas, where are you!!!!

come on jedi. you should know better.

**94jedi** · 05-09-2008 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Four Play

I wouldn't say the SOHC holds the engine back...

9 Second SVO

That also goes to show you what a proper auto setup can do

I do know they are VERY stout motors, you can run tons of boost and it just keeps wanting more.

www.corral.net has a 2.3L section on the forums, check it out.

EDIT: But it looks like you might have already found that forum, I see a thread about building a 2.3L notch, and he's from Maryland...

Yessir, I'm on the corral under the name 88BlueGT. unfortunately, that forum doesn't move very fast at all. I've been on turboford.com doing some research. the format of that forum is very old but there is a fair amount of activity on there.

I'm pretty set on a notch back if I go through with the project... I know they're ugly as sin but I have a soft spot in my heart for them...

**Four Play** · 05-09-2008 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by 94jedi

Yessir, I'm on the corral under the name 88BlueGT. unfortunately, that forum doesn't move very fast at all. I've been on turboford.com doing some research. the format of that forum is very old but there is a fair amount of activity on there.

I'm pretty set on a notch back if I go through with the project... I know they're ugly as sin but I have a soft spot in my heart for them...

I wouldn't consider them ugly as sin, did you see the picture of the white notch I posted in the other mustang thread not too long ago? That car is what made me fall in love notchbacks, absolutely gorgeous

I don't know how set you are on running a 2.3L, but another option that more people have done with awesome results is a V6 swap. It will still be a very lightweight swap like the 2.3L, but the aftermarket for the 3.8L is much larger than the 2.3L aftermarket, and all of the big V6 shops have very fast cars, most of them are new edge style. If they can make those pigs fast, imagine that engine in a nice little notchback

Just another option for you to consider.

I haven't been on in a while, so I don't know if there is any 2.3L guys on still, but have you looked on www.turbomustangs.com ?

**RigsPGT** · 05-09-2008 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tiesto

I don't even think I've ran acorss another member who has admitted they drive a Ford.

Just because you dont drive one, doesnt mean others cant... you moron! Sorry to say it but you really deserve this word!

**94jedi** · 05-09-2008 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Four Play

I wouldn't consider them ugly as sin, did you see the picture of the white notch I posted in the other mustang thread not too long ago? That car is what made me fall in love notchbacks, absolutely gorgeous

I don't know how set you are on running a 2.3L, but another option that more people have done with awesome results is a V6 swap. It will still be a very lightweight swap like the 2.3L, but the aftermarket for the 3.8L is much larger than the 2.3L aftermarket, and all of the big V6 shops have very fast cars, most of them are new edge style. If they can make those pigs fast, imagine that engine in a nice little notchback

Just another option for you to consider.

I haven't been on in a while, so I don't know if there is any 2.3L guys on still, but have you looked on www.turbomustangs.com ?

Well, Actually, I say they're ugly because the styling is so 80's but in reality I love notches...on slicks/skinny's w/ a nice cowl, they definitely look badass.
I hadn't considered the 3.8L really although I do know that mechanically, it's extremely similar to the 5.0, minus two cyl's of course. I know there's a few big v6 shops in canada and If I recall, there's a guy also from Canada running a V6 in a fox notch but he was n/a. I remember seeing the car in MM&FF.

a turbo 3.8 v6 would be pretty nasty. My parents had a merc sable with the 3.8 at one time and I seem to remember the engine not being very reliable. could've been the car in general...

What pulls me to the 2.3L is the idea of a fast 4 cyl mustang. plus the inherent stoutness of the engine. Like you said, they can take 30+psi of boost. plus they're easy to work on and it's a fairly rudimentary engine so it should not be a major challenge for me.

I've seen turbomustangs.com. it's a neat site but isn't very active. they seem to deal more with turbo v8's, 5.0 specifically.