Mustang power said:
Do you know what the maximsm horsepower is that these carbed engines can handle before they break down?
Is the boost adjustable on these turbo's?
How much horsepower and torque can a fuel injected turbo 2.3L handle? The mods I had planned with the 79 Mustang carb turbo I had estimated would put me in the 225-250 RWHP range. The drawback is I see carb turbos limited to about 16lbs of boost with the stock setup. The EFI guys have more leeway to swap and tweak turbo's so 30lbs boost is not unheard of. I suppose if you knew someone who could rebuild one you could get a custom carb turbo T3/T4 hybrid made. That would raise how much boost could be made.
I do think that the intake tracts airflow would start becoming a limiting factor after18-20lbs boost.
remove the intake and exhaust manifold and there is little difference between the two motors other than the carb turbo's higher static compression ratio.
The carb turbo had 9.0:1CR forged flat top pistons and if I recall correctly the EFI turbo's had 8.5:1 ratio forged dished pistons.
The carb turbo's boost is sorta adjustable. The control rod from the vacuum cannister to the turbo can be lengthened or shortened to raise or lower boost. The easiest way is to get one of the boost bleed off valves for the carb turbo 2.3L's.
If I still had my 79 2.3L carb turbo this is what I would do.
Quality rebuild bottom end with ARP main and rod bolts, good quality bearings. I would also get the rotating assembly custom balanced. I would also pay attention to improving the rods by the usual hot rod preps or getting a set of aftermarket rods. A longer rod with a shorter compression height wouldnt hurt either.
I would also use late model forged dished pistons. The dish pistons and the greater volume allows for better volumetric filling effeciency. When the air-fuel charge rushes into the larger volume it rushes in with a little more momentum so it packs the cylinder better meaning opportunity to make more power.
I think the Ford Duraspark is nice but a MD box would be better.
A roller cam that is designed specially for a turbo motor and a set of roller followers would be a must.
The carb turbo would love a ported and polished head as much as any 2.3L turbo.
Also get the multi keyway cam sprocket and run the cam straight up. Stock from Ford the cams are retarded a number of degrees to reduce emissions. I am not a big fan of the adjustable cam pulleys as every single one I have seen slips in time and has to be readjusted. My dad had a set on his Pinto and he eventually took it of as he got tired of constantly messing with it.
You can port the cast iron exhaust manifold or try and adapt a Ranger tubular shorty header but either should be Jet Hot coated to keep exhaust heat in the manifold to keep the exhaust pressure up to reduce turbo lag.
The carb turbo cant run a intercooler but Im guessing that when the LP does its phase change from a liquid to a gas it will cool the intake tract.
I have no experience with LP so I have no suggestions on the induction side.