is an n/a block different from a turbo block? I mean... does the n/a have hookups for turbo oil lines? Is the compression different? Ignition boxes different? I recently got a 81 cobra with 2.3t in it... the motor is shot and siezed and is a future rebuild project... I was wondering if I could slap the turbo, exhaust, and intake on a 88 4 banger.... its carbed(the recipient) and home in an 80 mustang.... but its an 88 engine.... Hoping Ford just put an adaptor at the oil pressure sending unit or something to feed the turbo.... hopefully it will all go together.... Just dont want to jump in, and get a big bite of 'Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me' I cant chew...... Any heads up? Thanks, Andrew
You could technically put the turbo kit on a N/A engine, but the internals aren't going to be up to the job. An engine that only has 88 hp isn't likely to have forged pistons and rods, both of which are highly recomended if you plan to get farther than one 1320. Hope any of that helps.
this question gets answered almost daily... do a search on it or check out the faq at turboford.org... like he said, you can and it will run for a while, but you really do need the forged pistons. The turbo has lower compression to compensate for the boost also. If you lean out and detonate kiss the pistons good bye. as far as the oil lines are concerned you are correct about the t fitting for the supply line, that is exactly what ford did. for the return however there is a drain hole back into the block, although if you wanted to use an NA block and not fool with tapping a hole you could just drain back to your pan. i also dont know too much about the carbed turbo cars, but if you were gonna run a turbo on your 88 engine you would probably be better off leaving it fuel injected and getting a computer vam and injectors from a turbocoupe, svo, merkur, or turbo xr7 and wiring it up. and
yes, all factory 2.3T had forged internals, to handle the strain, and save then engine if you lean out at any kind of boost.
yes, they all have forged internals. Bhuff did a turbo build up on a n/a motor, but it is alot easier and less time consuming to just buy a turbo motor and drop it in.
You have a carbed turbo though. These guys are talking about the EFI turboed 2.3's. You should be fine slapping the carbed setup on to the N/A. The carbed turbo 2.3 had flat-top pistons and only boosted to 7-9 psi. Very lack luster. Can be made to make 175 Hp with a little work. I say put it together since you have all the parts and start searching for an EFI turbo motor to throw it in there later down the road.
the blocks in 2.3's are all the same... only difference is the DIS 2.3's that dont have the provisional hole for a distributor... turbo shortblocks have forged pistons N/A have hypereutectic pistons forged can handle turbo and NOS applications hyper are lighter and cheaper
Best bet is to find an '87- '88 Tbird TC or Cougar XR7 and use it as a donor car... they are dirt cheap and have all the high performance parts you need if you really want to build power. While they are not the only turboford you can use, they are the best of the lot for the following reasons: 2.3L T-5 tranny with good gear ratios. Large VAM Decent intercooler Good computer (Only the '85.5 and '86 SVO Mustang computers are better) 8.8" rear with limited slip differential Sway bars... for that matter, you should be able transfer over much of the front suspension as well if you feel ambitious. Will help with ride and handling considerably.
I already have a ***HUUUGE*** sway bar, and v8 springs up front on the recipient car... Im debating on putting the turbo on my rx7 or just use it on the mustang since its all bolt up.... What would you do? Turbo light wieght sports car... or turbo heavy weight straight liner with 25~30 less hp?? Thanks, Laters, Andrew
What gen Rx-7? Without knowing what options your car has, or if it has been modded, I would ballpark the curb weight around 2800 lbs. An EFI Turbo can be made to produce some serious power on a relatiely small budget. ~400 - 450 Hp has been done, still retain decent street manners, AND still retain emissions legality. Also, it is possible to get a Mustang to grip in the corners. Again, this depends on how ambitious you are. Unless the car has had the suspension upgraded, there is little on your Cobra that you would be able to use unfortuneately. However, a Merkur XR4Ti might be a better platform to start with if handling is your bag, as it has alot of the expensive handling goodies on ti stock.
The carb turbo has forged internals also. But has 9.0:1 CR with flatop pistons instead of the 8.5:1 CR with dished pistons. You could run the carb turbo on the dished piston block and it will build up less heat due to more volume area but you are still at risk with non forged internals if you have a bout with detonation.
well my Rx7 is an 84 GS, with lots of mods... Wieghs in about 2400 with my 250 pound ass in it.... I started digging into the engine... Trying to take off the turbo... Well, ford is stupid, they cast **** into their intake, waste all that money, just to barley hold a ****ing throttle bracket, which could have been attached to the ****ing carb bolts..... anyways.... what ever rednecks had it before me, the turbo exhaust is open, with no hole on the stock exhaust to show its factory... and get these two shockers... the turbo oil line looks to have been leaking, SO THEY BLOCKED IT OFF!!! So it wasnt getting oil... AAAAnd the turbo waste gate line was Tee'd into and ran to the windshield washer nozzle.... nice bleeder valve? WTF?! The dizzy is pulled... and its been sitting since 89... so I dunno if the motor is blown... or if all that was done while sitting... or what... Im kinda at a loss... When I get the turbo off, if its decent still, I would guess the motor is too.... Any insight appreciated... Thanks, Andrew
