2.3L ('83-'97) 1983 2.3l performance build

[Gasboxy123]

I have a 1983 ranger with that 2.3k 4 cylinder. Me and my dad have it in the shop getting fixed and they found that the engine is going to need to rebuild with 2 of the 4 cylinders being Burnt up, my dad thought that we should do a full engine over haul on it , what kind of performance parts can we throw in it with stock block to make it into a mean little engine with some good horsepower. Thanks .

 

[Shran]

Esslinger Engineering is going to be your go-to for knowledge & parts. There are a few other companies out there too that sell performance stuff. Lima engines were/are really popular for circle track racing. My experience is that they are ridiculously heavy for what they are, stock parts are getting very hard to find and performance parts are mega expensive. I love them but I'd really think about an engine swap to something else unless you are dedicated to what you have or emissions prevent you from doing that.

 

[scotts90ranger]

About all you can expect without a bunch of money is around 100-120hp if you stay carbureted and such... these engines are mostly limited by the intake ports in the head so some generous porting (stay somewhat reasonable, there's water jackets in t here... but there's plenty of room to smooth things out). and a cam will likely get you what you'll get, depending on what the stock compression ratio was going to higher compression pistons might help too... I'd stay in the 9-10:1 range though.

 

[Stitter]

Late to the party here.

Good sources for parts
Esslinger
Racerwalsh
Boport
BigRmotorsports
Delta Cams (if you want a regrind)

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Do what I've thought about on occasion, swap in a honda k24 engine, they make adaptors to fit a chevy transmission. Then you have way more power, better fuel efficiency, better parts availability in the future, and quite a few choices for power upgrades.