2.3 Max power.

[Unbreakable7132]

How much power can I get out of a 2.3? The one I have is an 89' and it's been rebuilt once. I know they only had about 100hp stock though, so I'm wondering how much I can squeeze out of it. Are there any mods I can do that will take it up? Thanks.

 

[DetUnd]

First thing is to get a new air induction set up. K&N for instance.
Forced air is better.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

K&N is crap. stay away from stupid cone-filter intakes like that.

real power comes from real work, eg opening the engine up. contact a member by the name of "Mutant Pony", he knows more about getting power from the 2.3 than anyone here.

naturally asperated you arent going to churn out any really impressive figures and still be streetable. forced induction is a good idea, but you still wont break the 200 mark without forged internals.

 

[Mutant Pony]

150 hp is pretty easy to obtain N.A.. 200 hp will cost money and not be very streetable.
With a Turbo 200 hp is pretty easy but, like wicked said, Forged pistons are a must.
Roush Racing had a 2300 based engine making 600 hp, turbocharged.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

Holy hell. I sorta wanted to keep it naturally aspirated. So is the 2.3 worth all the time and money, or should I just buy a 302 and go from there?

 

[Unbreakable7132]

Is there anything I can change, I.E transmission, rear end wise to give me some more speed at least? I like the acceleration I get but I wanna go faster damnit.Any suggestions?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

going fast just gets you speeding tickets.

if your happy with the way it accelerates, then leave it be. speeding is a bad idea, particularly in a pickup as the suspension is not designed to handle well at high speeds.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

This is for my project truck.I go to a small airport and have fun on the runway all day.I'm just trying to make a lttle monster out of my truck.hah.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

How easy would it be to reach 150hp? You've got me interested mutant.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Cubic inches are horspower, The more cubic inches, the more horsepower. Horsepower=speed. If all you want to do is go fast in a straight line, you want a 460 in it.

 

[Mutant Pony]

How easy would it be to reach 150hp? You've got me interested mutant.

Carb,intake, cam and header. The '89 would require an older cylinder head. I suggest the '85-'88 d-port. As well as the '85-'88 lower intake manifold adapted to carb.
I think 150 could be obtained with the EFI but, I don't have a recipe for that.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

So slap an older head on it and convert it to carb. What carb would be good to start with? Now as far as finding the older head and intake, would it be easy to find in a junkyard?

Also, the 460.Are those easy junkyard finds?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

460's can be easy to find, but swapping one in is anything but.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Yeah, the 460 was kinda a joke but, It is possible. It has been done. It would be fast in a straight line, turning on the other hand...

'85-'88 head and lower plenum from a junk yard, Evilbay, or classified ad. Carb adapter from esslingerracing.com or racerwalsh.com. Header from Racerwalsh. I like Racer walsh's cam and valvetrain selection the best. 350 cfm Holley 2bbl.
The intake manifold requires Tig welding and diegrinder work, You can buy an intake already done from Racerwalsh but, it is way overpriced.

Once you've researched all the parts and the time and effort to install you may say "thats not so easy". I did all of this without ANY aftermarket parts (except the header). I'm running a stock roller cam but, my head has been ported so it is like haveing a bigger cam. The above recipe I borrowed from Esslinger.

 

[Unbreakable7132]

That is alot of work, but it would be worth it.
How much hp do you think I could free up with a header and opening the head up?