I’m ready to rebuild the motor (long post)

[03shkr]

I don’t have the time to do the rebuild myself. So, after looking around, I’m leaning towards someone who has not done a 2.3 before, but he has done Ford motors and he does a lot of turbo motors (yeah, tuner cars - he has a twin turbo Supra that runs 9s). Anyway, I’d appreciate any advice before I get things rolling. And if anyone knows a builder in the Portland/Vancouver area, please let me know.

Here’s my criteria. The car must be streetable on pump gas (premium is fine) and it must pass emissions. I want to be able to drive to events and take it on trips. I want the lower end torque with an honest 300+ at the wheels, and I would be VERY happy with 350+, but only if it is streetable. I am use to driving a 300+ hp car on the street and at the track - I have been diving on road courses for over 4 years. And, I have some 03-04 Cobra buddies and just to irk them , I want to be able to reasonably keep up with them. And since my Mach 1 does it, I beleive the SVO could, too.

I’ve done some searching and I believe 300-350 is obtainable. But, I’d like to here from people with experience, so help me out - here’s what I’m thinking.

I understand the process of getting the block checked before buying the pistons. And to get proper clearance, have the pistons in hand before boring the block. I want good quality forged pistons. I want to go with the stock head with a good port job and bigger valves with hardened seats. I’m gonna go with a header and new exhaust. I think I’m gonna go with a roller cam and a bigger turbo. I want to make sure cooling is not an issue. So, I want a good intercooler and an aluminum radiator. I think I’m going to go with the Spec 2 clutch. And even though I have not had tranny issues, while it’s out, I’m gonna have it checked. At a minimum, I’ll have new seals and bearing installed.

I’ll start looking at the SVOCA vendors. So, now the questions; any and all help is appreciated. I want the parts to be well matched so they work with each other. I have one solid goal and that is to get it right the first time.

• Any suggestions on pistons? I don’t want to go custom unless it’s the only option.
• Any suggestions valves and sizes?
• Any suggestions on header?
• Any suggestions the cam?
• Any suggestions on the turbo? Is a bigger one is necessary?
• What compression should I consider? Isn’t stock around 8.0:1?
• Any suggestions on injectors?
• Any suggestions on intercooler and radiator?
• Any tranny upgrades to consider?
• I’m also unfamiliar with the SVO computer. Any changes required on the 86 computer? Can it be tuned/programmed/chipped like my Mach?
• Did I miss anything?

[8T6 SVO]

I don’t have the time to do the rebuild myself. So, after looking around, I’m leaning towards someone who has not done a 2.3 before, but he has done Ford motors and he does a lot of turbo motors (yeah, tuner cars - he has a twin turbo Supra that runs 9s). Anyway, I’d appreciate any advice before I get things rolling. And if anyone knows a builder in the Portland/Vancouver area, please let me know.

A turbo guy is a good start. But these motors, like any other niche motor, have there own quirks that someone with 2.3 experience might better help you with.

Here’s my criteria. The car must be streetable on pump gas (premium is fine) and it must pass emissions. I want to be able to drive to events and take it on trips. I want the lower end torque with an honest 300+ at the wheels, and I would be VERY happy with 350+, but only if it is streetable.

While 300 RWHP is do-able, you will have to do some work when you want it to be smogged. Your going to have to sacrafice some "stock" reliablity issues to have that kind of HP as well.

The need for bigger injectors and the lack of the stock computer's ability to run them will be the downfall of your goals.

[chalkys_explorer]

Hi Brian. Join the club. It'll be the best $30 you ever spend as you save that in the turbo rebuild alone!!!!

Ok, here's some tips.....JCamper has a good machine shop in Longview. They did his autox motor and the work was very good.

Pistons, Sped-Pro Forged, PM Dragpak, he's a good source. Head work is where you going to want to call Bo at Boport. Call Charlie at Evergreen for the turbo. He can rebuild your stock one or after a good chat can custom build you something for your purpose. Computer stuff is debatable but you can stay with stock, chip an LA or PE or go the whole hog with a megasquirt to give ful easy tunability. I know a guy local who builds them.

Check Forced 4 and Motion Dynamics for most stuff. Jim was in the habit of shipping stuff overnight for me when i built my motor.

As always, feel free to call.

Chalky

[8T6 SVO]

Brian,

Chalky has great advice for you - and he's local.

[boostedbruiser]

1) Pistons........ i used TRW 2500LF.....Speed pros' Bummer is they are only avaible in .030 overbore...... don;t let anyone else tell you different. oh and i believe they stop making them a while back, but still available....I like them since they are CHEAP and work.... other pistons are double the price.
2) keep stock compression.....
3) I suggest a bigger turbo..... i have a SC50 precision unit. Something along this type of turbo would work great and have room for growth. MUST HAVE 3" elbow and free exhaust....... Will probably need a external waste gate to control the turbo...... 44mm was recommend to me for my turbo. i imagine the same would work..... Internal gate won't control the turbo enough. it will boost creep BAD....
4) definetly need injectors........65's # injectors would work.....
5) Get a HIGH FLOW IC... do a search for postings i made.... theres lots of info on the board already.........
6) is the tranny stock svo? is it shifting fine now? Mine was the original..... I doubt it was rebuilt......... Mine lasted 2 years with me beating the crap out of it..at the track and on the street. I never power shifted , keep that inmind. Mine finally died at around 390whp...... tried to run a porsche, got into to 3rd......waited for him to jump, he jumped, i stepped on the gas, watch the boost swing 28psi and BOOM.........no more 3rd. I had just back from the dyno making something like 390Whp and 400+ft lbs trq.......and the trq would kick in around 3600rpm..
Anyways a stock trans will live depending on HOW you drive.
7) computer....... pick your poison, but either way the VAM needs to go........ so either J3, PCMX, 90mm MAF or Mega squirt/comparable Speed density setup.
8) YES i suggest getting a BOPORT head and CAM. Stg 1.1 and 1.5 are perfect for a daily driver and have no noticable LOPE. Stg 1.9 is a little rougher, but makes NICE power up top. Read my cam reviews, there are dyno sheets on turboford...... Definetly want bigger valves and a port job. Look at this DYNO and you can see the difference in Boports STG 3 head vs a HOME port and polish..... Same cam, same tune, Nothing changed, JUST the port work. peak gain was 29whp , but if i had a bigger turbo i would have made more power. My turbo was out of steam thus the drop off on the top. Stg 1.9 cam FYI.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l51/justa4banger/BoportbaselineSTG1.jpg

Another option is to source a 2.5 crank, but then you need pistons, and maybe rods.


ONE SUGGESTION. don't use stock rods..... they will survivie but its a ticking time bomb. i did make 438whp though on a stock short block with arp rod bolts. i also now have a nice sight hole in the block and the #3 piston went on strike.....

[03shkr]

someone with 2.3 experience might better help you with.

Any suggestions?

The need for bigger injectors and the lack of the stock computer's ability to run them will be the downfall of your goals.

I can do bigger ejectors and use a different computer.

[03shkr]

Hi Brian. Join the club. It'll be the best $30 you ever spend as you save that in the turbo rebuild alone!!!!

I already sent in the dues.

Ok, here's some tips.....JCamper has a good machine shop in Longview. They did his autox motor and the work was very good.

Is this a machine shop? Or can they do the rebuild too? The toughest thing is finding someone to do the rebuild.

Pistons, Sped-Pro Forged, PM Dragpak, he's a good source. Head work is where you going to want to call Bo at Boport. Call Charlie at Evergreen for the turbo. He can rebuild your stock one or after a good chat can custom build you something for your purpose. Computer stuff is debatable but you can stay with stock, chip an LA or PE or go the whole hog with a megasquirt to give ful easy tunability. I know a guy local who builds them.

Looks like Bo is unavailable ( link ).

You think the stock turbo with a rebuild will be good enough? Even with a custom build?

I gotta be honest here, I was worried about what I would find when doing a google search on "megasquirt". But, if this EFI system works, I'm game.

Check Forced 4 and Motion Dynamics for most stuff. Jim was in the habit of shipping stuff overnight for me when i built my motor.

Once I nail down someone on the rebuild, I'll do that. I'm hoping to kick things off in the next week or two.

As always, feel free to call.

Chalky

Thanks. I have your number.

[03shkr]

3) I suggest a bigger turbo..... i have a SC50 precision unit. Something along this type of turbo would work great and have room for growth. MUST HAVE 3" elbow and free exhaust....... Will probably need a external waste gate to control the turbo...... 44mm was recommend to me for my turbo. i imagine the same would work..... Internal gate won't control the turbo enough. it will boost creep BAD....

Sorry, but I am turbo illiterate. I don't understand most of this lol. I basically got bigger and room for growth. Bigger works. Room for growth is fine, but not necessary if I put down 300+.

6) is the tranny stock svo? is it shifting fine now? Mine was the original..... I doubt it was rebuilt......... Mine lasted 2 years with me beating the crap out of it..at the track and on the street. I never power shifted , keep that inmind. Mine finally died at around 390whp...... Anyways a stock trans will live depending on HOW you drive.

The tranny is stock and it's the best shifting tranny I've ever had. With 390 at the wheels, what tranny upgrades did you do? Or should have done?

8) YES i suggest getting a BOPORT head and CAM.

Unfortunatley, unless someone is well connected and can help me out, I think I'm going to need to find soneone else. Bo is booked until the fall.

Another option is to source a 2.5 crank, but then you need pistons, and maybe rods.

I thought about a stroker. I won't completely rule it out, but it's not my first choice.

[Jcamper]

Yeah they do machine work and rebuilds, really perfectionists and honest. They don't have a ton of experience with turbo/tuner stuff, do lots of race motors, diesel motors, a little of everything else. Mark their head guy knew exactly how to set up a 2.3 head correctly, but I would agree with all the advice you've gotten from everyone else. I would do a Boport head, cam, design the turbo and intake/exhaust manifolds around his recommendations, do a Megasquirt and probably switch to distributorless ignition. There are definitely better pistons out there than the speed-pros, but they are really good for the money, you will spend a lot more for a small gain that metric rings and the like will get you. Aftermarket rods are a no-brainer by the time you get your stock ones resized, new bolts and balanced.FMIC, larger radiator. It is Castle Machine here in Longview. Jcamper

[chalkys_explorer]

for the radiator, I recently got a Mishimoto aluminium one and it's great. Cheaper than a replacement brass one. Got it on the 'bay.

[boostedbruiser]

The need for bigger injectors and the lack of the stock computer's ability to run them will be the downfall of your goals.

UMMM HUH?????????????

Made my numbers below with a regular ole PE computer..... I run a MAF and 65# injectors......... Requires a chip, but those are cheap, Tuning.....that will be costly or take time........depends on YOU.

[boostedbruiser]

Oh since Boport sin't the best option for ya......... i have a buddy that does home porting work. He did my head before Boport redid it.

It flowed decent and heck i still made over 400+whp with his port work......407 to be exact.its the first graph in the dyno above....... Let me know.you pay shipping to/from dallas........ good thing is he is cheap. He has done quite a few 2.3t heads.......no rookie.

[8T6 SVO]

UMMM HUH?????????????

Made my numbers below with a regular ole PE computer..... I run a MAF and 65# injectors......... Requires a chip, but those are cheap, Tuning.....that will be costly or take time........depends on YOU.

I was just talkin reliablity & streetablity here. It sounds like he doesn't want to be constantly tuning. ~ IMO, things change (from stock) once you get over 300 HP.


My advice to you 03shkr, would be to accurately depict a HP goal. Then you can realistically start to figure on what you need to do to achieve that goal. Remember - once your done, it's easier to go down in HP value than go up.


There are lots of ways to achieve this goal you now have for yourself - some people have stock motors with LOTS of boost, some will do it with more displacement and less boost, there are different intercoolers, different styles of computer systems, cams, etc., and ultimately, the cost of the sum total. It will take you a while to really understand what combination works for you and experience is really the only way to achieve this understanding - if you know what I mean. Anyone can tell you, you need to do 1,2,3,4,etc. to get 350 RWHP. But.....it might not be the way you ultimately want to achieve it.

Talk to as many people as you can, read lots of posts on each task your looking at (turbo, cam, exhaust, etc.) then you can make your own decision - always keeping in mind your total HP goal. Mismatching parts can hurt you as well. There are lots of people on this site that can give you specific answers or opinions once they're pointed in the right direction.

HTH

[03shkr]

Yeah they do machine work and rebuilds, really perfectionists and honest. They don't have a ton of experience with turbo/tuner stuff, do lots of race motors, diesel motors, a little of everything else.

Would you trust them to do a rebuild on your motor?

Mark their head guy knew exactly how to set up a 2.3 head correctly

Since Boport is booked through the fall, this sounds like a good option to me.

I would do a Boport head, cam, design the turbo and intake/exhaust manifolds around his recommendations,

If I can figure out the right combination of parts, can Castle Machine fix me up?

do a Megasquirt and probably switch to distributorless ignition.

what optins are the for going distributorless. I like what I read.

FMIC

FMIC??? I know this refers to the intecooler.

[03shkr]

for the radiator, I recently got a Mishimoto aluminium one and it's great.

I like the way it fit, too. Do you know the dimensions? Was it 621mm X 428mm?