North American Turbocoupe Organization



Does anyone know?
charles88tc Offline
Senior Member
#1
Does anyone know the factory specs, horsepower and torque, of an 85 naturally aspirated 2.3? Ive been trying to do some research on a 2.3 swap into my explorer at therangerstation.com. The 4.0 is on its way south fast. Everyone over there is just saying a 2.3 wont pull an explorer. I am not asking them if it will or wont, its what I have available. All I was wanting to know is what all would be involved in that swap, seeing since my uncle is giving me a good rebuilt 85 2.3, with the cash Im saving on tryint to find a Quick replacement, I can add a cam, and 500 holley 2barrel and some good head work, (usual mini stock oval track treatment)I know It will pull my explorer.
So i figured I would comeback and ask some people that would give me a strait answer. Thanks everyone, for all the help you have given! Past Present and future! Just check out all the b/s thats here, http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/i...opic=30678
88 tc 5sp, Gillis, K&N on vam, Redneck cat back exaust (nothing from the cat back) 220,000 mile short block. Rebuilt 86 head and cam.
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charles88tc Offline
Senior Member
#2
I know here I may not be in luck on any info on the swap itself. I would really like the info on the 85 n/a 2.3 . Also if anyone knows how the ranger roller cam would affect
this engine, if you can even use it?
88 tc 5sp, Gillis, K&N on vam, Redneck cat back exaust (nothing from the cat back) 220,000 mile short block. Rebuilt 86 head and cam.
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Demented2.3T Offline
Member
#3
well i can't exactly answer your question but i can tell you my 91 mustang coupe with a N/A 2.3 and an auto tranny was by far the slowest thing i have ever driven. I would actually be scared to pull out in traffic. I know the earlier 2.3 mustangs like 87-90 made 88 hp at the crank. Mine with the DIS made like 102 at the crank. So as to your swap. Drivable yes. scary slow, Hell yes! good luck.
1986 Turbocoupe
Stock t3, front mount IC, TurboXS BOV. Home depot MBC the daily driver
1988 GT 410 hp at the crank 448 ftlb torq
1986 mustang T-top coupe 2.3T project
1997 Honda CBR F3
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
I can't say for sure but I would guess a stock 85 made less than 90 HP.

I can tell you that I did buy a 95 Ranger w/ 5spd in Calif back then. We are talking the small everything so this was about as light as you could get a Ranger. that POS couldn't get out of it own way. Getting on a highway was what we called an "adventure in living" - a very slow one. The only thing going fast in the truck was me flogging gears and praying for tail wind.

The Explorers are underpowered with a 4.0 and 160 or 165 HP and you want to put in an engine half that size. This is not a good plan. You would need 5.56 gears to get it moving. Please reconsider this, for safety sake.
Pete Dunham


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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#5
Disable the turbo in your TC, and put about 1000 lbs of people and other heavy things in it. Take it for a drive. That is about what an Explorer with a 2.3 would feel like, but slower still with the auto tranny.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 23 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 04 Taurus Duratec (wifes car) // 91 Topaz (daughters first car)
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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BCA Offline
Senior Member
#6
Quote:Originally posted by Pete D:
I can't say for sure but I would guess a stock 85 made less than 90 HP.

I can tell you that I did buy a 95 Ranger w/ 5spd in Calif back then. We are talking the small everything so this was about as light as you could get a Ranger. that POS couldn't get out of it own way. Getting on a highway was what we called an "adventure in living" - a very slow one. The only thing going fast in the truck was me flogging gears and praying for tail wind.

The Explorers are underpowered with a 4.0 and 160 or 165 HP and you want to put in an engine half that size. This is not a good plan. You would need 5.56 gears to get it moving. Please reconsider this, for safety sake.

I believe you are very close Pete, my Dad bought an '86 Ranger 2wd SB with a 2.3L 5-speed and shortly after that was when I bought my Cougar. My brother and I were curious as to how much more hp my car had stock than the truck, and if I remember correctly his Ranger was rated @ 88hp.

I also remember that truck as being a joke at highway speeds, if there was any bit of an incline on the highway, it could not hold 65 mph without downshifting into 4th gear.

Brent

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1985 Cougar XR-7 5-speed - 1 of 7,860 built
1986 asc/McLaren EuroCoupe - 1 of 47 built
1971 Ranchero
Hi-Jumper SSIII w/2.3L Turbo power

NATO member
1985 Cougar XR-7 5-speed - 1 of 1,246 built
1971 Ranchero GT
Hi-Jumper SSIII w/2.3L Turbo power
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charles88tc Offline
Senior Member
#7
Well, finally an answer from someone I trust. (namely pete) Thanks Pete, Well I guess this weekend I going bone yard hunting, just found a huge one not far from my house, maybe I can find a 4.0, in the yard, that wont set me back too much. I guess this way Ill have a spare short block, minus pistons, for my tc when it finally decides to die. (knock on wood) I still think with some engineuity (spelling?) you could get the same 160hp and 225 lb/ft out of a n/a 2.3, oh well thanks anyway!
88 tc 5sp, Gillis, K&N on vam, Redneck cat back exaust (nothing from the cat back) 220,000 mile short block. Rebuilt 86 head and cam.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#8
This is strictly hersay, I don't know anything about circle track racing but I've "heard" that
about 150 HP is all you are going to get out of an NA 2.3 and that's one that worked over to the nth degree. You would have far more money in it at that point than any used 4.0
Pete Dunham


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charles88tc Offline
Senior Member
#9
Well, thanks again guys. Guess I am off to the junk yard on Saturday. Just wish I had someone to go with me. My dad probably would but he has no need for anymore junk, and lives 45 miles away. Hopefully I can find a taillight housing for my tc too! I still think I need to put in a call to, who I refer to, as the KING of engine builders. Hes an older guy thats been building engines since the early 60's, and has too many championships to count in various forms of racing, from mini-stock, to jet boats, to sprint cars, and late models. But yes Thank you guys I dont know what I would do with out this site!
88 tc 5sp, Gillis, K&N on vam, Redneck cat back exaust (nothing from the cat back) 220,000 mile short block. Rebuilt 86 head and cam.
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Ryan H Offline
Posting Freak
#10
Which yard are you going to? I may be able to help you out.

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Ryan Harris

88 TC, 5 speed, B&M Ripper Shifter, Walbro 190 LPH, K&N, 3.73's, 88K miles

Awaiting install: Walbro 255 HP, Aeromotive Adj. FPR, new IHI, SPEC Stage III, K&N cold air
'88 TC Smile Walbro 255HP, Stinger FMIC, PIT BOV, Pro 5.0, Kirban, RR cam, FRPP strut tower brace, T3
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